• Model Y is departing the road and the turn signal is off (for example, very close to the edge of the road and a
collision may occur).
To turn this feature on or off, touch Controls > Autopilot > Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance.
When Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance applies steering, a chime sounds and the touchscreen displays a
warning and highlights the lane marking in red.
Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance operates when Model Y is traveling between 40 and 90 mph (64 and 145
km/h) on a road with clearly visible lane markings, curbs, etc.
WARNING: Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance is not a substitute for attentive driving and sound judgment.
Keep your eyes on the road when driving and never depend on Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance to
prevent a collision. Several factors can reduce or impair performance. Depending on Emergency Lane
Departure Avoidance to prevent a potential collision can result in serious injury or death.
Automatic Blind Spot Camera
To display the image from the corresponding side repeater camera whenever you engage a turn signal to change
lanes, touch Controls > Autopilot > Automatic Blind Spot Camera.
When the turn signal is engaged and the touchscreen is displaying the image from the side repeater camera, you can
move the image to a different location on the touchscreen. To do so, touch and drag the image to the new location
(valid locations are indicated by shaded areas that display when you touch and hold the image).
WARNING: Automatic Blind Spot Camera does not eliminate the need to drive attentively and manually
perform shoulder checks when changing lanes.
Blind Spot Collision Warning Chime
If you want a chime to sound when a vehicle is in your blind spot and a possible collision is detected, touch Controls
> Autopilot > Blind Spot Collision Warning Chime.

166

Owners Manual
WARNING: Blind Spot Camera does not eliminate the need to drive attentively and manually perform shoulder
checks when changing lanes.
WARNING: Blind Spot Collision Warning Chime cannot detect every collision. It is the driver's responsibility to
remain alert and perform the appropriate shoulder checks when changing lanes.
Limitations and Inaccuracies
Lane Assist features cannot always detect lane markings and you may experience unnecessary or invalid warnings in
these situations:
• Visibility is poor and lane markings are not clearly visible (due to heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.).
• Bright light (such as from oncoming headlights or direct sunlight) is interfering with the view of the camera(s).
• A vehicle in front of Model Y is blocking the view of the camera(s).
• The windshield is obstructing the view of the camera(s) (fogged over, dirty, covered by a sticker, etc.).
• Lane markings are excessively worn, have visible previous markings, have been adjusted due to road construction,
or are changing quickly (for example, lanes branching off, crossing over, or merging).
• The road is narrow or winding.
• Objects or landscape features are casting strong shadows on lane markers.
Lane Assist may not provide warnings, or may apply inappropriate warnings, in these situations:
• One or more of the sensors (if equipped) or cameras is damaged, dirty, or obstructed (by mud, ice, or snow, or by
a vehicle bra, excessive paint, or adhesive products such as wraps, stickers, rubber coatings, etc.).
• Weather conditions (heavy rain, snow, fog, or extremely hot or cold temperatures) are interfering with sensor
operation.
• The sensors (if equipped) are affected by other electrical equipment or devices that generate ultrasonic waves.
• An object that is mounted to Model Y is interfering with and/or obstructing a sensor (such as a bike rack or a
bumper sticker).
In addition, Lane Assist may not steer Model Y away from an adjacent vehicle, or may apply unnecessary or
inappropriate steering, in these situations:
• You are driving Model Y on sharp corners or on a curve at a relatively high speed.
• Bright light (such as from oncoming headlights or direct sunlight) is interfering with the view of the camera(s).
• You are drifting into another lane but an object (such as a vehicle) is not present.
• A vehicle in another lane cuts in front of you or drifts into your driving lane.
• Model Y is not traveling within the speeds at which the Lane Assist feature is designed to operate.
• One or more of the sensors (if equipped) 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.).
• Weather conditions (heavy rain, snow, fog, or extremely hot or cold temperatures) are interfering with sensor
operation.
• The sensors (if equipped) are affected by other electrical equipment or devices that generate ultrasonic waves.
• An object mounted to Model Y (such as a bike rack or a bumper sticker) is interfering with or obstructing a
sensor.
• Visibility is poor and lane markings are not clearly visible (due to heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.).
• Lane markings are excessively worn, have visible previous markings, have been adjusted due to road construction
or are changing quickly (for example, lanes branching off, crossing over, or merging).
WARNING: The lists above do not represent every possible situation that may interfere with Lane Assist
features. There are many reasons why Lane Assist may not operate as intended. To avoid a collision, stay alert
and always pay attention to the road so you can anticipate the need to take corrective action as early as
possible.

