The Ultimate Guide to Tesla Shortcuts and Tips You May Not Know (Updated)

By Kevin Armstrong
You can jump to any section of a song by tapping anywhere on the progress bar
You can jump to any section of a song by tapping anywhere on the progress bar
Not a Tesla App

Tesla vehicles are known for their cutting-edge technology, making the driving experience enjoyable and efficient. In this article, we will delve into Tesla tips and tricks that can further enhance your experience. While some of these tips may be specific to the Model 3 and Model Y, many are applicable across the Tesla lineup.

Automatically Start FSD With Full-Screen Visualizations

You can choose to automatically start visualizations in full screen
You can choose to automatically start visualizations in full screen
Not a Tesla App

If you love the Tesla's full-screen visualizations, you can choose to automatically go to full-screen every time you start Autopilot. Although the option isn't obvious, it's available in settings. Simply go to Controls > Autopilot and enable 'Expanded Full -Self-Driving Visualization.'

Now every time you start FSD, visualizations will automatically shift into full-screen mode. Likewise, if you've enabled this option before and didn't understand why visualizations were always full-screen, you can simply disable it.

To exit the full-screen visualizations, you can similarly swipe left near the top of the screen. Even a small swipe near the driver will suffice.

Easily Close an App

You can quickly swipe down from the very top of the screen to close an app
YYou can quickly swipe down from the very top of the screen to close an app
Not a Tesla App

There are various ways to close an open app, however, one of the easiest allows you to close an app without taking your eyes off the road. Everyone knows that you can swipe down on most apps to close them, however, what some owners don't realize is that you don't have to swipe down from exactly the top of the app.

Instead, your finger can actually start off screen -- so you can touch the very top of the monitor, and start a swiping motion downward. The app will still register it as a downward swipe and close, letting you keep your eyes on the road.

The only gotcha with this method is that there can't be any status icons in the between your finger and the open app. For example, you can't swipe your finger downward and go over the current time or temperature. It has to be an empty space. This has replaced my favorite method of closing an app.

Use the Maps Icon for Two Features

The new maps icons has two features
The new maps icons has two features
Not a Tesla App

As of update 2024.14, you can now add a new Maps icon to the dock through the all apps menu. The purpose of the nav icon is to give you a consistent, one-tap access to get back to the vehicle's navigation screen. While it's useful, it also has an addition purpose. If you're already viewing maps, you can tap the icon to essentially hide the maps and enable full-screen visualizations.

Reveal a Dropdown of Audio Sources

Jump to another audio source by tapping the app's icon
Jump to another audio source by tapping the app's icon
Not a Tesla App

This is a nice little hidden feature in Tesla's audio apps. From within any audio app, you can jump to any other audio source by tapping the app's icon. Tapping the icon will reveal a dropdown of all audio sources that haven't been hidden in audio settings.

Jump to Section in Song

When playing audio and you want to jump to a specific part of a song or podcast, you don't need to drag the progress bar. Instead, you can just tap anywhere on the progress bar to jump to that part.

Display Alternate Routes

You can tap the next turn display to show alternate routes
You can tap the next turn display to show alternate routes
Not a Tesla App

When navigating to a location, you can tap the next turn module near the top of the screen to have the vehicle display any alternate routes to your destination.

The alternate routes view is similar to the ones displayed at the beginning of your drive, however, they're determined by your current location. This could be useful to circumvent construction or blocked roads.

As an alternative, you can also tap the compass icon at the top right of the display, which will also bring up alternate routes.

Set Cruise Control to Current Speed

You can tap the speedometer or speed limit sign to set your Autopilot speed
You can tap the speedometer or speed limit sign to set your Autopilot speed
Not a Tesla App

While on Autopilot, you can tap the speedometer to set the maximum Autopilot speed to your current speed. This is useful if you want to maintain your current speed without manually adjusting it.

Auto Set Cruise Control to Speed Limit

Similarly, you can tap the speed limit sign to set the maximum speed to the speed limit plus your preferred offset. Again, this helps maintain a safe and legal speed while using Autopilot.

Open Music Selection

Tap the album art to open or close the large music panel, making it easy to access and control your music while driving.

Jump to Audio Settings

You can adjust audio settings by volume control in the launcher
You can adjust audio settings by volume control in the launcher
Not a Tesla App

To quickly adjust audio settings, such as balance and equalizer, tap the volume button in the bottom right corner of the screen, then tap the levels icon.

