Using the Touchscreen -> Climate Controls for Your Tesla Model-Y SUV 2023

Climate Controls  
Overview of Climate Controls  
Climate controls are available at the bottom of the touchscreen. By default, climate control is set to Auto, which  
maintains optimum comfort in all but the most severe weather conditions. When you adjust the cabin temperature  
while in the Auto setting, the system automatically adjusts the heating, air conditioning, air distribution, and fan  
speed to maintain the cabin at your selected temperature.  
Touch the displayed temperature at the bottom of the touchscreen to access the main climate controls screen,  
where you can adjust your climate preferences. You can revert back to Auto at any time by touching Auto. Touch the  
power button on the main climate controls screen to toggle on or off. For quick access to common controls, touch <  
or > to display the climate popup.  
NOTE: The climate control system is powered by the high voltage Battery. Therefore, prolonged use decreases  
driving range.  
WARNING: To avoid burns resulting from prolonged use, individuals who have peripheral neuropathy, or whose  
capacity to feel pain is limited because of diabetes, age, neurological injury, or some other condition, should  
exercise caution when using the climate control system and seat heaters.  
Adjusting Climate Control Settings  
NOTE: Easily adjust your climate preferences, such as turning on the seat heater or changing the cabin temperature,  
hands-free by using voice commands (see Voice Commands on page 136).  
NOTE: For one-touch access to seat heaters and defrosters, you can add these controls to My Apps. See  
Customizing My Apps on page 8.  
1. Touch to turn the climate control system on or off.  
2. Touch to adjust the climate settings for the front cabin.  
3. Choose where air flows into the front cabin (windshield, face-level, or foot-level vents). You can choose one or  
more vents.  
4. Touch to adjust the climate settings for the rear cabin. If set to Auto, the rear vents turn on automatically when  
the front climate system is on and a passenger is detected (see Adjusting the Rear Vents on page 130).  
Using the Touchscreen  
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Climate Controls  
5. Touch the driver's side seat icon to adjust seat heaters for the driver. The seat operates at three levels from 3  
(highest) to 1 (lowest). The seat icon displays twisting lines that turn red (heating) corresponding with the set  
level. Auto, which displays when the climate control system is set to Auto, warms the front seats based on cabin  
temperature. For one-touch access to seat heaters, you can add them to the touchscreen's bottom bar (see  
Customizing My Apps on page 8).  
6. Touch to control the heated steering wheel, if equipped. The icon displays red twisting lines that correspond to  
the set level. If set to Auto, the steering wheel is heated as needed, based on cabin temperature, whenever the  
climate control system is set to Auto. For one-touch access, you can add this control to the touchscreen's bottom  
bar (see Customizing My Apps on page 8).  
7. Touch to turn on the wiper defrosters (if equipped). Wipers defrost for 30 minutes then turn off automatically.  
8. Touch the passenger's side seat icon to adjust seat heaters for the front passenger. The seat operates at three  
levels from 3 (highest) to 1 (lowest). The seat icon displays twisting lines that turn red (heating) to corresponding  
with the set level. Auto, which displays when the climate control system is set to Auto, warms the front seats  
based on cabin temperature. For one-touch access to seat heaters, you can add them to the touchscreen's  
bottom bar (see Customizing My Apps on page 8).  
9. When in Park, these settings display to allow you to keep the climate control system operating, even when you  
10. Touch to adjust how air flows from the front vents. See Adjusting the Front Vents on page 130.  
11. When Model Y is in Park, touch Schedule to set a recurring daily time when you want Model Y to be ready to  
drive by preconditioning the Battery and cabin climate and/or charging during off-peak hours (see Scheduled  
Charging and Scheduled Departure on page 174).  
12. If your Model Y is equipped with the medical-grade HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, this filter ensures  
the best quality air inside the cabin whenever the climate control system is on and outside air is entering the  
cabin (recirculate is off). The HEPA filter is extremely effective at removing particles, including pollution,  
allergens, bacteria, pollen, mold spores, and viruses. Both the HEPA filter and the secondary filtration system also  
contain activated carbon to remove a broad spectrum of odors and gases. When you engage Bioweapon Defense  
Mode, the positive pressure inside the cabin minimizes the amount of outside air that can enter the vehicle.  
