First Settings to Change on Your New Tesla Model Y: My Essential Tweaks

First Settings to Change on Your New Tesla Model Y: My Essential Tweaks

Hey everyone, DennisCW here! If you just picked up your brand-new Tesla Model Y (especially the Performance version), congratulations! But before you hit the road, there are a few key settings I change on every single Tesla I get. These tweaks will level up your driving experience, improve battery health, enhance safety, and make daily use smoother.

What's great about Tesla? Once you save these to your profile, they sync to your phone key. Hop into any Tesla, and boom—your settings load automatically. Let's dive into a full menu walkthrough. I'll explain why I change each one and how it benefits you.

1. Profiles & Quick Controls

• Set up profiles religiously: Essential if family or friends drive your car. Syncs to your phone for seamless transfers between vehicles.
• Controls:
  • Child left/right locks: Crucial for kids or pets.
  • Window lock: Safety first.
  • Wipers: Auto (hands-free convenience).
  • Car wash mode: Always enable before a wash—don't forget!
  • Mirrors & steering: Adjust like any new car for perfect fit.

2. Dynamics – Driving Feel

• Driving mode: I usually go Chill to save tires (especially on Performance models). Experiment with Insane for fun.
• Deceleration: Standard for full regen braking—maximizes range. Switch to Reduced with passengers if needed.
• Ride & handling: Standard—balances comfort and sportiness.
• Steering weight: Light for easier maneuvering (heavy if you prefer).
• Auto shift out of park (beta): On—predicts your direction, saves time in tight spots.

3. Charging & Autopilot

• Charging limit: 80-90% for optimal battery health (avoid 100% daily).
• Low power mode: On if you're mostly home-based charging.
• Autopilot: Full Self-Driving (I'm at 94%—game-changer!).
• Speed profiles: Switch via right scroll wheel—Standard or Hurry daily; Max for thrills.

4. Autopilot Features

• Smart Summon (Ass Mode): On (defaults off—use it!).
• Speed limit warning: Chime above 15 mph—audible alert without distraction.
• Forward collision warning: Medium (early was too sensitive with FSD).
• Lane departure avoidance: Assist (or Warning for beeps only).

5. Keys, Lights & Display

• Keys tip: Add multiple! I have 5 around the house (one key holds 10 cars).
• Lights: Auto, footwell on, adaptive headlights on—super cool feature.
• Display: Dark mode, reduce brightness. Enable screen clean mode.
• Left scroll wheel: Acceleration mode—quick Chill/Insane swaps.

6. Safety & Convenience

• Safety: Sentry mode on, view live cameras, dashcam enabled.
• Glove box PIN: Set later for secure storage.
• Cabin camera: On.
• Joe Mode: On—quiets beeps for road trips or sleeping kids.

7. Navigation, Entertainment & More

• Navigation: Avoid tolls/ferries as needed. Note: HOV lane option is finicky—still routes there sometimes.
• Schedule: For preconditioning/charging limits.
• Entertainment: Customize—turn off unused apps like Podcasts, TuneIn, SiriusXM for a cleaner menu. Tweak equalizer (U-shape, bass down).
• Bottom dock: Reorganize apps. Climate on Auto. Sentry off in safe spots.

These are my go-to settings for the Model Y. You'll discover more UI tricks as you drive, but start here to optimize day one!

What did I miss? Drop your must-change settings in the comments. Like, subscribe, and check my channel for more Tesla tips (next up: Navigation hacks!). Drive safe! 🚀

DennisCW