Tesla features explained

Tesla Model 3 and Model Y cars in the UK ship with a long list of software features. Names sound bigger than the legal reality: almost everything below still needs a responsible driver, and some items are optional, hardware-limited or waiting on UK approval. This page explains the common ones in plain English. tfanboy13 is an independent fan site and is not affiliated with Tesla, Inc. Feature names, packages and pricing change — always confirm in the car, the Tesla app and tesla.com/en_gb.

If you are still learning the basics of EVs, start with New to electric cars?. Current UK Model 3 and Model Y trims are on Teslas for sale. Short definitions live in the EV glossary.

Driver assistance vs “self-driving”

In UK law, if you are in the driver’s seat you are responsible for the car. Tesla’s assisted-driving features are driver assistance: the car can steer, brake or accelerate in some situations, but you must supervise and be ready to take over. That is not the same as a driverless robotaxi. For the naming trap, read FSD (Supervised) vs driverless.

Autopilot, Autosteer and Traffic-Aware Cruise Control

Autopilot is Tesla’s basic assisted-driving suite. In everyday UK use that usually means:

• Traffic-Aware Cruise Control — holds a set speed and a gap to the vehicle ahead.
• Autosteer — helps keep the car centred in a marked lane while you supervise.

Hands stay ready; eyes stay on the road. The system can misread lanes, roadworks or sudden cut-ins. Phantom braking (an unexpected hard slow-down) is a known complaint with some assisted-driving systems, including Tesla’s — if it happens, take over. Tesla’s UK support page for Autopilot is the official how-to; this site does not replace the owner’s manual.

FSD (Supervised) / Tesla Assisted Driving

Full Self-Driving (Supervised) — also marketed in Europe as Tesla Assisted Driving — is a more capable assisted-driving package than basic Autopilot. It still requires an attentive driver. It is not unsupervised autonomy.

UK status: availability depends on regulatory approval and hardware. Tesla’s own UK materials have stated that Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is not yet available in the United Kingdom, and Great Britain does not automatically inherit EU type-approval decisions. Treat any launch date as unconfirmed until Tesla and the UK authorities say otherwise. Even after approval, older hardware (for example some HW3 cars) may not run the latest supervised stack — check your car’s computer and Tesla’s current wording before you pay for a package or subscription.

See also type approval and FSD vs driverless.

Autopark and Summon

Autopark can steer into a detected parallel or perpendicular space while you supervise (Tesla’s UK Autopilot support describes the on-screen “P” prompt and the start flow). You still watch for kerbs, trolleys and people the cameras might miss.

Summon moves the car slowly via the app while you stand outside and supervise — useful in a tight driveway, not a party trick on a public road. Tesla’s manuals note that Summon is disabled in modes such as Dog Mode, Valet Mode or Track Mode (if equipped). Whether Autopark or Summon is on your car depends on software package, hardware and regional rules.

Sentry Mode and the Cabin Camera

Sentry Mode keeps the external cameras ready while parked and can save clips if the car thinks something threatening happened nearby. It uses battery while parked; many owners leave it off at home or on quiet streets. Clips live on the car’s storage unless you choose to save or share them — read Tesla’s current privacy screens.

The Cabin Camera looks inward. Assisted driving may use it to check you are paying attention. It also supports cabin features. Tesla’s documented position has been that cabin video is processed on the vehicle unless you opt in to sharing — verify the live wording in Controls and your Tesla Account rather than trusting a screenshot from another country.

Related: Cabin overheat protection can keep a parked cabin from getting dangerously hot, and also draws energy.

Premium Connectivity

Premium Connectivity is Tesla’s optional subscription for richer features over the car’s mobile data (for example streaming media away from Wi-Fi). Cars also have a standard connectivity tier for basics such as maps and some app functions; exact entitlements change. Certified Pre-Owned UK cars have been advertised with a short Premium Connectivity trial, then a paid subscription — check your account rather than assuming what a used car includes. This site does not quote a live monthly price; open the Tesla app or Tesla UK support for the current offer.

Over-the-air (OTA) updates

Tesla cars receive OTA software updates over Wi-Fi (and sometimes cellular). Updates can add features, change behaviour or fix defects. Sometimes a safety “recall” is remedied by an OTA install rather than a dealer visit — see What a car “recall” actually means. Schedule updates when you can leave the car parked; read the release notes before you drive off with a new build.

Heat pump and preconditioning

Recent Model 3 and Model Y cars use a heat pump for efficient cabin and battery heating in cold weather, which usually costs less range than older resistive heaters. Preconditioning warms or cools the battery (and cabin) before you leave or before a DC charge so charging is faster and the range estimate is saner. On a UK winter motorway trip, precondition on the way to a Supercharger rather than plugging in ice-cold. More charging context: New to electric cars?.

Dog Mode and Camp Mode

Dog Mode keeps climate control on while parked and shows a message on the screen so passers-by know a pet is inside on purpose. It uses energy; it is not a licence to leave animals in unsafe conditions. Camp Mode keeps climate and selected systems running if you sleep in the car — plan state of charge, ventilation and wherever you are legally allowed to stop overnight.

Track Mode (if equipped)

Track Mode appears on Performance-oriented Teslas (not every Model 3/Y). It retunes handling for circuit use. It is not for public roads. If your trim has it, read the owner’s manual before a track day; Summon and some convenience features are disabled while it is active.

What this page does not do

• It does not replace Tesla’s owner’s manual, release notes or in-car safety screens.
• It does not claim every feature is active on every UK Model 3 or Model Y — hardware, software version, purchase package and regulation all matter.
• It does not treat assisted driving as autonomy. You remain responsible.

Compare current trims on Teslas for sale, skim definitions in the glossary, or return to New to electric cars? if you are still sorting charging and costs first.