Turn Off Tesla GPS: All You Need To Know

Tesla has a robust selection of juicy features like Autopilot, crash avoidance systems, lane assist, and FSD beta, the best in the electric car market today.

Most of these features use GPS (global positioning system). However, many users are concerned about the company’s knowledge of their car’s location.

So, there have been questions about how to turn off Tesla’s GPS.

There is currently no noninvasive way to turn off a Tesla GPS, but there are other methods you can try if you are desperate enough. You can disconnect the car GPS antenna, turn off mobile connectivity, and disable the car internet access.

If you are not too keen on others knowing your location at all times, you should not get a Tesla or even a modern car. This article will explain multiple ways to turn off your Tesla GPS location.

Can I Turn Off Tesla GPS?

No, there is no setting to turn off location tracking (GPS) on Teslas because they depend heavily on Location access while driving.

Teslas use GPS for navigation, controlling Autopilot, and collecting data to optimize the driving experience.

You can still turn off your Tesla GPS, but you can only do so through unsavory and probably warranty-breaking ways.

I can understand and even count a few things that would make you want to turn off your Tesla GPS.

Sadly, Even if you are a teenager trying to have fun without alerting your parents or in a relationship and don’t want your spouse to keep tabs on your whereabouts, the GPS is critical for proper functioning.

Since you cannot officially turn off your GPS, you have to improvise if you want to, you can try:

• Disconnect GPS antenna
• Turn off mobile connectivity
• Disable internet access

#1. Turn off Mobile Connectivity

Tesla Mobile Connectivity is a system that allows users to link their smartphone to Tesla and use the Tesla mobile app.

The Tesla mobile app is essential and interactive because it can give you real-time updates on your car’s condition.

If you wish to go on a trip without anyone being none the wiser, you should turn off the mobile connectivity option so your car cannot get tracked remotely.

To turn off mobile connectivity, go on your Tesla touchscreen and click on Controls > Safety > Mobile Access; turn it off.

If you turn off mobile connectivity, all devices connected will get notified, and you will lose mobile features like smart summon, etc.

#2. Disable Internet Access

Your Tesla GPS might work anywhere, but it needs a working internet connection to upload your location to Tesla servers.

That means if the vehicle’s internet access is disabled, no one except you and the car will know where you went or where you are at a particular moment.

You can cancel your data subscription or remove the sim card entirely from the car and turn off its WiFi.

#3. Remove GPS Antenna

The final, although risky, is the most effective way of disabling your car’s GPS and preventing it from being tracked.

The GPS antenna is placed at the back of the car directly under the rear glass, and if it is disconnected, your Tesla will not be able to connect to GPS satellites in orbit.

Sadly Tesla placed the GPS in such a way that you will need to remove the rear glass before you can access it.

Pros and Cons of Turning Off Your Tesla’s GPS

The advantages and disadvantages of turning Tesla GPS off include:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Privacy	No Autopilot
Location Safety	No FSD beta
Lower power draw	Anti-theft compromised
Better driving focus	Bad drive optimization

Here are the advantages of turning off the GPS:

#1. Privacy

Tesla’s location works so well that you can get the real-time location of your car irrespective of its location worldwide.

If you value your privacy so much, a Tesla should be the last car on your mind, and you are better off taking the bus to your destination. 

If you can turn off your GPS, you can enjoy better privacy, albeit temporarily, because many Tesla features rely heavily on GPS.

#2. Better Driving Focus

Most drivers will agree that looking at the GPS can be distracting, even worse for Tesla drivers.

Teslas rely heavily on GPS navigation to plan long or short trips and estimate whether your car has sufficient charge to reach a particular destination or charging station.

Features like Autopilot, although innovative, can lead to drivers’ negligence and cause accidents on the road.

If you are a parent and want your child to focus on the road, you can disable the GPS, Which will disable Autopilot and force them to pay constant attention while driving.

#3. Location Safety

Although rare, If you are trying to go under the radar, turning off your location is your best bet at staying hidden.

A Tesla without a GPS won’t be able to expose your current location to unwanted parties, and you can be sure of your safety.

Here are the disadvantages of driving with the location turned off:

#4. No Autopilot

Tesla autopilot relies on GPS Geo-location while riding on the highways. 

If you disable your GPS, you cannot engage Autopilot for a leisure drive on roads and highways.

#5. Poor Drive Optimization

Tesla uses your location and driving conditions to accurately predict your estimated range and battery life.

Also, the data is collected and uploaded to Tesla servers, which they use to optimize the driving experience while taking that path.

#6. Disables Anti-Theft

GPS location is vital in tracking and preventing car theft. 

If you disable your Tesla GPS, it will be impossible to track the car, and the authorities will have to rely on an old-fashioned method of finding the car.

Why is My Tesla GPS Stuck in the Wrong Location?

Your Tesla GPS will display the wrong location due to hardware problems like a faulty antenna or software issues like bugs and glitches.

Teslas are always supposed to produce accurate and real-time GPS locations, but one or two issues could be stopping this.

If your Tesla always or frequently shows your car at the wrong location, you could be experiencing one of the following.

#1. Faulty GPS Antenna

If you have a faulty GPS antenna, your Tesla might show your car in the wrong location and prevent you from planning trips and using Autopilot.

The Tesla GPS module is under the rear glass and needs removal before you can access it.

Allowing only certified Tesla personnel to repair your GPS module would be best.

#2. Software Glitches

Bugs and software Glitches can cause your Tesla to display the wrong location.

If the location problem started after a recent system update, the update is probably at fault.

Software glitches can also be the culprit; you can perform a power reset to fix software Glitches and update your Tesla to the latest version to fix bugs.

#3. Loss of GPS Signal

You can lose GPS signals in places like tunnels and under bridges. These areas interfere with GPS signals and cause location issues.

Ensure you turn off Autopilot and take manual control when driving under bridges or tunnels to avoid accidents caused by loss of GPS signal.

Heavy rainstorms and terrible weather conditions can also negatively affect your positioning quality.

However, this loss of GPS signal should be temporary and reconnected immediately after clearing the obstruction or lousy weather.

How Do You Clear the GPS on a Tesla?

You can clear your Tesla GPS history by pressing and holding the recent destination on the touchscreen for up to 3 seconds and pressing delete.

You can also swipe right on the particular trip to permanently delete it from the GPS record.

A factory reset will also work, but it is temporary, and your previous trips will return when you reconnect.