NOTE: Some gases, such as carbon monoxide, are not effectively removed by activated carbon.  
13. Touch to control the flow of air inside the cabin. Air can be drawn into Model Y from outside or air can be  
recirculated inside the cabin.  
14. Use the slider to adjust the fan speed. When in Auto, the fan speed levels change to Low/ Medium/ High.  
NOTE: Adjusting the fan speed may change the selected setting for how air is drawn into Model Y in order to  
increase or reduce air flow.  
15. Touch to turn the air conditioning system on or off. Turning it off reduces cooling, but saves energy.  
NOTE: Because Model Y runs much quieter than a gasoline-powered vehicle, you may notice the sound of the air  
conditioning compressor as it is operating. To minimize noise, reduce the fan speed.  
16. Touch to warm up the rear windshield. After 15 minutes, the rear window defroster automatically turns off. The  
exterior side mirrors are also heated whenever the rear window defroster is operating.  
17. The windshield defroster distributes air flow to the windshield. Touch once to defog the windshield (the icon turns  
blue). Touch a second time to defrost the windshield. Touch a third time to turn off and restore the air  
distribution, heating, and fan to their previous settings. In cold ambient temperatures, the exterior side mirrors are  
also heated whenever the windshield defroster is operating. See Cold Weather Best Practices on page 85 for  
more information on preparing for cold weather.  
18. Touch Auto to turn the Auto setting on or off.  
Climate Popup  
Touch the temperature arrows on the bottom of the touchscreen to display a popup for easy access to some of the  
most common climate controls:  
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MODEL Y Owner's Manual  
Climate Controls  
NOTE: For one-touch access to seat heaters and defrosters, you can add these controls to My Apps. See  
Customizing My Apps on page 8.  
1. Touch to access the main climate controls screen.  
2. Enable or disable heated seats.  
3. Enable or disable the front or rear windshield defrosters.  
4. Modify the cabin temperature by dragging along the slider. You can also enable temperature splitting which  
allows the driver and front passenger to customize their own climate preferences. The front passenger can touch  
the temperature icon on the bottom of the touchscreen or the main climate controls screen to adjust. Touch Split  
again to disable climate splitting.  
Live Camera view is now available if Sentry Mode or Dog  
Mode, or both, are enabled. When Sentry Mode is on, the  
cameras show a live view of the vehicle's surroundings.  
Keep Climate On, Dog, and Camp  
The Keep Climate On, Dog, and Camp settings allow you  
to keep the climate control system running when in Park,  
When Dog Mode is on, the interior cabin camera shows  
the inside of the vehicle so you can check on your pet at  
even after you've left Model Y or choose to stay inside  
any time. If both are enabled, switch the camera views  
the vehicle. These settings are useful when it is  
important to maintain the cabin temperature in hot or  
cold weather conditions. For example, when leaving  
groceries in Model Y on hot days, you may want to use  
by touching the gray circles or the interior icon that  
correspond to different cameras on the mobile app. See  
Sentry Mode on page 142 for more information.  
Keep Climate On to prevent spoilage.  
NOTE: Enabling the interior cabin camera for Dog or  
Sentry Mode requires the mobile app version 4.15.0 or  
Dog is designed to maintain a comfortable cabin  
higher. This feature is not supported in vehicles with  
temperature for your pet while you actively and  
Autopilot computer 2.0 or 2.5. Touch Controls > Service  
frequently monitor this temperature using the mobile  
app (which requires both your phone and the vehicle to  
have cellular connectivity). When in Dog, the  
touchscreen displays the current cabin temperature to  
inform people passing by that your pet is safe. This  
setting is not intended for people, and should only be  
used for short periods of time while you stay in close  
proximity should you need to return to the vehicle in  
situations where the temperature can no longer be  
maintained.  
> Autopilot computer to find out which computer your  
vehicle has.  
NOTE: View Live Camera is limited to approximately one  
hour (or 15 minutes for some regions) of cumulative  
usage per day  
Camp allows you to power electronics through the USB  
ports and low voltage outlet in addition to maintaining  
the cabin temperature. The touchscreen remains on so  
you can play music, browse the internet, play games in  
the arcade, or watch shows in Tesla Theater. You can  
also control media and climate settings from a paired  
phone. Camp is ideal for remaining inside your vehicle,  
such as camping or staying with a child. While active,  
Sentry Mode and the vehicle alarm system are disabled.  
