The Tesla Model 3 has been turning heads on Australian roads since its right-hand drive launch in 2019, but even experienced owners are missing out on some remarkable features buried within their vehicle’s sophisticated software. While most Aussie Tesla drivers have mastered the basics like Autopilot and Supercharging, there are two particularly impressive capabilities that remain largely undiscovered by the Australian Tesla community.
These aren’t just gimmicky add-ons – they’re genuinely useful features that showcase Tesla’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive technology. From artificial intelligence that reads your driving intentions to a security system that would make James Bond jealous, your Model 3 is capable of far more than you might realise.
Auto Shift Out of Park (Beta) – Your Car’s Mind-Reading Capability
Perhaps the most futuristic feature hiding in your Tesla Model 3 is something called “Auto Shift out of Park (Beta).” This isn’t just another convenience feature – it’s essentially artificial intelligence that attempts to read your mind and predict where you want to go before you even tell it.
How Auto Shift Actually Works
When enabled, Auto Shift allows the car to use its cameras and sensors to decide whether drive or reverse should be selected when the driver steps on the brake before setting off. The system analyses your surroundings using the Model 3’s eight external cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and onboard computer to determine whether you’re likely heading forward or backward.
The process is surprisingly sophisticated. When you get into your Model 3 and press the brake pedal, the system quickly assesses your environment. Are you parked facing a wall? It’ll likely suggest reverse. Parked in an open area facing the road? Drive mode it is. The chosen gear position is shown on the screen so the driver can double check to make sure the car is headed in the right direction.
Why Most Australian Owners Haven’t Discovered It
The reason most Australian Tesla owners haven’t stumbled upon this feature is simple – it’s buried in the settings menu and disabled by default. Tesla has positioned it as a “Beta” feature, which means many drivers assume it’s experimental or unreliable. However, the reality is quite different.
To activate Auto Shift, you need to navigate to your touchscreen’s Controls menu, then Safety & Security, and finally find the Auto Shift setting. The fact that it’s nested several menus deep means casual users often never encounter it during their regular driving experience.
The Australian Advantage
For Australian drivers, this feature can be particularly useful given our unique driving conditions. Whether you’re backing out of a tight parking spot at a busy shopping centre in Melbourne or manoeuvring in the compact parking spaces common in Sydney’s inner suburbs, Auto Shift takes the guesswork out of gear selection.
If the Model 3 chooses wrong, the driver can override using the swipe shifter on the left side of the screen. This means you’re always in control, but the system handles the routine decisions that most drivers make dozens of times per day.
Sentry Mode’s Live Camera System – Your Personal Security Command Centre
While many Tesla owners know about Sentry Mode’s recording capabilities, far fewer realise they can access a live video feed from their parked car. This transforms your Model 3 into something resembling a sophisticated security system that you can monitor from anywhere in the world.
Beyond Basic Sentry Mode
With Live Camera, remotely view your vehicle’s surroundings when it’s parked to confirm the safety of the environment before you return to your vehicle. You can also honk your horn, flash your lights and talk through the vehicle’s speaker if you have one equipped.
This isn’t just about watching your car – it’s about interactive security. Imagine you’re shopping at Chadstone or Westfield, and you want to check on your vehicle. Through the Tesla mobile app, you can access live feeds from up to six external cameras, giving you a complete 360-degree view of your car’s surroundings.
Real-World Applications for Australian Drivers
The live camera system proves particularly valuable in Australian urban environments where parking can be challenging and vehicle security is a genuine concern. Whether you’re parked on a busy street in Surry Hills or left your car overnight in a Darwin car park, you can check in anytime through your smartphone.
According to the Model 3 owner’s manual, when you’re using the live camera feed, the vehicle at various points will flash its lights and display text on the infotainment screen to let people in the area know that the area is being surveyed via cameras. This transparency helps deter potential issues while keeping you on the right side of privacy laws.
Voice Communication Through Your Car
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this system is the two-way communication capability. If Model 3 is equipped with a pedestrian warning speaker, you can press and hold the microphone button on the mobile app to transmit your voice through this speaker.
This means if you notice someone getting too close to your vehicle, you can literally speak through your car to address the situation. It’s like having a personal security guard that never takes a break.
