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20 Tesla Hidden Features You NEED To Know About

Updated: Oct 24, 2022



If you didn't know already, your Tesla has some pretty neat hidden features and secret settings that'll make your experience with your car much more enjoyable. Here are 20 Tesla Hidden Features you have to see to believe!


Live Sentry Mode



20 Tesla Hidden Features: Live Sentry Mode
20 Tesla Hidden Features: Live Sentry Mode


Your Tesla comes equipped with eight cameras. Four cameras are used to record activity while your car is parked and in sentry mode, a well-known security feature for Teslas. But some don't know that these four cameras can be accessed live through the Tesla app for Android and iPhone. Live sentry mode lets you remotely access your Teslas cameras, honk the horn, and flash the headlights. But another cool feature is you can speak through your Tesla's exterior speaker from anywhere in the world! As long as you have premium connectivity and live sentry mode enabled. Too cool!


Free Premium Connectivity



Tesla Premium Connectivity Packages
Tesla Premium Connectivity Packages - Tesla.com


Connectivity in all Tesla vehicles plays an important role in the driving experience, giving access to features that use data — such as streaming music and media, live traffic visualization, and more. Every Tesla comes with standard connectivity that gives you access to basic Navigation features. If you want more features including Live Traffic Visualization, Sentry Mode - View Live Camera, Satellite-View Maps, Video Streaming, Caraoke, Music Streaming, and Internet Browsing, you'll need to subscribe to the Premium Connectivity service for $9.99 per month or $99 annually. What most Tesla owners don't know is that you can get most of these features without having to pay for a subscription at all. The trick is to connect your Tesla to your smartphone's Hotspot via WiFi. This will allow you to get Video Streaming, Caraoke, Music Streaming, and Internet Browsing in addition to core maps & navigation functionality including traffic-based routing, Trip Planner, and Supercharger stall availability. To use your mobile hotspot, it's best to have an unlimited plan with your carrier.


More Streaming Services and Games



20 Tesla Hidden Features: More Streaming Services
20 Tesla Hidden Features: Live Sentry Mode


If you are subscribed to Premium Connectivity or connected to your mobile phone's hotspot, you can get access to streaming services such as Netflix, Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, and more. It's already an impressive selection but it's possible to add even more streaming services to your Tesla by visiting ABetterTheater.com in your Tesla's internet browser. Visiting this website will give you access to streaming services like HBO Max, ESPN, Paramount+, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more! You can even play games like Tetris and more. The interface is responsive and easy to use, you can bookmark the website so it's the first thing you see when opening the internet browser making it easier than ever to start streaming right away.


Unlock Charge Port



20 Tesla Hidden Features: Unlock Charge Port
20 Tesla Hidden Features: Unlock Charge Port


Although we hope it never happens, the charging cable can sometimes become stuck in your Tesla's charge port. If this happens at home or even at the tesla Supercharger, you won't be able to use the main screen to electronically unlock the charge port. This can be frustrating because releasing the cable manually can be impossible. Luckily, there is a way to release the charging cable using a hidden latch located in the upper left side of the Trunk. You'll need to do some digging to find the cable, but once you've got it, just give it a tug and the charging cable will be manually released. Check this out in the 20 Tesla Hidden Features Video


Lower Autopilot Speed FAST



20 Tesla Hidden Features: Lower Autopilot Speed
20 Tesla Hidden Features: Lower Autopilot Speed


If you ever find yourself traveling above the speed limit while engaged in autopilot and need to quickly reduce your speed to match the speed limit, you can do this simply by tapping the speed limit icon on the screen, instead of using the scroll wheel to adjust the speed. Tapping the speed limit icon will quickly, but safely lower your speed in case of an emergency or to avoid traffic violations.


Send Address To Tesla



Sending Address to Tesla from iPhone
20 Tesla Hidden Features: Send Address to Tesla


Tesla's navigation system makes it easy to search for an address and navigate to it quickly and easily, but there are also other ways to tell your Tesla where you want to go. If you want to navigate to an address you have on your mobile device, you can send the address directly to your Tesla wirelessly. You can do this using addresses that have been e-mailed, texted to you, or even addresses you search using your internet browser. You can do this by simply long pressing on the address and choosing to share it to the Tesla app, which will then send the address directly to your Tesla and start navigating to the address. You'll need the Tesla app, Bluetooth enabled, and a driver profile connected to your Tesla.


Sun Visor Extension



Tesla Sun Visor Extension
20 Tesla Hidden Features: Sun Visor Extension


This one might be pretty common to most drivers, however, it may be surprising to know that most drivers have no idea. If you didn't know, your Teslas sun visors can be extended by simply pulling the visor to the left or right once it's been folded down, exposing an adjustable rod for more coverage.


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