NOTE: To avoid accidentally pressing the window switch  
(such as your dog stepping on it), the windows cannot  
be rolled down while Dog is enabled.  
NOTE: If Dog and Sentry are enabled at the same time,  
Sentry defaults to Disable Sentry Sounds to protect  
your pet. See Sentry Mode on page 142 for more  
information.  
To operate Keep Climate On, Dog, or Camp:  
1. Make sure the Battery's charge level is at least 20%.  
2. Engage Park. The Keep Climate On, Dog, and Camp  
settings are available only when Model Y is in Park.  
Active Safety Features  
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Climate Controls  
3. If necessary, adjust the climate settings.  
4. On the climate controls screen, touch Keep Climate  
On, Dog, or Camp.  
NOTE: You can also control Dog and Camp from the  
mobile app, by swiping up from the gray bar on the  
Climate screen.  
The climate control system attempts to maintain your  
climate settings until you shift out of Park or manually  
turn it off. Avoid using Keep Climate On, Dog, or Camp  
when the Battery's charge level is low. If the Battery's  
charge level drops below 20%, the Tesla mobile app  
attempts to repeatedly send notifications reminding you  
to check on anything that you have left in Model Y.  
NOTE: Software updates cannot be performed when  
Keep Climate On, Dog, or Camp is active.  
1. Driver vent and controls  
WARNING: Never leave a child unattended in your  
vehicle.  
2. Passenger vent and controls  
WARNING: Check local laws for any restrictions on  
When the face-level vent is on you can adjust the  
direction of the air flow from each vent. To adjust the  
direction of the air flow, simply touch the radiating air  
waves from the corresponding vent on the touchscreen.  
The air flows in a single stream when centered or splits  
into mirrored air streams when air is directed outward or  
inward from the center of the vent.  
leaving pets unattended in your vehicle.  
WARNING: You are responsible for the safety of  
your dog or pet. Never leave them in Model Y for  
long periods of time. Constantly monitor the  
vehicle temperature and their well-being. Make  
sure you have sufficient cellular coverage on your  
phone and time to return to the vehicle, if  
necessary.  
When Model Y detects that there are no passengers  
sitting in the passenger seat, the passenger vent and  
controls automatically turn off. Adjust the climate  
settings to enable passenger air flow.  
WARNING: In the unlikely event that your climate  
control system needs service or is not working as  
expected, avoid using Keep Climate On, Dog, and  
Camp. Never rely on your vehicle to protect  
something irreplaceable.  
NOTE: You can direct the face-level vents toward the  
windows to help defrost or defog them.  
WARNING: You can adjust and monitor the climate  
control system remotely using the mobile app.  
However, if you use the mobile app to turn off the  
climate control system, Keep Climate On, Dog, and  
Camp stop operating.  
NOTE: When you split a vent into two separate air flows,  
the air flow in each direction is not as strong as when all  
air is flowing in a single direction.  
NOTE: Outside air is drawn into Model Y through the  
grill in front of the windshield. Keep the grill clear of  
obstructions, such as leaves and snow.  
Adjusting the Front Vents  
Adjusting the Rear Vents  
Model Y has a unique horizontal face-level vent that  
spans the width of the dashboard. Using the  
touchscreen, you can pinpoint exactly where you want  
to direct the air flowing from this vent when heating or  
cooling the front cabin area.  
Model Y has vents located at the back of the center  
console where air flows from when the setting is turned  
on from the touchscreen. To direct the flow of air in the  
rear cabin area, adjust the vents at the rear of the center  
console up, down, or from side to side as necessary.  
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Climate Controls  
You can also enable Cabin Overheat Protection remotely  
through the mobile app by touching Climate. Swipe up  
on the bottom menu and select a setting under Cabin  
Overheat Protection (see Mobile App on page 151).  
Cabin Overheat Protection operates until 12 hours has  
elapsed once you exit Model Y, or until the Battery  
energy drops below 20%, whichever comes first. Using  
Cabin Overheat Protection requires energy from the  
Battery, which may decrease range.  
WARNING: Due to automatic shut-off, extreme  
outside conditions, or other potential inability to  
maintain the selected temperature, the inside of  
the vehicle can become dangerously hot, even  
when Cabin Overheat Protection is enabled. If you  
experience temperatures exceeding the selected  
temperature repeatedly, contact Tesla service.  