Setting Up These Hidden Features
Activating Auto Shift
Getting Auto Shift running on your Australian Model 3 is straightforward once you know where to look. From your main touchscreen, tap Controls, then Safety & Security, and look for “Auto Shift out of Park (Beta).” Toggle it on, and your car will begin learning your driving patterns and environment preferences.
Remember that this feature works best when your Model 3 has a clear view of its surroundings, so ensure your cameras are clean – particularly important given Australia’s dusty conditions and frequent rain in many regions.
Enabling Live Camera Access
On Model 3 and Model Y, tap ‘Controls’ > ‘Safety & Security’ > ‘View Live Camera via Mobile App’ on your vehicle’s touchscreen. To access Live Camera from the Tesla app, tap ‘Security’ > ‘Sentry Mode’ > ‘View live camera.’
You’ll need Tesla’s Premium Connectivity package for this feature to work, which costs around $10 per month in Australia. However, given the peace of mind it provides, most owners find this a worthwhile investment.
Technical Considerations for Australian Conditions
Power Management
Since Sentry Mode increases power consumption, Tesla turns it off automatically to leave you with enough energy to reach your destination. In Australia’s extreme temperatures – whether it’s the scorching heat of an Adelaide summer or the surprising cold of a Canberra winter – this automatic power management becomes even more important.
The actual amount of power consumed varies based on your vehicle’s specific hardware, but tests have shown that the vehicle will consume about 250 to 300 watts while Sentry Mode is on. This is equivalent to losing about 1 mile of range for every hour Sentry Mode is enabled.
Data Usage Considerations
For Australian owners, particularly those in regional areas with limited mobile data, it’s worth noting that the live camera feature does consume data. The exact amount varies depending on usage, but Tesla has optimised the system to provide reasonable quality without excessive data consumption.
Why These Features Matter for Australian Tesla Owners
Australia’s unique driving environment makes these features particularly valuable. Our vast distances between cities mean every bit of range conservation matters, making Auto Shift’s efficiency gains worthwhile. Meanwhile, the mix of urban density and remote parking situations across Australian cities makes Sentry Mode’s advanced features genuinely useful rather than merely impressive.
Tesla has confirmed its semi-autonomous Full Self-Driving tech is now tackling the streets of Melbourne, suggesting that even more advanced AI features are coming to Australian Tesla vehicles. The Auto Shift capability represents just the beginning of how artificial intelligence will reshape our relationship with our vehicles.
The Future of Hidden Tesla Features
Tesla’s approach to feature development means your Model 3 will continue gaining new capabilities through over-the-air updates. Recent software updates have introduced everything from new entertainment options to improved climate control algorithms, and Tesla Software Update 2025.2 once again proves that behind the official release notes, there are often many exciting hidden features.
For Australian owners, this means your investment in a Tesla Model 3 continues paying dividends long after purchase. Features that seem revolutionary today may become standard tomorrow, while entirely new capabilities continue appearing through regular software updates.
The two features we’ve explored – Auto Shift and Live Camera – represent Tesla’s broader philosophy of embedding advanced technology throughout their vehicles, then gradually revealing these capabilities to owners who take the time to explore beyond the obvious. As Tesla continues expanding their Australian presence and adapting their technology for right-hand drive markets, we can expect even more innovations tailored specifically for local conditions and preferences.
Your Tesla Model 3 isn’t just a car – it’s a computer on wheels that’s constantly evolving. These hidden features are just the beginning of what’s possible when automotive engineering meets cutting-edge software development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Auto Shift work in all parking situations?
Auto Shift works best in clear, well-defined parking scenarios but may require manual override in complex situations like angled parking or tight spaces with multiple obstacles. The system is designed to be conservative, so when in doubt, it will default to requiring manual gear selection.
Is the Live Camera feature legal to use in Australia?
Yes, Tesla’s Live Camera feature complies with Australian privacy laws as it only monitors your own vehicle and immediate surroundings. However, you should be mindful of using the voice communication feature respectfully and avoid any behaviour that could be considered harassment or inappropriate surveillance.
Will using these features void my Tesla warranty?
No, these are official Tesla features included in your vehicle’s software. Using them as intended will not affect your warranty coverage. However, any modifications to enable features not officially available in Australia could potentially impact warranty claims, so stick to officially supported functionalities.