Tesla Model Y: Controlling Lights

Touch Controls > Lights on the touchscreen to access all light controls, both interior and exterior.

You can also pull the turn signal stalk toward you to display a popup that provides quick access to exterior lights. For example, you can turn the headlights on or off continuously (overriding the default Auto High Beam setting). The lights popup allows you to adjust all exterior light settings, including parking lights, fog lights (if equipped), etc. The setting you choose is retained for the current drive only.

NOTE: If the touchscreen is already displaying the full Controls screen for lights, pulling the turn signal stalk does not display the quick access popup.

In addition to the lights you can control from the touchscreen, Model Y has convenience lights that operate automatically based on what you are doing. For example, in low ambient lighting conditions, the interior lights, marker lights, tail lights, and puddle lights turn on when you unlock Model Y, when you open a door, and when you shift into Park. They turn off after a minute or two, when you shift or lock Model Y. Use these settings to control your vehicle's interior and exterior lights:

Headlights

Exterior lights (headlights, tail lights, side marker lights, parking lights, and license plate lights) are set to AUTO each time you start Model Y. When set to AUTO, exterior lights automatically turn on when driving in low lighting conditions. If you change to a different setting, lights always revert to AUTO on your next drive.

Touch one of these options to temporarily change the exterior light setting:

• OFF: Exterior lights turn off until you manually turn them back on or until the next time you drive.
• PARKING: Only the exterior side marker lights, parking lights, tail lights and license plate lights turn on.
• ON: Exterior lights turn on.

NOTE: Any exterior lights (for example, daytime running lights) that are required to remain on in your market region will turn on as appropriate when driving, when parked on specific types of roads, etc.

NOTE: Model Y has a series of LED lights along the rim of the headlights, also referred to as "signature" lights. These lights automatically turn on whenever Model Y is powered on and a drive mode (Drive or Reverse) is engaged.

CAUTION: The rear tail lights are off when daytime running lights are on. Be sure the rear lights are on during low rear visibility conditions (for example, when it is dark, foggy, snowy, or the road is wet, etc.). Failure to do so can cause damage or serious injury.

WARNING: Always ensure that headlights are on during low visibility conditions. Failure to do so may result in a collision.

Fog Lights

A separate control is available to turn on fog lights (if equipped). When on, fog lights operate whenever low beam headlights are on. When headlights are turned off, fog lights also turn off.

Dome Lights

Turn the interior dome (map) lights on or off. If set to AUTO, all interior dome lights turn on when you unlock Model Y, open a door upon exiting, or shift into Park.

You can also manually turn an individual dome light on or off by pressing its lens. If you manually turn a dome light on, it turns off when Model Y powers off. If Model Y was already powered off when you manually turned the light on, it turns off after 60 minutes.

NOTE: To control the backlighting on the steering wheel buttons, touch Controls > Lights > Steering Wheel Lights. If on, they turn on whenever headlights are on.

Ambient Lights

When enabled, interior ambient lights turn on whenever the headlights are on.

Steering Wheel Lights

If you turn on Steering Wheel Lights, the arrows associated with the scroll buttons are backlit in low ambient lighting conditions.

Reading Lights

There are two reading lights in the second row seating area, both above the door and next to the coat hangers (see Coat Hangers). Turn an individual reading light on or off by pressing its lens. The reading light will automatically turn off when Model Y powers off.

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