Top Tesla tips you may not know

Redictate your text message

If you're replying to a text message and it wasn’t transcribed correctly, you can redo it. In a Model 3 or Model Y, just push in the right scroll wheel twice. The previous transcription will be thrown out and you can dictate your message again.

Top Tesla Tips

Not a Tesla App

Delete previous destinations

You can remove a recent destination from your navigation by swiping right on the address. You can remove favorite destinations the same way.

Quickly set GPS to home

You can quickly navigate to your home or work destination by swiping on the Navigate button. If you're near work it will navigate home, and if you’re near home it will navigate to work.

Quickly open calendar

You can tap the time on the screen to quickly jump into your calendar in the vehicle instead of having to go through the app menu.

Some settings are global

Some driver settings are global, meaning they affect every profile in the vehicle, while other settings are considered a personal preference and will only affect your profile. This lets you and your spouse have different stopping modes, favorite radio stations, etc.

A single USB drive for Sentry/Dashcam, Music and Boombox

You don't need to have separate USB drives for each feature. You can format your USB drive to have different partitions which makes the drive act as separate drives. You’ll want to create one partition for each feature.

Use voice commands while driving

There are close to 200 voice commands, there's likely one to do what you'd like so that you can keep your focus on the road. For example, you can say, “set temperate to 70 degrees”, instead of having to fiddle with the temperature slider on screen. Take a look at our full list of Tesla commands, and our Top 5 most useful voice commands.

Trunk height

If you have an automatic trunk, you can set the maximum height it will open to. This is useful if you're on the shorter side or if you have a lower garage. Read more about how to set your trunk to a desired height.

Charging at 240 volts is cheaper than using 120 volts

Charging at a higher rate is actually cheaper than charging at a slower rate. Your Tesla needs to power an inverter that translates your home’s AC energy into DC energy that is stored in your batteries. Powering that inverter uses quite a bit of energy, so the longer it's running the more electricity you’re using so the faster you can charge, the less time you need to run the inverter. Charging at 240 volts is about 12% more efficient than charging at 120.

Send address from your phone

If the app you use on your phone supports sharing an address to an app, then you can look up an address on your phone and share it directly to your car. For example if you’re using Google Maps, you can share a destination directly to your Tesla and avoid typing it again later.

Turn off HVAC

You can hold down the temperature icon in the launcher to turn off the HVAC completely.

Adjust seat heaters, check charge level and others functions while watching full screen video

While watching full screen video, there are controls to adjust climate temperature and screen brightness if you tap near the top of the screen. However, you can control even more settings without leaving your video by using your Tesla app.

Easily adjust wiper speed

The easiest way to change your wiper speed on a Model 3 or Y is to push the button on the left stalk for a single wipe, which will also bring up the wiper speed adjustment on the screen. You can then easily adjust it.

Screen Clean Mode

You may find that while wiping down your screen you touch buttons accidentally. There’s actually a 'screen clean' mode that requires you to hold your finger on the display in order to exit it, which means you can now clear your screen of smudges without tapping various buttons. You can find it under the Car > Service menu.

Charger handle opens charge port

This one may be obvious to most, but a surprise to some. If you use the charger that came with your Tesla, there’s a button on the handle that will open your charge port door. It does require your car to be unlocked and awake, so sometimes it’s useful to open one of the doors to wake up your car then push the button on the handle.

Easy way to stop the Autopilot nag screen

If you're on Autopilot and the car asks you to place your hands on the wheel, you can either torque the wheel a little bit, or just use one of the scroll wheels on the screen to let the car know you’re paying attention.

Range display

The range displayed in a Model 3 and Model Y are EPA values and they will not adjust based on your driving habit or weather conditions. It's roughly locked in to about 4 miles per kilowatt, depending on your exact model.

However, if you're trying to plan when to charge or how much charge you'll have left at the end of your destination then you’ll want to use the Energy app (under the ^ Apps menu). This will display a graph of your charge level and the distance to your destination that considers your driving style, weather elevation and much more.

If you enjoyed these quick tips, take a look at our list of more in-depth Tesla Tips and https://www.notateslaapp.com/how-to/how-tos.

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Uber Now Uses Tesla API Data To Show a Range-Based Trip Planner

Uber now has access to Tesla vehicle data that allows it to limit trips within range

Uber

In a monumental move towards the future of ridesharing, Tesla and Uber have unveiled a new feature — a range-based trip planner. This integration allows Tesla drivers to connect their vehicles to the Uber app and schedule rides based on the remaining battery charge of their electric vehicles. This innovation is set to redefine the experience of both drivers and passengers in the ridesharing space.

Bridging Tesla and Uber: The New Age of Ridesharing

First observed by Tesla enthusiast and former Uber driver Sofiaan, this range-based planner enables Tesla owners to accept rides in the Uber app based on their vehicle's current charge. The feature is activated only when users permit it, and once enabled, it assigns rides that can be comfortably completed with the existing battery level, leaving a small buffer to reach a Supercharger.

