Tesla remains one of the most common premium EVs on Ukraine's roads, and tow requests for these cars are far from unusual these days. Tesla has a few technical quirks that set its towing process apart even from other electric vehicles: a dedicated service mode, a sensitive security system, and more. Here's what matters.

How Tesla differs from other EVs when it comes to towing

The general principles for towing electric vehicles, which we covered in our article on towing an EV, apply to Tesla too: a flatbed with the body fully secured remains the only safe way to transport it. But Tesla has its own specific quirks:

  • Full electronic control over most vehicle functions, including a parking brake that's controlled entirely by software;
  • A dedicated mode for towing and loading (Tow Mode) that many other manufacturers don't offer in the same form;
  • A sensitive security camera system (Sentry Mode) that can interpret the loading process as an attempted theft;
  • Some models (especially Model S and earlier Model 3 trims) have noticeably low ground clearance, requiring a specific approach when loading onto the platform.

What Tow Mode is and why it matters

Tow Mode is Tesla's dedicated service mode that releases the parking brake and puts the drivetrain into a neutral state, allowing the car to be safely moved without risking damage to the electric drivetrain.

  • Tow Mode can be activated through the menu on the car's center screen, as long as the car's electronics are functional and accessible;
  • If the car is completely powered down, say from a critically drained high-voltage battery, Tow Mode can't be activated via the screen, and an alternative wheel-release method is needed, one a trained crew will know;
  • Without activating this mode, trying to roll a Tesla onto the platform with the electronic parking brake still engaged can be difficult or require extra steps.
Important: if you can access the car and its electronics before the tow truck arrives, it's worth checking your owner's manual in advance for how to activate Tow Mode on your specific model and year. This speeds up loading.

Sentry Mode during loading: what to know

Sentry Mode is Tesla's security monitoring system, using the car's external cameras to record what happens around it when the owner isn't present. During loading onto a tow truck, this can create some unexpected situations.

  • An active Sentry Mode can interpret the process of lifting the car onto the platform as a threat and respond with an on-screen warning or a notification to the owner's app;
  • If you know about an upcoming tow in advance, it helps to disable Sentry Mode through the app or the car's menu to avoid false alarms;
  • If the mode can't be disabled, say the car is completely powered down or inaccessible, the crew will still load the car normally. A triggered alarm isn't an obstacle here.

Low ground clearance on Model S and Model 3

Some Tesla models, especially older Model S versions and lowered Model 3 trims, have noticeably less ground clearance than standard sedans.

  • Loading onto a standard-angle platform risks scraping the front bumper or the battery pack shield, which on a Tesla sits in the floor of the car;
  • For these models, we recommend and use a low-bed platform with a minimal loading angle, the same approach used for sports cars and modified vehicles;
  • Since the Tesla's battery pack sits right in the floor, damaging it during careless loading can be far more expensive to repair than bumper damage. So care here matters especially.

Towing a Tesla after an accident

As with any EV, towing a Tesla after an accident calls for special attention to the condition of the high-voltage battery.

  • A hard impact to the underbody, say hitting an obstacle at speed, can damage the battery pack housing. This calls for especially careful transport, avoiding extra strain on the damaged area;
  • Tesla has safety systems that automatically shut down the high-voltage system in a serious accident, but visual signs of battery trouble (a smell, smoke, unusual sounds) still call for immediately moving to a safe distance and calling emergency services in addition to a tow truck;
  • We tow Tesla vehicles from accident scenes the same way as any other EV: on a flatbed, fully secured, with no load on the wheels.

What to tell the dispatcher when you call

A couple of things worth checking with the dispatcher before the crew heads out for a Tesla:

  1. The exact model (Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y) and, if known, the model year: this affects ground clearance and electronics specifics;
  2. Whether the car is electronically accessible (can you get into the app or reach the screen) to activate Tow Mode;
  3. The reason for the tow: dead battery, accident, technical fault;
  4. Whether there's known underbody damage, if this is related to an accident or hitting an obstacle.

Bottom line

Towing a Tesla takes a bit more preparation than a regular car: you need to account for Tow Mode, potential Sentry Mode alerts, and the low clearance on some models. Our crews are familiar with these quirks and use a low-bed platform where needed, to deliver your EV without a single unnecessary scratch. General principles for towing electric vehicles are covered in a separate article, if yours isn't a Tesla.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Tesla be towed on a rope for a short distance?

No, the manufacturer explicitly doesn't recommend towing a Tesla on its wheels even for a short distance: the risk to the drivetrain is too high. A flatbed is the only safe method.

What if a Tesla is completely powered down and Tow Mode isn't accessible via the screen?

In that case, the crew uses an alternative mechanical method to release the parking brake, provided by the manufacturer specifically for this scenario. Let the dispatcher know about this in advance.

Will Sentry Mode damage the tow truck or crew during loading?

No, Sentry Mode is a camera and notification system. It doesn't take physical action against external objects, it just records what's happening and notifies the owner.

Does every Tesla model need a low-bed platform?

Not all of them. Model X and Model Y have more standard ground clearance. A low-bed platform matters most for Model S and lowered Model 3 versions.

How fast does a Tesla's charge drain if left stationary for a long time?

EVs consume a small amount of charge in standby mode even without active use. Over extended periods, weeks or more, this matters, especially with Sentry Mode active, since it draws extra power to run the cameras.

Does towing a Tesla cost more than other EVs?

The rate follows the same logic as any other EV: distance, whether a low-bed platform is needed, and the nature of the call. We'll quote the number on the phone.