Tesla vehicles are equipped with advanced technology that enhances both safety and convenience. One of the most useful features is the Dashcam, which can record video while your car is parked or driving. This feature is particularly helpful for capturing important events and ensuring you have evidence in case of an incident. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to enable and use the Dashcam on your Tesla Model 3.
How to Enable Dashcam Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3 dashcam feature availability
Feature Description:
- The Car Recorder provides 360-degree video coverage through cameras mounted on the front, rear and both sides of the vehicle, ensuring that the surroundings are recorded while driving.
- This feature not only supports automatic recording, but also allows users to manually save videos for specific time periods.
Conditions of Use:
- To enable the Car Recorder feature, a formatted USB flash drive needs to be inserted into the vehicle's USB port. The flash drive must meet the following requirements: have a capacity of at least 64GB, have a sustained write speed of at least 4MB/s, be formatted as FAT32 or exFAT, and create a folder named “TeslaCam”.
- The CarLog function is only turned on when the vehicle is started and does not record video when it is turned off.
How it works:
- Users can view and manage videos through the “Dashcam” icon on the touch screen. Videos are organized into three sub-folders: “Recent Clips”, “Saved Clips” and “Sentry Clips”. “ (Sentry mode clips).
- Users can save videos manually or by voice command.
Sentry Mode:
- When the vehicle is parked in a parking lot, Sentry Mode is automatically activated to record video of the surroundings. If someone is detected approaching the vehicle, Sentry Mode will send a notification and save the related video.
Software Updates & Compatibility:
- Tesla regularly improves the CarLog functionality through software updates. For example, the 2024 update adds the ability to view and save Dashcam and Sentry Mode videos via the mobile app.
- Users will need to ensure that their vehicle's software version is 2024.45.32.1 or later to utilize these new features.
Legal & Privacy:
- When using the CarLog, users are required to comply with local laws and regulations and ensure compliance with video recording requirements .
Frequently Asked Questions and Solutions:
- If you encounter “Dashcam unavailable check USB drive” error, it is recommended to reformat the USB flash drive and make sure it meets the requirements.
How to access vehicle settings in Tesla Model 3
Via the center touch screen:
- On the center screen, click on the “Controls” option and select “Driver Settings”.
- In the Driver Settings screen, you can adjust the position of the seat, steering wheel and mirrors, and select the “Ease of entry and exit” function to optimize comfort when getting in and out of the car.
Via the Tesla mobile app:
- Download and install the Tesla app and make sure your phone is tethered to your vehicle.
- Once the app is open, go to the “Controls” tab to remotely control a variety of vehicle functions, such as ventilation, locking, unlocking, honking or flashing lights.
Via the vehicle's physical buttons:
- The doors can be unlocked or locked by pressing the door handle when you are near the vehicle using your keycard or cell phone.
- Inside the vehicle, you can adjust the air conditioning temperature, volume, navigation, and other functions via the touchscreen or physical buttons.
Synchronize settings through your Tesla account:
- Using the Tesla Profile feature under Tesla Account, you can synchronize driver settings across multiple Tesla vehicles, including seat adjustments, temperature preferences, navigation history, and more.
Other function settings:
- Automatic assisted driving features such as active cruise control and automatic lane change can be adjusted via the center screen .
- Setting of safety functions such as speed limit warning, blind spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking.
Steps to enable dashcam in Tesla Model 3 software
1:Prepare the USB flash drive:
Ensure that the USB flash drive meets the following requirements:
- File system formatted as FAT32 or exFAT.
- At least 64GB of storage space.
- Sustained write speed of at least 4MB/s.
- Supports USB 2.0 or higher.
2:Format the USB flash drive:
- If you are using a computer to format, you can format the flash drive to FAT32 or exFAT format by using the “Disk Management” tool on Windows or the “Disk Utility” tool on Mac.
- During the formatting process, create a folder named “TeslaCam”.
3:Insert the USB flash drive:
- Insert the formatted and folder-created USB flash drive into the front USB port of your Tesla Model 3.
4:Enable the CarLog function:
- After the vehicle is started, a “Dashcam” icon will appear on the touch screen, click the icon to enable the car recorder function.
- The car recorder will start recording video automatically, and users can control the recording, pause and save the video through the touch screen.
5:Use Sentry Mode (anti-theft mode):
- Sentry Mode will record a 10-minute video clip when it detects movement in the vicinity and save it to a USB flash drive.
- Sentry Mode needs to be activated manually, usually after parking.
6:Manage video files:
- The videos recorded by the CarLog and Sentry Mode are saved in the “TeslaCam” folder on the USB flash drive, which is divided into three subfolders: “Recent Clips”, “Saved Clips” and ‘Sentry Clips’.
- Users can access the video files on the USB flash drive from their computer and transfer them periodically to free up space.
Software Updates:
- Ensure that the software on your Tesla vehicle is kept up to date to avoid software issues that make the CarLog function unavailable.
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Call to Action
Enabling the Dashcam on your Tesla Model 3 is a simple yet effective way to enhance your driving safety. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your vehicle is always recording important footage, whether you’re on the road or parked. The Dashcam provides peace of mind and valuable evidence in case of any incidents. Enjoy the added security and convenience that comes with this advanced feature.
