OWNER'S FEATURE GUIDE · SOFTWARE 2026.26 · NORTH AMERICA

MODEL Y
2025+

Every feature in your Tesla, translated from the official Owner's Manual into one fun, fridge-worthy, printable cheat sheet — from frunk to Full Self-Driving.

5 / 6 / 7-SEAT LAYOUTS STANDARD RANGE + LONG RANGE + PERFORMANCE OTA SOFTWARE UPDATES FULL SELF-DRIVING (SUPERVISED)
COMPILED FROMtesla.com/ownersmanual/modely
BUILT FOROwners, co-pilots & curious backseat drivers
PAGESFront bumper → rear diffuser

Where everything is

01Overview & CockpitExterior, interior, touchscreen, sounds 02Keys, Doors & WindowsGetting in, out, and locked down 03StorageFrunk, trunk & cabin cubbies 04Seating & Safety RestraintsSeats, belts, airbags, kids 05ConnectivityApp, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, garage 06Driving ControlsShifting, modes, suspension, towing 07Full Self-Driving (Supervised)What it does & its limits 08Other Self-Driving FeaturesAutosteer, Autopark, Summon 09Active Safety FeaturesCollision & lane protection 10Dashcam, Sentry & SecurityWatching the car while you're gone 11ClimateHeating, cooling, weather prep 12Navigation & EntertainmentMaps, media, games, theater 13Charging & EnergyPlugging in & battery health 14MaintenanceUpdates, tires, cleaning, DIY 15SpecificationsLabels, loading, dimensions 16In Case of EmergencyNo power, no charge, no panic
01

Overview & Cockpit

The quick tour: what's on the outside, what's on the inside, and how the screen runs the whole show.

Exterior at a glance

Wheels & tires

Aero-optimized wheel designs balance range and grip; tire specs and pressures live on the driver's-door B-pillar label.

Power-folding mirrors

Fold automatically when you exit and lock, or fold/unfold on command — including by voice.

Flush door handles

Present themselves as you approach with a key, phone key, or key card, then sit flush for aerodynamics.

Key card sensor

Tap-to-unlock sensor sits at the base of the B-pillar on the driver's side.

Charge port

Rear driver's-side taillight houses the port; light rings and pulses to show charge status.

IF EQUIPPED

Front light bar

A signature LED strip spans the nose above the headlights on refreshed Model Y trims.

Front & rear cameras

Self-Driving cameras are built into the fascia, fenders, doors pillars, and windshield — see Cameras below.

Frunk & rear trunk

Powered, weatherproof storage front and rear — full breakdown in Section 03.

Inside the cabin

Turn stalk & scroll wheels

A single left-side stalk handles turn signals; two steering-wheel scroll wheels drive menus, mirrors, wipers, and more.

Center touchscreen

Runs climate, media, navigation, and nearly every setting in the car — full breakdown just below.

IF EQUIPPED

Rear touchscreen

Gives back-seat passengers their own climate, media, video, and gaming controls.

Wireless phone chargers

Two Qi charge pads up front, up to 15W each — details in Section 05.

Ambient & accent lighting

Dome lights, hazard flashers, and accent lighting (if equipped) are grouped overhead for easy reach.

Cabin camera

Mounted above the rearview mirror; monitors driver attentiveness during Self-Driving and supports Sentry Mode.

Manual door releases

Mechanical backups sit beside every power door-open button, front and rear, in case of power loss.

Center console & glovebox

Deep bin storage plus a hidden, touchscreen-only glovebox — see Section 03.

The touchscreen, decoded

Status bar

Weather, temperature, air quality, connectivity, Sentry, and driver-profile icons live along the top edge.

Car status area

A live view of your car and surroundings — drag it wider for more road detail, pinch to zoom, or use it to pop the trunks and charge port door.

Drive-mode strip

Swipe in from the passenger edge to reveal Park / Reverse / Neutral / Drive.

My Apps

Touch-and-hold any app to customize a one-touch shortcut bar along the bottom edge.

Split climate

Tap "Split" on the temperature popup to give driver and passenger independent zones.

Screen Clean Mode

Darkens and locks the display so you can wipe it down without triggering inputs.