Quickly Close Open Apps

Many apps can be swiped down to be closed, however, you don't have to swipe down from the very top of the app. If the app is already scrolled to the top, you can swipe down on any non-interactive part of the app, or white space to close the app.

You can also simply close all apps or menus by using a simple voice command such as "show map" or by tapping the icon for the open app.

One-Touch Access to Calendar

Tap the clock to quickly open your calendar, keeping your schedule at your fingertips.

Quickly Navigate Home

Swipe down on the navigate button to quickly navigate to your home or work, making your daily commute seamless.

Jump Back to Maps

In a Model 3 or Model Y, if your map is covered either with an app or menu, you can tap the navigation box that appears next to your speedometer to quickly jump back to the map screen and minimize any open apps.

Turn Off Climate

To turn off the climate system, hold down the climate temperature button.

Quickly Open Climate Screen

Swipe from anywhere in the launcher to open the climate window, giving you quick access to climate controls.

Unsync Passenger Temperature

Sync cabin temperature for the driver and passenger by pressing the climate arrows and choosing "split." Alternatively, use the voice command "sync climate" or "unsync climate" to control temperature settings.

Charging Menu

Tap the battery icon to jump to the charging menu, allowing you to monitor and adjust charging settings.

Switch Between Miles and Percentage

Tap the range to switch between displaying miles and percentages, providing a customizable view of your remaining charge.

Details on Indicator Lights

Indicator lights that appear on the left can also be tapped to access the appropriate menu. For example, tapping the headlights icon brings up light settings, while the low tire pressure icon opens the tire pressure menu.

You can tap on the indicator lights to go to the appropriate menu
You can tap on the indicator lights to go to the appropriate menu
Tesla

Adjust Wiper Speed

Pressing the button on the left stalk will wipe the windshield once and bring up wiper settings so you can easily adjust them. As of update 2023.12, you'll also be able to use the left scroll wheel once the wiper settings are on the screen to easily adjust between wiper settings.

Disable Auto Highbeams

Flicking your high beams stalk also brings up light settings, giving you quick access to headlight controls.

Temporarily Enable Blind Spot Monitor

Whether or not you use Tesla's blind spot cameras when your turn signal is enabled, you can tap the turn signal icon on the screen to either temporarily enable or disable the blind spot camera. This is especially useful for drivers who choose not to use the blind spot camera, but would occasionally like to view what's beside them.

Heated Mirrors

If your mirrors are fogged up or have snow or frost on them, you can turn on your heated mirrors by enabling the rear window defroster.

Voice Commands

To open the glovebox, use the voice command "open glovebox" or tap the car icon on the touchscreen, followed by the glovebox icon.

Many more useful voice commands are available on our voice commands page.

These Tesla shortcuts and tips can enhance your driving experience by providing quick access to essential functions and settings.

Tesla Activates In-Cabin Radar in Software Update 2025.2.6

By Not a Tesla App Staff
Not a Tesla App

Tesla has released software update 2025.2.6, and while minor updates typically focus on bug fixes, this one introduces a major new feature. With this update, Tesla has activated the in-cabin radar, a sensor that has been included in some vehicles for more than three years but remained unused until now.

Why Not Vision?

Unlike vision-based systems, radar can precisely measure object dimensions and even detect movement behind obstacles by bouncing radio waves off surrounding surfaces. This allows for more accurate and reliable measurements of objects that vision may not even be able to see, such as behind the front seats.

What Tesla Announced

Tesla recently highlighted the 4D radar in the new Model Y, explaining how it will improve passenger safety. Tesla executives stated that the radar would be used to properly classify passengers and improve the way airbags deploy.

Tesla went on to say that in a future update, Tesla will use the in-cabin radar to detect any potential passengers left in the vehicles. Since radar can even pick up on heartbeat and breathing patterns, it can provide a much more accurate method of detecting children left in a vehicle. Tesla talked about how the vehicle will send owners a notification via the Tesla app and enable the HVAC system if it detects a passenger in the vehicle. It’ll even call emergency services if needed.

New Feature in Update 2025.2.6

Tesla has officially named this feature in update 2025.2.6, “First-Row Cabin Sensing Update,” which appears to align with the first portion of what Tesla discussed in the new Model Y video.

