Get Driving Guide for Tesla Model-Y SUV 2023

Driver Proﬁles

When you ﬁrst adjust the driver’s seat, steering wheel

position, or exterior side mirrors, the touchscreen

prompts you to create a driver proﬁle to save these

adjustments. Your proﬁle also saves various preferences

you make while customizing Model Y. See Using T e sla

Proﬁles on page 50 to learn more about saving proﬁle

settings to the cloud for easy access across multiple

Tesla vehicles.

Using Tesla Proﬁles

Driver proﬁle settings, such as seat adjustments,

temperature preferences, navigation Recents and

Favorites, media settings, and data sharing preferences

can be saved into a Tesla Proﬁle that is synced to every

supported vehicle under your Tesla Account. This

provides convenient access to your proﬁle settings and

preferences across all your Tesla supported vehicles.

To add a new driver proﬁle, touch the

driver proﬁle icon at the top of the

touchscreen. Then touch Driver Proﬁle

Settings > Add New Driver, type the

driver's name and touch Create Proﬁle.

Follow the onscreen instructions to save

mirror and steering wheel position to the

driver proﬁle. Check the Use Easy Entry

checkbox if you want to save (or use

existing) Easy Entry settings in which the

driver's seat and the steering wheel are

automatically adjusted to make it easy to

enter and exit Model Y.

To set up your Tesla Proﬁle, navigate to Driver Proﬁle

Settings and select your Tesla Account name. You can

choose to set it up as a New Proﬁle or copy the settings

from an existing driver proﬁle that you were previously

using.

To set up a Tesla Proﬁle for additional drivers, share your

vehicle with them from the mobile app and navigate to

Security > Add Driver. Their Tesla Proﬁle will appear in

the Driver Proﬁle settings after accepting the invitation

from their Tesla Account. For more information on

granting mobile app access, see Granting Access to a

Second Driver on page 152. In addition, you can change

your proﬁle picture from your Tesla Mobile App.

If you change the position of the driver’s seat, steering

wheel, or exterior side mirrors after you have saved or

chosen a driver proﬁle, the touchscreen prompts you to

Save the new position or Restore the previously saved

position (other settings are automatically saved). To

change a setting without saving or restoring, just ignore

the prompt.

NOTE: Some vehicle settings, such as seat, mirror,

steering wheel, and air vent positions are only synced

between the same vehicle models. If the seat or steering

positions do not restore as expected, touch Controls >

Service > Seat & Steering Calibration on the aﬀected

vehicles.

To delete a driver proﬁle, touch the driver proﬁle icon at

the top of the touchscreen, touch Driver Proﬁle Settings

and select the driver proﬁle you would like the remove.

Once selected, there is an option to Delete the driver

proﬁle.

NOTE: Tesla Proﬁles are supported on vehicles with

software versions 2022.24 or higher.

Your Tesla Proﬁle will be removed from any vehicle not

associated with your Tesla Account.

NOTE: Valet mode is a built-in driver proﬁle that limits

speed and restricts access to some Model Y features

(see Valet Mode on page 51).

Saved Settings

A subset of the settings that you choose to customize

your Model Y are automatically saved to your driver's

proﬁle. Once saved, a green check mark appears next to

the driver proﬁle icon on the touchscreen. Examples of

automatically saved driver proﬁle settings are:

NOTE: To stop automatic adjustments that are in

process based on a driver's proﬁle, touch Stop on the

Driver Proﬁle dropdown menu. Automatic adjustments

also stop if you manually adjust a seat, mirror, or the

steering wheel.

• Navigation, temperature, lights and display settings.

• Autopilot and driving preferences.

Selecting Between Driver Proﬁles

To adjust Model Y based on a driver’s

proﬁle, touch the driver proﬁle icon at the

top of the Controls screen. Then choose

the driver, and Model Y is adjusted based

on the settings that have been saved to the

chosen driver proﬁle. See Using T e sla

Proﬁles on page 50 to learn more about

saving proﬁle settings to the cloud for easy

access across multiple Tesla vehicles.

Linking a Driver Proﬁle to a Key

You can link a driver proﬁle to a key (or keys) to allow

Model Y to automatically select the correct driver proﬁle

when the linked key is detected as you approach the

vehicle and open the driver's door. To link a driver proﬁle

to a key, ﬁrst ensure you are using your desired driver

proﬁle, then touch Controls > Locks > Keys. You can

toggle the driver icon to link or delete a key to the

desired driver proﬁle. The name of the driver proﬁle

appears under the key to show that it is linked.

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Driver Proﬁles

Starting Valet Mode

NOTE: Model Y supports up to 10 driver proﬁles. You can

link multiple keys to a driver proﬁle, but you cannot link

multiple driver proﬁles to a single key.

With Model Y in Park, touch the driver proﬁle icon at the

top of the Controls screen, then touch Valet Mode.

Easy Entry

The ﬁrst time you enter Valet mode, the touchscreen

prompts you to create a 4-digit PIN you will use to

cancel Valet mode.

You can deﬁne an Easy Entry setting that moves the

steering wheel and driver's seat to make it easy to enter

and exit Model Y. Any driver can use the Easy Entry

setting by associating it with their driver proﬁle. When

the Easy Entry setting is associated with a driver proﬁle,

the steering wheel and driver's seat automatically adjust

when in Park and the driver's seat belt is unbuckled,

allowing an easy exit from Model Y. When returning to

the vehicle and stepping on the brake pedal, settings

automatically adjust back to the settings used by the

most recent driver proﬁle (or based on the key if it's

linked to a driver proﬁle).

When Valet mode is active, the touchscreen displays the

word Valet while the driver proﬁle changes to Valet

Mode on the touchscreen.

You can also use the mobile app to start and cancel

Valet mode (if Model Y is in Park). When using the

mobile app, you do not need to enter a PIN because you

are already required to log into the app using your Tesla

Account credentials.

NOTE: If the PIN to Drive setting is enabled (see PIN to

Drive on page 138), you must enter the driving PIN

before you can deﬁne or enter a Valet PIN. Once in Valet

mode, Model Y can be driven without the valet needing

to enter the driving PIN.

To use Easy Entry with a driver proﬁle, ensure the Use

Easy Entry box is checked.

WARNING: Never use Easy Entry to move the

driver's seat to the full rearward position when a

child safety seat is installed on a rear seat located

behind the driver's seat. With reduced clearance,

the movement of the seat may impact a child's

legs, cause injury, or dislodge the seat.

NOTE: The PIN to Drive setting is not available when

Valet mode is active.

If you forget your valet PIN, reset it from inside Model Y

by entering your Tesla Account credentials (which also

cancels Valet mode). You can also reset your PIN using

the mobile app.

Valet Mode

When Model Y is in Valet mode, the following

restrictions apply:

WARNING: Do not use Valet mode when towing a

trailer. The torque limitations of Valet mode can

make it diﬃcult forModel Y to pull a trailer up a hill.

• Key card must be used to access and drive Model Y.

• Speed is limited to 70 mph (113 km/h).

Canceling Valet Mode

• Maximum acceleration and power are limited.

• Front trunk and glovebox are locked.

With Model Y in Park, touch the Valet Mode driver

proﬁle icon at the top of the Controls screen, and enter

your 4-digit PIN.

• Home and Work locations are not available in the

navigation system.

When you cancel Valet mode, all settings associated

with the most recently used driver proﬁle and climate

control settings are restored, and all features are

available.

• Voice commands are disabled.

• Autopilot convenience features are disabled.

• The Allow Mobile Access setting cannot be changed.

• HomeLink (if available in your market region) is not

accessible.

NOTE: You do not need to enter a PIN to cancel Valet

mode from the mobile app.

• Driver Proﬁles are not accessible.

• The touchscreen does not display the list of keys that

can access Model Y (see Managing Keys on page 13).

• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are disabled. When Model Y is in

Valet mode, you cannot pair new Bluetooth devices

or view or delete existing paired devices. However, if

a Bluetooth-paired device or a known Wi-Fi network

is within range, Model Y connects to it.

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Steering Wheel

Adjusting the Steering Wheel

Position

To adjust the steering wheel, touch Controls and touch

the Steering icon.

Use the left scroll button on the steering wheel to move

the steering wheel to the desired position:

• To adjust the height/tilt angle of the steering wheel,

roll the left scroll button up or down.

• To move the steering wheel closer to you, or further

away from you, press the left scroll button to the left

or right.

WARNING: Do not make steering wheel

1. Use the left scroll button to:

adjustments while driving.

◦ Control the volume. Press the scroll button to

mute/unmute the volume, roll the scroll button up

to increase the volume or down to decrease the

volume.

Adjusting Steering Eﬀort

NOTE: The scroll button adjusts the volume for

media, navigation instructions or phone calls

based on what is currently in use. As you adjust

volume, the touchscreen displays the volume level

and whether you are adjusting volume for media,

navigation or phone calls.

You can adjust the feel and sensitivity of the steering

system to suit your personal preference:

1. On the touchscreen, touch Controls > Pedals &

Steering > Steering Mode.

2. Choose a steering option:

◦ Comfort - Reduces the eﬀort required to turn the

steering wheel. In town, Model Y feels easier to

drive and park.

◦ Push the scroll button to the right to go to the

next song, station, or Favorite (depending on

what's playing). Push the scroll button to the left

to return to the previous selection.

◦ Standard - Tesla believes that this setting oﬀers

the best handling and response in most

conditions.

◦ Adjust the position of the exterior mirrors (see

Adjusting Exterior Mirrors on page 54).

◦ Sport - Increases the eﬀort required to turn the

steering wheel. When driving at higher speeds,

Model Y feels more responsive.

◦ Adjust the position of the steering wheel (see

Adjusting the Steering Wheel Position on page

52).

◦ Adjust the angle of the headlights (see Headlight

Adjustments on page 59).

Scroll Buttons

2. Use the right scroll button to:

A scroll button is located on each side of the steering

wheel. Use your thumb to press this button to the right

or left. You can also press the button or roll it up or

down.

◦ Speak a voice command. Press the button to

initiate a voice command (see Voice Commands

on page 136).

◦ When using Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control, adjust

your set speed and the distance you want to

maintain from a vehicle traveling ahead of you

(see Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control on page 91).

NOTE: The arrows associated with the scroll buttons are

backlit in low ambient lighting conditions. To turn this

backlighting on or oﬀ, touch Controls > Lights >

Steering Wheel Lights.

To restart the touchscreen, press and hold both scroll

buttons until after the touchscreen turns black. See

#unique_160 on page .

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Steering Wheel

Heated Steering Wheel

To warm up the steering wheel, touch the fan icon on

the touchscreen to display climate controls (see

Adjusting Climate Control Settings on page 127), then

touch the steering wheel icon. When on, radiant heat

keeps the steering wheel at a comfortable temperature.

NOTE: Depending on date of manufacture, your Model Y

may not be equipped with a heated steering wheel.

Horn

To sound the horn, press and hold the center pad on the

steering wheel.

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Mirrors

Adjusting Exterior Mirrors

NOTE: When you leave the saved location, mirrors

remain folded until your driving speed reaches 31 mph

(50 km/h), or until you touch Controls > Unfold Mirrors.

Adjust the exterior mirrors by touching Controls >

Mirrors. Press the left scroll button on the steering wheel

to choose whether you are adjusting the Left or Right

mirror. Then use the left scroll button as follows to adjust

the selected mirror to its desired position:

CAUTION: Mirrors may not automatically fold if

you return to a saved location and are driving

faster than 3 mph/5 km/h.

NOTE: You can override the automatic folding/unfolding

of mirrors at any time (for example, Model Y has no

power) by pushing the mirror assembly away from you

to unfold, or pulling it toward you to fold.

• To move the mirror up or down, roll the left scroll

button up or down.

• To move the mirror inward or outward, press the left

scroll button to the left or right.

NOTE: If you expect ice to accumulate when Model Y is

parked, turn oﬀ Mirror Auto Fold. Accumulation of ice

can prevent exterior side mirrors from folding or

unfolding. See Cold Weather Best Practices on page 85

for information on how to ensure your mirrors function

properly in cold weather.

Both exterior mirrors can tilt downward when the

vehicle is shifted into Reverse. When you shift back into

another drive mode, the mirrors return to their normal

upward position. To turn this feature on or oﬀ, touch

Controls > Mirrors > Mirror Auto Tilt.

