With Tesla’s latest 2021 holiday software update, there’s a new version of Santa Mode available that is no longer a hidden ‘Easter egg’.
Previously, turning on Santa Mode required using the voice command and saying one of the ‘secret’ commands such as “ho ho ho”. This still works, but now Santa Mode is available within Toybox in Tesla’s V11 software update.
Tesla says with Santa Mode, you can “spread holiday cheer year round”. There are two settings, with the first is “Jingle all the way”, which turns your car animation into Santa and his sleigh with reindeer.
For 2021, instead of a Model 3 sleigh, we now have variations of the sleigh for the Model S, Model X and Model Y.
Here’s our picture of the Model Y sleigh in Santa Mode:
When Santa Mode is activated, two reindeer will pull your Tesla sleigh and cars will now show up as reindeer. New for 2021 is the addition of “elves” when your vehicle cameras detect pedestrians. Check out our picture below:
The second setting, “Spread Cheer” will start playing a Christmas song from your Pedestrian Warning Speaker as you drive. The song won’t play on repeat, however, as it will just play once. You can toggle the setting on again to have it repeat.
Also new with Tesla’s 2021 Santa Mode? When you press the signal stalk for left or right, you’ll hear jingle bells inside the car. Pretty festive, indeed!
Overall, Tesla’s Santa Mode is a hit with kids and also a great party trick to show off the neat little features of your car to friends and family, just in time for the holidays. Merry Christmas!