167

Owners Manual
Collision Avoidance Assist
The following collision avoidance features are designed to increase the safety of you and your passengers:
• Forward Collision Warning - provides visual, audible, and haptic feedback warnings in situations when Model Y
detects that there is a high risk of a frontal collision (see Forward Collision Warning on page 168).
• Automatic Emergency Braking - automatically applies braking to reduce the impact of a collision (see Automatic
Emergency Braking on page 170).
• Obstacle-Aware Acceleration - reduces acceleration if Model Y detects an object in its immediate driving path
(see Obstacle-Aware Acceleration on page 171).
CAUTION: Ensure all cameras and sensors (if equipped) are clean. Dirty cameras and sensors, as well as
environmental conditions such as rain and faded lane markings, can affect performance.
WARNING: Forward Collision Warning is for guidance purposes only and is not a substitute for attentive
driving and sound judgment. Keep your eyes on the road when driving and never depend on Forward Collision
Warning to warn you of a potential collision. Several factors can reduce or impair performance, causing either
unnecessary, invalid, inaccurate, or missed warnings. Depending on Forward Collision Warning to warn you of a
potential collision can result in serious injury or death.
WARNING: Automatic Emergency Braking is not designed to prevent all collisions. In certain situations, it can
minimize the impact of a collision by attempting to reduce your driving speed. Depending on Automatic
Emergency Braking to avoid a collision can result in serious injury or death.
WARNING: Obstacle-Aware Acceleration is not designed to prevent a collision. In certain situations, it can
minimize the impact of a collision. Depending on Obstacle-Aware Acceleration to avoid a collision can result in
serious injury or death.
Forward Collision Warning
Model Y monitors the area in front of it for the presence of an object such as a vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, or
pedestrian. If a collision is considered likely unless you take immediate corrective action, Forward Collision Warning
is designed to sound a chime and highlight the vehicle in front of you in red on the touchscreen. If this happens,
TAKE IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION!

168

Owners Manual

Visual, audible, and haptic feedback warnings cancel automatically when the risk of a collision has been reduced (for
example, you have decelerated or stopped Model Y, or the object in front of your vehicle has moved out of your
driving path).
If immediate action is not taken when Model Y issues a Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking (if
enabled) may automatically apply the brakes if a collision is considered imminent (see Automatic Emergency
Braking on page 170).
By default, Forward Collision Warning is turned on. To turn it off or adjust its sensitivity, touch Controls > Autopilot >
Forward Collision Warning. Instead of the default warning level of Medium, you can turn the warning Off, or you can
choose to be warned Late or Early.
NOTE: Your chosen setting is retained until you manually change it.
WARNING: The camera(s) and sensors (if equipped) associated with Forward Collision Warning are designed
to monitor an approximate area of up to 525 feet (160 meters) in your driving path. The area being monitored
by Forward Collision Warning can be adversely affected by road and weather conditions. Use appropriate
caution when driving.
WARNING: Forward Collision Warning is designed only to provide visual and audible alerts. It does not attempt
to apply the brakes or decelerate Model Y. When seeing and/or hearing a warning, it is the driver's
responsibility to take immediate corrective action.
WARNING: Forward Collision Warning may provide a warning in situations where the likelihood of collision may
not exist. Stay alert and always pay attention to the area in front of Model Y so you can anticipate whether any
action is required.
Forward Collision Warning operates only when driving between approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) and 90 mph (150
km/h) 3 mph (5 km/h) and 124 mph (200 km/h).
WARNING: Forward Collision Warning does not provide a warning when the driver is already applying the
brake.

169

Owners Manual
Automatic Emergency Braking
Model Y is designed to determine the distance from detected objects. When a collision is considered unavoidable,
Automatic Emergency Braking is designed to apply the brakes to reduce the vehicle's speed and therefore, the
severity of the impact. The amount of speed that is reduced depends on many factors, including driving speed and
environment.
When Automatic Emergency Braking applies the brakes, the touchscreen displays a visual warning and sounds a
chime. You may also notice abrupt downward movement of the brake pedal. The brake lights turn on to alert other
road users that you are slowing down.
Emergency braking in progress