You can integrate auto-folding mirrors with HomeLink

(see Smart Garage Connectivity on page 145). To enable,

go to HomeLink > Auto-Fold Mirrors when Nearby.

NOTE: With a future software update, the Save button

will retain the mirror adjustments but it does not

function currently.

Rear View Mirror

When certain environmental conditions are met, the rear

view mirror and exterior side mirrors dim automatically

(for example, in low light conditions or to reduce glare

when driving at night). To enable or disable this feature,

touch Controls > Mirrors > Mirror Auto Dim.

Adjust the rear view mirror manually. When in Drive or

Neutral, the rear view mirror automatically dims in low

lighting conditions based on the time of day (for

example, when driving at night).

Availability of this Mirror Auto Dim depends on market

region and date of manufacture.

Vanity Mirrors

NOTE: Both exterior mirrors have heaters that turn on

and oﬀ with the rear window defroster.

To expose and illuminate the vanity mirror, fold the sun

visor downwards, then use the tab to lower the mirror

cover. After closing the mirror cover, the light turns oﬀ.

Folding Mirrors

To manually fold and unfold exterior mirrors (for

example, parking in a narrow garage, tight space, etc.),

touch Controls > Fold/Unfold Mirrors.

When you manually fold the mirrors, they remain folded

until your driving speed reaches 31 mph (50 km/h) (or

until you manually unfold them by touching Controls >

Unfold Mirrors).

NOTE: You cannot fold a mirror when driving over 31

mph (50 km/h).

To set the mirrors to fold automatically whenever you

exit and lock Model Y touch Controls > Mirrors > Mirror

Auto Fold. The mirrors unfold automatically when you

unlock Model Y.

You can also set mirrors to fold automatically whenever

you arrive at a speciﬁc location, which saves you from

having to manually fold them each time you arrive at a

frequented place. To set this up, stop at the location you

want to save (or drive at less than 3 mph (5 km/h)), and

fold the mirrors. Save Location appears brieﬂy below

the Fold Mirrors control. Touch again if you no longer

want mirrors to automatically fold at the location.

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Starting and Powering Oﬀ

Starting

Powering Oﬀ

When you open a door to enter Model Y, the

touchscreen powers on and you can operate all controls.

To drive Model Y:

When you ﬁnish driving, shift into Park by pressing the

button on the end of the drive stalk. When you leave

Model Y with your phone key and key fob, it powers oﬀ

automatically, turning oﬀ the touchscreen.

1. Press the brake pedal - Model Y powers on and is

ready to drive.

Model Y also powers oﬀ automatically after being in

Park for 30 minutes, even if you are sitting in the driver’s

seat.

2. Select a drive mode - move the drive stalk down for

Drive or up for Reverse (see Shifting on page 56).

Although usually not needed, you can power oﬀ Model Y

while sitting in the driver’s seat, provided the vehicle is

not moving. Touch Controls > Safety > Power Oﬀ. Model

Y automatically powers back on again if you press the

brake pedal or touch the touchscreen.

NOTE: If the PIN to Drive feature is enabled (see PIN to

Drive on page 138), you must also enter a valid PIN on

the touchscreen before you can drive Model Y.

Everything you need to know when driving Model Y

displays on the touchscreen.

NOTE: Model Y automatically shifts into Park whenever

it determines that you are exiting the vehicle (for

example, the driver's seat belt is unbuckled and the

vehicle is almost at a standstill). If you shift into Neutral,

Model Y shifts into Park when you open the door to exit.

To keep Model Y in Neutral, you will need to activate

Transport Mode (see Instructions for Transporters on

page 223).

Drive Disabled - Requires Authentication

If Model Y does not detect a key when you press the

brake (a key fob or phone key is not detected or two

minutes have passed since you used the key card), the

touchscreen displays a message telling you that driving

requires authentication.

Power Cycling the Vehicle

If you see this message, place the key card behind the

cup holders where the RFID transmitter can read it. The

two-minute authentication period restarts and you can

start Model Y by pressing the brake pedal.

You can power cycle Model Y if it demonstrates unusual

behavior or displays a nondescript alert.

NOTE: If the touchscreen is unresponsive or

demonstrates unusual behavior, reboot it before you

power cycle the vehicle (see Restarting the Touchscreen

on page 7).

1. Shift into Park.

2. On the touchscreen, touch Controls > Safety > Power

Oﬀ.

3. Wait for at least two minutes without interacting with

the vehicle. Do not open the doors, touch the brake

pedal, touch the touchscreen, etc.

4. After two minutes, press the brake pedal or open the

door to wake the vehicle.

A number of factors can aﬀect whether Model Y can

detect a phone key or key fob (for example, the device's

battery is low or dead and is no longer able to

communicate using Bluetooth).

Always keep your phone key, key fob, or a key card with

you. After driving, your key is needed to restart Model Y

after it powers oﬀ. And when you leave Model Y, you

must bring your key with you to lock Model Y, either

manually or automatically.

Driving

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Shifting

How to Shift

Model Y automatically shifts into Park when you leave

the driver's seat. To stay in Neutral, use the touchscreen

to engage Transport Mode (see Instructions for

Transporters on page 223).

When Model Y is in Park, you must press the brake pedal

to shift.

Drive

Move the drive stalk up or down to shift into diﬀerent

drive modes.

Push the drive stalk all the way down and release. You

can shift into Drive when Model Y is stopped or moving

less than 5 mph (8 km/h) in Reverse.

NOTE: When in Drive, push the drive stalk all the way

down and release to enable cruise control (see Traﬃc-

Aware Cruise Control on page 91) and push the stalk

down twice in quick succession to enable Autosteer (see

Autosteer on page 96).

Park

Press the end of the drive stalk while Model Y is

stopped.

If you try to shift when it is prohibited by the current

driving speed, a chime sounds and the drive mode does

not change.

Model Y automatically shifts into Park whenever you

connect a charge cable or if two or more of the

following conditions are met simultaneously while

traveling slower than approximately 1.5 mph (2 km/h):

Reverse

Push the drive stalk all the way up and release. You can

only shift into Reverse when Model Y is stopped or

moving less than 5 mph (8 km/h).

• The driver's seat belt is unbuckled.

• The occupancy sensor in the driver's seat does not

detect an occupant.

• The driver's door is opened.

Neutral

To make it convenient to pick up passengers, you can

also unlock all doors at any time by shifting into Park

then pressing the Park button a second time.

Neutral allows Model Y to roll freely when you are not

pressing the brake pedal:

• When in Park, shift into Neutral by brieﬂy pushing the

drive stalk either up or down to the ﬁrst position.

NOTE: You must press the brake pedal to shift out of

Park.

• When in Drive, shift into Neutral by brieﬂy pushing

the drive stalk up to the ﬁrst position. If Autosteer or

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control (if equipped) is active,

you must push the drive stalk up to the ﬁrst position

and hold it there for more than 1 second. In doing so,

Autosteer or Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is disabled.

NOTE: The above conditions do not reﬂect a

comprehensive list of reasons why Model Y may or may

not automatically shift into Park and, in certain

scenarios, it is possible for your vehicle to shift into Park

when only one of the above conditions is true.

CAUTION: Model Y will not shift out of Park if the

front trunk is not securely shut or if the charge

port is unable to determine whether a charging

cable is plugged in. Ensure the front trunk is closed

and any charging cables are unplugged, and follow

the directions on the touchscreen to proceed.

• When in Reverse, shift into Neutral by brieﬂy pushing

the drive stalk down to the ﬁrst position.

NOTE: You must press the brake pedal to shift out of

Neutral if driving slower than approximately 5 mph (8

km/h).

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Shifting

WARNING: In emergency situations, if the brakes

are not functioning properly, press and hold the

Park button on the drive stalk to bring the vehicle

to a stop. Do not use this method to stop the

vehicle unless absolutely necessary.

WARNING: It is the driver's responsibility to always

ensure the vehicle is in Park before exiting. Never

rely on Model Y to automatically shift into Park for

you; it might not work in all circumstances (for

example, if Creep or a slope causes the vehicle to

travel greater than approximately 1.5 mph (2 km/

h)).

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Lights

Controlling Lights

CAUTION: The rear tail lights are oﬀ when daytime

running lights are on. Be sure the rear lights are on

during low rear visibility conditions (for example,

when it is dark, foggy, snowy, or the road is wet,

etc.). Failure to do so can cause damage or serious

injury.

Touch Controls > Lights on the touchscreen to access all

light controls, both interior and exterior.

You can also pull the turn signal stalk toward you to

display a popup that provides quick access to exterior

lights. For example, you can turn the headlights on or oﬀ

continuously (overriding the default Auto High Beam

setting). The lights popup allows you to adjust all

exterior light settings, including parking lights, fog lights

(if equipped), etc. The setting you choose is retained for

the current drive only.

WARNING: Always ensure that headlights are on

during low visibility conditions. Failure to do so

may result in a collision.

Fog Lights

A separate control is available to turn on fog lights (if

equipped). When on, fog lights operate whenever low

beam headlights are on. When headlights are turned oﬀ,

fog lights also turn oﬀ.

NOTE: If the touchscreen is already displaying the full

Controls screen for lights, pulling the turn signal stalk

does not display the quick access popup.

Dome Lights

In addition to the lights you can control from the

touchscreen, Model Y has convenience lights that

operate automatically based on what you are doing. For

example, in low ambient lighting conditions, the interior

lights, marker lights, tail lights, and puddle lights turn on

when you unlock Model Y, when you open a door, and

when you shift into Park. They turn oﬀ after a minute or

two, when you shift or lock Model Y. Use these settings

to control your vehicle's interior and exterior lights:

Turn the interior dome (map) lights on or oﬀ. If set to

AUTO, the interior dome lights turn on when you unlock

Model Y, open a door upon exiting, or shift into Park.

Headlights

Exterior lights (headlights, tail lights, side marker lights,

parking lights, and license plate lights) are set to AUTO

each time you start Model Y. When set to AUTO, exterior

lights automatically turn on when driving in low lighting

conditions. If you change to a diﬀerent setting, lights

always revert to AUTO on your next drive.

You can also manually turn an individual dome light on

or oﬀ by pressing its lens. If you manually turn a dome

light on, it turns oﬀ when Model Y powers oﬀ. If Model Y

was already powered oﬀ when you manually turned the

light on, it eventually turns oﬀ.

Touch one of these options to temporarily change the

exterior light setting:

• OFF: Exterior lights turn oﬀ until you manually turn

them back on or until the next time you drive.

NOTE: To control the backlighting on the steering wheel

buttons, touch Controls > Lights > Steering Wheel

Lights. If on, they turn on whenever headlights are on.

• PARKING: Only the exterior side marker lights,

parking lights, tail lights and license plate lights turn

on.

Ambient Lights

• ON: Exterior lights turn on.

When enabled, interior ambient lights turn on whenever

the headlights are on.

NOTE: Any exterior lights (for example, daytime running

lights) that are required to remain on in your market

region will turn on as appropriate when driving, when

parked on speciﬁc types of roads, etc.

Steering Wheel Lights

If you turn on Steering Wheel Lights, the arrows

associated with the scroll buttons are backlit in low

ambient lighting conditions.

NOTE: Model Y has a series of LED lights along the rim

of the headlights, also referred to as "signature" lights.

These lights automatically turn on whenever Model Y is

powered on and a drive mode (Drive or Reverse) is

engaged.

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Lights

Low beam headlights are on.

Reading Lights

There are two reading lights in the second row seating

area, both above the door and next to the coat hangers

(see Coat Hangers on page 26). Turn an individual

reading light on or oﬀ by pressing its lens. The reading

light will automatically turn oﬀ when Model Y powers

oﬀ.

High beam headlights are on and Auto

High Beam is disabled or currently

unavailable.

High Beam Headlights

Auto High Beam is enabled and high

beams are on. Model Y is ready to turn oﬀ

the high beams if light is detected.

By default, Auto High Beam is enabled to allow high

beam headlights to automatically switch to low beam

when there is light detected in front of Model Y (for

example, from an oncoming vehicle). To control this

feature, touch Controls > Lights > Auto High Beam or

touch Auto on the lights popup that displays on the

touchscreen when you pull the turn signal stalk toward

you.

