The introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) has been a game changer for the automotive industry, due to their advanced technology, efficiency, and eco-friendliness. At the same time, EVs are vulnerable to power failures, system glitches, software malfunctions, and any other issue a high-tech device might experience. Whether it’s a frozen touchscreen, charging issue, or sudden power loss, knowing tips on How to Reset Your EV can save you time and unnecessary trips to the mechanic.

This guide aims to help you Reset Your Car after a power failure or system glitch, detailing step-by-step methods for different EV brands and common scenarios that necessitate resets.

1. Defining the Right Time to Reset Your EV

Before heading towards the methods explaining How to Reset Your EV, lets first cover a few common issues that may necessitate a reset.

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 Frozen or Unresponsive Infotainment Screen

 EV Won’t Start or Power On

 Charging Issues (Not Charging or Slow Charging)

 Sudden Power Loss While Driving

 Problems with Connectivity (Bluetooth, WiFi, or Even the Mobile App)

 Warning Indicator Lights That Refuse To Turn Off

 Dysfunctional Regenerative Braking

If you find yourself facing any of these common glitches, a quick reset could very well help resolve the issue.

2. Basic Methods on How to Reset An EV

When it comes to resetting an EV, there are different options available depending on the type of problem one is trying to solve. We will focus now on the more practical methods of resetting:

A. Minor Issues: Soft Reset

Soft resets are appropriate for system issues like nonresponsive touch displays and disconnections.

Steps to Carry Out a Soft Reset

If your system has a power button, hold it for 10 to 30 seconds.

Wait for the infotainment screen to black out and restart.

If the screen continues to be unresponsive, try pressing both volume buttons at once (this works for some EV models).

Determine if the problem has been fixed.

 Recommended: Resolving touchscreen, Bluetooth, and other software lags or glitches.

B. Resolving Persistent Issues: Hard Reset

Charger failures, loss of power, or unresponsive functions of the EV are examples of issues that would require a hard reset.

Steps to Carry Out a Hard Reset

 Switch Off the Vehicle Fully – Press the power button and ensure all indicator lights have stopped lighting up completely.

 Leave the Vehicle, then Lock It – Stay this way for 5-10 minutes before beginning again.

 Hit the Brake Pedal and Start The Vehicle – A firm press on the brake pedal might be necessary to start some EVs.

 Check the Dashboard for Warning Lights – If warning lights are still on, proceed to a 12V Battery Reset.

 Best for: Power outages, system freezes, or a vehicle that’s completely unresponsive.

C. 12V Battery Reset (For Critical Issues)

While most EVs feature a 12V auxiliary battery, which powers vital systems like vehicle ignition and electronics, resetting the 12V battery is usually the solution when an EV won’t power on or seems unresponsive.

What is needed for a 12V Battery Reset?

 Switch Off the Vehicle Entirely.

 Find the 12V Battery (common areas include the engine bay or rear trunk).

 Disconnect the Negative Terminal (-), then after 5-10 minutes, reconnect.

 Reconnect Relayed Terminals, ensuring secure attachment.

 Check if issue is persistent.

 Best for: Complete power failure, unresponsive vehicle, malfunctions, or missing Essential systems.

D. Factory Reset (For Software System Issues)

If experiencing frequent software issues, VR/Bluetooth connections, and infotainment failures, it is suggested these issues can stem from having to execute a factory reset at least.

Performing a Factory Reset

 Navigate Settings from the touchscreen menu.

 Tap on “RV Configuration” or “Reset to Default Settings”.

 Confirm the Reset (Note: This action will delete all saved settings and preferences.)

Restart the car and check if the issue has been fixed.

 Best For: Infotainment system problems, issues with connectivity, and lag problems.

3. How to Reset Your Car by Brand: Tesla, Nissan, Ford, and Others

Different EV brands have slightly different methods of reset. Let’s discuss how to reset the most desired electric vehicles:

How to Reset a Tesla

 Soft Reset: Press and hold both steering wheel buttons until screen reboot.

 Hard Reset: Turn off the car, leave the vehicle, and wait for 5-10 minutes before turning it back on.

 Resetting the 12V Battery: Open the frunk, remove the 12V battery, let it sit, then put it back on.

 Factory Reset: Go to Controls > Service > Factory Reset after signing in to your Tesla account.

How to Reset a Nissan Leaf

 Soft Reset: Turn the car off and wait for a couple of minutes, then restart.

 Hard Reset: Press the brake pedal and while pressing it, hold the power button.

 Resetting the 12V Battery: Remove the 12V battery, wait for 10 minutes, and reconnect it.

 Factory Reset: Go to Settings > Info > Factory Reset.

How to Reset the Ford Mustang Mach-E

 Soft Reset: Press and hold the power button located on the infotainment screen.

 Hard Reset: Exit the vehicle, lock it, and wait 10 minutes before turning it back on.

 12V Battery Reset: Disconnect and then reconnect the 12V battery.

 Factory Reset: Settings > General > Master Reset

Also Read = How to Fix the Most Common Electric Car Problems at Home

4. Avoiding EV System Glitches And Power Failures:

To avoid the need to reset frequently, follow these maintenance tips:

 Installation of the Latest software is a must.

 Charge your EV regularly. Ensure not to over discharge the battery (keep charge between 20-80%).

 Keep an Eye on the 12V Battery. Change the battery when you see signs of weakness.

 Avoid Repeated Use of Rapid Charging. Straining the battery will result from excessive fast charging.

 Stay updated with manufacturer’s service bulletins. Check for recalls and known issues.

These preventive measures will help take a load off the need for frequent resets.

Final thoughts: Simplifying the process of resetting your EV

Knowing how to reset your EV after a power failure or system glitch allows you to efficiently troubleshoot many common issues without professional intervention.

Quick Reset Overview:

 Soft Reset: Minor issues and glitches related to infotainment is fixed.

 Hard Reset: Reverts system power loss and malfunctions temporarily.

 12V battery reset: Resets deep system crashes and stern failures to guidance systems and assists.

 Factory Reset – Reverts the vehicle’s software to original settings.

If your EV has further issues despite several resets, it’s preferable to see an expert or take it to a service center.

 How about you? Has an EV system ever malfunctioned on you? Share with us in the comments!