Tesla Service Menu: A Guide for the Curious

Deep insights into vehicle technology and the ability to handle some workshop visits yourself? That's not possible with Tesla and all its software – is it? Yes, it is! Tesla Service Menu, also known as Tesla Service Mode, enables exactly that.

The whole thing is actually intended for workshop employees and Tesla service personnel, but customers can also easily and fully access the Service Mode.

We'll show you how it works and what the service menu can do.

The most important points in brief: What can the Tesla Service Mode do?

• Adjust service settings
• Viewing error messages
• Conducting audio tests
• Checking vehicle systems
• Calibrate wheels and steering
• Recalibration of the windows
• Brake break-in
• Visibility of security systems
• Advanced functions for workshops

Tesla Service Menu: How to activate it

To enter Service Mode, go to Vehicle in your Tesla's infotainment system.&In the software, tap and hold the model name (e.g., "Model Y") until an input field appears. Enter the password "service" and you're done: A red border around the display indicates that you are in Service Mode.

An app icon depicting a wrench appears in the navigation bar. This icon always takes you back to the service menu's home screen. There you will also find the button to exit service mode: simply press and hold it until the red border disappears.

Use at your own risk

Warning! Tesla Service Mode is capable of many functions and is officially designed for qualified personnel only. While the risk of something major going wrong is not very high, you are always proceeding at your own risk.

Tesla's hidden menu: What can it do?

But now for the exciting part: What can the Tesla Service Mode do?

Service settings

The service settings can be found on the home screen of the service menu. By default, in service mode, settings such as top speed and torque are limited, the driver profile and dashcam are deactivated, and much more. However, you can change some of these default settings – simply browse the settings tab.

View error messages

Another option, already available on the service menu's homepage, is the ability to view active and past warnings and error messages along with their explanations. Some messages even link directly to the corresponding page. the Tesla manual.

Interesting: Audio tests

Another feature of Service Mode (and an interesting gimmick, even if nothing is broken) is the audio test. There, you can play a test melody or a tone at a user-selectable frequency through each of the vehicle's speakers individually – and discover just how many speakers your Tesla actually has.

Check vehicle systems

On the left side of the service menu, you will find numerous tabs for submenus. Here you can monitor various vehicle functions, such as wireless connections (Wi-Fi, mobile network), the components of the high-voltage system, or the cooling and heating circuits. Simply click through the menus and discover the inside of your Tesla.

The service mode displays all systems graphically, yet in great detail. For example, all sensors and valves are shown individually.Green and red colors indicate which system parts are working normally and where errors are present.

Important: By default, the air conditioning is switched off in Service Mode. The corresponding submenus therefore show no activity or status, but only a grayed-out representation of the system. Manually activate the air conditioning by tapping the temperature at the bottom of the screen – the display will then come to life.

Wheels and steering

The chassis menu (shock absorber icon) provides assistance for wheel alignment. Here you can display your steering wheel angle and current offset, allowing you to adjust the alignment yourself with the necessary equipment and expertise.

Another function in the chassis menu is the calibration of the steering column. Simply press the corresponding button, and the system will guide you through the necessary steps.

After optimizing the wheel alignment using the service menu, you might also want to improve other aspects of your vehicle. With our selection of high-quality Tesla Model Y Accessories and Tesla Model 3 Accessories Enhance your driving experience.

Window

You can also recalibrate your Tesla's windows. The window menu will initially display information about all available windows, such as whether a window is currently moving or closed, and also whether recalibration is necessary.

You can start this process as needed via the corresponding button in the window menu. The calibration process is fully automatic.

Brake break-in

Also practical for self-application is the brake break-in program. This guides the user through a defined sequence of repeated acceleration and braking. This is not only useful for new brakes, but can also be helpful if there is rust on the brake discs.

Security

In Service Mode Plus, more on that below, safety systems such as airbags and seat occupancy detection can also be viewed. This is particularly helpful for locating faulty sensors or connectors and, with the necessary expertise, potentially repairing them.

Advanced functions

What probably nobody does at home, but should still be mentioned here for the sake of completeness, are the more complex functions of Service Mode.

This is also intended to guide workshop employees through actions such as replacing the battery, an inverter or the windshield, and to automatically perform all necessary software-related steps – very practical.

The Service Mode Plus

Tesla Service Mode Plus is an extension of Service Mode, offering additional functions and insights into the vehicle. To activate it, a laptop with the Tesla Toolbox software installed must be connected to the car via a diagnostic cable.

The Toolbox is paid software for diagnosing and repairing Tesla vehicles. Like Service Mode, it is designed for workshops, but can also be purchased by private individuals. It offers Tesla Daily and even hourly access is available for €117 and €37 respectively.

This is not cheap, but it can definitely be worthwhile for some functions such as the calibration of the air suspension (if available).

Tesla Service Mode: Conclusion

The Tesla Service Menu gives Tesla drivers easy access to the innermost functions of their vehicle – even though the mode is primarily intended for professional workshops.It eliminates the need for a laptop or external software for many applications and offers an attractive and clear graphical interface.

Even though the Service Mode is probably mainly a gimmick for many owners, it has an enormously practical background.

And the "Right to Repair", which is increasingly found in laws and is intended to prevent the monopolization of repair capabilities in the hands of manufacturers, is also satisfied by the Service Mode and the associated availability of vehicle data.

Have you ever ventured into the service menu of your Tesla? Share your experiences in the comments.