Auto High Beam is enabled but high beams

are not on because light is detected in

front of Model Y. When light is no longer

detected, high beams automatically turn

back on.

NOTE: Auto High Beam is automatically enabled when

Autosteer is engaged. To switch to low beam headlights,

push the turn signal stalk forward and release. Auto High

Beam is re-enabled every time Autosteer is activated.

WARNING: Auto High Beam is an aid only and is

subject to limitations. It is the driver's

responsibility to make sure that the headlights are

appropriately adjusted for weather conditions and

driving circumstances.

In situations where high beam headlights are oﬀ (for

example, lights are turned oﬀ, or Auto High Beam is

active and light is detected in front of Model Y) or you

are driving in daylight, you can temporarily turn on high

beams by pulling the turn signal stalk toward you. When

you release, high beam headlights turn oﬀ (unless of

course, Auto High Beam is engaged and light is not

detected in front of you). To brieﬂy ﬂash the high beam

headlights, pull the turn signal stalk towards you and

immediately release.

Headlights After Exit

When Headlights after Exit is on, the exterior headlights

remain on when you stop driving and park Model Y in

low lighting conditions. They automatically turn oﬀ after

one minute or when Model Y locks. When oﬀ, headlights

turn oﬀ when you engage Park and open a door.

To turn this feature on or oﬀ, touch Controls > Lights >

Headlights after Exit.

Headlight Adjustments

To adjust the angle of the headlights, touch Controls >

Service > Adjust Headlights, then follow the onscreen

instructions. You can choose which headlight you would

like to adjust by selecting it on the touchscreen.

NOTE: Headlights do not require adjustments when

temporarily driving into a region where the traﬃc

direction is diﬀerent (for example, driving in right-hand

traﬃc region, and then driving into a region with left-

hand traﬃc).

NOTE: Your chosen setting is retained until you manually

WARNING: Proceed with caution when adjusting

headlights. Tesla has carefully calibrated the

position of the headlights to be in an optimum

position for most driving scenarios. Tesla

recommends that you do not adjust headlights

unless you are familiar with how headlights should

be adjusted. Once adjusted, you will be unable to

automatically restore them to their originally

calibrated position. Contact Tesla for assistance

when adjusting headlights.

change it.

The following indicator lights are visible on the

touchscreen to show the status of the headlights:

Driving

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Lights

Turn Signals

Hazard Warning Flashers

The turn signals ﬂash three times or continuously,

depending on how far up or down you move the stalk.

Lightly push the turn signal stalk up or down for a three-

ﬂash sequence. For a continuous signal, push the stalk

fully up or down.

To turn on the hazard warning ﬂashers, press the button

located above the rear view mirror. All turn signals ﬂash.

Press the button again to turn oﬀ the hazard warning

ﬂashers.

NOTE: Hazard warning ﬂashers operate even when

Model Y cannot detect a key.

NOTE: The hazard warning light button is illuminated

whenever Model Y is powered on.

The turn signals stop operating when canceled by the

steering wheel, by moving the stalk in the opposite

direction, or lightly pushing the stalk in the same

direction once more.

Condensation in Head or Tail Lights

Due to weather changes, humidity levels, or recent

exposure to water (such as a car wash), condensation

may occasionally accumulate in your vehicle’s head or

tail lights. This is normal— as the weather gets warmer

and humidity decreases, condensation often disappears

on its own. If you notice water buildup within the

exterior lenses, or if the condensation aﬀects the

visibility of the exterior lights, contact Tesla Service.

If Controls > Lights > Automatic Turn Signals is set to

Auto Cancel, turn signals cancel automatically when

Model Y detects completion of a maneuver such as a

merge, lane change, or a fork in the roadway. If

Automatic Turn Signals is set to Oﬀ, you must cancel

the turn signal manually by using the turn stalk.

The corresponding turn signal indicator

lights up on the touchscreen when a turn

signal is operating. Model Y also emits a

clicking sound.

The corresponding turn signal indicator

lights up on the touchscreen when a turn

signal is operating. Model Y also emits a

clicking sound.

WARNING: When actively using Traﬃc-Aware

Cruise Control, engaging a turn signal can cause

Model Y to accelerate in speciﬁc situations (see

Overtake Acceleration on page 94).

WARNING: When actively using Autosteer,

engaging a turn signal can cause Model Y to

change lanes (see Auto Lane Change on page 98).

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Car Status

Indicator Lights

Overview

The following indicator lights illuminate to advise you or

alert you of a speciﬁc status or condition.

The touchscreen displays the status of Model Y at all

times. What you see depends on whether the vehicle is:

• Parked (shown below).

A brake system fault is detected or the

brake ﬂuid level is low. See Braking and

Stopping on page 65. Contact Tesla

immediately.

• Driving (see Driving Status on page 62).

• Charging (see Charging Status on page 170).

When Model Y is parked, the status area shows the drive

mode, estimated range, and an overhead view of the car

with buttons you can touch to open the trunks and

charge port door. When you press the brake, Model Y

powers up and indicator lights ﬂash brieﬂy. Unless an

indicator light applies to the current situation (for

example, a seat belt is not fastened), it should turn oﬀ. If

an indicator light fails to turn on or oﬀ, contact Tesla.

A brake booster fault has been

detected. See Braking and Stopping on

page 65.

An ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)

fault is detected. See Braking and

Stopping on page 65. Contact Tesla

immediately.

The bottom of the car status display also shows shortcut

"cards" for quick access to Media, tire pressure data, and

trip information. Swipe the cards to the left or right to

change shortcuts.

A parking brake fault is detected.

Contact Tesla. See Parking Brake on

page 67.

NOTE: The following image is provided for

demonstration purposes only. Depending on vehicle

options, software version, and market region, the

information displayed may be slightly diﬀerent.

The parking brake is manually applied.

See Parking Brake on page 67.

Tire pressure warning. The pressure of a

tire is out of range. If a fault with the

Tire Pressure Monitoring System

(TPMS) is detected, the indicator

ﬂashes. For a TPMS fault, contact Tesla.

See Tire Care and Maintenance on page

184.

A seat belt for an occupied seat is not

fastened. See Seat Belts on page 33.

Airbag safety. If this indicator does not

ﬂash on brieﬂy when Model Y prepares

to drive, or if it remains on, contact

Tesla immediately. See Airbag Warning

Indicator on page 49.

Front fog lights are on, if equipped. See

Lights on page 58.

Driving

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Car Status

Parking lights are on (side marker

lights, tail lights, and license plate

lights) . See Lights on page 58.

A blue snowﬂake appears when some

of the energy stored in the Battery may

not be available due to cold weather

conditions. During these cold weather

conditions, charging rates may also be

limited. If Model Y is plugged in, you

can heat your Battery by turning on

climate control with the mobile app.

The snowﬂake disappears when the

Battery is suﬃciently warm.

Low beam headlights are on.

High beam headlights are on and Auto

High Beam is disabled or currently

unavailable.

Appears when regenerative braking is

limited. See Regenerative Braking on

page 66 for more information.

Auto High Beam is enabled and high

beams are on. Model Y is ready to turn

oﬀ the high beams if light is detected.

See High Beam Headlights on page 59.

Vehicle power is currently being limited

because the energy remaining in the

Battery is low, the vehicle's systems are

being heated or cooled, or an error is

detected by the drive inverter .

Auto High Beam is enabled but high

beams are not on because light is

detected in front of Model Y. When

light is no longer detected, high beams

automatically turn back on. See High

Beam Headlights on page 59.

See Popup Messages and Vehicle Alerts on page 7 for

more information about alert popups on your vehicle's

touchscreen.

Driving Status

This indicator ﬂashes amber when the

electronic stability control systems are

actively minimizing wheel spin by

controlling brake pressure and motor

power. See Traction Control on page

69. If this indicator remains on, a fault is

detected and you should immediately

contact Tesla.

When Model Y is driving (or ready to drive), the

touchscreen shows your current driving status and a

real-time visualization of the road as detected by the

Autopilot components (see About Autopilot on page

88). The visualization automatically zooms in and out to

better utilize touchscreen space and inform you when a

vehicle is detected in your blind spot.

Electronic stability control systems are

no longer minimizing wheel spin. On a

Rear Wheel Drive vehicle, the traction

control system has been turned oﬀ, or

on an All-Wheel Drive vehicle, Slip Start

has been enabled. See Traction Control

on page 69.

NOTE: The following illustration is provided for

demonstration purposes only. Depending on vehicle

options, software version, and market region, the

information displayed may be slightly diﬀerent.

Trailer mode (if equipped) is active (see

T o wing and Accessories on page 79).

Vehicle Hold is actively applying the

brakes. See Vehicle Hold on page 72.

A door or trunk is open. See Doors on

page 14, Rear Trunk on page 18, or

Front Trunk on page 20.

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Car Status

white being the farthest and red being very close and

requiring your immediate attention. See Lane Assist

on page 119.

7. When Autosteer is active and detecting the driving

lane, the lane is highlighted in blue (see Autosteer on

page 96).

NOTE: If Navigate on Autopilot is active, the driving

lane displays as a single blue line in front of Model Y

(see Navigate on Autopilot on page 101).

8. The speed limit that is currently being detected by

Speed Assist (see Speed Assist on page 125).

NOTE: The icon associated with the detected speed

limit reﬂects the style of speed limit signs used in

your market region.

9. Total estimated driving distance (or energy) available.

Touch the displayed value to change how available

energy is displayed. You can toggle between driving

distance and percentage of battery energy remaining.

You can also change how energy is displayed by

touching Controls > Display > Energy Display.

NOTE: When anticipating when you need to charge,

use range estimates as a general guideline only.

10. The set cruising speed. When Traﬃc-Aware Cruise

Control is available but you haven't set a cruising

speed, the number is gray (see Traﬃc-Aware Cruise

Control on page 91).

NOTE: To display more details about the roadway and its

surroundings, such as road markings, stop lights, objects

(such as trash cans and poles), etc., touch Controls >

Autopilot > Full Self-Driving Visualization Preview (if

equipped).

WARNING: Pay attention to important alert

messages that display at the bottom of the car

status area of the touchscreen. Ignoring these

messages can result in serious injury or death.

WARNING: Although the touchscreen shows

surrounding traﬃc, some vehicles may not be

displayed. Never rely on the touchscreen to

determine if a vehicle is present (for example, in

your blind spot). Always use your mirrors and

perform shoulder checks.

1. The power meter displays real-time power usage.

During acceleration, the bar ﬁlls to the right with a

gray color (or white if the display is dark) to

represent power being used. During deceleration

(when Model Y is moving and you release your foot

from the accelerator pedal), the bar ﬁlls to the left

with a green color to represent power being fed back

to the Battery by regenerative braking (see

Regenerative Braking on page 66).

2. When Autosteer is available but you haven't activated

it, the icon is gray. When Autosteer is actively

steering Model Y, the icon is blue (see Autosteer on

page 96).

3. Currently selected drive mode: Park, Reverse, Neutral,

or Drive.

4. Driving speed.

5. Other cars detected on the road (as applicable).

6. Your Model Y. Colored lines radiate from the image of

your Model Y as objects are detected (other

motorists, guard rails, etc.). The location of the lines

correspond to the location of the detected object.

The color of the lines (white, yellow, orange, or red)

represents the object's proximity to Model Y, with

Driving

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Wipers and Washers

Wipers

releasing the button, the wipers perform two additional

wipes then, depending on vehicle and environmental

conditions, a third wipe a few seconds later.

The button at the end of turn signal stalk has two levels.

Press partially for a single wipe without any washer ﬂuid.

Press fully for both wipe and wash. You can access the

wiper settings from the main Controls screen to adjust

the speed of the wipers:

I - Intermittent, slow

II - Intermittent, fast

III - Continuous, slow

IIII - Continuous, fast

Periodically top up washer ﬂuid (see Topping Up

Windshield Washer Fluid on page 195).

Auto: Model Y detects whether or not it is raining. When

wipers are set to Auto and liquid is detected on the

windshield, Model Y determines the optimal frequency

at which they should wipe. If Model Y does not detect

liquid on the windshield, the wipers do not wipe.

For one-touch access to the wipers, you can add the

wiper control to My Apps. See Customizing My Apps on

page 8.