Automatic Emergency Braking operates only when driving between approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) and 90 mph (150
km/h) 3 mph (5 km/h) and 124 mph (200 km/h).
Automatic Emergency Braking does not apply the brakes, or stops applying the brakes, when:
• You turn the steering wheel sharply.
• You press and release the brake pedal while Automatic Emergency Braking is applying the brakes.
• You accelerate hard while Automatic Emergency Braking is applying the brakes.
• The vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian is no longer detected ahead.
Automatic Emergency Braking is always enabled when you start Model Y. To disable it for your current drive, touch
Controls > Autopilot > Automatic Emergency Braking. Even if you disable Automatic Emergency Braking, your
vehicle may still apply the brakes after detecting an initial collision to reduce further impact (see Multi-Collision
Braking on page 170).
NOTE: Automatic Emergency Braking is designed to reduce the impact of frontal collisions only.
NOTE: Automatic Emergency Braking is designed to reduce the impact of frontal and reverse collisions with limited
functionality while in Reverse.
WARNING: It is strongly recommended that you do not disable Automatic Emergency Braking. If you disable it,
Model Y does not automatically apply the brakes in situations where a collision is considered likely.
WARNING: Automatic Emergency Braking is designed to reduce the severity of an impact. It is not designed to
avoid a collision.
WARNING: Several factors can affect the performance of Automatic Emergency Braking, causing either no
braking or inappropriate or untimely braking, such as when a vehicle is partially in the path of travel or there is
road debris. It is the driver’s responsibility to drive safely and remain in control of the vehicle at all times. Never
depend on Automatic Emergency Braking to avoid or reduce the impact of a collision.
WARNING: Automatic Emergency Braking is not a substitute for maintaining a safe traveling distance between
you and the vehicle in front of you.
WARNING: The brake pedal moves downward abruptly during automatic braking events. Always ensure that
the brake pedal can move freely. Do not place material under or on top of the driver’s floor mat (including an
additional mat) and always ensure that the driver’s floor mat is properly secured. Failure to do so can impede
the ability of the brake pedal to move freely.
Multi-Collision Braking
In addition to Automatic Emergency Braking, Model Y may apply the brakes to prevent or mitigate a subsequent
impact after an initial collision if airbag deployment is detected. The brakes may be applied regardless of driving
speed.

170

Owners Manual
Obstacle-Aware Acceleration
Obstacle-Aware Acceleration is designed to reduce the impact of a collision by reducing motor torque and in some
cases applying the brakes, if Model Y detects an object in its driving path. The touchscreen displays a visual warning
and sounds a chime when the brakes are automatically applied. For example, Model Y, while parked in front of a
closed garage door with Drive engaged, detects that you have pressed hard on the accelerator pedal. Although
Model Y still accelerates and hits the garage door, the reduced torque may result in less damage.
Obstacle-Aware Acceleration is designed to operate only when all of these conditions are simultaneously met:
• Drive or Reverse is engaged.
• Model Y is stopped or traveling less than 10 mph (16 km/h).
• Model Y detects an object in its immediate driving path.
To disable Obstacle-Aware Acceleration, touch Controls > Autopilot > Obstacle-Aware Acceleration.
WARNING: Obstacle-Aware Acceleration is designed to reduce the severity of an impact. It is not designed to
avoid a collision.
WARNING: Obstacle-Aware Acceleration may not limit torque in all situations. Several factors, including
environmental conditions, distance from an obstacle, and a driver's actions, can limit, delay, or inhibit ObstacleAware Acceleration.
WARNING: Obstacle-Aware Acceleration may not limit torque when performing a sharp turn, such as into a
parking space.
WARNING: Do not rely on Obstacle-Aware Acceleration to control acceleration or to avoid, or limit, the severity
of a collision, and do not attempt to test Obstacle-Aware Acceleration. Doing so can result in serious property
damage, injury, or death.
WARNING: Several factors can affect the performance of Obstacle-Aware Acceleration, causing an
inappropriate or untimely reduction in motor torque. It is the driver's responsibility to drive safely and remain
in control of Model Y at all times.
Limitations and Inaccuracies
Collision Avoidance features cannot always detect all objects, vehicles, bikes, or pedestrians, and you may
experience unnecessary, inaccurate, invalid, or missed warnings for many reasons, particularly if:
• The road has sharp curves.
• Visibility is poor (due to heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.).
• Bright light (such as from oncoming headlights or direct sunlight) is interfering with the view of the camera(s).
• A camera or sensor is obstructed (dirty, covered, fogged over, covered by a sticker, etc.).
• One or more of the sensors (if equipped) 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.).
• Weather conditions (heavy rain, snow, fog, or extremely hot or cold temperatures) are interfering with sensor
operation.
• The sensors (if equipped) are affected by other electrical equipment or devices that generate ultrasonic waves.
WARNING: The limitations previously described do not represent an exhaustive list of situations that may
interfere with proper operation of Collision Avoidance Assist features. These features may fail to provide their
intended function for many other reasons. It is the driver’s responsibility to avoid collisions by staying alert,
paying attention, and taking corrective action as early as possible.
CAUTION: If a fault occurs with a Collision Avoidance Assist feature, Model Y displays an alert. Contact Tesla
Service.

