Parking lights are on (side marker
lights, tail lights, and license plate lights) . See
Lights on page 58.
Low beam headlights are on.High beam headlights are on and Auto
High Beam is disabled or currently
unavailable.Auto High Beam is enabled and high
beams are on.
Model Y is ready to turn
off the high beams if light is detected.
See
High Beam Headlights on page 59.
Auto High Beam is enabled but high beams are not on because light is
detected in front of
Model Y. When
light is no longer detected, high beams
automatically turn back on. See
High
Beam Headlights on page 59.
This indicator flashes amber when the
electronic stability control systems are actively minimizing wheel spin by
controlling brake pressure and motor
power. See
Traction Control on page
69. If this indicator remains on, a fault is
detected and you should immediately contact Tesla.
Electronic stability control systems are no longer minimizing wheel spin. On a
Rear Wheel Drive vehicle, the traction
control system has been turned
off, or
on an All-Wheel Drive vehicle, Slip Start has been enabled. See
Traction Control
on page 69.
Trailer mode (if equipped) is active (see
Towing and Accessories on page 79).
Vehicle Hold is actively applying the brakes. See
Vehicle Hold on page 72.
A door or trunk is open. See Doors on
page 14, Rear Trunk on page 18, or
Front Trunk on page 20.
A blue snowflake appears when some
of the energy stored in the Battery may not be available due to cold weather conditions. During these cold weather
conditions, charging rates may also be limited. If
Model Y is plugged in, you
can heat your Battery by turning on climate control with the mobile app. The
snowflake disappears when the
Battery is
sufficiently warm.
Appears when regenerative braking is limited. See
Regenerative Braking on
page 66 for more information.
Vehicle power is currently being limited
because the energy remaining in the
Battery is low, the vehicle
Braking SystemsWARNING: Properly functioning braking systems
are critical to ensure safety. If you experience a
problem with the brake pedal, brake calipers, or
any component of a Model Y braking system,
contact Tesla immediately.
Model Y has an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that
prevents the wheels from locking when you apply
maximum brake pressure. This improves steering control
during heavy braking in most road conditions.
During emergency braking conditions, the ABS
constantly monitors the speed of each wheel and varies
the brake pressure according to the grip available.
The alteration of brake pressure can be felt as a pulsing sensation through the brake pedal. This demonstrates that the ABS is operating and is not a cause for concern. Keep
firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsing.
The ABS indicator briefly flashes amber on
the
touchscreen when you first start Model
Y. If this indicator lights up at any other
time, an ABS fault has occurred and the ABS is not operating. Contact Tesla. The
braking system remains fully operational
and is not
affected by an ABS failure.
However, braking distances may increase. Drive cautiously and avoid heavy braking.
If the touchscreen displays this red brake
indicator at any time other than
briefly
when you first start Model Y, a brake
system fault is detected, or the level of the
brake
fluid is low. Contact Tesla
immediately. Apply steady pressure and
keep the brakes
firm to bring the vehicle to
a stop when safe to do so.
The touchscreen displays this amber brake
indicator if a brake booster fault is detected. Apply steady pressure and keep the brakes
firm to stop the vehicle when
safety permits. Hydraulic Boost
Compensation will be active (see
Hydraulic
Boost Compensation on page 66).
Emergency Braking
In an emergency, fully press the brake pedal and
maintain
firm pressure, even on low traction surfaces.
The ABS varies the braking pressure to each wheel according to the amount of traction available. This prevents wheels from locking and ensures that you stop as safely as possible.
WARNING: Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
interrupts operation of the ABS and can increase
braking distance.
WARNING: Always maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front of you and be aware of
hazardous driving conditions. While the ABS can
improve stopping distance, it cannot overcome the
laws of physics. It also does not prevent the
danger of hydroplaning (where a layer of water
prevents direct contact between the tires and the
road).
CAUTION: Automatic Emergency Braking (see
Automatic Emergency Braking on page 123) may
intervene to automatically brake in situations
where a collision is considered imminent.
Automatic Emergency Braking is not designed to
prevent a collision. At best, it can minimize the
impact of a frontal collision by attempting to
reduce your driving speed. Depending on
Automatic Emergency Braking to avoid a collision
can result in serious injury or death.
CAUTION: In emergency situations, if the brakes
are not functioning properly, press and hold the
Park button on the drive stalk to bring the vehicle
to a stop. Do not use this method to stop the
vehicle unless absolutely necessary.
Dynamic Brake Lights (if equipped)
If you are driving over 30 mph (50 km/h) and brake
forcefully
(or if Automatic Emergency Braking engages),
the brake lights
flash quickly to warn other drivers that
Model Y is rapidly slowing down. If Model Y stops
completely, the hazard warning lights
flash. Flashing
continues until you press the accelerator or manually press the hazard lights button to turn them
off (see
Hazard Warning Flashers on page 60).
NOTE: Dynamic brake lights will not flash while Track
Mode is enabled (see
Track Mode on page 74).