NOTE: You can also adjust the windshield wiper speed

and frequency using voice commands (see Voice

Commands on page 136).

NOTE: Autopilot requires wipers to be set to Auto. This

setting is automatic and you cannot change it.

NOTE: The Auto setting is currently in BETA. If uncertain

about using the Auto setting while in the BETA phase,

Tesla recommends operating the wipers manually, as

necessary.

CAUTION: Ensure the wipers are oﬀ before

washing Model Y to avoid the risk of damaging the

wipers.

Periodically check and clean the edge of the wiper

blades. If a blade is damaged, replace it immediately. For

details on checking and replacing wiper blades, see

Windshield Wiper Blades, Jets and Fluid on page 195.

CAUTION: To avoid damaging the hood, ensure

that the hood is fully closed before using the

windshield wipers.

CAUTION: In harsh climates, ensure that the wiper

blades are not frozen or adhered to the windshield.

Remove ice from the windshield before using the

wipers. Ice has sharp edges that can damage the

rubber on the blades.

Windshield Washers

Press the button on the end of the turn signal stalk to

spray washer ﬂuid onto the windshield. This button has

two levels. Press partially for a single wipe without any

washer ﬂuid. Press fully for both wipe and wash. When

washing the windshield, the wipers turn on. While

spraying the windshield, the wipers turn on. After

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Braking and Stopping

WARNING: Always maintain a safe distance from

the vehicle in front of you and be aware of

hazardous driving conditions. While the ABS can

improve stopping distance, it cannot overcome the

laws of physics. It also does not prevent the

danger of hydroplaning (where a layer of water

prevents direct contact between the tires and the

road).

Braking Systems

WARNING: Properly functioning braking systems

are critical to ensure safety. If you experience a

problem with the brake pedal, brake calipers, or

any component of a Model Y braking system,

contact Tesla immediately.

CAUTION: Automatic Emergency Braking (see

Automatic Emergency Braking on page 123) may

intervene to automatically brake in situations

where a collision is considered imminent.

Automatic Emergency Braking is not designed to

prevent a collision. At best, it can minimize the

impact of a frontal collision by attempting to

reduce your driving speed. Depending on

Automatic Emergency Braking to avoid a collision

can result in serious injury or death.

Model Y has an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that

prevents the wheels from locking when you apply

maximum brake pressure. This improves steering control

during heavy braking in most road conditions.

During emergency braking conditions, the ABS

constantly monitors the speed of each wheel and varies

the brake pressure according to the grip available.

The alteration of brake pressure can be felt as a pulsing

sensation through the brake pedal. This demonstrates

that the ABS is operating and is not a cause for concern.

Keep ﬁrm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while

experiencing the pulsing.

CAUTION: In emergency situations, if the brakes

are not functioning properly, press and hold the

Park button on the drive stalk to bring the vehicle

to a stop. Do not use this method to stop the

vehicle unless absolutely necessary.

The ABS indicator brieﬂy ﬂashes amber on

the touchscreen when you ﬁrst start Model

Y. If this indicator lights up at any other

time, an ABS fault has occurred and the

ABS is not operating. Contact Tesla. The

braking system remains fully operational

and is not aﬀected by an ABS failure.

However, braking distances may increase.

Drive cautiously and avoid heavy braking.

Dynamic Brake Lights (if equipped)

If you are driving over 30 mph (50 km/h) and brake

forcefully (or if Automatic Emergency Braking engages),

the brake lights ﬂash quickly to warn other drivers that

Model Y is rapidly slowing down. If Model Y stops

completely, the hazard warning lights ﬂash. Flashing

continues until you press the accelerator or manually

press the hazard lights button to turn them oﬀ (see

Hazard Warning Flashers on page 60).

If the touchscreen displays this red brake

indicator at any time other than brieﬂy

when you ﬁrst start Model Y, a brake

system fault is detected, or the level of the

brake ﬂuid is low. Contact Tesla

NOTE: Dynamic brake lights will not ﬂash while Track

Mode is enabled (see Track Mode on page 74).

immediately. Apply steady pressure and

keep the brakes ﬁrm to bring the vehicle to

a stop when safe to do so.

NOTE: When towing a trailer (if applicable), the brake

lights on the trailer also operate as described above,

even when the trailer is not equipped with a separate

braking system.

The touchscreen displays this amber brake

indicator if a brake booster fault is

detected. Apply steady pressure and keep

the brakes ﬁrm to stop the vehicle when

safety permits. Hydraulic Boost

WARNING: When towing a trailer (if applicable),

always increase your following distance. Sudden

braking may result in skidding, jack-kniﬁng, and

loss of control.

Compensation will be active (see Hydraulic

Boost Compensation on page 66).

Brake Disc Wiping

Emergency Braking

To ensure brakes remain responsive in cold and wet

weather, Model Y is equipped with brake disc wiping.

When cold and wet weather is detected, this feature

repeatedly applies an imperceptible amount of brake

force to remove water from the surface of the brake

discs.

In an emergency, fully press the brake pedal and

maintain ﬁrm pressure, even on low traction surfaces.

The ABS varies the braking pressure to each wheel

according to the amount of traction available. This

prevents wheels from locking and ensures that you stop

as safely as possible.

WARNING: Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so

interrupts operation of the ABS and can increase

braking distance.

Driving

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Braking and Stopping

Hydraulic Fade Compensation

NOTE: If Apply Brakes When Regenerative Braking is

Limited is enabled and applying the brakes, the brake

pedal may move and it may feel stiﬀer when pressed.

This is expected and does not change your ability to

slow down Model Y.

Model Y is equipped with hydraulic fade compensation.

This assists in monitoring brake system pressure and

ABS activity for instances of reduced brake

performance. If reduced brake performance is detected

(for example, as a result of brake fade, or cold or wet

conditions), you may hear a sound, feel the brake pedal

pull away from your foot, and notice a strong increase in

braking. Brake as you normally would and continue to

press the brake pedal without releasing or pumping the

brakes.

The power meter (a thin horizontal line centered at the

top of the touchscreen's car status area) displays real-

time power usage:

CAUTION: If brakes are not functioning properly,

stop the vehicle when safety permits and contact

Tesla Service. See Park on page 56 for information

on using the Park button to stop the vehicle in

case of emergency.

1. The left side of the power meter represents power

generated from regenerative braking, or power that is

used to slow down the vehicle. Power being fed back

to the Battery displays in green whereas power used

by the regular braking system displays in gray.

WARNING: Always maintain a safe driving distance

from the vehicle in front of you and exercise

caution when driving conditions are hazardous.

Brake disc wiping and hydraulic fade

compensation is not a substitute for adequately

applying the brakes.

2. The right side of the power meter shows power that

is used to accelerate the vehicle. During acceleration,

the power meter ﬁlls to the right with gray to

represent the amount of power being used.

NOTE: To ensure visibility when the display is dark,

power represented by the gray color displays as white.

Hydraulic Boost Compensation

NOTE: Installing winter tires with aggressive compound

and tread design may result in temporarily-reduced

regenerative braking power. However, your vehicle is

designed to continuously recalibrate itself, and after

changing tires it will increasingly restore regenerative

braking power after some straight-line accelerations. For

most drivers this occurs after a short period of normal

driving, but drivers who normally accelerate lightly may

need to use slightly harder accelerations while the

recalibration is in progress. Touch Service > Wheel &

Tire Conﬁguration > Tires to select winter tires and

quicken this process.

Model Y is equipped with a brake booster that activates

the brakes when the brake pedal is pressed. Hydraulic

boost compensation provides mechanical assistance if

the brake booster fails. If a brake booster failure is

detected, the brake pedal feels stiﬀer to press and you

may hear a sound when you press the brake pedal. To

stop Model Y, apply steady force to the brake pedal

without releasing or pumping. Drive cautiously and

maintain a safe distance from other road users—brake

pedal responsiveness and braking performance may be

degraded.

NOTE: If regenerative braking is aggressively slowing

Model Y (such as when your foot is completely oﬀ the

accelerator pedal at highway speeds), the brake lights

turn on to alert others that you are slowing down.

Regenerative Braking

Whenever Model Y is moving and your foot is oﬀ the

accelerator, regenerative braking slows down the vehicle

and feeds any surplus power back to the Battery. By

anticipating your stops and reducing or removing

pressure from the accelerator pedal to slow down, you

can take advantage of regenerative braking to increase

driving range.

WARNING: In snowy or icy conditions, Model Y

may experience loss of traction during

regenerative braking.

Stopping Mode

Vehicle deceleration due to regenerative braking may

vary depending on the current state of the Battery. For

example, regenerative braking may be limited if the

Battery is cold or is already fully charged.

Regenerative braking decelerates Model Y whenever you

release the accelerator pedal when driving. You can

choose what you want Model Y to do once the driving

speed has been reduced to a very low speed (almost at

a stop) and both the accelerator pedal and brake pedal

are released. While in Park, touch Controls > Pedals &

Steering > Stopping Mode and choose from these

options:

To experience the same amount of deceleration

whenever you release the accelerator pedal, regardless

of the state of the Battery, you can choose to have the

regular braking system automatically engage whenever

regenerative braking is limited. Touch Controls > Pedals

& Steering > Apply Brakes When Regenerative Braking

is Limited.

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Braking and Stopping

WARNING: Do not rely on regenerative braking

and your chosen Stopping Mode to keep you and

your vehicle safe. Various factors such as driving

with a heavy vehicle load, on a steep hill, or on wet

or icy roads aﬀect deceleration rate and the

distance at which Model Y will come to a stop.

Drive attentively and always stay prepared to use

the brake pedal to stop as appropriate based on

traﬃc and road conditions.

• Creep: When close to, or at, a complete stop, the

motor continues to apply torque, moving Model Y

slowly forward (in Drive) or backwards (in Reverse),

similar to a conventional vehicle with an automatic

transmission. In some situations, such as on a steep

hill or driveway, you may need to press the

accelerator pedal to continue moving or to prevent

Model Y from moving in the opposite direction.

WARNING: Never rely on Creep to apply

enough torque to prevent your vehicle from

rolling down a hill. Always press the brake pedal

to remain stopped or the accelerator pedal to

proceed up the hill. Failure to do so can result in

property damage and/or a collision.

WARNING: Forward Collision Warning and

Automatic Emergency Braking do not operate

when driving at very low speeds (see Collision

Avoidance Assist on page 122). Do not rely on

these features to warn you, or to prevent or reduce

the impact of a collision.

• Hold: Maximizes range and reduces brake wear by

continuing to provide regenerative braking at speeds

lower than with the Creep and Roll settings. When

Model Y stops, the brakes are automatically applied

without you having to put your foot on the brake

pedal. Whether stopped on a ﬂat surface or a hill,

Vehicle Hold keeps the brake applied, provided your

foot remains oﬀ the accelerator and brake pedals.

See Vehicle Hold on page 72.

Parking Brake

To engage the parking brake, touch Controls > Safety >

Parking Brake. Follow the onscreen instructions. You can

also engage the parking brake by pressing and holding

the button on the end of the drive stalk while in Park.

WARNING: Never rely on Hold to adequately

decelerate or fully stop your vehicle. Many

factors can contribute to a longer stopping

distance, including downward slopes, and

reduced or limited regenerative braking (see

Regenerative Braking on page 66). Always be

prepared to use the brake pedal to adequately

decelerate or stop.

• Roll: When close to, or at, a complete stop, Model Y

becomes free rolling like a vehicle in Neutral.

Therefore, if stopped on a slope, Model Y will roll

downward. The brake does not engage, and the

motor does not apply torque (until the accelerator

pedal is pressed).

Use the touchscreen to manually release the parking

brake (which also shifts Model Y into Neutral):

1. Touch Controls > Safety.

2. Press the brake pedal, then touch Parking Brake. If

Model Y was previously in Park, it shifts into Neutral.

NOTE: If you choose Creep or Roll, you can still use

Vehicle Hold to apply the brakes. However, you will

need to brieﬂy press the brake pedal when the

vehicle is stopped. See Vehicle Hold on page 72.

When you manually apply the parking

brake using the touchscreen, or by

pressing and holding the button on the end

of the drive stalk when in Park, the red

parking brake indicator lights up on the

touchscreen.

NOTE: When Model Y is in Track Mode (see Track

Mode on page 74), Roll is automatically enabled,

regardless of your chosen setting. When no longer in

Track Mode, Model Y reverts back to your chosen

setting.