171

Owners Manual
Speed Assist
How Speed Assist Works
Model Y displays a speed limit on the touchscreen and you can choose if and how you are warned when you exceed
the speed limit. Also, instead of using the detected speed limit, you can base warnings on an arbitrary speed limit
that you enter manually.
NOTE: When using Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, you can touch this speed limit sign to change your set cruising
speed to the detected speed limit (including any offsets that you have set).

In situations where Model Y is unable to determine a speed limit, or if Speed Assist is uncertain that an acquired
speed limit is accurate, the touchscreen may not display a speed limit sign and warnings do not take effect.
NOTE: Speed limit warnings go away after ten seconds, or when Model Y slows down below the specified limit.
WARNING: Do not rely on Speed Assist to determine the appropriate speed limit or driving speed. Always
drive at a safe speed based on traffic and road conditions.
Controlling Speed Assist
To adjust the Speed Limit Warning setting, touch Controls > Autopilot > Speed Limit Warning, then choose one of
these options:
• Off - Speed limit warnings do not display and chimes are not sounded.
• Display - Speed limit signs display on the touchscreen and the sign increases in size when you exceed the
determined limit.
• Chime - In addition to the visual display, a chime is sounded when you exceed the determined speed limit.
You can also specify how the speed limit is determined:
• Relative - You can set a speed limit offset (+ or -) if you want to be alerted only when you exceed the offset
speed limit by a specified amount. For example, you can increase the offset to +10 mph (10 km/h) if you only
want to be warned when you exceed the speed limit by 10 mph (10 km/h).
• Absolute - Manually specify any speed limit between 20 and 140 mph (30 and 240 km/h).
NOTE: Speed Assist is not always accurate. In some situations, the location of a road can be miscalculated and
Speed Assist can display a speed for a directly adjacent road that may have a different speed limit. For example,
Speed Assist can assume Model Y is on a controlled-access highway when it is actually on a nearby surface street,
and vice versa.
NOTE: Your chosen setting is retained until you manually change it.
Limitations and Inaccuracies
Speed Assist may not be fully functional or may provide inaccurate information in these situations:
• Visibility is poor and speed limit signs are not clearly visible (due to heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.).
• Bright light (such as from oncoming headlights or direct sunlight) is interfering with the view of the camera(s).
• Model Y is being driven very close to a vehicle in front of it which is blocking the view of the camera(s).

172

Owners Manual
• The windshield is obstructing the view of the camera(s) (fogged over, dirty, covered by a sticker, etc.).
• Speed limit signs are concealed by objects.
• The speed limits stored in the map database are incorrect or outdated.
• Model Y is being driven in an area where GPS or map data is not available or where speed limit signs can not be
detected.
• Traffic signs that do not conform to standard recognizable formats, such as digital or temporary speed signs.
• A road or a speed limit has recently changed.
WARNING: The list above does not represent an exhaustive list of situations that may interfere with proper
operation of Speed Assist. Speed Assist may fail to provide warnings for many other reasons.

Cabin Camera
Your Model Y may be equipped with a cabin camera located above the rear view mirror.

The cabin camera is not currently active. If used in a future safety feature, Tesla will notify you of its availability
through a software update.
The cabin camera can determine driver inattentiveness and provide you with audible alerts, to remind you to keep
your eyes on the road when Autopilot is engaged.
By default, images and video from the camera do not leave the vehicle itself and are not transmitted to anyone,
including Tesla, unless you enable data sharing. If you enable data sharing and a safety critical event occurs (such as
a collision), Model Y shares short cabin camera video clips with Tesla to help us develop future safety enhancements
and continuously improve the intelligence of features that rely on the cabin camera. Data may also be shared if
diagnostics are required on cabin camera functionality. Cabin camera does not perform facial recognition or any
other method of identity verification. To protect your privacy, cabin camera data is not associated with your vehicle
identification number.
To adjust your data sharing preferences touch Controls > Software > Data Sharing > Allow Cabin Camera Analytics.
You can change your data sharing settings at any time.

173

Owners Manual

NOTE: Keep the camera lens clean and free of obstructions. Remove any buildup of dirt or dust by occasionally
wiping the camera lens with a clean cloth.
CAUTION: Do not use chemical-based or abrasive cleaners. Doing so can damage the surface of the camera
lens.

