These instructions apply to the Tesla Model Y (2020-2024).
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
Disconnecting the 12 V battery on your Tesla Model Y (2020–2024) is a job owners occasionally face before long storage, before bodywork or work near the airbags, or to recover a car whose low-voltage system has run down. This guide covers the 12 V low-voltage battery only. The high-voltage drive battery is a sealed, factory-serviced unit that you never touch, and the orange high-voltage cabling is strictly off-limits. Done in the right order, the 12 V side is low voltage and safe for an owner, and the Model Y re-establishes its systems by itself once power is back.
Where the 12 V Battery Is
On the Model Y the 12 V battery is at the front of the car, reached by removing the front trunk (frunk) tub and the cowl/trim beneath it. With the trim out you will see the battery with two leads: the negative (−) on the black terminal, earthing to the body, and the positive (+) on the red terminal, normally under a protective cap. Identify both terminals before you loosen anything.
High voltage: never touch the orange high-voltage cabling. This procedure is only the 12 V battery.
Getting Ready
- Make sure the car is not in READY — power it off from the touchscreen and keep your phone key and card key away so it does not wake and re-power.
- Wait a couple of minutes after powering off so the low-voltage systems settle before you disturb the terminals.
- Most Model Y settings are stored in your Tesla account and restore automatically, so there is little to write down first.
- Wear gloves and eye protection, and have the right tools to remove the frunk trim and slacken the small terminal fasteners.
- Work only on the black and red terminals of the 12 V battery; the orange cabling is off-limits.
Find the 12 V Battery First
Disconnecting
- Power the car off from the touchscreen (Controls > Safety > Power Off) and wait a couple of minutes.
- Open the frunk and remove the tub and the cowl/trim beneath it to reach the battery.
- Disconnect the negative (−) terminal first, then move the cable aside so it cannot fall back onto the post.
- Now disconnect the positive (+) terminal. If you are working near the airbags, wait a few minutes after disconnecting before you go near them.
Reconnecting
- Reconnect the positive (+) terminal first and secure it.
- Reconnect the negative (−) terminal last and tighten it.
- Check both connections are firm, then allow the car a minute to re-establish its systems before you drive.
What You’ll Need to Reset Afterwards
With most data held in your Tesla account, the Model Y restores the bulk of it on its own:
- Profile and preferences — most are stored in your account and come back automatically once the car reconnects.
- Power windows — if the one-touch/auto function drops out, re-initialise it as shown in our Model Y power-window guide.
- Tyre pressure monitor — drive the car so it re-stores the current pressures.
- Trim — refit the cowl and frunk tub once the car has powered back up.
If a Warning Message Stays On or the Car Feels Off
- Re-check both terminals are tight; a loose 12 V connection can trigger a range of alerts.
- Give the car a short drive so the systems re-sync before you assume there is a fault.
- Re-do the window re-initialisation if one-touch still will not work.
- If the 12 V system went flat to begin with, the battery may be near the end of its life — have it checked.
- An alert that persists has stored a code you can read to see what it points to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 12 V battery on a Tesla Model Y?
At the front, under the frunk tub and the cowl trim beneath it — completely separate from the high-voltage drive battery.
Is it safe to disconnect?
Yes — the 12 V battery is low voltage and safe for an owner to handle. Never touch the orange high-voltage cabling, which is a sealed, factory-serviced system.
Which terminal do I disconnect first?
The negative (−) terminal comes off first and goes back on last, so the system is dead when you handle the positive and a slipped tool cannot short against the body.
Will I lose my settings?
Most profile settings are tied to your Tesla account and restore automatically when the car reconnects, so little should be missing beyond re-storing tyre pressures and, if needed, re-initialising the windows.
Does a new 12 V battery need coding?
Fit the correct 12 V battery type for your build — lead-acid or Li-ion 12 V. Match the right type and rating; if you are unsure which your car uses, check your owner’s handbook for the specification.
Can I jump-start it instead of disconnecting?
If you only need to revive a flat 12 V system you can use the car’s low-voltage recovery method rather than removing the battery. Reserve disconnecting for storage or isolating the electrics for other work.
To relearn the windows afterwards, see our Model Y power-window guide. If a warning stays on, decode it on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Tesla. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.