In the release notes, Tesla describes the update as:

“The first-row cabin sensing system has been updated to use cabin radar, which is now standard in all new 2025 Model Ys. Your Model Y was built pre-equipped with the necessary hardware, allowing Tesla to also bring this technology to your vehicle.”

For now, it appears that Tesla is using the radar to detect and classify passengers in the front seats. This could eventually replace traditional seat sensors, reducing the number of hardware components and lowering production costs.

Tesla plans to expand the feature later this year, bringing rear-seat passenger detection in Q3 2025. While Tesla talked about the feature for the new Model Y, we expect it to be available for all vehicles with the in-cabin radar.

Supported Models

Although Tesla is vague in their release notes, this feature is being added to all Model Ys that include a cabin radar. Tesla started including the cabin radar in 2022, but its availability may vary by region and model. The Model 3 didn’t receive the cabin radar until it was redesigned in 2024, while all Cybertrucks already include it.

The owner’s manual for the redesigned Model S and Model X doesn’t specifically mention the interior radar, although Greentheonly believes the vehicles also include one, so we’ll have to wait to determine whether those vehicles also receive this new feature.

At this time, the feature appears to be only going out to Model Y vehicles, but we expect it to become available on other supported models soon.

We love to see these kinds of updates. Tesla is increasing the safety of existing and new vehicles through a software update while also making them more affordable to own.

Tesla Updates App: Adds Robotaxi Code, New Model Y Models and New Tesla Service UI

By Karan Singh
@olympusdev_ on X

Tesla has updated the Tesla app to version 4.42.0, and this time, it’s more than just bug fixes. The app includes a new service interface, introduces support for the new Model Y, and, for the first time, includes some code for the Robotaxi coming later this year.

This update was released for iOS and should be available on Android within a few days.

Refreshed Model Y 3D Model

First up in the update is the introduction of the 3D model for the refreshed Model Y. Interestingly, while we all know it as Juniper, the file code name inside the update lists the vehicle as “Bayberry.” The Bayberry name was introduced in Tesla app update 4.41.5.  Tesla’s internal code names sometimes change as the vehicle evolves - and we’ll continue to refer to it as the refreshed or new Model Y for ease of understanding.

A rear-angle shot of the Refreshed Model Y from the Tesla App
A rear-angle shot of the Refreshed Model Y from the Tesla App
@olympusdev_ on X

As usual with Tesla’s 3D models in the app, there’s a lot of detail, although it’s not easy to see since you can pinch and zoom the model in the app. The 3D models used in the app are actually the same models that Tesla uses in the vehicle, although sometimes they include different lighting effects, but they’re all highly detailed.

Robotaxi API

Tesla has added a new endpoint in their app for Robotaxi - and it’s the very first Robotaxi or Cybercab-related item we’ve seen in the app. With the Robotaxi fleet launching in June, according to Tesla, it looks like they’re now adding support to the Tesla app.

What the Robotaxi interface is supposed to look like in the future.
What the Robotaxi interface is supposed to look like in the future.
Not a Tesla App

The new app API is called “rides_feedback_upload,” which seems pretty explanatory. Tesla will need to gather a lot of information on ride quality and all the little things in between. What better way than to get feedback directly from users?

While Tesla previously released prototype images of what the Robotaxi app will look like, the introduction of this API into the Tesla app leads us to believe that Tesla will utilize the current app for Robotaxi use.

Updated Service Interface

The Updated Service Panel in the Tesla App
The Updated Service Panel in the Tesla App
Not a Tesla App

Tesla has released an updated UI for the Tesla Service panel, and we have a ton of details on these changes. This new pane displays appointment details more prominently. If you have a service appointment scheduled, you’ll now see a lot more details on the main service screen. The app will now display:

  • Your current service status

  • Appointment date and time, which you can now tap on to add the event to your calendar

  • Address and hours of the service center. You can now also tap on the address to open up the location in your maps app

There’s also a new appointment details screen (the right portion of the image). This screen displays additional details that were previously unavailable, such as your transport type. The app will display whether you’ll get a loaner vehicle, demo vehicle, or something else.

There are a ton of user experience (UX) improvements in this update regarding service, including clearer language, improved UI fixes to images, and more.

Tesla has been making a lot of positive updates to the Service-related sections of the app lately, and we’re happy to see these coming rapid-fire. Tesla Service is now easier to use and understand. In the previous app update, Tesla also added the ability to pull down to update the service screens.

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