Tesla Update 2023.20: The Features You May Not Know About

Parked cars are now displayed in a lighter gray color

DirtyTesla/YouTube

While Tesla's software updates consistently attract attention for their headlining features, many more features are not mentioned but deserve some attention. These 'undocumented' enhancements of Tesla update 2023.20 subtly, yet surely, elevate the Tesla experience.

All-encompassing Camera Previews

This update has turned Tesla's omnipresent cameras into windows for owners. Drivers can tap into the vantage point of each, and every onboard camera, as it's no longer restricted to the cabin camera. This offers a fascinating glimpse into how Tesla's AI interprets the world around it. It's not just about making sure the cameras work; it's about gaining a deeper understanding of each camera's point of view.

Implementing 'PIN to Drive' via the Tesla App

You can now enable PIN to Drive through the Tesla app

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The ability to enable 'PIN to Drive' via the Tesla app amplifies security. It reinforces Tesla's mission to seamlessly merge vehicle ownership with the digital lifestyle of the modern driver. It's more than a remote lock feature; it's a step toward a future where vehicle security is as accessible as banking or home security, right from your smartphone. Having the ability to enable PIN to Drive remotely lets you enable the feature when you need it most — when you lose your keys.

Parked Cars

Parked vehicles are now displayed in a lighter gray in the visualization to help to distinguish them from other vehicles. Tesla will now display vehicles in dark gray for lead vehicles, blue for vehicles that are or may be in your vehicle's path, red for vehicles that require immediate attention and medium gray for other vehicles.

Better Named Bluetooth Keys

Tesla's Bluetooth keys now have more intuitive names

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Your Tesla phone key is now clearly prefixed with "Tesla," and a shorter identification number in Bluetooth settings, bringing a small yet meaningful improvement. Previously, phone keys included a 16-character name that made it challenging for some users to figure out what the Bluetooth device was for. Beyond eliminating unnecessary confusion, it represents Tesla's consistent pursuit of perfecting even the most minor aspects of user experience.

Navigation's New Informative Edge

Various locations will now display hours of operation when you search for them

Garth Schanock

The upgrade to Tesla's navigation system is a boon for drivers. The addition of real-time operation statuses of destinations seamlessly integrates essential information into the driving experience. In update 2023.26, Tesla goes one step further and will warn if you're navigating to a destination that is closed or may be closed by the time you arrive.

Changes to Trip Odometer

The 'Current Trip' odometer will now display minutes traveled

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The shift from kWh to minutes elapsed in the 'Current Trip' odometer provides a more user-friendly measure of journey duration and brings this feature back in line with how it worked before Tesla's 2022 holiday update.

Passenger Presence Recognition

The passenger climate temperature is now only displayed when a passenger is sitting in the front seat. The intelligent adjustment of displaying passenger climate settings underscores Tesla's focus on personalized comfort. It's not just an intelligent UI tweak; it's indicative of a broader vision where vehicles dynamically adapt to the needs of their occupants.

A Closer Look at Tesla's Updated Data-Sharing Policy

Tesla has updated its Data Sharing options

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The updated Data Sharing policy reflects Tesla's commitment to transparency, allowing owners to understand better and control how their data is used. It highlights Tesla's balancing act: gathering crucial data to enhance autonomous driving capabilities while respecting privacy. More so, it opens a dialogue about data ownership and its role in pushing the frontier of autonomous driving.

Windshield Wiper Control

You can now control your windshield wipers using the steering wheel customization feature

Simon

Update: Another feature that Tesla has quietly added is the ability to control your windshield wipers directly from the steering wheel in the Model 3 and Model Y.

In Tesla update 2023.12, Tesla added the ability to control various settings using the scroll wheel on the steering wheel. Notably absent was the ability to control the windshield wipers. However, with update 2023.20, Tesla has now added Windshield Wipers to the list of featues that you can control with the new Steering Wheel Customization feature.

Each of these unheralded updates contributes to a broader narrative of innovation at Tesla. They may not make the headlines but embody the meticulous refinement that distinguishes the Tesla experience.

Tesla FSD in Europe: June Update

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The road to bringing FSD to Europe has been a long and complex one and filled with regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles. Elon Musk, as well as other members of Tesla’s AI team, have previously voiced their grievances with the regulatory approval process on X.

However, it appears that there is finally some progress in getting things moving with recent changes to upcoming autonomy regulations, but the process still seems slow.