While introducing this feature marks an exciting leap in integrating electric vehicles into the ridesharing world, it has raised some eyebrows over privacy and data concerns. The new feature requires drivers to allow Uber access to their vehicle's data through the Tesla API. While it may cause some apprehension, this innovation is a significant aid for drivers who may be unsure about their Tesla's range or those experiencing range anxiety.

The Driver's Perspective: The Challenge of Balancing Charge and Availability

Driving for Uber or Lyft with an EV can be challenging. Rideshare drivers need to balance the need to recharge their vehicles with the necessity to remain available for passenger pick-ups. This new range-based planner alleviates some of this stress by intelligently allocating rides based on the remaining battery life. Such a feature could be particularly advantageous for those operating in areas with limited fast-charging infrastructure.

This range-based planner promises to improve the rideshare experience for Tesla drivers. With it, drivers will only be offered rides they can complete with their existing charge. This eliminates the dilemma of declining rides due to insufficient battery life, which could result in a penalty from Uber.

Ridesharing and the Future of Autonomous Vehicles

As we look toward the future, this development prompts larger questions about the ridesharing landscape and the advent of autonomous vehicles. Companies like Tesla, Uber, and Lyft, along with emerging players such as Waymo, Cruise, and Ford's new autonomy division, continue to innovate and compete. With the ongoing shifts towards electric and autonomous vehicles, these new technologies and collaborations will play an essential role in shaping the future of transportation.

This initiative by Tesla and Uber is a vital step toward integrating electric vehicles into the mainstream. As we anticipate the further transformation of ridesharing services, one thing remains clear — the ride toward green transportation is accelerating, and Tesla and Uber are at the forefront of this revolution.

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An Early Look at Tesla's 2023.20 Update and Its Features

Tesla is introducing the ability to track your tire mileage in update 2023.20

Preparations are underway for Tesla's next software update, version 2023.20. Although currently in testing, this update has been drawing attention since it was first noticed last week. Considering Tesla's 2023.12 update brought numerous new features, it appears this next may be smaller. However, we now have our first look at some of the features included in Tesla's 2023.20 update.

Ability to Track Tire Mileage

A noteworthy improvement under the upcoming update pertains to tire service tracking. Post-update, vehicle owners can track how many miles have been driven since their last tire service. This feature can prove valuable for monitoring mileage since your last tire rotation, changing to new tires, or switching between season-specific tires.

You or your service center will need to manually reset the counter each time your tires are serviced. You can view the mileage traveled or reset your counter by navigating to Controls > Service.

The official release notes state:

Go to Controls > Service to see how many miles it's been since your last tire service.

When you get your tires rotated, replaced, or swapped, tap 'Reset' to reset the counter.

Furthering Global Reach: Text Size Adjustment

Another feature gaining more ground is text size adjustment. While 'Text Size' was introduced in the 2023.12 update, the ability to adjust the size of the text in the vehicle's UI was limited to select languages. The feature has now been extended to all languages supported by Tesla. This expansion affirms Tesla's commitment to accessibility for its global user base, ensuring a seamless experience across different regions and languages.

While the Text Size feature in update 2023.12 only applied to the Model 3 and Model Y, it's not clear whether update 2023.20 also introduces the feature to the Model S and Model X. Based on Tesla's feature release history, this feature will likely apply to at least the redesigned Model S and Model X in the futre, but it's not immediately clear whether that is happening with this update.

The release notes for 2023.20 state:

Large text size feature is now available in all supported languages.

To update your settings, go to Controls > Display > Text Size.

Release Date

Although Tesla does not provide release dates for upcoming software updates, we may see update 2023.20 start rolling out in the next week or two. This timing can change if Tesla uncovers issues that need to be addressed before a public release.

2023.12 Update: A Look Back

As we anticipate the rollout of 2023.20, it's worth reflecting on the last major update - 2023.12.1. This update significantly enriched Tesla's features, particularly for Model 3 and Model Y. One standout was steering wheel customization. A long press on the left scroll button revealed a host of adjustable settings and functions.

Moreover, introducing the new search function facilitated more accessible access to controls and settings, along with points of interest that included photos and reviews. The ability to adjust wipers using the steering wheel scroll wheel emerged as a valuable, undocumented feature.

Perhaps one of the most user-friendly updates was the option of Standard or Large text sizes for the touchscreen display, which now applies to all languages under the 2023.20 update.

Other improvements included optional gear chimes for Model 3/Y, the transition of Tesla's Spotify player to a web-based format, enhanced phone call controls, and vision-based speed assist feature expansion. Tesla also broadened Zoom availability to more countries, added writing support for legacy Model S and Model X in China, and continued to make user interface enhancements.

While this is an early look at the upcoming features update 2023.20, it provides a glimpse into Tesla's continuing pursuit of improving user experience and convenience. There may be additional features in this update that are not listed here since not all Tesla features are available for every vehicle or region.

As we wait for the public release, it's evident that Tesla continues to push boundaries in its software development, setting high standards in the electric vehicle market.