If the parking brake experiences an

electrical issue, the amber parking brake

indicator lights up and a fault message

displays on the touchscreen.

WARNING: Press the brake pedal if Model Y moves

when unsafe to do so. It is your responsibility to

stay alert and be in control of the vehicle at all

times. Failure to do so can result in serious

damage, injury, or death.

NOTE: The parking brake operates on the rear wheels

only, and is independent of the pedal-operated brake

system.

CAUTION: In the unlikely event that Model Y loses

electrical power, you cannot access the

touchscreen and are therefore unable to release

the parking brake without ﬁrst jump starting (see

Jump Starting on page 227).

Driving

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Braking and Stopping

WARNING: In snowy or icy conditions the rear

wheels may not have suﬃcient traction to prevent

Model Y from sliding down a slope, particularly if

not using winter tires. Avoid parking on hills in

snowy or icy conditions. You are always

responsible for parking safely.

WARNING: Your Model Y may display an alert if

the road is too steep to safely park on, or if the

parking brakes are not properly engaged. These

alerts are for guidance purposes only and are not a

substitute for the driver’s judgment of safe parking

conditions, including speciﬁc road or weather

conditions. Do not depend on these alerts to

determine whether or not it is safe to park at any

location. You are always responsible for parking

safely.

Brake Wear

Model Y brake pads are equipped with wear indicators.

A wear indicator is a thin metal strip attached to the

brake pad that squeals as it rubs against the rotor when

the pad wears down. This squealing sound indicates that

the brake pads have reached the end of their service life

and require replacement. To replace the brake pads,

contact Tesla Service.

Brakes must be periodically inspected visually by

removing the tire and wheel. For detailed speciﬁcations

and service limits for rotors and brake pads, see

Subsystems on page 213. Additionally, Tesla

recommends cleaning and lubricating the brake calipers

every year or 12,500 miles (20,000 km) if in an area

where roads are salted during winter months.

WARNING: Neglecting to replace worn brake pads

damages the braking system and can result in a

braking hazard.

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Traction Control

After the circumstances that required you to turn on Slip

Start or Oﬀ-Road Assist have passed, it is strongly

recommended that you turn the setting oﬀ to re-enable

traction control. If you leave these settings on, Traction

Control automatically re-enables on your next drive.

How It Works

The traction control system constantly monitors the

speed of the front and rear wheels. If Model Y

experiences a loss of traction, the system minimizes

wheel spin by controlling brake pressure and motor

power. By default, the traction control system is on.

Under normal conditions, it should remain on to ensure

maximum safety.

When you turn on Slip Start or Oﬀ-Road

Assist, the touchscreen displays an

indicator light to indicate that the traction

control system is no longer preventing

wheel slip.

This yellow indicator ﬂashes on the

touchscreen whenever the traction control

system is actively controlling brake

pressure and motor power to minimize

wheel spin. If the indicator stays on, a fault

is detected with the traction control

system. Contact Tesla Service.

NOTE: Although you can use Slip Start and Oﬀ-Road

Assist at any speed, it is less eﬀective at higher speeds.

NOTE: Slip Start and Oﬀ-Road Assist are not available

when you are actively using Autopilot.

NOTE: Engaging cruise control when Slip Start or Oﬀ-

Road Assist is on causes the feature to turn oﬀ and

traction control to be re-enabled.

WARNING: Traction control cannot prevent

collisions caused by driving dangerously or turning

too sharply at high speeds.

NOTE: Automatic Emergency Braking and Lane

Departure Avoidance do not operate when Oﬀ-Road

Assist is turned on.

Disabling Traction Control

Under normal conditions, the traction control system

should remain on. Turn it oﬀ only in circumstances

where you deliberately want the wheels to spin, such as:

• Starting on a loose surface, such as gravel or snow.

• Driving in deep snow, sand or mud.

• Rocking out of a hole or deep rut.

• Driving oﬀ-road.

On Rear-Wheel Drive vehicles, turn oﬀ traction control

and allow the wheels to spin by touching Controls >

Pedals & Steering > Slip Start.

On All-Wheel Drive vehicles, you can choose one of

these options, depending on the circumstances:

• Slip Start is designed to make it easier to dislodge

Model Y when stuck in mud, snow, ice, etc. Turning on

Slip Start allows the wheels to spin, making it

possible to rock Model Y out of a situation in which

the wheels are stuck.

• Oﬀ-Road Assist is designed to provide overall

improvements when driving oﬀ-road. In addition to

allowing the wheels to spin, Oﬀ-Road Assist balances

the torque between the front and rear motors to

optimize traction. Oﬀ-Road Assist improves traction

on rough and soft surfaces where one side of the

vehicle may lose traction while the other side still has

traction. When Oﬀ-Road Assist is on, the accelerator

pedal provides more gradual torque, which is useful

for crawling at low speeds (for example, over rocky

surfaces). When enabled, OFF-ROAD displays on the

touchscreen above the driving speed.

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Park Assist

How Park Assist Works

When driving with the Camera app displayed on the

touchscreen, you can switch to the Park Assist view

when driving at speeds below 5 mph (8 km/h). Touch

the button located in the upper left corner of the

Camera app screen. This is useful if you need assistance

with parallel parking.

This feature may be temporarily limited or inactive until

it is enabled with a future software update for vehicles

manufactured as of approximately October 2022.

Model Y is designed to detect the presence of objects.

When driving slowly in Drive or Reverse (for example,

when parking), the vehicle alerts you if an object is

detected in close proximity of your Model Y. Objects are

only detected in your chosen direction; front objects in

Drive, rear objects in Reverse.

If chimes are turned on (see Controlling Audible

Feedback on page 70), an audible beep sounds as you

approach an object.

NOTE: If Park Assist is unable to provide feedback, the

touchscreen displays an alert message.

CAUTION: Keep sensors (if equipped) and

cameras clean from dirt, debris, snow, and ice.

Avoid using a high pressure power washer on the

sensors and cameras, and do not clean a sensor or

camera with a sharp or abrasive object that can

scratch or damage its surface.

WARNING: You may not be alerted if Model Y rolls

freely in the opposite direction (for example, Park

Assist does not display an alert if Model Y rolls

backwards down a hill while in Drive).

Park Assist is activated when driving slower than 5 mph

(8 km/h).

CAUTION: Do not install accessories or stickers on

or near the sensors (if equipped) or cameras.

NOTE: Park Assist may be disabled when a bicycle is

detected or Model Y is in trailer mode.

Controlling Audible Feedback

WARNING: Never depend on Park Assist to inform

you if an area you are approaching is free of

objects and/or people. Several external factors can

reduce the performance of Park Assist, causing

either no readings or false readings (see

You can use Park Assist with or without audible

feedback. To turn chimes on or oﬀ, touch Controls >

Safety > Park Assist Chimes.

Limitations and False Warnings on page 70).

Therefore, depending on Park Assist to determine

if Model Y is approaching an obstruction can result

in damage to the vehicle and/or objects, and can

potentially cause serious injury. Always inspect the

area with your own eyes. When reversing, perform

shoulder checks and use all mirrors. Park assist

does not detect children, pedestrians, bicyclists,

animals, or objects that are moving, protruding,

located too far above or below the sensors (if

equipped) or cameras, or too close or too far from

the sensors or cameras. Park Assist is for guidance

purposes only and is not intended to replace your

own direct visual checks. It is not a substitute for

careful driving.

Limitations and False Warnings

Park Assist may not function correctly in these

situations:

• One or more of the sensors (if equipped) or cameras

is damaged, dirty, or obstructed (such as by mud, ice,

or snow, or by a vehicle bra, excessive paint, or

adhesive products such as wraps, stickers, rubber

coating, etc.).

• The object is located below approximately 8 inches

(20 cm) (such as a curb or low barrier).

CAUTION: Shorter objects that are detected

(such as curbs or low barriers) can move into a

blind spot. Model Y cannot alert you about an

object while it is in a blind spot.

Visual and Audio Feedback

When you shift to Reverse, the Park Assist view displays

on the touchscreen, showing objects that are in close

proximity to the front and rear of Model Y. This view

closes when you shift into Drive unless an object is

detected close to the front of Model Y, in which case the

Park Assist view closes automatically when your driving

speed exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h). When reversing, visual

feedback also displays on the touchscreen (see Rear

Facing Camera(s) on page 77). You can manually close

the park assist view on the touchscreen by touching the

X.

• Weather conditions (heavy rain, snow, or fog).

• The object is thin (such as a sign post).

• Park Assist’s operating range has been exceeded.

• The object is sound-absorbing or soft (such as

powder snow).

• The object is sloped (such as a sloped embankment).

• Model Y has been parked in, or being driven in,

extremely hot or cold temperatures.

• The sensors (if equipped) are aﬀected by other

electrical equipment or devices that generate

ultrasonic waves.

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Park Assist

• You are driving in a location where the sensors' (if

equipped) waves are deﬂected away from the vehicle

(such as driving next to a wall or pillar).

• The object is located too close to the bumper.

• A bumper is misaligned or damaged.

• An object that is mounted to Model Y is interfering

with and/or obstructing Park Assist (such as a bike

rack or bumper sticker).

• Model Y rolls freely in the opposite direction you

selected (for example, Park Assist does not display an

alert if Model Y rolls backwards down a hill while in

Drive).

Other Parking Aids

In addition to Park Assist, when shifted into Reverse, the

backup camera displays a view of the area behind Model

Y (see Rear Facing Camera(s) on page 77).

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Vehicle Hold

When Model Y is stopped, Vehicle Hold can continue to

apply the brakes even after you remove your foot from

the brake pedal.

Vehicle Hold will activate in two ways:

• When the vehicle's stopping mode is set to Hold:

Vehicle Hold is automatically enabled any time the

vehicle comes to a complete stop.

• When the vehicle's stopping mode is set to Creep or

Roll: Vehicle Hold is enabled automatically anytime

the vehicle is at a standstill and the brake is pressed.

This indicator displays on the touchscreen

whenever Vehicle Hold is actively braking

Model Y.

To disengage Vehicle Hold, press the accelerator pedal

or press and release the brake pedal.

NOTE: Shifting into Neutral also disengages Vehicle

Hold.

NOTE: After actively braking Model Y for approximately

ten minutes, Model Y shifts into Park and Vehicle Hold

cancels. Model Y also shifts into Park if it detects that

the driver has left the vehicle.

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Acceleration Modes

Touch Controls > Pedals & Steering > Acceleration to

adjust the amount of acceleration you experience when

driving Model Y:

• Chill: limits acceleration for a smooth and gentle ride.

NOTE: When Chill is selected, Chill displays on the

touchscreen above the driving speed.

• Standard: provides the normal level of acceleration

on non-Performance vehicles.

• Sport: provides the normal level of acceleration on

Performance vehicles.

You can improve the eﬃciency of the cabin heating by

reducing your selected acceleration mode. This allows

the heat pump system to take more heat from the

Battery to eﬃciently heat the cabin, instead of

maintaining the Battery's ability to provide peak

acceleration performance. This helps to maximize

driving eﬃciency in colder weather. Note that when

subsequently increasing the acceleration mode, the

Battery requires time to warm up before the increased

level of acceleration is available.

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Track Mode

Track Mode, available only on Performance Model Y

vehicles, is designed to modify the stability control,

traction control, regenerative braking, and cooling

systems to increase performance and handling while

driving on closed circuit courses. Track Mode improves

cornering ability by intelligently using the motors, and

regenerative and traditional braking systems. When

enabled, the cooling system runs at an increased level

during and after aggressive driving sessions to allow

your vehicle’s systems to withstand the surplus heat.

If you started the Lap Timer, each time you pass the

start/ﬁnish location, the timer resets for the next lap.

See Using the Lap Timer on page 75.

You can also view a real-time accelerometer (G-

meter) by swiping the Cards area of the touchscreen.

See G-Meter on page 75.

When Track Mode is on:

◦ Autopilot features are unavailable.

◦ The Slip Start setting is overridden.

NOTE: Track Mode is designed and calibrated for a

Performance Model Y equipped with performance

brakes and tires. Vehicles without performance brakes

and tires may experience comparatively lower

performance and endurance.