Restart the touchscreen

In Park, hold both steering-wheel scroll buttons until the screen blacks out and the logo reappears (~30 seconds).

Full personalization

Dark/Light/Auto appearance, Reduce Blue Light, brightness, text size, units, and keyboard/voice languages all live under Controls > Display.

💡 Rename your car

Controls > Software > Name Your Vehicle. Whatever you pick shows up in the Tesla app too — choose wisely, it's the first thing every valet sees.

Voice commands

Press and hold the steering-wheel microphone button, wait for the chime, and just talk. A sample of what it understands:

Make it cooler Turn on Sentry Mode Open the glovebox Navigate home I'm feeling hungry Fold the mirrors Show nearby Superchargers Turn on Pet Mode Speed up the wipers Show me the Owner's Manual
Cameras & normal sounds

Full camera suite

Front bumper, rear license plate, both door pillars, both fenders, plus twin windshield cameras — 360° coverage for Self-Driving and parking.

Automatic Blind Spot Camera

Engage a turn signal and the matching side camera pops onto the screen, with a red bar if a vehicle is hiding in your blind spot.

Camera calibration drive

New or serviced cameras self-calibrate over about 20–25 miles of clear, well-marked multi-lane road before Self-Driving features unlock.

Keep the lenses clean

Rain, dirt, and winter condensation can all mute a camera — the front camera even has its own washer nozzle.

Normal operating sounds

Coolant pumps, contactor clicks, and HVAC compressor whirs are all normal EV noises, even parked and "off."

Car Status readouts

Tire pressure, 12V battery health, and door/trunk states surface as shortcut cards right on the home screen.

02

Keys, Doors & Windows

Four ways in, one tap to lock, and a windshield that knows when it's raining.

Keys

Phone Key

Your paired smartphone unlocks and starts the car automatically via Bluetooth — the default way most owners drive daily.

Key Card

Tap the RFID card against the driver-side B-pillar to unlock, and against the console reader to power on and drive.

OPTIONAL

Key Fob

A traditional physical remote for anyone who wants a classic backup key on their keyring.

Managing keys

Add, rename, or remove Phone Keys and cards from Controls > Locks, and share temporary access with other drivers via the app.

Doors

Auto-present handles

Front handles extend as you approach with a recognized key; rear doors open with an interior button or exterior handle pull.

Walk-away lock/unlock

Configurable so the car locks itself the moment your phone key walks away, and unlocks as you return.

Child locks

Enable from the touchscreen or rear door panel to disable interior rear door handles and window switches — great for curious toddlers.

Power liftgate

Set a custom open height so the rear trunk never clips a low garage ceiling again.

Valet Mode

Locks the frunk, glovebox, and trunk, caps speed and power, and hides your saved locations and Sentry footage.

Manual releases

Mechanical backups are tucked beside every door and the frunk for total power-loss situations — see Section 16.

Windows

One-touch up/down

Tap once for a full auto up or down on any window; front windows include anti-pinch sensing.

Vent & express-close

Long-press to crack all windows for airflow, or close every window (and the sunroof) at once from the touchscreen or app.

Panoramic glass roof

UV- and infrared-coated fixed glass roof floods the cabin with light while blocking heat.

Auto wiper & defrost sync

Rain-sensing wipers and windshield defrost can be triggered together right from a voice command.

03

Storage

No engine up front means a second trunk — plus more cubbies than most owners ever find.

Front trunk (frunk)

A fully weatherproof, drain-equipped trunk under the hood — open it from the touchscreen, app, or exterior release.

Rear trunk

Power liftgate with under-floor storage and a flat-folding second (and third) row for cargo runs.

Center console

A deep two-tier bin up front holds the wireless chargers, USB ports, and a covered storage well big enough for a bag.

Touch-to-open glovebox

No latch — it only opens from the touchscreen (Controls or voice command), which doubles as light theft deterrence.

IF EQUIPPED

Rear console

Second-row riders get their own cupholders, storage, and USB-C charging built into a fold-down console.

Door pockets & seatback pockets

Every door holds bottles and odds and ends; front seatbacks add pockets for rear passengers.

04

Seating & Safety Restraints

Five, six, or seven seats — plus the belts, anchors, and airbags built around every one of them.

