Tesla Service Menu: A guide for the curious

In-depth insights into vehicle technology and the opportunity to take over the odd workshop visit yourself? Tesla doesn't offer that with all its software - does it? Yes, the Tesla Service Menu, also known as Tesla Service Mode, makes exactly that possible.

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

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

The most important things in a nutshell: What can Tesla Service Mode do?

• Customize service settings
• View error messages
• Performing audio tests
• Checking vehicle systems
• Calibrate wheels and steering
• Recalibrating the windows
• Retract the brakes
• Visibility of safety systems
• Advanced functions for workshops

Tesla service menu: How to activate it

To enter Service Mode, go to Vehicle -> Software in the infotainment system of your Tesla. There, 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 showing a wrench appears in the navigation bar. This icon always takes you back to the start page of the service menu. There you will also find the button with which you can exit the service mode again: Simply press and hold until the red border disappears.

Use at your own risk

Attention! Tesla Service Mode can do a lot and is officially designed for qualified personnel only. Although the risk of something major going wrong is not too great, you are always using it at your own risk.

Tesla hidden menu: What's it all about

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

Service settings

On the start page of the service menu you will find the service settings. By default, the maximum speed and torque are limited in Service Mode, the driver profile and dashcam are deactivated and much more. However, you can change some of these default settings - simply browse through the settings tab.

View error messages

Another option that can already be found on the start page of the service menu is the option to view active and past warnings and error messages, including explanations. Some messages even link directly to the corresponding page of the Tesla manual .

Interesting: Audio tests

Another feature of the service mode (and interesting gimmick, even if nothing is broken) is the audio test. There you can play a test melody or a tone with a frequency of your choice for each of the vehicle's speakers individually - and discover how many speakers your Tesla actually has.

Check the vehicle systems

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

The Service Mode displays all systems graphically but in great detail. For example, all sensors and valves are displayed individually. Green and red colors indicate which system parts are working normally and where there are faults.

Important:By default, the air conditioning system is switched off in Service Mode. The corresponding submenus therefore show no activity and no status, just a gray display of the system. Activate the air conditioning manually by tapping on the temperature at the bottom of the screen - and the display comes to life.

Wheels and steering

In the chassis menu (shock absorber icon) you will find help for adjusting the steering angle of the wheels. Here you can display your steering wheel angle and the current offset so that you can carry out the wheel alignment yourself with the necessary equipment and expertise.

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

After you have optimized the track setting using the service menu, you may also want to improve other aspects of your vehicle. Enhance your driving experience with our selection of high-quality Tesla Model Y accessories and Tesla Model 3 accessories .

Fenster

You can also recalibrate the windows of your Tesla. The window menu first displays information on all available windows, such as whether the window is currently moving or closed, and also whether recalibration is necessary.

If required, you can start this via the corresponding button in the window menu. The calibration runs fully automatically.

Retract brakes

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

Sicherheit

In Service Mode Plus, more on this below, you can also view safety systems such as airbags and seat occupancy detection. This is particularly helpful for locating faulty sensors or plug connections and, with the necessary expertise, possibly also repairing them.

Advanced functions

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

This is also intended to guide workshop staff through actions such as replacing the battery, an inverter or the windshield and to automatically carry out all the steps required on the software side - very practical.

The Service Mode Plus

The Tesla Service Mode Plus is an extension of the Service Mode and provides additional functions and insights into the vehicle. For activation, a laptop on which the Tesla Toolbox software is installed must be connected to the car using a diagnostic cable.

The Toolbox is a paid software for the diagnosis and repair of Tesla vehicles. Like Service Mode, it is designed for workshops, but can also be purchased by private individuals. For this purpose, Tesla offers daily and even hourly access for €117 and €37 respectively.

This is not cheap, but can be well worth it 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 if the mode is basically only intended for professional workshops. It eliminates the need for a laptop or external software for many applications and offers an appealing and clear graphical interface.

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

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

Have you ever ventured into the service menu of your Tesla? Comment on your experiences.