◦ Stopping Mode is set to the Roll setting in which

Model Y is free-rolling at very low speeds

whenever Drive or Reverse is engaged and both

the accelerator and brake pedal are released. For

details, see Stopping Mode on page 66.

WARNING: Track Mode is designed for use on

closed circuit driving courses only. It is the driver’s

responsibility to drive safely and ensure others are

not endangered.

◦ Energy usage increases.

◦ Entertainment features are unavailable.

WARNING: Track Mode is designed for use by

experienced track drivers familiar with the course.

Do not use on public roads. It is the driver’s

responsibility to be in control of the vehicle at all

times, including on the track. Because vehicle

behavior (including traction and stability control)

diﬀers when using Track Mode, always use caution.

Use the touchscreen setting to turn Track Mode oﬀ at

any time. Powering oﬀ Model Y also turns oﬀ Track

Mode (although it may still appear on the

touchscreen if Post-Drive cooling is in progress).

When Track Mode is oﬀ, all settings return to their

previous state and all features return to their normal

operating state.

Using Track Mode

Track Mode is always disabled when you start Model Y.

To enable Track Mode for your current drive, shift into

Park and follow these steps:

Customizing Track Mode

To customize Track Mode, touch Track Mode Settings on

the Track Mode popup window that appears on the map

when you enable Track Mode. You can also access the

Track Mode settings by touching Controls > Pedals &

Steering, then touching Customize next to the Track

Mode setting. Choose an existing Track Mode setting

from the list of pre-deﬁned proﬁles provided by Tesla. Or

create a new settings proﬁle by touching Add New

Settings, entering a name for the settings proﬁle, then

adjusting these settings to suit your preferences or

driving scenario, or customize for a speciﬁc track:

1. Touch Controls > Pedals & Steering > Track Mode.

When enabled, TRACK displays on the touchscreen

above the driving speed, and a Track Mode pop up

window appears on the map. The car status area of

the touchscreen displays a color-coded image of your

Model Y that provides you with important at-a-glance

status information about the Battery, the motors, the

tires and the brakes. See Monitoring Vehicle Health

on page 75.

• Handling Balance - Drag the slider to customize the

balance of Model Y in a turn. If Model Y is too loose,

you can choose a front-biased under-steering setup.

Diﬃcult to get the vehicle through a turn? Try a rear-

biased setup to increase rotation. You can select any

value, in 5% increments, between 100/0 (for 100%

front biased used for under-steering) and 0/100 (for

100% rear biased used for over-steering).

2. If desired, customize the Track Mode settings by

touching Track Mode Settings on the Track Mode pop

up window (see Customizing Track Mode on page

74). You can also access the Track Mode settings by

touching Controls > Pedals & Steering, then touching

Customize next to the Track Mode setting.

3. If you want to use the Lap Timer, follow the onscreen

instructions to drop a pin on the map to deﬁne the

lap's start/ﬁnish location. You will then need to press

START on the Lap Timer to begin your driving

session. Once started, the Lap Timer starts counting

when you drive Model Y past the lap's start/ﬁnish

location where you dropped the pin. See Using the

Lap Timer on page 75.

• Stability Assist - Drag the slider to choose the level at

which the stability control systems assist in

controlling the vehicle. You can choose any level from

-10 to +10. Choosing +10 engages all stability assist

systems for controllable driving in which stability

systems remain engaged, whereas -10 disables all

stability systems and the stability of the drive rests

solely on the driver. The default setting of 0

4. Shift and GO!

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Track Mode

represents a balance which provides some stability

being automatically controlled and leaving some

control up to the driver.

If Save Dashcam for Laps is on (see Customizing Track

Mode on page 74), and a properly formatted USB ﬂash

drive is inserted in a front USB port, Track Mode saves a

video of the driving session (as recorded by the front

cameras), along with a .CSV ﬁle that provides detailed

information about the lap.

• Regenerative Braking - Drag the slider to choose how

much regenerative braking is available. You can

choose any value, in 5% increments, between 0 and

100%. Tesla recommends the 100% setting to prevent

overheating the brakes.

NOTE: To stop the timer at the end of your driving

session, touch STOP on the Lap Timer popup window.

• Post-Drive Cooling - Enable if you want the cooling

systems to continue cooling the vehicle's

Monitoring Vehicle Health

components even after you leave the vehicle. Cooling

stops automatically when the components are

suﬃciently cool, or when you power Model Y oﬀ and

back on again. Post-Drive Cooling is useful if you

want to quickly cool the components between

driving sessions. If Post-Drive Cooling is set to OFF,

the components eventually cool, but it takes longer.

You can easily monitor the health of Model Y when using

Track Mode by glancing at the car status area of the

touchscreen. The colors indicate the status of the

various components, allowing you to determine the

current operating state and make decisions accordingly.

The components are displayed in green when operating

within their ideal temperature range. Colors change as

follows:

• Save Dashcam for Laps - Enable if you want to save a

video and data on a USB ﬂash drive when using the

Lap Timer. A USB ﬂash drive must be set up and

inserted as described (see USB Drive Requirements

for Recording Videos on page 144). The USB ﬂash

drive must contain a folder named TeslaTrackMode.

When enabled, Track Mode stores a video and

associated data for each lap. Track Mode also stores

the car status and telemetry data with details about

the vehicle's position, speed, acceleration, use of

accelerator, etc. You can then view the video

recordings and analyze this data, which is saved as

a .CSV ﬁle on the USB ﬂash drive, to determine where

time is being lost or gained.

• The Battery displays blue when cold and red when

hot.

• A brake displays blue when cold and red when hot

(an early warning for overheating brakes).

• A motor displays blue when it's cold or red when it's

hot.

• Dynamic readings of the tire pressures displays on

the touchscreen. A tire displays blue when under-

used or red when the peak grip is exceeded.

NOTE: For some vehicles manufactured after

approximately November 1, 2021, the center console

USB ports may only support charging devices. Use

the USB port inside the glove box for all other

functions.

NOTE: A component displayed in red may indicate a

need to stop driving and allow the component to cool.

CAUTION: Any vehicle damage or injuries caused

by using Track Mode is the driver's responsibility.

The vehicle warranty does not cover damage

caused by excessive overuse of vehicle

components. It also does not cover racing,

autocross, or driving in competition.

Track Mode allows you to save up to 20 settings proﬁles.

To delete a chosen proﬁle, touch Delete at the bottom of

the settings screen.

G-Meter

NOTE: You can not change or delete a pre-deﬁned

proﬁle provided by Tesla.

In Track Mode, a real-time G-Meter displays on the

touchscreen. The G-Meter graphically displays peak

lateral, acceleration, and deceleration values in the form

of a circular meter. The history of your drive is

represented in the shaded area. The G-Meter resets at

the start of each driving session.

Using the Lap Timer

When you enable Track Mode, the map displays a Lap

Timer. Follow the onscreen instructions to place a start/

ﬁnish pin on the map. Once the pins are placed, press

START to initiate the driving (lapping) session. When

you drive Model Y through the start/ﬁnish location, the

Lap Timer automatically starts timing the duration of the

lap, resetting the timer whenever you pass the start/

ﬁnish location, and displaying the real-time delta

NOTE: You can swipe the G-Meter card to display a

diﬀerent card. However, the G-Meter displays as the

default card whenever you engage Track Mode.

between the current lap and the fastest lap so far in the

driving session. The map highlights the track in blue.

At the completion of each lap, the Lap Timer displays

the duration of the lap. It also displays the times

associated with the previous and best laps in the driving

session.

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Trip Information

Displaying Trip Information

Trip information displays on the touchscreen in the cards

area on the car status display, or when you touch

Controls > Trips. For the current trip, you can display

distance, duration and average energy usage. You can

also show distance and total and average energy used

since your last charge and for additional trips.

To name or rename a trip, touch the trip's name, enter a

new name for the trip, then press Save. To reset a

particular trip meter, touch its associated Reset button.

Odometer

To display the odometer, do either of the following:

• Touch Controls > Software.

• Touch Controls > Trips.

• Open the mobile app and scroll down to the bottom

of the main screen.

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Rear Facing Camera(s)

WARNING: Never depend on the cameras to

inform you if the area behind you is free of objects

and/or people. The cameras may not detect

objects or barriers that can potentially cause

damage or injury. In addition, several external

factors can reduce the performance of the

Camera Location

Model Y is equipped with a rear view camera located

above the rear license plate.

cameras, including a dirty or obstructed lens.

Therefore, depending on the cameras to determine

if Model Y is approaching an obstruction can result

in damage to the vehicle and/or objects and can

potentially cause serious injury. Always inspect the

area with your own eyes. When reversing, perform

shoulder checks and use all mirrors. Use the

cameras for guidance purposes only. It is not

intended to replace your own direct visual checks

and is not a substitute for careful driving.

Cleaning a Camera

To ensure a clear picture, the camera lens must be clean

and free of obstructions. Remove any build-up of dirt or

debris by spraying water onto the camera lens with a

spray bottle.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove dirt or debris

by wiping an exposed lens with your hands or a

cloth. This debris can damage the surface of the

lens when rubbed against it during wiping.

CAUTION: Do not use chemical-based or abrasive

cleaners. Doing so can damage the surface of the

lens.

Whenever you shift into Reverse, the touchscreen

displays the view from the camera. Lines show your

driving path based on the position of the steering wheel.

These lines adjust as you move the steering wheel.

Model Y also displays images from the side cameras (if

equipped). Simply swipe up or down to hide or show the

side camera views.

NOTE: Visual feedback from Park Assist also appears on

the touchscreen (see Park Assist on page 70).

To display the view from the rear view

cameras at any time, open the app

launcher and touch the Camera app.

If a black screen appears on the touchscreen instead of

the rear view camera feed when in Reverse, use the rear

view mirrors and ensure your surroundings are safe

before continuing to Reverse. If inoperability of the rear

view camera persists, use the mobile app to schedule a

service appointment.

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Pedestrian Warning System

The Pedestrian Warning System (if equipped) causes

Model Y to emit sound when driving below

approximately 19 mph (32 km/h) or while driving in

reverse. Electric vehicles operate quietly and this sound

helps to alert pedestrians of your oncoming vehicle. The

sound, which activates whenever Model Y is shifted out

of Park, gets louder as speed increases.

NOTE: The Pedestrian Warning System may not be

available in vehicles manufactured prior to

approximately September 1, 2020.

WARNING: If sound cannot be heard, pedestrians

may not be aware of your oncoming vehicle, which

may increase the likelihood of a collision resulting

in serious injury or death. If the Pedestrian

Warning System is not operating, immediately

contact Tesla.

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Towing and Accessories

NOTE: Consult the product details of your accessory

carrier for more information, such as additional weight

or load limits. Damage caused by non Tesla-approved

accessories is not covered by the warranty.

The towing package includes a 2" x 2" (5 cm x 5 cm)

hitch receiver that can support an accessory carrier (for

bicycles, skis, snowboards, etc.) or tow a trailer.

CAUTION: Exceeding the maximum weight the

Model Y hitch is designed to support (as

previously described) can cause signiﬁcant

damage.

Installing and Using a Carrier

When using the tow package to carry accessories, the 2"

x 2" (5 cm x 5 cm) square hitch receiver is designed to

support vertical loads of up to 160 lbs (72 kg). Ball

mounts that are compatible with the square receiver

must be purchased separately.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to install an accessory

carrier on Model Y that is not equipped with the

tow package. Doing so can cause signiﬁcant

damage.

To install and use an accessory carrier, you must ﬁrst

attach the ball mount to the hitch receiver (see

Attaching and Removing the Ball Mount on page 83).

Then, follow the instructions provided by your accessory

carrier. Observe all regulations and legal requirements in

your state or region that apply to carrying accessories.

Trailer Towing

The maximum trailer weight (including all cargo and

additional equipment), and the trailer tongue weight

depend on the number of occupants in your vehicle and

the tires being used. The maximum towing capacity and

trailer tongue weight must never exceed the following:

The Model Y towing package includes the wiring

necessary for using an accessory carrier equipped with

lights (see Electrical Connections on page 83). The

package also includes Trailer Mode software

compatibility (see Trailer Mode on page 81).