Seating layouts
5-SEAT

Standard layout

Power-adjustable heated front seats and a 60/40-split, reclining, power-folding second row.

OPTIONAL

6-seat layout

Second-row captain's chairs plus a compact third row — ideal for families who need an aisle to the back.

OPTIONAL

7-seat layout

Adds a rear-facing-friendly third-row bench for occasional extra passengers.

Ventilated & heated seats

Front seat heating and ventilation, plus available heated outboard rear seats, are all controllable by touch or voice.

Memory positions

Driver Profiles save seat, mirror, and steering position per person — see Section 06.

Easy Entry

Automatically slides the front seat back when you exit and forward again when you return, for easier rear-seat access.

Restraints & child safety

Seat belt reminders

Chimes and a touchscreen popup fire for any unfastened, occupied seat — front or rear.

LATCH anchors

Lower anchors and top tethers are built into all outboard rear seats for car-seat installation.

Child safety seats

Compatible with rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seats across the 5-, 6-, and 7-seat layouts.

Passenger airbag status

A dedicated status icon and light show whenever the front passenger airbag is manually disabled.

Full airbag suite

Front, side, and side-curtain airbags are standard across every row that has one.

05

Connectivity

Your phone is the key, the app is the remote, and the garage door already knows you're coming.

Tesla mobile app

Lock/unlock, precondition the cabin, check charge status, summon the car, and share keys — all from your phone, anywhere.

Wi-Fi

Connects automatically to saved networks (like home) to download software updates and maps over Wi-Fi instead of cellular.

Bluetooth

Pairs phones for calls and audio, and headphones for the rear screen — up to two sets at once.

Phone & calendar

Synced contacts and calendar events surface hands-free, plus in-car web conferencing for calls on the go (parked).

PREMIUM CONNECTIVITY

Live traffic & streaming

Satellite-view maps, live traffic visualization, video/music streaming, and in-car internet browsing.

Smart Garage (HomeLink)

Learns your garage door automatically using GPS, so it opens and closes as you approach or leave — no separate remote needed.

06

Driving Controls

From "shift into Drive" to towing a trailer — the fundamentals of actually moving the car.

Starting & powering off

No start button — get in with a recognized key, press the brake, and go. Power cycle from Controls > Service if the car ever needs a reboot.

Steering wheel scroll buttons

Left wheel adjusts mirrors, steering feel, and more; right wheel controls volume and media by default — both are customizable.

Auto-dimming, power-fold mirrors

Glare-reducing auto-dimming glass, with fold/unfold by button, touchscreen, or voice.

Shifting

Swipe the on-screen drive strip or use the overhead-console P/R/N/D selector (if equipped) — Park is also one tap away.

Adaptive & auto headlights

Auto high-beams dim for oncoming traffic; the light bar and signature DRLs are part of the exterior lighting suite.

Rain-sensing wipers

Automatically adjust speed to rainfall, with manual and voice override at any time.

Regenerative braking

Lifting off the accelerator recaptures energy back into the battery, reducing brake wear and stretching range.

Park Assist

Ultrasonic-camera parking sensors chime and visualize nearby objects on the touchscreen at low speeds.

Vehicle Hold

Keeps the car stopped on a hill or in traffic without your foot on the brake.

Traction & Stability Control

Manages wheel slip automatically in rain, snow, or loose surfaces; Slip Start assists on sand, mud, or snow when needed.

Acceleration modes

Choose Chill or Standard response depending on how eager you want the accelerator pedal to feel.

Adaptive suspension

Tuned ride and handling, with the car automatically adjusting to load and driving conditions.

Driver Profiles

Save seat, mirror, steering, and climate preferences per driver, and switch instantly from the touchscreen.

Trip & energy info

Live and historical efficiency, trip distance, and driving stats are tracked automatically — no odometer math required.

Rear-facing camera(s)

Automatic backup display with dynamic guidelines whenever you shift into Reverse.

Pedestrian Warning System

Emits an audible alert at low speed to warn pedestrians and cyclists the car is moving — required by law in many regions.

Towing & accessories

Available tow hitch supports a rated trailer load; the touchscreen shows a dedicated towing checklist and trailer light-check tool.