WARNING: Never leave children or pets in the  
vehicle unattended. Due to automatic shut-off or  
extreme outside conditions, the inside of the  
vehicle can become dangerously hot, even when  
Cabin Overheat Protection is enabled.  
Climate Control Operating Tips  
Cabin Air Filter(s)  
You can improve the efficiency of the cabin heater by  
limiting acceleration. This allows the heat pump system  
to use more residual heat from the Battery to efficiently  
heat the cabin while maintaining the chosen acceleration  
level. This is useful in cold weather.  
Model Y has one or more air filters to prevent pollen,  
industrial fallout, road dust and other particles from  
entering through the vents.  
NOTE: Cabin air filter(s) require periodic replacement.  
See Service Intervals on page 177.  
• When you use the mobile app to turn on the climate  
control system, it automatically turns off when the  
charge level drops to 20%, or if two hours has passed.  
To cool or heat the cabin for a longer period of time,  
charge the vehicle and re-enable your climate control  
preference through the mobile app.  
Cabin Overheat Protection  
Cabin Overheat Protection prevents the cabin from  
getting too hot in scorching ambient conditions. While  
not necessary to activate whenever you leave Model Y,  
the climate control system can reduce and maintain the  
temperature of your vehicle’s cabin. This can prevent the  
cabin from getting too hot after leaving it parked in the  
sun, making the vehicle more comfortable when you  
return. Cabin Overheat Protection may take up to 15  
minutes to enable once you exit the vehicle. This feature  
is intended for passenger comfort and has no impact on  
the reliability of your vehicle's components.  
You may hear the sound of the climate system inside  
the cabin of Model Y when Parked. It makes a low fan  
noise. The climate system attempts to dry itself out  
to minimize additional moisture or musty odors. This  
is a normal operation and not a cause for concern.  
You can improve the efficiency of the cabin heating  
by reducing your selected acceleration mode (see  
Acceleration Modes on page 73). This allows the heat  
pump system to take more heat from the Battery to  
efficiently heat the cabin, instead of maintaining the  
Battery's ability to provide peak acceleration  
performance. This helps to maximize driving  
efficiency in colder weather. Note that when  
subsequently increasing the acceleration mode, the  
Battery requires time to warm up before the  
increased level of acceleration is available.  
To turn on, touch Controls > Safety > Cabin Overheat  
Protection and choose:  
On: The air conditioning operates when the cabin  
temperature exceeds 105° F (40° C), or the selected  
temperature if available, on the touchscreen or  
mobile app. Customizing temperatures may require  
the most recent version of the mobile app.  
Your charge port latch may freeze in extremely cold  
weather or icy conditions. In cases where you cannot  
remove or insert the charge cable, or your vehicle is  
not Supercharging due to the latch being frozen in  
place, enable Defrost Car in the mobile app. This  
No A/C: Only the fan operates to prevent touch  
surfaces from getting too hot.  
Off: Disables Cabin Overheat Protection.  
Using the Touchscreen  
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Climate Controls  
helps thaw ice on the charge port latch so the charge  
cable can be removed or inserted. See Cold Weather  
Best Practices on page 85 for more information.  
• If the climate control system is louder than you prefer,  
manually reduce the fan speed.  
• In addition to cooling the interior, the air conditioning  
compressor also cools the Battery. Therefore, in hot  
weather, the air conditioning compressor can turn on  
even if you turned it off. This is normal because the  
system’s priority is to cool the Battery to ensure it  
stays within an optimum temperature range to  
support longevity and optimum performance.  
• Even when not in use, you may hear Model Y emit a  
whining noise or the sound of water circulating.  
These sounds are normal and occur when the internal  
cooling systems turn on to support various vehicle  
functions, such as maintaining the low voltage  
battery and balancing the temperature of the high  
voltage Battery.  
To ensure the climate control system operates  
efficiently, close all windows and ensure that the  
exterior grille in front of the windshield is free of ice,  
snow, leaves, and other debris.  
• In very humid conditions, it is normal for the  
windshield to fog slightly when you first turn on the  
air conditioning.  
• It is normal for a small pool of water to form under  
Model Y when parked. Extra water produced by the  
dehumidifying process is drained underneath.  
