Tips

25 hidden Tesla Model Y features.

Twenty-five Model Y Standard features worth knowing in your first week. Names come from Tesla's owner's manual; some depend on software version and trim, so if one is missing on your Standard, that's why.

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  1. Sentry Mode. Records around the parked car when it detects a threat (needs a USB drive).
  2. Dashcam. Saves front, side and rear camera footage to USB; tap the dashcam icon to save a clip.
  3. Dog Mode. Keeps the climate on and shows a message on the screen for passers-by.
  4. Camp Mode. Keeps climate, lights and media running while parked.
  5. Keep Climate On. Holds cabin temperature when you step out.
  6. Scheduled Departure. Finishes charging and preconditions by your leaving time.
  7. Defrost Car. One tap in the app to clear ice before a GTA winter morning.
  8. Phone Key. The car unlocks as you walk up with your phone.
  9. Walk-Away Lock. Locks automatically when you leave with your phone key.
  10. PIN to Drive. Requires a PIN before the car will drive; good theft protection.
  11. Glovebox PIN. Locks the glovebox behind a PIN.
  12. Valet Mode. Limits speed and locks personal data and storage.
  13. Driver profiles. Saves seat, mirror and steering positions per driver.
  14. Easy Entry. Moves the seat back when you park for easier exit.
  15. Mirror tilt in reverse. Tilts the side mirrors down when reversing (if enabled).
  16. Auto-fold mirrors. Folds mirrors when locked.
  17. Speed Limit Mode. Caps the top speed for new drivers.
  18. Child lock. Disables rear door and window switches.
  19. Hold / Creep. Choose how the car behaves when you lift off the brake.
  20. Regenerative braking. One-pedal driving that puts energy back in the battery.
  21. Voice commands. Climate, navigation and media by voice.
  22. Charge port from the screen. Open or close the charge port from the touchscreen or app.
  23. Trunk height. Set how high the power liftgate opens, handy in low garages (if your trim has a power liftgate).
  24. TeslaCam viewer. Review Sentry and dashcam clips on the screen.
  25. Toybox. Easter eggs and fun extras in the app launcher.

Availability varies by software version and trim; some features may not be on the Model Y Standard Unconfirmed.

Next

Set them up with the best settings for new owners, and get your USB drive ready with the Sentry and dashcam setup guide.

I film all of this on my own 2026 Model Y Standard. Watch on The Electric Standard on YouTube.

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