NOTE: When towing a trailer (if applicable), the brake
lights on the trailer also operate as described above,
even when the trailer is not equipped with a separate
braking system.
WARNING: When towing a trailer (if applicable),
always increase your following distance. Sudden
braking may result in skidding, jack-knifing, and
loss of control.
Brake Disc Wiping
To ensure brakes remain responsive in cold and wet
weather,
Model Y is equipped with brake disc wiping.
When cold and wet weather is detected, this feature repeatedly applies an imperceptible amount of brake
force to remove water from the surface of the brake discs.
Braking and Stopping
65Driving
How Park Assist Works
This feature may be temporarily limited or inactive until
it is enabled with a future software update for vehicles
manufactured as of approximately October 2022.
Model Y is designed to detect the presence of objects.
When driving slowly in Drive or Reverse (for example,
when parking), the vehicle alerts you if an object is
detected in close proximity of your
Model Y. Objects are
only detected in your chosen direction; front objects in
Drive, rear objects in Reverse.
WARNING: You may not be alerted if Model Y rolls
freely in the opposite direction (for example, Park
Assist does not display an alert if Model Y rolls
backwards down a hill while in Drive).
Park Assist is activated when driving slower than 5 mph
(8 km/h).
NOTE: Park Assist may be disabled when a bicycle is
detected or
Model Y is in trailer mode.
WARNING: Never depend on Park Assist to inform
you if an area you are approaching is free of
objects and/or people. Several external factors can
reduce the performance of Park Assist, causing
either no readings or false readings (see
Limitations and False Warnings on page 70).
Therefore, depending on Park Assist to determine
if Model Y is approaching an obstruction can result
in damage to the vehicle and/or objects, and can
potentially cause serious injury. Always inspect the
area with your own eyes. When reversing, perform
shoulder checks and use all mirrors. Park assist
does not detect children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
animals, or objects that are moving, protruding,
located too far above or below the sensors (if
equipped) or cameras, or too close or too far from
the sensors or cameras. Park Assist is for guidance
purposes only and is not intended to replace your
own direct visual checks. It is not a substitute for
careful driving.
Visual and Audio Feedback
When you shift to Reverse, the Park Assist view displays on the
touchscreen, showing objects that are in close
proximity to the front and rear of
Model Y. This view
closes when you shift into Drive unless an object is
detected close to the front of
Model Y, in which case the
Park Assist view closes automatically when your driving speed exceeds
5 mph (8 km/h). When reversing, visual
feedback also displays on the touchscreen (see
Rear
Facing Camera(s) on page 77). You can manually close
the park assist view on the touchscreen by touching the
X.
When driving with the Camera app displayed on the
touchscreen, you can switch to the Park Assist view
when driving at speeds below
5 mph (8 km/h). Touch
the button located in the upper left corner of the Camera app screen. This is useful if you need assistance
with parallel parking.
If chimes are turned on (see Controlling Audible
Feedback on page 70), an audible beep sounds as you
approach an object.
NOTE: If Park Assist is unable to provide feedback, the
touchscreen displays an alert message.
CAUTION: Keep sensors (if equipped) and
cameras clean from dirt, debris, snow, and ice.
Avoid using a high pressure power washer on the
sensors and cameras, and do not clean a sensor or
camera with a sharp or abrasive object that can
scratch or damage its surface.
CAUTION: Do not install accessories or stickers on
or near the sensors (if equipped) or cameras.
Controlling Audible Feedback
You can use Park Assist with or without audible feedback. To turn chimes on or
off, touch Controls >
Safety > Park Assist Chimes.
Limitations and False Warnings
Park Assist may not function correctly in these situations:
The towing package includes a 2" x 2" (5 cm x 5 cm)
hitch receiver that can support an accessory carrier (for bicycles, skis, snowboards, etc.) or tow a trailer.
Installing and Using a Carrier
When using the tow package to carry accessories, the 2"
x 2" (5 cm x 5 cm) square hitch receiver is designed to
support vertical loads of up to
160 lbs (72 kg). Ball
mounts that are compatible with the square receiver
must be purchased separately.
To install and use an accessory carrier, you must first
attach the ball mount to the hitch receiver (see
Attaching and Removing the Ball Mount on page 83).
Then, follow the instructions provided by your accessory
carrier. Observe all regulations and legal requirements in your state or region that apply to carrying accessories.
The Model Y towing package includes the wiring
necessary for using an accessory carrier equipped with
lights (see
Electrical Connections on page 83). The
package also includes Trailer Mode software compatibility (see
Trailer Mode on page 81).
NOTE: Go to http://www.tesla.com to purchase
accessories for your vehicle. Although third-party products are available, Tesla recommends and supports
only Tesla-approved products (see
Parts and
Accessories on page 198). The accessory products
available for your vehicle may vary based on market
region. Before attempting to install a non Tesla-
approved carrier, review the product information to ensure compatibility.