Dashcam, Sentry, and Security

174

Owners Manual
Safety & Security Settings
About the Security System
If Model Y does not detect an authenticated phone or key and a locked door or trunk is opened, an alarm sounds.
The headlights and turn signals also flash. To deactivate the alarm, press any button on the mobile app or tap your
key card or key fob against the card reader located approximately one third the way up of the driver's side door
pillar.
To manually enable or disable the alarm system, touch Controls > Safety > Security Alarm. When enabled, Model Y
activates its alarm one minute after you exit, the doors lock, and a recognized key is no longer detected.
A battery-backed siren (if equipped) sounds in situations where a locked door or trunk is opened and Model Y does
not detect a key nearby. If you also want this siren to sound in situations where the vehicle detects motion inside the
cabin, enable Tilt/Intrusion (see Tilt/Intrusion (if equipped) on page 175).
NOTE: If Model Y is in Sentry Mode (see How to Use Sentry Mode (Camera + App) on page 178), you must disable
Sentry Mode before you can disable the Security alarm or the Tilt/Intrusion alarm.
Tilt/Intrusion (if equipped)

Depending on configuration, market region, and date of manufacture, your vehicle may not be equipped with this
feature.
The Security Alarm must be on to enable Tilt/Intrusion.
Tilt/Intrusion sounds the alarm in your vehicle if Model Y detects motion inside the cabin, or is moved or tilted (for
example, with a tow truck or jack). To enable, touch Controls > Safety > Tilt/Intrusion.
The intrusion sensor automatically disables in situations where the climate control system is operating when you
leave your vehicle. To override, you can manually turn the Tilt/Intrusion Sensor on again after choosing Keep Climate
On, Dog, or Camp Mode.
The tilt/intrusion sensor automatically re-enables at the start of every drive cycle.
NOTE: If you plan to leave something that moves inside your locked vehicle, remember to turn off Tilt/Intrusion. If
this setting is on, any motion detected inside Model Y activates the intrusion alarm.
PIN to Drive
To increase security, you can prevent Model Y from being driven until a 4-digit PIN (Personal Identification Number)
is entered. To enable this setting, touch Controls > Safety > PIN to Drive and follow the on-screen prompts to create
a driving PIN.
When enabled, in addition to entering the 4-digit driving PIN to drive, you must also use it to enter Valet mode for
the first time and create the 4-digit valet PIN to enter and exit Valet mode. In Valet mode, Model Y can be driven
without the need for the valet to enter a driving PIN. The PIN to Drive setting is disabled whenever Valet mode is
active.
If you forget your driving PIN, touch the link to enter your Tesla login credentials on the PIN to Drive popup, then
follow the on-screen prompts.
NOTE: In the unlikely event that your touchscreen is unresponsive, you may be unable to enter the PIN. In this case,
first try to restart the touchscreen (see Restarting the Touchscreen on page 7). If the touchscreen is still
unresponsive, you can still bypass PIN to Drive by turning on Keyless Driving in the Tesla mobile app.
Glovebox PIN
For additional security, you can protect the contents in your glovebox with a 4-digit PIN. To enable this setting,
touch Controls > Safety > Glovebox PIN and follow the on-screen prompts. When enabled, you are prompted to
enter the PIN to open the glovebox. To disable this setting, select the toggle to disable and then enter the PIN.
If you forget your glovebox PIN, reset it by entering your Tesla login credentials, then follow the on-screen prompts.

175

Owners Manual
NOTE: Using a Glovebox PIN allows the glovebox to be opened even when Model Y is in Valet mode.
Speed Limit Mode
Speed Limit Mode allows you to limit acceleration and limit the maximum driving speed to a chosen value between
50 and 120 mph (80 and 193 km/h). The first time you use this feature, you must create a 4-digit PIN that you must
use to enable and disable Speed Limit Mode. When enabled and the driving speed approaches within approximately
3 mph (5 km/h) of the maximum speed, a chime sounds, the touchscreen displays a message, and Model Y sends a
notification to the mobile app. You can also touch Security > Speed Limit Mode to enable from the Tesla mobile app.
To enable Speed Limit Mode:
1. Ensure Model Y is in Park.
2. Touch Controls > Safety > Speed Limit Mode on the touchscreen.
3. Select the maximum driving speed.
4. Drag the slider to the On position.
5. Enter the 4-digit PIN that you want to use to enable and disable Speed Limit Mode.
NOTE: If you forget the PIN, you can disable Speed Limit Mode by entering login credentials for your Tesla
account.
NOTE: While Speed Limit Mode is enabled, the acceleration setting (Controls > Pedals & Steering > Acceleration)
automatically sets to Chill.
WARNING: Driving downhill can increase driving speed and cause Model Y to exceed your chosen maximum
speed.
WARNING: Speed Limit Mode is not a replacement for good judgment, driver training, and the need to closely
monitor speed limits and driving conditions. Accidents occur at any speed.