Waiting on the Dutch

Elon commented on X recently, stating that Tesla is waiting for approval from Dutch authorities and then the EU to start rolling out FSD in Europe. Tesla is focusing on acquiring approvals from the Dutch transportation authority, which will provide them with the platform they need to gain broader acceptance in Europe. Outside of the Netherlands, Tesla is also conducting testing in Norway, which provides a couple of avenues for them to obtain national-level approval.

The frustration has been ongoing, with multiple committee meetings bringing up autonomy regulation but always pulling back at the last second before approving anything. The last meeting on Regulation 157, which governs Automated Lane Keeping Systems, concluded with authorities from the UK and Spain requesting additional time to analyze the data before reaching a conclusion.

Tesla, as well as Elon, have motioned several times for owners to reach out to their elected representatives to move the process forward, as it seems that Tesla’s own efforts are being stymied. 

This can seem odd, especially since Tesla has previously demoed FSD working exceptionally smoothly on European roads - and just did it again in Rome when they shared the video below on X.

FSD Supervised testing in Rome, Italy

Pending regulatory approval pic.twitter.com/TXh3uQIfrx

— Tesla Europe & Middle East (@teslaeurope) June 12, 2025

DCAS Phase 3

While the approval process has been slow, Kees Roelandschap pointed out that there may be a different regulatory step that could allow FSD to gain a foothold in Europe.

According to Kees, the European Commission is now taking a new approach to approving ADAS systems under the new DCAS Phase 3 regulations. The Commission is now seeking data from systems currently operational in the United States that can perform System-Initiated Maneuvers and don’t require hands-on intervention for every request.

This is key because those are two of the core functionalities that make FSD so usable, and it also means that there may not be a need to wait years for proper regulations to be written from scratch. Now, the Commission will be looking at real-world data based on existing, deployed technology, which could speed up the process immensely.

What This Means

This new, data-driven regulatory approach could be the path for Tesla to reach its previous target of September for European FSD. While the cogs of bureaucracy are ever slow, sometimes all it takes is a little data to have them turn a bit faster in this case.

Alongside specific countries granting approval for limited field testing with employees, there is some light at the end of the tunnel for FSD in Europe, and hopes are that a release will occur by the end of 2025. With Europe now looking to North America for how FSD is performing, Tesla’s Robotaxi results could also play a role.

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Tesla Launches 'TeslaVision' Contest With Big Prizes — See Last Year’s Winner [VIDEO]

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Tesla’s marketing has always been relatively unconventional, relying on word-of-mouth rather than traditional advertising. The passion of the owner’s community is always massive, but it is especially high now with the launch of the Robotaxi network just around the corner.

Tesla is now tapping into that spring of fan creativity and announced the TeslaVision video contest, with some seriously impressive prizes up for grabs.

Announcing the TeslaVision fan video showcase

Tesla owners & supporters have always been able to see our products & mission for what they truly are.

Your word of mouth has made Tesla what it is today.

The OGs will remember that in 2017, we held our first video contest. 8 years… pic.twitter.com/6pPpkqmqOH

— Tesla (@Tesla) June 10, 2025

The Contest

The core of the contest is simple. Create a video that shows how your Tesla gives you more in life. Tesla is looking for submissions that highlight themes of freedom, safety, fun, and convenience.

Prizes

The prizes definitely make this contest worth entering if you’re good with a camera and have some basic video editing abilities.

For North America, the prizes include a brand new Model Y AWD Long Range, alongside an all-expenses-paid trip to Austin for a tour of Giga Texas. The grand prize winner will also be able to custom order their Model Y, allowing them to select their preferred wheels and color.

The two runners-up won’t get a Model Y, but they’ll also enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Giga Texas for a tour of the factory.

The travel and tour include lodging in Austin for 2 nights, as well as economy-class round-trip tickets from anywhere in North America. Tesla will also provide a vehicle for use during the trip.

Hopefully, these winners will also have the opportunity to experience the Robotaxi network while they’re in Austin, as it’s expected to be opened to the public later this month.

Project Loveday

For long-time followers of Tesla, this contest may feel familiar. The contest is a direct throwback to the 2017 Project Loveday contest, which was inspired by a letter to Tesla from a 10-year-old aspiring marketer. That contest was won by MKBHD, with his submission below:

How to Enter

If you’re ready to start filming, here are the key pieces of information you’ll need to know:

• Video must be 90 seconds or less

• Video must be uploaded to YouTube with a public URL

• Make a post on X and Instagram tagging “@Tesla” and include the words “TeslaVision contest” in the post.

• Provide links to both social media posts in your submission to Tesla’s form

• Provide your personal details in the form

• You have until July 17th, 2025, or until Tesla receives 10,000 entries, whichever comes first.

You can find the official submission form and all region-specific details on Tesla's website.

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