Tesla is known for its innovative features and design, but one of the lesser-known aspects of its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles is the steering wheel lights.
Tesla steering wheel lights are small LED indicators that are located next to the scroll wheels on the steering wheel, and they can be turned on or off from the settings menu on the center screen.
| Tesla Vehicles | Steering Wheel Lights |
| Tesla Model S | Don’t have |
| Tesla Model 3 | Have |
| Tesla Model X | Don’t have |
| Tesla Model Y | Have |
What Do the Steering Wheel Lights Do?
The steering wheel lights are meant to provide visual feedback for the driver when using the scroll wheels to adjust various settings, such as the volume, cruise control, temperature, or voice commands.
For example, when you scroll up or down to change the volume, the steering wheel lights will light up in a circular pattern to show you how much you are increasing or decreasing the volume.
Similarly, when you press and hold the right scroll wheel to activate voice commands, the steering wheel lights will flash in a pulsing pattern to indicate that the car is listening.
The steering wheel lights can also change color depending on the context. For instance, when you are using Autopilot or Full Self-Driving, the steering wheel lights will turn blue to match the color of the lane lines on the center screen.
When using Navigate on Autopilot, the steering wheel lights will turn green when a lane change is suggested or initiated.
How to Turn on or off the Steering Wheel Lights?
The steering wheel lights are enabled by default, so you can turn them on and off manually if you want to use them or not. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Tap on the car icon on the bottom left corner of the center screen to open the Controls menu.
2. Tap on Lights to access the lighting settings.
3. Scroll down and toggle on/off Steering Wheel Lights.
Why Use the Steering Wheel Lights?
The steering wheel lights are not essential for driving, but they can be useful for some drivers who prefer to have more visual cues and feedback when using the scroll wheels.
The steering wheel lights can also add some flair and personality to your Tesla, especially at night when they are more visible.
Some drivers may find the steering wheel lights distracting or unnecessary and may prefer to keep them off. Ultimately, it is a matter of personal preference and comfort.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Tesla Steering Wheel Lights
Tesla steering wheel lights are a feature that allows you to illuminate the indicators next to the scroll wheels on the steering wheel.
These indicators show you what functions you can control with the scroll wheels, such as volume, temperature, cruise control, voice commands, etc.
Some advantages of having steering wheel lights are:
- They can help you see the indicators better in low-light conditions, especially at night or in a dark garage.
- They can add some aesthetic appeal to your Tesla interior, as they match the color of the ambient lighting.
- They can make it easier to adjust the scroll wheels without looking away from the road, as you can see what function you are changing.
Some disadvantages of having steering wheel lights are:
- They can be distracting or annoying for some drivers, especially if they are too bright or blink too often.
- They can consume some battery power, although this is likely negligible compared to other features.
- They can malfunction or break over time, requiring service or replacement via contacting Tesla support.
Read Also: Does Tesla Have Ambient Lighting?
Tesla Steering Wheel Lights vs Others
Most other cars do not have steering wheel lights, or they have very limited ones. For example, some cars may have buttons on the steering wheel that light up when pressed, but they do not change color or brightness depending on the function or mode.
Some cars may have small screens on the instrument cluster that show some information or feedback, but they could be more intuitive and interactive than Tesla’s steering wheel lights.
Tesla’s steering wheel lights are unique because they are dynamic and adaptive, meaning that they change according to what you are doing or what you need to know. They also provide a minimalist and elegant look without cluttering the steering wheel with too many buttons or switches.
Verdict
Tesla’s steering wheel lights are a unique feature that can enhance your driving experience by providing visual feedback for the scroll wheels.
You can turn them on or off from the settings menu on the center screen and enjoy their different colors and patterns depending on what you are doing with your Tesla.