Dashcam
NOTE: Depending on market region, vehicle configuration, options purchased, and software version, your vehicle may
not be equipped with Dashcam or the features may not operate exactly as described. It is your sole responsibility to
consult and comply with all local regulations and property restrictions regarding the use of cameras.
Dashcam records video footage of your vehicle's surroundings when driving Model Y. Use Dashcam to record driving
incidents or other notable events, like you would for an external dashcam on other vehicles.
The Dashcam icon is located in the app launcher. You can add the Dashcam app to the bottom bar for easy access
(see Customizing My Apps on page 8). When Model Y is in Park, touching the Dashcam icon displays the Viewer (see
Viewing Video Recordings on page 180).

To protect your privacy, video recordings are saved locally to a formatted USB flash drive's onboard memory.
Recordings are not sent to Tesla. Model Y does not record videos when Dashcam is Off.
How to Use Dashcam
1. Format a USB flash drive. Dashcam requires a properly formatted USB drive inserted in your vehicle's USB port
(Tesla recommends using the glovebox USB port, if equipped) to store and retrieve footage. Vehicles
manufactured beginning approximately 2020 are equipped with a pre-formatted USB flash drive in the glove box.
There are two ways to format the flash drive:
◦ Insert the flash drive into the USB port and navigate to Controls > Safety > Format USB Drive. Model Y
automatically formats the flash drive for you.
◦ Format the flash drive on a computer.

176

Owners Manual
See USB Drive Requirements for Recording Videos on page 180 for more information.
2. Insert the USB flash drive into your vehicle's USB port.
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.
3. Enable Dashcam by touching Controls > Safety > Dashcam. Dashcam allows you to choose how and when
footage is saved. You can choose between:
◦ Auto: Dashcam automatically saves a recording to the USB drive when Model Y detects a safety-critical event,
such as a collision or airbag deployment. When Auto is selected, detection can vary and is subject to your
vehicle's power, sleep, and Autopilot state.
NOTE: Several factors determine whether Dashcam automatically saves a recording of a safety-critical event
(for example, amount of force, whether or not airbags deploy, etc.). Do not rely on Dashcam to automatically
record all safety-critical events.
◦ Manual: You must manually touch the Dashcam icon to save a recording of the most recent ten minutes of
footage.
◦ On Honk: When you press the horn, Dashcam saves a recording of the most recent ten minutes of footage. You
can enable this along with Auto or Manual.
4. Once enabled, the Dashcam icon indicates when footage is saved. You can also view the status of the Dashcam
icon in Controls:

The icon changes to show the status of Dashcam:
RECORDING: Dashcam is recording. To save video footage, touch the icon. To pause recording,
press and hold the icon.

PAUSED: Dashcam is paused. To resume recording, touch the icon. To avoid losing video footage,
pause Dashcam before removing the flash drive.

SAVED: Footage is saved. You can also save Dashcam clips by touching the Dashcam icon in the
app launcher while Driving.

NOTE: Once saved, Dashcam saves the last 10 minutes of footage.
5. Once your desired footage is saved, view the clips on the touchscreen or a computer:
◦ Touchscreen: Ensure Model Y is in Park and touch the Dashcam icon in the app launcher. Videos are organized
by timestamp. See Viewing Video Recordings on page 180 for more information.
◦ Computer: Insert the USB flash drive into a computer and navigate to the TeslaCam folder. Videos are
organized by timestamp. See Viewing Video Recordings on page 180 for more information.
6. To turn Dashcam off, navigate to Controls > Safety > Dashcam > Off. If set to Auto, Manual, or On Honk, Dashcam
automatically enables every time you drive.