07

Full Self-Driving (Supervised)

REQUIRES FSD PURCHASE OR SUBSCRIPTION

What it does

Steers, accelerates, and brakes for city streets and highways alike — following your navigation route, handling turns, lane changes, and traffic controls.

Supervised, not driverless

You must keep your hands ready and eyes on the road at all times; the cabin camera watches for attentiveness.

Engaging FSD

Pull the drive-mode selector down twice (or use the on-screen icon) once the blue steering-wheel icon is available.

Known limitations

Can be confused by construction zones, emergency vehicles, unusual road markings, extreme weather, and complex unprotected turns — always be ready to take over.

Continuous improvement

Capability updates arrive over-the-air; always read the release notes, since behavior can change between versions.

08

Other Self-Driving Features

The building blocks — standard on every Model Y, FSD or not.

STANDARD

Traffic-Aware Cruise Control

Matches your set speed to traffic ahead, slowing and re-accelerating automatically in a single lane.

STANDARD

Autosteer

Keeps the car centered in clearly marked lanes on suitable roads while you stay attentive and ready to steer.

Traffic Light & Stop Sign Control

Detects and responds to lights and stop signs along your route, slowing the car and asking you to confirm proceeding.

Autopark

Finds and executes parallel or perpendicular parking maneuvers into a detected space with one tap.

Summon & Smart Summon

Drives the car forward/backward out of a tight space, or navigates a parking lot to meet you, via the app.

Know the limits

All Self-Driving features require an attentive driver ready to take control at any moment — they're driver assistance, not a replacement for you.

09

Active Safety Features

Silent guardians that watch every drive, whether Autopilot is on or not.

Lane Departure Avoidance

Gently nudges steering, or brakes one side, if you drift toward a lane line without signaling.

Blind Spot Collision Warning

Visual and audible alerts (plus the Automatic Blind Spot Camera) flag vehicles hiding beside you.

Automatic Emergency Braking

Applies the brakes if a forward collision looks imminent and you haven't reacted in time.

Forward & Rear Collision Warning

Audible and visual alerts when you're closing in on an object faster than is safe.

Speed Assist

Displays posted speed limits on the touchscreen and can warn or gently limit speed based on your settings.

Cabin Camera

Doubles as the driver-attentiveness monitor for Self-Driving and a Sentry Mode viewpoint inside the car.

HARDWARE-DEPENDENT

Cabin Radar

Detects occupant presence and motion inside the cabin — supports safety features like child/pet detection alerts.

10

Dashcam, Sentry & Security

Your parked car is quietly recording everything around it — here's how to use that footage.

Sentry Mode

Arms automatically (or on demand) when parked, monitoring surroundings and recording if it detects a threat — with an on-screen warning to intruders.

Dashcam

Continuously records from all exterior cameras while driving; save a clip instantly with the dashcam icon or steering-wheel horn tap.

USB drive requirements

Needs a USB drive formatted FAT32 or exFAT, with a dedicated "TeslaCam" folder, plugged into the glovebox port.

Safety & Security settings

PIN to Drive, Speed Limit Mode, Valet Mode, and Allow Mobile Access all live under Controls > Safety.

PIN to Drive

Requires a PIN before the car can be driven — an extra layer if you lend the car or valet it.

Joe Mode

Mutes non-critical chimes system-wide, for sleeping passengers or a quieter cabin overall.

11

Climate

Heat pump efficiency with old-fashioned "just make it comfortable" simplicity.

Touch-and-drag temperature

Arrows or a slider on the touchscreen set cabin temp instantly; "Split" gives driver and passenger independent zones.

Directional air vents

Invisible vents blow air by direction, not physical louvers — drag an on-screen airflow arrow to aim it anywhere in the cabin.

Heated everything

Heated front and outboard rear seats, heated steering wheel, and a heated wiper park area for icy mornings.

Bioweapon Defense-grade filtration

HEPA-level cabin air filtration (where equipped) scrubs pollutants, allergens, and smoke from incoming air.

Keep Climate On / Dog Mode / Camp Mode

Keeps the cabin conditioned with the car "off" — Dog Mode shows cabin temp on the exterior screen for passersby.

Scheduled preconditioning

Warms or cools the cabin (and battery) before a scheduled departure time, straight from the wall — see Section 13.

