10 Tesla features that make them unlike any other electric cars

Posted on March 10, 2024
By Dj Sadam
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Tesla vehicles are engineered with a plethora of interesting add-ons and easter eggs.

Some of the features are what you might expect from a tech-savvy car company, like the Tesla app and keycard. Others reflect Elon Musk's unique sense of humor and have added to Tesla's cult following.

From sentry mode to "caraoke," these 21 Tesla features put the cars in a league of their own.

 

1. Autopilot

All Tesla models are equipped with a driver assistance system called Autopilot.

The feature enables a car to steer, accelerate, and brake automatically within its lane. The function does not replace the role of a driver, but is intended to make driving easier and cut down on accidents.

New Tesla models have eight cameras and 12 sensors that provide a 360-view of the vehicle's surroundings, per the carmaker's website. In the past, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has compared the Autopilot cameras to the human eye.

The system also features a $15,000 or $199 per month Full-Self Driving add-on which can change lanes, as well as recognize stop lights and stop signs. The feature is currently in beta testing.

 

2. Caraoke

In 2019, Tesla's got a new "caraoke ' function, which allows Tesla owners to choose from a vast selection of music and song lyrics.

The feature became especially popular in China. In January, the carmaker's $188 in-car  Tesla karaoke microphones sold out within an hour of the initial launch in China. The TeslaMic is currently only available in China.

The "caraoke" music selection also features music in different languages. But don't get the idea that you'll be able to sing caraoke while driving, in order for this feature to work, the car has to be parked. 

 

3. Bioweapon defense mode 

Tesla's Model X and Model Y, as well as more recent versions of the Model S and Model 3, are equipped with a HEPA filtration system that prevents toxic chemicals from getting into the cabin of the car.

The Tesla filtration system targets anything from pollution and bacteria to pollen, the carmaker has said

In January, Tesla released a demo video to show how the filter can protect its drivers from biodefense weapons.

 

4. Touchscreen

All Tesla models feature a unique touchscreen that comes with an array of features including video games, streaming services, and live traffic updates.

The screens are also home to standard features like climate control and navigation but look nothing like anything else on the market. 

 

5. Streaming and video gaming

Tesla is constantly updating its infotainment system with apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu.

The system also has several options including Theater, Arcade, Toybox, and Browser. With the Arcade setting, drivers can use the steering wheel buttons or a USB controller to play full games.

The majority of the entertainment features are only available when the car is parked, but drivers have said it has helped them pass time when Teslas are charging or stuck in major traffic jams. Earlier this year, a Tesla driver said he watched Netflix while stuck in a 14-hour traffic jam in snowy weather.

 

6. Web browser

With Tesla's premium connectivity you can access various websites while your car is parked, including Hulu, Spotify, and PLEX media player.

 

 

7. Easter eggs

Each Tesla is programmed with virtual Easter eggs that can range anywhere from Santa in a sleigh, a rainbow-like road, and even the port of your supercharger lighting up with colors of the rainbow.

 

8. Air suspension

Teslas are equipped with a smart auto raising air suspension system that changes based on the GPS coordinates of your vehicle.

Users also have the option to change the firmness of the suspension manually through the Tesla control panel. This feature could really come in handy if you're traveling across the country, and experience changes in the road.

9. Sentry mode

Sentry mode allows you to keep a close eye on your parked vehicle from anywhere in the world.

 

Let's say someone hits your car with a shopping cart, your Tesla will start recording from the outside cameras and alert you that your vehicle has been hit through the Tesla app. This feature eliminates the stress of ever wondering where that mysterious dent came from. 

 

10. Superchargers

Before returning the car, I charged it, then dropped it off at the airport. Jordan Erb/Insider

There are more than 35,000 Tesla supercharging stations in the world -- a number that the company continues to grow.

Tesla says that you can charge your car for as little as 15 minutes for up to 200 miles of travel. 

In the past, EV drivers have said the fast-charging stations give Tesla owners an advantage over others due to their speed, as well as the wide availability of Tesla chargers.

Tesla Superchargers make up about 58% of fast

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