177

Owners Manual
Sentry Mode
NOTE: Depending on market region, vehicle configuration, options purchased, and software version, your vehicle may
not be equipped with Sentry Mode or the features may not operate exactly as described. It is your sole responsibility
to consult and comply with all local regulations and property restrictions regarding the use of cameras.
When enabled, your vehicle's cameras and sensors (if equipped) remain powered on and ready to record suspicious
activity around your vehicle when Model Y is locked and in Park. Think of Sentry Mode as an intelligent vehicle
security system that alerts you when it detects possible threats nearby.
If a threat is detected, Sentry Mode pulses the headlights, sounds the alarm, and displays a message on the
touchscreen indicating that the cameras may be recording to inform individuals outside of the vehicle. You will
receive an alert on your phone through the mobile app and footage of the event is saved to USB drive (if installed).
Sentry Mode is disabled by default. You can use voice commands or the Tesla mobile app to easily enable or disable
Sentry Mode. To enable Sentry Mode using voice commands, say "Keep Tesla safe," "Keep my car safe," "Sentry on,"
or "Enable Sentry" (see Voice Commands on page 22).
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.
Sentry Mode requires your Battery to be at least 20% charged. If the Battery falls below 20%, Sentry Mode turns off
and the mobile app sends you a notification. Power consumption may increase when Sentry Mode is active.
NOTE: Software updates cannot be installed when Sentry Mode is turned on.
CAUTION: Do not rely on Sentry Mode to protect Model Y from all possible security threats. Sentry Mode uses
many factors to determine whether to activate the security alarm. All impacts may not be detected and the
alarm may not activate in all situations. While it may help deter some threats, no security system can prevent
all attacks.
How to Use Sentry Mode (Camera + App)
1. Sentry Mode requires a properly formatted USB drive inserted in your vehicle's USB port (Tesla recommends
using the glovebox USB port, if equipped) to store and retrieve footage. Vehicles manufactured from
approximately 2020 are equipped with a pre-formatted USB drive in the glove box. There are two ways to format
the USB drive:
◦ Insert the USB drive into the USB port and navigate to Controls > Safety > Format USB Drive. Your vehicle
automatically formats the USB drive for you.
◦ Format the USB drive on a computer
See USB Drive Requirements for Recording Videos on page 180 for more information.
2. Insert the USB drive into the vehicle's USB port.
3. With your vehicle in Park, enable Dashcam by navigating to Controls > Safety > Dashcam.
4. Touch Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode > On. Once enabled, the Sentry Mode icon in the Controls tab turns red.

NOTE: Rear camera recordings are available only on vehicles manufactured after approximately February 2018.
When enabled, Sentry Mode is idle, ready to sound the alarm and save a recording of the security event if
triggered. See Viewing Video Recordings on page 180 for information on viewing footage.
5. To silence the security alarm and audio system when the alarm is triggered, navigate to Controls > Safety >
Disable Sentry Sounds. When enabled, Sentry Mode still sends a notification through the mobile app and saves
the last 10 minutes footage.

178

Owners Manual
6. To manually enable/disable Sentry Mode until the next drive, touch the Sentry Mode icon in Controls. Sentry
Mode is Off when the icon is no longer red.

Turn Sentry Mode Off in Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode to disable for more than one drive cycle.
How to Use Sentry Mode (App Only)
When Sentry mode is enabled and a security event is detected but without a USB drive plugged into a USB port,
your vehicle alerts you through the mobile app, without any camera recordings.
Sentry Mode Settings
• Exclude specific locations
In Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode, you can determine if you want Sentry Mode to not enable in certain locations
(see Home, Work, and Favorite Destinations on page 195 for more information):
◦ Exclude Home: Sentry Mode does not automatically enable at the location set as Home in your Favorites list.
◦ Exclude Work: Sentry Mode does not automatically enable at the location set as Work in your Favorites list.
◦ Exclude Favorites: Sentry Mode does not automatically enable at any location in your Favorites list.
NOTE: To recognize a location listed as Home, Work, or a Favorite, Model Y must be parked within
approximately 1,640 feet (500 meters) of the saved location.
To set up your Home or Work location, touch Navigate > Set Home/Set Work. To set up a Favorite, touch the star
when viewing an address on the map. Manually turning Sentry Mode on or off using the touchscreen or the
mobile app overrides your Home, Work, or Favorite exclusion preferences until the next time you drive.
• Set Camera-Based Detection
When Camera-Based Detection is enabled, Sentry Mode uses the vehicle’s external cameras in addition to vehicle
sensors to detect a security event while parked. If disabled, your vehicle only saves clips to the USB drive if a
physical threat is detected. To adjust, touch Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode > Camera-Based Detection.
• View Live Camera
NOTE: View Live Camera requires premium connectivity and version 4.2.1 (or newer) of the Tesla mobile app
installed on a phone that has been paired as a key to Model Y.
When Sentry Mode is enabled, use the mobile app to remotely view the area surrounding Model Y as seen
through the exterior cameras. To enable, touch Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode > View Live Camera via Mobile
App on the touchscreen to see what Sentry Mode records in real-time. Ensure there are no occupants in the
vehicle and all doors are locked. Then, on the mobile app, navigate to Safety > Sentry Mode > View Live Camera.
When View Live Camera is actively in use, Model Y periodically flashes its exterior lights and displays a message
on the touchscreen to notify others that the area surrounding the vehicle is being viewed through the cameras.
View Live Camera is limited to approximately one hour (or 15 minutes for some regions) of cumulative usage per
day.
If Model Y is equipped with a pedestrian warning speaker (see Pedestrian Warning System on page 116), you can
press and hold the microphone button on the mobile app to transmit your voice through this speaker.
You can also enable Dog Mode at the same time and switch the live camera view to see through the interior
camera on the mobile app. See Keep Climate On, Dog, and Camp on page 184 for more information. This feature
is not supported in vehicles with Autopilot computer 2.0 or 2.5. Touch Controls > Service > Autopilot computer
to find out which computer your vehicle has.

