Tesla’s New Voice Commands Video Is a Handy Shortcut for Owners

Tesla is reminding owners that they do not have to dig through the touchscreen for every adjustment. Its latest Tesla Tutorials video, published November 11, focuses on voice commands and a simple idea: tap the voice icon and tell the vehicle what you want.

The 36-second clip joins a growing collection of quick owner guides, including the recent walkthrough of cabin preconditioning and climate controls. It is a refresher on an existing feature, rather than an announcement of a new software release.

According to Tesla’s voice-command guide, owners of a Model 3 or Model Y can tap the microphone icon on the touchscreen or press the right scroll button on the steering wheel, then speak after the tone. Model S and Model X use the voice button on the upper-right side of the steering wheel.

The system understands natural language, so owners do not need to memorize a single rigid phrase for every task. Supported requests include changing the cabin temperature, adjusting the fan, finding a destination, calling a contact, choosing music and opening certain vehicle settings.

For example, Tesla lists “I’m cold” as a way to raise the temperature. Owners can also ask for nearby Superchargers or open the glovebox. These are examples from Tesla’s support guide, not a list of newly added capabilities.

There are limits: voice commands do not replace driving controls, and Tesla says they cannot be used to shift drive modes. Voice recognition also requires at least Standard Connectivity. Owners should check the controls and manual for their particular vehicle.

Where Grok and Grok Bot fit in

Tesla’s traditional voice commands are separate from Grok, and the owner’s manual says those existing commands remain unchanged. Grok adds conversation and, in its Assistant personality, vehicle commands. Other personalities are for conversation rather than controlling the car.

According to Tesla’s current support page, eligible Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y and Cybertruck vehicles need an AMD infotainment processor, software 2025.26 or later, and Premium Connectivity or Wi-Fi. “Newer Tesla” alone is not enough: check Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Information for the processor. Intel-equipped vehicles do not meet that listed requirement.

The current owner’s manual lists navigation, phone calls, music search and playback, climate temperature, seat heating and cooling, steering-wheel heating and the glovebox among Grok’s supported functions. It can also find settings in the Controls panel and answer questions using the manual. Availability depends on vehicle configuration and region, so this is not a promise that every function works in every country or vehicle.

Connectors and Grok Bot require software 2026.26 or later and a signed-in Grok account. Bot additionally needs SuperGrok and a linked Grok Bot setup. Connectors link services such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Outlook and Google Drive; set them up on a phone or computer. Bot handles multistep errands, such as coffee orders, reservations or appointments, rather than being a separate driving-control system.

Basic Grok does not require a subscription to get started. Open it from the App Launcher, or enable “Hey Grok” in Controls > Audio > Grok Settings. Usage limits apply.

That task-focused side builds on recent Grok Bot phone-call capabilities and its version 1.0 push into shared workplace assistants. Those broader Bot announcements should not be confused with a guarantee that every standalone feature is available through a Tesla.

More quick lessons from Tesla Tutorials

The channel’s recent uploads cover much more than talking to the car. Its November 6 video, Adaptive Headlights, explains how equipped vehicles adjust their light beam and dim individual high-beam pixels to reduce glare for approaching traffic.

Other recent guides include In-Car Energy App, Location-Based Settings and Charging. The channel has also covered charge settings, customizing the scroll wheel and climate controls. Together, the short clips give new owners a way to learn one feature at a time, while helping longtime drivers revisit shortcuts they may have overlooked.

Watch the new Voice Commands clip below:

Which Tesla voice command do you use most, and which one do you wish the car understood better?