2025 Tesla Model Y Safety and Security Settings User Guide
The 2025 Tesla Model Y is safer thanks to its 5-star rating, advanced driver-assistance systems like Autopilot, and new features like 4D radar for more accurate occupant recognition and Active Hood for better protection for pedestrians.
2023 Tesla Model Y Specs, Price, Features, Mileage and Review
Tesla Safety & Security Settings Guide
About the Security System
If Model Y does not detect an authenticated phone or key and a locked door or trunk is opened, an alarm sounds. The headlights and turn signals also flash. To deactivate the alarm, press any button on the mobile app or tap your key card or key fob against the card reader located approximately one third the way up of the driver’s side door pillar.
To manually enable or disable the alarm system, touch Controls > Safety > Security Alarm. When enabled, Model Y activates its alarm one minute after you exit, the doors lock, and a recognized key is no longer detected.
A battery-backed siren (if equipped) sounds in situations where a locked door or trunk is opened and Model Y does not detect a key nearby. If you also want this siren to sound in situations where the vehicle detects motion inside the cabin, enable Tilt/Intrusion.
NOTE: If Model Y is in Sentry Mode (see How to Use Sentry Mode, the Security Alarm setting is not available.
Tilt/Intrusion (if equipped)
Depending on configuration, market region, and date of manufacture, your vehicle may not be equipped with this feature.
The Security Alarm must be on to enable Tilt/Intrusion.
Tilt/Intrusion sounds the alarm in your vehicle if Model Y detects motion inside the cabin, or is moved or tilted (for example, with a tow truck or jack). To enable, touch Controls Safety > Tilt/Intrusion.
The intrusion sensor automatically disables in situations where the climate control system is operating when you leave your vehicle. To override, you can manually turn the Tilt/Intrusion Sensor on again after choosing Keep Climate On, Dog, or Camp Mode.
The tilt/intrusion sensor automatically re-enables at the start of every drive cycle.
NOTE: The Tilt/Intrusion alarm must be turned off to use Cabin Overheat Protection.
NOTE: If you plan to leave something that moves inside your locked vehicle, remember to turn off Tilt/Intrusion. If this setting is on, any motion detected inside Model Y activates the intrusion alarm.
NOTE: If Model Y is in Sentry Mode (see How to Use Sentry Mode, the Tilt/Intrusion setting is not available.
Parental Controls
Parental controls enable you to limit the capabilities of Model Y and ensure that safety settings are enabled and cannot be changed.
NOTE: You can also access parental controls from the Tesla mobile app (version 4.34.5 or higher required).
NOTE: You cannot enable parental controls if Speed Limit Mode is enabled.
When you enable Require Safety Features, Model Y enables or configures these vehicle settings:
NOTE: Depending on market region, vehicle configuration, options purchased, and software version, your vehicle may not be equipped with the listed features.
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Obstacle-Aware Acceleration
- Automatic Blind Spot Camera
- Blind Spot Collision Warning Chime
- Automatic 911 Call
- Allow Mobile Access
- Park Assist Chimes
- Lane Departure Avoidance: Set to Assist.
- Speed Limit Warning: Set to Chime.
- Speed Limit: Set to Relative.
- Offset: Set to +5 mph (8 km/h).
- Forward Collision Warning: Set to Early.
If you want to enable parental controls:
- With your vehicle in Park, touch Controls > Safety > Parental Controls on the touchscreen.
- Enable or configure the parental controls you want to use:
- Limit Speed: Caps the speed at which Model Y can drive.
- Reduce Acceleration: Limits the vehicle Acceleration to Chill.
- Require Safety Features: Enables various safety features in the vehicle (if equipped). Drivers cannot change these settings while parental controls are active.
◦ Send Curfew Notifications: Turns on curfew notifications from 11 PM to 4 AM. When someone shifts the vehicle to Drive after the start of curfew, a notification is sent through the Tesla mobile app to all phone keys paired with the vehicle, notifying users that Model Y is in use.
- Touch Confirm.
- Enter a PIN.
If you want to disable parental controls:
- While the vehicle is in park, touch Controls > Safety on the touchscreen.
- Navigate to Parental Controls.
- Touch Off.
- Re-enter the PIN you created when enabling parental controls.
NOTE: If you forget your Parental Controls PIN or wish to change it, touch the Enter your Tesla Account credentials link on your vehicle touchscreen and then follow the instructions. You cannot disable parental controls from your mobile device.
PIN to Drive
For an added layer of security, prevent Model Y from being driven until a 4-digit PIN (Personal Identification Number) is entered. To enable this setting, touch Controls > Safety > PIN to Drive and follow the on-screen prompts to create a driving PIN.
When enabled, in addition to entering the 4-digit driving PIN to drive, you must also use it to enter Valet mode for the first time and create the 4-digit valet PIN to enter and exit Valet mode. In Valet mode, Model Y can be driven without the need for the valet to enter a driving PIN. The PIN to Drive setting is disabled whenever Valet mode is active.
If you forget your driving PIN, touch the link to enter your Tesla login credentials on the PIN to Drive popup, then follow the instructions on the touchscreen.
NOTE: In the unlikely event that your touchscreen is unresponsive, you may be unable to enter the PIN. In this case, first try to restart the touchscreen. If the touchscreen is still unresponsive, you can still bypass PIN to Drive by turning on Keyless Driving in the Tesla mobile app.
Glovebox PIN
Protect the contents in your glovebox with a 4-digit PIN (not related to PIN to Drive). To enable, touch Controls > Safety > Glovebox PIN and follow the directions on the touchscreen. When enabled, you are prompted to enter the PIN to open the glovebox. Select the toggle to disable and then enter the PIN to remove this added security protection.
If you forget your glovebox PIN, reset it by entering your Tesla login credentials, then follow the directions on the touchscreen.
NOTE: Using a Glovebox PIN allows the glovebox to be opened even when Model Y is in Valet mode.
2023 Tesla Model Y Specs, Price, Features, Mileage and Review
Speed Limit Mode
Speed Limit Mode allows you to limit acceleration and maximum driving speed to a chosen value between 50 and 120 mph (80 and 193 km/h). The first time you use this feature, you must create a 4-digit PIN that you must use to enable and disable Speed Limit Mode. When enabled and the driving speed approaches within approximately 3 mph (5 km/h) of the maximum speed, a chime sounds, the touchscreen displays a message, and Model Y sends a notification to the mobile app. You can also touch Security > Speed Limit Mode to enable from the Tesla mobile app. To enable Speed Limit Mode:
- Ensure Model Y is in Park.
- Touch Controls > Safety > Speed Limit Mode on the touchscreen.
- Select the maximum driving speed.
- Drag the slider to the On position.
- Enter the 4-digit PIN that you want to use to enable and disable Speed Limit Mode.
NOTE: If you forget the PIN, you can disable Speed Limit Mode by entering login credentials for your Tesla account.
NOTE: Off-Road Assist cannot be used if Speed Limit Mode is already enabled.
NOTE: While Speed Limit Mode is enabled, the acceleration setting automatically sets to Chill.
WARNING: Driving downhill can increase driving speed and cause Model Y to exceed your chosen maximum speed.
WARNING: Speed Limit Mode is not a replacement for good judgment, driver training, and the need to closely monitor speed limits and driving conditions. Accidents occur at any speed and it is your responsibility to drive safely.
Useful Links:
2025 Tesla Model Y Lights User Guide
2025 Tesla Model Y Maintenance Schedule User Guide
2023 Tesla Model Y Specs, Price, Features, Mileage and Review