179

Owners Manual
NOTE: If Dog and Sentry are enabled at the same time, Sentry defaults to Disable Sentry Sounds to protect your
pet.
NOTE: Video quality can vary depending on network connectivity. No audio is captured.
NOTE: The live camera feed is fully encrypted and cannot be accessed by Tesla.
See Viewing Video Recordings on page 180 for more information on viewing Sentry Mode footage.
NOTE: When the internal storage reaches full capacity, new recordings from Alert and Alarm events overwrite the
older recordings.

USB Drive Requirements for Recording Videos
NOTE: For some vehicles manufactured after approximately November 1, 2021, the center console USB ports may
only support charging devices. Tesla recommends using the USB port inside the glove box for all other functions.
NOTE: The ability to format, and view video footage on, USB drives may not be available on your vehicle depending
on date of manufacture and vehicle configuration.
Some features require you to use a USB drive (for example, Dashcam, Sentry Mode) that meet these requirements:
• Minimum storage capacity of 64 GB. Use a USB drive with as much available storage as possible. Video footage
can occupy a large amount of space.
• A sustained write speed of at least 4 MB/s. Note that sustained write speed differs from peak write speed.
• USB 2.0 compatible. If using a USB 3.0 drive, it must also support USB 2.0.
• Properly formatted (described below).
NOTE: In some market regions you can purchase recommended USB drives on http://www.tesla.com.
Automatically Formatting a USB Drive
Insert the USB drive into a front USB port and touch Controls > Safety > Format USB Drive. This automatically
formats the USB drive as exFAT and creates a folder for TeslaCam. The USB drive is now ready to record and save
video footage.
Format USB Drive is available only when a USB drive (with one or fewer partitions) is inserted into a front USB port.
Choosing Format USB Drive erases any existing content on the USB drive—before using this feature, move any
content you want to keep to a different device.
Manually Formatting a USB Drive
If Model Y is unable to format the USB drive, format it using a computer:
1. Format the USB drive as exFAT, MS-DOS FAT (for Mac), ext3, or ext4 (NTFS is currently not supported).
2. Create a base-level folder titled TeslaCam. You can use one USB drive for Dashcam, Sentry Mode, , and audio files,
but you must create separate partitions for each folder on an exFAT USB drive.
3. Once formatted, insert the USB drive into a front (or glovebox, if equipped) USB port. Do not use a rear USB port
because they can be used only to charge devices. It may take a few seconds for Model Y to recognize the USB
drive.
4. Once recognized, ensure icons for Dashcam and Sentry Mode are available when you touch Controls. Model Y is
now ready to record videos.
NOTE: You may need to first enable Sentry Mode (if equipped) by touching Controls > Sentry.
Viewing Video Recordings
If footage is saved, you can view the clips on the touchscreen or a computer.
When the USB drive runs out of storage space, video footage can no longer be saved. To prevent the USB drive from
getting full, regularly move saved videos to another device and delete them from the USB drive.

180

Owners Manual
Viewing on the Touchscreen

You can view recorded footage on the touchscreen when Model Y is in Park. Touch the Dashcam icon located in the
app launcher, or the Dashcam icon on the Controls screen. Touch the menu icon in the top corner of the screen. The
tabs display a list of all video clips, organized by location and timestamp. Pause, rewind, fast forward, and delete
clips as needed.
Navigate to Controls > Safety > Delete Dashcam Clips to delete all Dashcam and Sentry Mode footage.
NOTE: Dashcam recording pauses when you launch the Viewer.