Wheel/Rim#Soizfe

Passengers

Maximum

Towing

Capacity

Maximum

Tongue

Weight

NOTE: Go to http://www.tesla.com to purchase

accessories for your vehicle. Although third-party

products are available, Tesla recommends and supports

only Tesla-approved products (see Parts and

Accessories on page 198). The accessory products

available for your vehicle may vary based on market

region. Before attempting to install a non Tesla-

approved carrier, review the product information to

ensure compatibility.

19", 20"

and 21"

up to 3

4 - 5

3,500 lbs

(1,588 kg)

350 lbs (159

kg)

19" and

21"

3,500 lbs

(1,588 kg)

350 lbs (159

kg)

20"

19"

20"

21"

4 - 5

2,300 lbs

(1,043 kg)**

230 lbs (104

kg)**

6 - 7*

2000 lbs

(907 kg)**

200 lbs (91

kg)**

NOTE: When not in use, the ball mount should be

removed and stored in a dry location to prevent dust

and corrosion. Keep the dust cover over the hitch

housing to prevent dirt and debris from entering (see

Attaching and Removing the Ball Mount on page 83).

Towing not

permitted

-

1200 lbs

(544 kg)**

120 lbs (54

kg)**

NOTE: Tesla assumes no responsibility for damage or

injuries resulting from installing and using an accessory

carrier, for any omissions in the instructions

accompanying an accessory carrier, or for your failure to

follow the instructions. Damage caused by using an

accessory carrier is not covered by the warranty.

*Applicable only to vehicles with seven seating

positions.

** You must operate within the speed limitations of your

trailer and tires, and only drive at speeds appropriate for

the load you are towing, the weather, road and traﬃc

conditions, and your level of towing experience. Always

obey posted speed limits and local regulations regarding

speed.

Carrying Accessories

The hitch receiver is designed to support vertical loads

up to 160 lbs (72 kg). When carrying bicycles, skis, or

other items on the Model Y hitch, always check to

ensure that the maximum weight is not exceeded. When

calculating weight, remember to include the weight of

the accessory carrier. For example, assuming the carrier

weighs 40 lbs (18 kg), the weight threshold is suﬃcient

for carrying two bicycles weighing approximately 60 lbs

(27 kg) each, or four items weighing approximately 30

lbs (14 kg) each.

NOTE: In Canada, towing is limited to 55 mph (89 km/h).

For trailers with a combined loading of more than 1650

lbs (750 kg), Tesla recommends using a separate braking

system with an independent controller (see Trailer

Brakes on page 81). Carefully follow the instructions

provided by the trailer brake manufacturer to ensure

that trailer brakes are properly installed, adjusted, and

maintained.

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Towing and Accessories

The tongue weight is the downward force that the

weight of the trailer exerts on the hitch. This must not

exceed 10% of the maximum trailer weight. Carrying a

signiﬁcant amount of equipment, passengers, or cargo

in the tow vehicle can reduce the towing capacity it can

handle, which also reduces the tongue weight. Maximum

towing capacity is calculated assuming the GVWR

(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is not exceeded (see

Vehicle Loading on page 208).

WARNING: Never attempt to tow a trailer when a

Model Y tire is faulty or has been temporarily

repaired (for example, using a tire repair kit). A

temporarily repaired tire is not designed to sustain

the towing load. Towing using a faulty or

temporarily repaired tire can result in tire failure

and loss of vehicle stability.

Before Towing a Trailer

NOTE: If the information on the hitch label conﬂicts with

the information provided in this Owner's Manual, this

Owner's Manual takes precedence.

Before towing a trailer, you must do the following:

• Inﬂate tires to the cold tire inﬂation pressure

speciﬁed in Tire Pressures when T o wing on page 80.

CAUTION: You should only use Model Y to tow if

you have experience and knowledge of how

towing aﬀects the vehicle and are able to safely

load, secure, and maneuver the vehicle and cargo.

Tesla's instructions are not all-inclusive of the

knowledge and skills necessary for safe towing.

Damage caused by towing a trailer is not covered

by the warranty.

• Observe all regulations and legal requirements that

apply to trailer towing. Failure to comply with

regulations can compromise your safety.

• Adjust side mirrors to provide a clear rear view

without a signiﬁcant blind spot.

• Engage Trailer Mode (see Trailer Mode on page 81).

WARNING: Do not overload the vehicle or trailer.

Doing so can cause poor performance, vehicle

damage, and loss of vehicle control, resulting in

serious injury.

Conﬁrm the following:

• Model Y rests horizontally with the trailer attached. If

the vehicle is tipped up at the front and down at the

rear, check that you are not exceeding the maximum

towing capacity and tongue loads provided in Trailer

T o wing on page 79.

WARNING: Do not use the trailer hitch to transport

Model Y (see Instructions for Transporters on page

223).

Tire Pressures when Towing

• Trailer lights (brake lights, turn signal lights, and

marker lights) are working properly.

When towing a trailer, tire pressures must be adjusted to

accommodate the additional load. 19", 20", and 21" tires

are acceptable to use for towing. Keep tires inﬂated to

the pressures shown below (if diﬀerent, these pressures

override the pressures that are provided on the Tire and

Loading Information Label (see Vehicle Loading on page

208)).

• The trailer tongue is securely connected to the hitch

ball.

• Safety chains are properly connected between the

trailer and the tow vehicle. Cross the safety chains

under the tongue of the trailer to help prevent the

tongue from contacting the road if it separates from

the hitch. Leave enough slack in the safety chains to

allow for turns and ensure that the chains do not drag

on the ground.

Front Tires Rear Tires

Cold Tire Inﬂation Pressure

255/45R19 255/45R19 42 psi (290 kPa)

255/40R20 255/40R20 42 psi (290 kPa)

• All trailer hitch parts and attachments, safety chains,

and electrical connectors are in good condition and

are properly connected. If any problems are apparent,

do not tow the trailer.

255/35R21

275/35R21

42 psi (290 kPa)

• All cargo is secured.

CAUTION: Do not use Model Y for towing if

equipped with tires that are not listed previously.

• Wheel chocks are available.

WARNING: Check tire pressures using an accurate

pressure gauge when tires are cold. Driving one

mile/1.6 km warms the tires suﬃciently to aﬀect

tire pressures. Parking the vehicle in direct sunlight

or in hot weather can also aﬀect tire pressures. If

you must check warm tires, expect increased

pressures. Do not let air out of warm tires in an

attempt to match recommended cold tire

pressures. A hot tire at or below the recommended

cold tire inﬂation pressure may be dangerously

under-inﬂated.

• The trailer load is evenly distributed such that the

trailer tongue weight is approximately 4-10% of the

total trailer weight, without exceeding the maximum

tongue weights provided in Trailer T o wing on page

79.

CAUTION: Loads that are balanced over the

trailer wheels or heavier in the rear can cause

trailer sway, resulting in loss of vehicle control.

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Towing and Accessories

Mode, touch Controls > Pedals & Steering > Trailer Mode

on the touchscreen. One of the following indicators

displays:

WARNING: Always ensure that cargo is secured in

the trailer and will not shift. Dynamic load shifts

can cause loss of vehicle control, resulting in

serious injury.

Trailer Mode is active.

Towing Guidelines

Model Y is designed primarily as a passenger-carrying

vehicle. Towing a trailer puts additional load on the

motor(s), drive train, brakes, tires, and suspension and

signiﬁcantly decreases range. If you decide to tow a

trailer, proceed with caution and follow these general

guidelines:

Model Y detects a connection for trailer

lights but Trailer Mode is disabled. It is

likely that a carrying accessory has been

connected.

• Reduce your driving speed and avoid sudden

maneuvers. When towing a trailer, steering, stability,

turning radius, stopping distance and braking

performance are diﬀerent when compared to driving

without a trailer.

Model Y detects a faulty electrical

connection for the trailer lights. Some, or

all, trailer lights may not be functioning.

Pull over as soon as safety permits and

inspect the trailer lights for faulty cabling

or connections. If the issues are resolved

and the red icon still persists, disable and

re-enable Trailer Mode once more.

• Increase your following distance by maintaining at

least twice the distance from the vehicle ahead. This

helps to avoid situations that require heavy braking.

Sudden braking may result in skidding or jack-kniﬁng,

and loss of control.

Some Autopilot features, as well as rear parking sensor

functionality, may not be available when Trailer Mode is

enabled. In addition, these features operate diﬀerently:

• Avoid sharp turns. Sharp turns can cause the trailer to

contact the vehicle and cause damage. Keep in mind

that the trailer wheels are closer to the inside of the

turn than the vehicle’s wheels. Therefore, make wider

turns to prevent the trailer from hitting curbs, road

signs, trees or other objects.

• Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control increases the following

distance from the vehicle in front of you.

• Side collision warnings are active but automatic

steering interventions are disabled.

• Periodically check the trailer lights and turn signals to

conﬁrm that the bulbs are still working. When towing

a trailer, the turn signal arrows on the touchscreen

ﬂash as normal, even if the bulbs on the trailer are

burned out.

• The braking force provided by Automatic Emergency

Braking (see Collision Avoidance Assist on page 122)

may be limited. Therefore, stopping distance may

increase.

• Periodically conﬁrm the cargo is secure.

• Regularly conﬁrm that all towing components are

securely tightened.

WARNING: Do not rely on Model Y to detect the

trailer and automatically engage Trailer Mode.

Always check to ensure Trailer Mode is engaged

before towing a trailer.

WARNING: Towing requires you to increase your

stopping distance. When towing, increase your

following distance and avoid situations that could

potentially cause heavy braking. Failure to do so

can result in a collision.

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you

exit Trailer Mode when towing a trailer. Doing so

can cause serious injury.

WARNING: Observe all regulations and legal

requirements in your jurisdiction that apply

speciﬁcally to trailer towing. Failure to comply with

regulations can compromise your safety.

Trailer Brakes

When towing a loaded trailer that weighs more than

1650 lbs (750 kg), Tesla recommends that the trailer be

equipped with its own brake system adequate for the

weight of the trailer. Ensure compliance with local

regulations. A brake controller must be purchased

separately, and the required 4-pin pigtail connector can

be ordered from Tesla Service.

Trailer Mode

Trailer Mode must always be active when towing a trailer.

When you connect a trailer’s electrical connection while

the vehicle is in Park, Model Y automatically engages

Trailer Mode. When you disconnect the trailer’s electrical

connection, Trailer Mode does not automatically

Follow these steps to connect a brake controller:

1. Connect the wiring on the brake controller to the

appropriate locations on the 4-pin pigtail connector.

disengage. To manually engage or disengage Trailer

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WARNING: Towing increases your stopping

distance, even when the trailer is equipped with its

own braking system. When towing, increase your

following distance and avoid situations that could

potentially cause heavy braking. Failure to do so

can cause a collision.

WARNING: Observe all regulations and legal

requirements in your regional and national

jurisdictions that apply speciﬁcally to trailer towing

and brake requirements. Many regions require a

breakaway switch, located on the tongue of the

trailer, to activate the trailer brakes in the event

that the trailer separates from the vehicle. Failure

to comply with regulations can compromise your

safety.

2. Remove the cover located under the dashboard in

the driver’s side footwell.

WARNING: Follow the instructions provided by the

trailer brake manufacturer to ensure that trailer

brakes are properly installed, adjusted, and

maintained. Tesla is not responsible for damages

caused by incorrect installation of trailer braking

systems.

Parking with a Trailer

Whenever possible, avoid parking on a grade. However,

if parking on a grade is absolutely necessary, place

wheel chocks under the trailer wheels. Consider having

someone help you with these steps:

1. One person presses and holds the brake pedal.

2. A second person places the wheel chocks under the

wheels on the downgrade side of the vehicle's tires.

3. When the chocks are in place, release the brake pedal

and ensure the chocks hold the weight of the vehicle

and trailer.

3. Peel back the carpet to expose the vehicle's 4-pin

connector on the wiring harness.

NOTE: When testing chocks, ensure that Vehicle Hold

(see Vehicle Hold on page 72) is not engaged. If

Vehicle Hold is braking Model Y, the Vehicle Hold

indicator light displays on the touchscreen. To

disengage Vehicle Hold, press and release the brake

pedal.

4. Place the vehicle in Park.

WARNING: If parking on a grade is necessary,

always ensure that all trailer wheels have been

securely chocked. Failure to do so can result in

serious damage or injury.