Cold-weather best practices

Precondition while plugged in, keep the charge port ice-free, and expect temporarily reduced regen until the battery warms.

Hot-weather best practices

Cabin Overheat Protection can vent hot air or run A/C while parked to keep the interior — and pets — safe.

13

Charging & Energy

Skip the gas station forever — here's how the battery actually gets fed.

Home charging

A Level 2 Wall Connector (or a standard outlet with the Mobile Connector) refills overnight for daily driving needs.

Supercharging

Tesla's DC fast-charging network adds significant range in minutes; navigation preconditions the battery automatically on the way.

Charging instructions

Open the port with the app, touchscreen, key card, or a tap on the charging-door button, then plug in — charging starts automatically.

Scheduled precondition & charge

Set a departure time so the cabin is comfortable and the battery is warm and topped off exactly when you need it.

Charge limit slider

Set a daily percentage (commonly under 100%) for battery longevity, with a higher limit reserved for trips.

Getting maximum range

Smooth acceleration, moderate speeds, tire pressure, and climate settings are the biggest levers on real-world range.

High-voltage battery health

Battery degradation is tracked over time; the manual recommends keeping the car plugged in rather than sitting empty for long periods.

Powering devices from the charge port

Certain accessories can draw power directly through the charge port for camping or backup-power scenarios.

14

Maintenance

No oil changes — but a handful of things are still worth a look.

Over-the-air software updates

New features and fixes install automatically over Wi-Fi — schedule installs for overnight so you never lose driving time.

Maintenance service intervals

Tesla recommends periodic cabin air filter replacement, brake fluid checks, and tire rotations — see Controls > Service for your car's specific schedule.

Tire care

Check pressure monthly (cold), rotate per the recommended interval, and watch for uneven wear from alignment issues.

Cleaning

Camera lenses, sensors, and the glass roof need gentle, specific care — avoid automatic car washes with strong brushes on cameras.

Wiper blades, jets & fluid

Replace blades roughly once a year; use only washer fluid rated for the climate to protect the camera-adjacent nozzles.

Jacking & lifting

Specific jack-pad points are marked on the underbody — using the wrong point can damage the battery pack.

Temporary tire repair kit

A sealant-and-compressor kit (where equipped) handles small punctures to get you to a tire shop.

Parts & accessories

Genuine Tesla accessories are designed and tested specifically not to interfere with sensors, cameras, or charging.

Do-it-yourself maintenance

Owner-serviceable items are limited by design — wipers, 12V battery, and cabin filters are about the extent of it.

15

Specifications

Where to find the numbers that are actually specific to your car.

Where to lookWhat you'll find
Driver's-door B-pillar labelTire size & cold pressure, VIN, GVWR, and manufacture date
Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle InformationVIN, software version, regulatory identifiers
Controls > ServiceCamera calibration status, upcoming maintenance, diagnostics
Trunk & frunk load labelsMaximum cargo and roof load ratings for your specific configuration
tesla.com/modely (Design Studio)Official current dimensions, weight, and range figures by trim and wheel choice

Vehicle loading

Total occupant + cargo weight is capped by the GVWR on your door label — exceeding it affects handling and braking.

Subsystems overview

The manual maps out the high-voltage system, low-voltage (12V) system, and drive unit(s) at a conceptual level for technicians and curious owners alike.

Wheel & tire fitment

Stick to Tesla-approved sizes and load ratings — wider aftermarket wheels can affect range and sensor accuracy.

16

In Case of Emergency

The stuff you hope to never need — but will be glad you read once.

Tesla Roadside Assistance

Reachable straight from the mobile app or Controls > Service > Contact Roadside Assistance, 24/7.

Running low on range

Navigation reroutes to the nearest charger automatically and shows a live range-remaining estimate as the buffer shrinks.

Opening the frunk with no power

A manual mechanical release is accessible behind the front fascia for total power-loss situations.

Jump starting

A 12V jump point under the frunk can revive a depleted low-voltage battery — the high-voltage pack itself is never jumped.

Opening doors with no power

Every door — front and rear — has a mechanical backup release; rear ones are typically tucked in the door pocket or lower panel.

Submerged-vehicle guidance

If the car enters water, prioritize an immediate manual exit through doors or windows rather than waiting on power-assisted mechanisms.