• Model Y is designed to automatically maximize  
efficiency; therefore, your air conditioning  
compressor and external fan may run and make noise  
even when the outside temperature is cold and your  
vehicle is heating or supercharging.  
To reduce the temperature in the cabin in hot  
weather conditions, the fan may turn on to vent the  
cabin when the vehicle is parked. This occurs only if  
the battery's charge level is above 20%.  
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MODEL Y Owner's Manual  
Phone, Calendar, and Web Conferencing  
4. On the touchscreen, touch Add New Device > Start  
Search. A list of all available Bluetooth devices within  
operating distance displays on the Bluetooth settings  
screen.  
®
Bluetooth Compatibility  
You can use your Bluetooth-capable phone  
5. Choose the phone with which you want to pair.  
Within a few seconds, the Bluetooth settings screen  
displays a randomly generated number. Your phone  
also display a number.  
hands-free in Model Y provided your phone  
is within operating range. Although  
Bluetooth typically supports wireless  
communication over distances of up to  
approximately 30 feet (nine meters),  
performance can vary based on the phone  
you are using.  
6. Check that the number displayed on your phone  
matches the number on the Bluetooths settings  
screen. Then, on your phone, confirm that you want  
to pair.  
Before using your phone with Model Y, you must pair it.  
Pairing sets up Model Y to work with your Bluetooth-  
133).  
7. If prompted on your phone, specify whether you  
want to allow Model Y to access your personal  
information, such as calendar, contacts and media  
files.  
NOTE: Authenticating your phone to use as a key (see  
Keys on page 10) does not also allow you to use the  
phone hands-free, play media from it, etc. You must also  
pair it as described below.  
When paired, Model Y automatically connects to the  
phone, and the Bluetooth settings screen displays the  
Bluetooth symbol next to the phone’s name to indicate  
that the connection is active.  
You can pair up to ten Bluetooth phones. Unless you've  
specified a specific phone as a Priority Device or if the  
phone specified as Priority Device is not within range,  
Model Y always connects to the last phone that was  
used (provided it is within range). To connect to a  
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You can display the Bluetooth settings screen at any  
time and change the settings associated with a  
connected device. For example, you can designate a  
connected phone as the Priority Device. This is useful in  
situations where you have connected more than one  
phone, and both phones are frequently used in Model Y  
at the same time. Model Y automatically attempts to  
connect to the priority device before others. If a priority  
device is not specified, or is not within range, Model Y  
connects to the most recently used phone (if  
applicable).  
NOTE: On many phones, Bluetooth turns off if the  
phone’s battery is low.  
NOTE: In addition to phones, you can pair other  
Bluetooth-enabled devices with Model Y. For example,  
you can pair an iPod Touch, an iPad, an Android tablet,  
etc. from which you can play music.  
Importing Contacts and Recent  
Calls  
Pairing a Bluetooth Phone  
Once paired, use the Bluetooth settings screen to  
specify whether you want to allow access to your  
phone’s contacts, recent calls and text messages. If you  
allow access, you can use the phone app to make calls  
and send messages to people in your list of contacts and  
on your recent calls list (see Bluetooth® Compatibility on  
page 133). Before contacts can be imported, you may  
need to either set your phone to allow syncing, or  
respond to a popup on your phone to confirm that you  
want to sync contacts. This varies depending on the  
type of phone you are using. For details, refer to the  
documentation provided with your phone.  
Pairing allows you to use your Bluetooth-capable phone  
hands-free to make and receive phone calls, access your  
contact list, recent calls, etc. It also allows you to play  
media files from your phone. Once a phone is paired,  
Model Y can connect to it whenever the phone is within  
range.  
To pair a phone, follow these steps while sitting inside  
Model Y:  
1. Ensure both the touchscreen and the phone are  
powered on.  
NOTE: You can turn access to your contacts and recent  
calls on or off at any time by touching the Bluetooth  
icon on the touchscreen, choosing your phone, and then  
changing the associated access settings.  
2. On your phone, enable Bluetooth and ensure it is  
discoverable.  
NOTE: On some phones, this may require you to go  
to Bluetooth Settings for the remainder of the  
procedure.  
3. Touch the Bluetooth icon located at the top of the  
Controls screen.  
Using the Touchscreen  
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