NOTE: When not in use, the ball mount should be
removed and stored in a dry location to prevent dust and corrosion. Keep the dust cover over the hitch housing to prevent dirt and debris from entering (see
Attaching and Removing the Ball Mount on page 83).
NOTE: Tesla assumes no responsibility for damage or
injuries resulting from installing and using an accessory carrier, for any omissions in the instructions
accompanying an accessory carrier, or for your failure to follow the instructions. Damage caused by using an accessory carrier is not covered by the warranty.
Carrying Accessories
The hitch receiver is designed to support vertical loads
up to
160 lbs (72 kg). When carrying bicycles, skis, or
other items on the
Model Y hitch, always check to
ensure that the maximum weight is not exceeded. When calculating weight, remember to include the weight of
the accessory carrier.
For example, assuming the carrier
weighs 40 lbs (18 kg), the weight threshold is sufficient
for carrying two bicycles weighing approximately 60 lbs
(27 kg) each, or four items weighing approximately 30
lbs (14 kg) each.
NOTE: Consult the product details of your accessory
carrier for more information, such as additional weight or load limits. Damage caused by non Tesla-approved
accessories is not covered by the warranty.CAUTION: Exceeding the maximum weight the
Model Y hitch is designed to support (as
previously described) can cause significant
damage.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to install an accessory
carrier on Model Y that is not equipped with the
tow package. Doing so can cause significant
damage.
Trailer Towing
The maximum trailer weight (including all cargo and
additional equipment), and the trailer tongue weight
depend on the number of occupants in your vehicle and the tires being used. The maximum towing capacity and
trailer tongue weight must never exceed the following:
Wheel/Rim Size# of
PassengersMaximum
Towing
CapacityMaximum
Tongue
Weight19", 20"
and 21"up to 33,500 lbs
(1,588 kg)350 lbs (159
kg)19" and
21"4 - 53,500 lbs
(1,588 kg)350 lbs (159
kg)20"4 - 52,300 lbs
(1,043 kg)**230 lbs (104
kg)**19"6 - 7*2000 lbs
(907 kg)**200 lbs (91
kg)**20"6 - 7*Towing not
permitted-21"6 - 7*1200 lbs
(544 kg)**120 lbs (54
kg)**
*Applicable only to vehicles with seven seating
positions.
** You must operate within the speed limitations of your trailer and tires, and only drive at speeds appropriate for
the load you are towing, the weather, road and
traffic
conditions, and your level of towing experience. Always
obey posted speed limits and local regulations regarding
speed.
NOTE: In Canada, towing is limited to 55 mph (89 km/h).
For trailers with a combined loading of more than 1650
lbs (750 kg), Tesla recommends using a separate braking
system with an independent controller (see
Trailer
Brakes on page 81). Carefully follow the instructions
provided by the trailer brake manufacturer to ensure that trailer brakes are properly installed, adjusted, and
maintained.
Towing and Accessories
79Driving
The tongue weight is the downward force that the weight of the trailer exerts on the hitch. This must not exceed 10% of the maximum trailer weight. Carrying a
significant amount of equipment, passengers, or cargo
in the tow vehicle can reduce the towing capacity it can handle, which also reduces the tongue weight. Maximum towing capacity is calculated assuming the
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is not exceeded (see
Vehicle Loading on page 208).
NOTE: If the information on the hitch label conflicts with
the information provided in this Owner
WARNING: Always ensure that cargo is secured in
the trailer and will not shift. Dynamic load shifts
can cause loss of vehicle control, resulting in
serious injury.
Towing Guidelines
Model Y is designed primarily as a passenger-carrying
vehicle. Towing a trailer puts additional load on the
motor(s), drive train, brakes, tires, and suspension and
significantly decreases range. If you decide to tow a
trailer, proceed with caution and follow these general
guidelines:
Attaching and Removing the Ball
Mount
The Model Y towing package does not include a ball
mount. You must purchase a ball mount suitable for the type of trailer you are towing. The
Model Y hitch receiver
supports a ball mount with a length of up to
8.5
4. Low Voltage Power (if equipped)5.
Ground
6.
Left Turn Signal and Brake Light
7.
Tail Lamps
Loss of trailer lights when towing may be the result of a
fault in the trailer wiring or excessive power
consumption by the lights connected to the trailer output(s). When this occurs, a red Trailer Mode icon
appears on the touchscreen. Fix any issues with the wiring and/or reduce the number of lights connected to the trailer output(s), then toggle Trailer Mode
off and on
again.
NOTE: Vehicles with a lead-acid low voltage battery
have auxiliary power. Vehicles with low voltage lithium-
ion batteries do not have auxiliary power at this time.
You can determine which battery your vehicle is
equipped with by touching
Controls > Software >
Additional Vehicle Information.
CAUTION: Always ensure that the trailer electrical
cable does not contact or drag on the ground and
there is enough slack in the cable to allow for
turns.
WARNING: Use only the electrical connections
designed by Tesla. Do not attempt to directly
splice or attempt to connect a trailer