Trailer Sway Mitigation

When trailer sway is detected, the electronic stability

control system attempts to apply the appropriate

amount of braking to minimize trailer sway. The

touchscreen brieﬂy displays the traction control system

indicator. Pressing the brake pedal when the system is

actively braking to mitigate trailer sway does not cancel

this automatic braking.

4. Connect the pigtail connector to the vehicle wiring

connector.

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4. Align the hole in the ball holder with the one in the

hitch assembly.

Attaching and Removing the Ball

Mount

5. Slide the locking bolt through the hitch assembly/ball

holder.

The Model Y towing package does not include a ball

mount. You must purchase a ball mount suitable for the

type of trailer you are towing. The Model Y hitch receiver

supports a ball mount with a length of up to 8.5” (22

cm) and a rise of up to 0.75” (2 cm). Do not use any

type of drop ball mount that does not meet these

requirements.

6. Insert the cotter pin in the hole at the end of the

locking bolt.

To remove a ball mount:

1. Remove the cotter pin from the locking bolt and slide

the locking bolt out of the ball holder/hitch assembly.

2. Pull the ball holder out of the hitch assembly.

3. Re-install the dust cover for the hitch housing and

store the ball mount in a secure location.

Electrical Connections

Regulations require all trailers to be equipped with tail

lights, brake lights, side marker lights, and turn signals.

To provide power for trailer lighting, a built-in 7-pin

wiring connector is provided near the hitch support's

wiring plugs for most types of trailers. Plugging in trailer

wiring into the Model Y electrical connector

automatically engages Trailer Mode (see Trailer Mode on

page 81). It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that all

electrical connections are working and all trailer lights

are operating before and during towing. You must

perform manual checks.

To attach a ball mount:

1. Remove the dust cover from the hitch housing by

using a small object, such as a ﬂat screwdriver, to pry

between the dust cover and hitch housing. Store the

dust cover in a secure location.

2. If necessary, remove the cotter pin from the locking

bolt and slide the locking bolt out of the hitch

assembly.

1. Reverse Lights

2. Brake Controller Output

3. Right Turn Signal and Brake Light

3. Slide the ball holder into the hitch assembly.

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4. Low Voltage Power (if equipped)

5. Ground

6. Left Turn Signal and Brake Light

7. Tail Lamps

Loss of trailer lights when towing may be the result of a

fault in the trailer wiring or excessive power

consumption by the lights connected to the trailer

output(s). When this occurs, a red Trailer Mode icon

appears on the touchscreen. Fix any issues with the

wiring and/or reduce the number of lights connected to

the trailer output(s), then toggle Trailer Mode oﬀ and on

again.

NOTE: Vehicles with a lead-acid low voltage battery

have auxiliary power. Vehicles with low voltage lithium-

ion batteries do not have auxiliary power at this time.

You can determine which battery your vehicle is

equipped with by touching Controls > Software >

Additional Vehicle Information.

CAUTION: Always ensure that the trailer electrical

cable does not contact or drag on the ground and

there is enough slack in the cable to allow for

turns.

WARNING: Use only the electrical connections

designed by Tesla. Do not attempt to directly

splice or attempt to connect a trailer’s electrical

wiring using any other method. Doing so can

damage the vehicle's electrical system and cause

malfunctions.

Impact on Range

Towing a trailer increases vehicle weight and drag. As a

result, driving range can decrease signiﬁcantly. Although

Trip Planner (if available in your market region) attempts

to adjust estimates based on Trailer Mode, actual energy

consumption may vary. Plan trip length and charging

destinations accordingly.

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Cold Weather Best Practices

To ensure that Model Y provides you with the best

Charging

ownership experience possible in harsh cold weather

conditions, follow these best practices.

By using Trip Planner (if available in your market region)

to navigate to a Tesla charging location, Model Y pre-

heats the high voltage battery to ensure when you arrive

at the charger, the temperature of the battery is optimal

and ready to charge. This reduces the amount of time it

takes to charge. See (see Trip Planner on page 157).

Before Driving

When snow and ice accumulate on your vehicle, moving

parts, such as the door handles, windows, mirrors, and

wipers can freeze in place. To achieve maximum range

and performance, it is helpful to warm the cabin and

Battery before you leave. There are several ways to do

so:

NOTE: Tesla recommends using Trip Planner to navigate

to a charging location for at least 30-45 minutes before

arrival to ensure optimal battery temperature and

charging conditions. If the drive to the charging location

is less than 30-45 minutes, consider preconditioning the

battery before driving (see Before Driving on page 85).

• Touch Schedule, available on both the charging and

climate control screens, to set a time when you want

your vehicle to be ready to drive (see Scheduled

Charging and Scheduled Departure on page 174).

NOTE: The thermal system may produce steam under

certain conditions. For example, odorless steam can

come from the front of your vehicle while charging at a

Supercharger in cold temperature. This is normal and

not a cause for concern.

• In the mobile app, navigate to Climate to customize

the temperature at which you want to heat the cabin.

This also warms the high voltage Battery as needed.

• In the mobile app, navigate to Climate > Defrost Car

to melt snow, ice, and frost on the windshield,

windows, and mirrors. This also warms the high

voltage Battery as needed.

Windows

• In the mobile app, go to Climate, swipe up from the

bottom and select Defrost Car, which helps melt

snow, ice, and frost on the windshield, windows, and

mirrors.

NOTE: Tesla recommends activating climate settings

at least 30-45 minutes before departure (see Climate

Controls on page 127). Preconditioning times depend

on outside temperature and other factors. The mobile

app will notify you once your vehicle has reached the

desired preconditioning temperature.

• In cold temperatures, Model Y automatically makes a

slight adjustment to the position of the windows to

make it easier to open doors.

NOTE: Always connect to an external, low voltage

power supply before opening a door when the

vehicle has no power to avoid breaking a window.

Charge Port

• Use the mobile app to schedule a service

appointment for Tesla to provide hydrophobic

coating to the side and rear windows (not the front)

for a nominal fee.

• If your charge port latch freezes in place and a

charging cable becomes stuck in the charge port, try

manually releasing the charge cable. See Manually

Releasing Charge Cable on page 172.

• In extremely cold weather or icy conditions, it is

possible that your charge port latch may freeze in

place. Some vehicles are equipped with a charge port

inlet heater that turns on when you turn on the rear

defrost in cold weather conditions. You can also thaw

ice on the charge port latch by enabling Defrost Car

on the mobile app.

Doors

In severe winter conditions, ice buildup can make it more

diﬃcult to open door handles. You can use the mobile

app to pop open the driver door in this situation.

1. In the mobile app, touch and hold any of the four

quick control buttons and follow the instructions to

customize quick controls with Unlatch Door.

NOTE: You can also prevent the occurrence of a charge

port latch freezing in place by using the Schedule

settings (see Scheduled Charging and Scheduled

Departure on page 174).

2. When you are next to your car, touch Unlatch Door to

pop open the driver door.

NOTE: If your charge port latch is frozen in place, it may

not lock the charging cable in place when inserted, but it

can still charge at a slow AC rate even if the latch is not

engaged.

Removing Ice From Door Handle

In severe winter conditions, ice buildup within the door

handle can prevent the door handle from opening. The

process for freeing a Model Y door handle is slightly

diﬀerent than others to remove ice buildup.

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Cold Weather Best Practices

NOTE: Preemptively applying WD-40 to the door handle

pivot pins can help prevent ice buildup inside your door

handle.

Tires and Tire Chains

• Use winter tires to increase traction in snowy or icy

conditions. You can purchase winter tires on http://

www.tesla.com (see Seasonal Tire Types on page

189).

CAUTION: Do not attempt to use tools or

excessive force to release the door handle from ice

buildup.

• Tire chains provide additional traction when driving in

snowy or icy conditions. Check local regulations to

determine if tire chains are recommended or required

during winter months. See Using Tire Chains on page

189 for more information.

Perform the following to remove ice from the door

handle:

1. Forcefully press the frontmost part of the door

handle. It will rock slightly inward to help break the

ice.

Your vehicle’s tire pressures will drop in cold ambient

temperatures. If the TPMS indicator light appears, inﬂate

the tires before driving. The tires will lose one PSI for

every 10° F (6° C) drop in outside temperature (see Tire

Care and Maintenance on page 184). Proper tire

pressures help protect tires from potholes and improve

range when properly inﬂated.

While Driving

Cold weather can increase energy consumption because

more power is required for driving, cabin and Battery

heating. Follow these suggestions to reduce energy

consumption:

• Use seat heaters to keep warm. Seat heaters use less

energy than the cabin heater. Lowering the cabin

temperature and using seat heaters reduces energy

consumption (see Climate Controls on page 127).

2. Press the rearmost part of the door handle to try to

open as you normally would.

3. Once the door handle is able to move, open and close

it a few more times to release any remaining ice

buildup. Make sure the door handle is fully pressed in

(retracted) prior to entering the vehicle, and check

that the door is fully closed before driving away.

• Slow down your driving and avoid frequent and rapid

acceleration.

• You can improve the eﬃciency of the cabin heating

by reducing your selected acceleration mode (see

Acceleration Modes on page 73). This allows the heat

pump system to take more heat from the Battery to

eﬃciently heat the cabin, instead of maintaining the

Battery's ability to provide peak acceleration

performance. This helps to maximize driving

eﬃciency in colder weather. Note that when

subsequently increasing the acceleration mode, the

Battery requires time to warm up before the

increased level of acceleration is available.

Mirrors

If ice buildup is expected when parking, turn oﬀ Auto-

Fold Mirrors. Touch Controls > Auto-Fold. Ice can

prevent exterior side mirrors from folding or unfolding.

NOTE: Side mirrors automatically heat as needed during

preconditioning, or when the rear defroster is turned on.

Regenerative Braking

Wipers

Regenerative braking can be limited if the Battery is too

cold. As you continue to drive, the Battery warms up

and regenerative power increases (see Regenerative

Braking on page 66).

If you expect snow or ice to build up when parked, touch

Controls > Service > Wiper Service Mode. This raises

wipers against the windshield so they can defrost when

the windshield defrosts (see Wipers and Washers on

page 64). You can also turn on wiper defrosters (if

equipped). See Climate Controls on page 127.

NOTE: Limited regenerative braking can be avoided if

you allow enough time to precondition your vehicle or if

you use Schedule to precondition Model Y before your

departure time (see Scheduled Charging and Scheduled

Departure on page 174).

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NOTE: Installing winter tires can result in temporarily

reduced regenerative braking power but after a short

period of driving, Model Y recalibrates to correct this.

Touch Service > Wheel & Tire Conﬁguration > Tires to

select winter tires and quicken this process.

Blue Snowﬂake Icon

A blue snowﬂake icon appears on your

touchscreen when some of the stored energy in

the Battery is unavailable because the Battery is

cold. This portion of unavailable energy displays

in blue on the Battery meter. Regenerative

braking, acceleration, and charging rates may be

limited. The snowﬂake icon no longer displays

when the Battery is suﬃciently warm.

After Driving

Leave Model Y plugged in when not in use. This uses the

charging system, rather than the battery itself, to keep

the battery warm (see High Voltage Battery Information

on page 167).

Scheduled Departure

When parked, plug in Model Y and use the Schedule

settings, available on both the charging and climate

control screens, to set a time when you want to

precondition Model Y (see Scheduled Charging and

Scheduled Departure on page 174). Your vehicle

determines the appropriate time to begin charging so it

is complete during oﬀ-peak hours and the cabin and

Battery are warm by your set departure time. For more

information, see Scheduled Charging and Scheduled

Departure on page 174.

Storage

If you leave Model Y parked for an extended period of

time, plug the vehicle into a charger to prevent normal

range loss and to keep the Battery at an optimal

temperature. Your vehicle is safe to stay plugged in for

any length of time.

When not in use, Model Y enters a sleep mode to

conserve energy. Reduce the number of times you check

your vehicle’s status on the mobile app, as this

automatically wakes up your vehicle and starts normal

energy consumption.

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Driving for Your Tesla Model-Y SUV 2023

Related Topics

Overview

Opening and Closing

Seating and Safety Restraints

Autopilot

Active Safety Features

Using the Touchscreen

Navigation and Entertainment

Charging and Energy Consumption

Maintenance

Specifications

Roadside Assistance

Troubleshooting

Consumer Information