Sentry Mode, Tesla's camera-based car alarm and surveillance system, allows the vehicle to detect potential threats near the vehicle.
When Sentry Mode is enabled it records from four different cameras when the vehicle detects someone near the vehicle or an intrusion.
Although the feature is fantastic and has caught many situations when damage has been done to the vehicle, it can also lead to dozens of recordings when there is no threat at all. This is especially true if its raining, which can trigger Sentry Mode events, or if the vehicle is parked on a busy street with a lot of foot traffic.
With update 2022.44.2 Tesla is introducing two new features to Sentry Mode in some markets. Depending on your region, you'll either get the ability to disable camera-based detection or the ability to disable camera-based detection and the ability to adjust the length of each clip.
Camera-Based Detection
The first is the ability to turn off camera-based detection so that Sentry Mode will only save recordings that are triggered by intrusion, such as a glass breaking, a door opening, or the vehicle's tilt sensor being triggered (only available in some markets).
Turning off Sentry Mode recording when the cameras detect someone near the vehicle will greatly reduce the number of recordings, however, it could also lead to some threats going undetected.
Sentry Mode Clip Length
Tesla is adding improvements to Sentry Mode
Not a Tesla App
The second new feature of Sentry Mode is the ability to adjust the length of a recorded event. Once a potential threat is detected, Sentry Mode will record for the next several minutes unless additional threats are detected. The number of minutes that Sentry Mode records after a threat has been static up until now. With 2022.44.2, you'll now be able to adjust the length of each Sentry Mode clip.
This feature is currently limited to many parts of Europe. Tesla's release notes for those receiving both Sentry Mode improvements read as follows:
Sentry Mode now allows for even greater customization, including:
- Camera-Based Detection, which allows users to disable use of cameras to detect threats.
- Sentry Mode Clip Length, which allows users to specify the length of the clip when a potential threat is detected.To adjust these Sentry Mode settings, tap Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode.
Other Improvement Coming?
Two other Sentry Mode features have been rumored in the past when Elon Musk responded to users on Twitter.
While there is no guarantee that these features will be implemented, in general, it does show that Elon Musk thinks they're a good idea and he'll likely share them with the team. The outcome of whether these features get added largely depends on the feasibility of implementing such features, Tesla's roadmap, and the effort required to develop them.
Also in 2020, Elon replied to a user on Twitter suggesting that Tesla would allow an 'incognito' Sentry Mode. The goal is to not let perpetrators know that they're being recorded, although there could be potential legal ramifications to adding such a feature.
In update 2022.24 Tesla added the ability to disable Sentry Mode sounds when an intrusion is detected. This could have been Tesla's compromise when trying to create an incognito mode. Although the car will no longer make any audible noise, it will still flash its lights and display the Sentry Mode logo on the screen letting individuals know that they're being recorded.
Tesla recently added Sentry Mode support in Israel and expanded the countries where Sentry Mode Live Access is available. The feature is now available to users in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Singapore.
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.
— 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.
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
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.
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.
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