Tesla gives security tips to owners as break-in concerns grow

Tesla vehicles have been the target of break-ins recently and the automaker is now giving some security tips to owners in order to avoid them ahead of an upcoming new feature.

As we previously reported, Tesla vehicles have been subject to a series of break-ins over the past few months as it is becoming clear that some thieves are targeting the vehicles in parking lots.

Now Tesla has been reaching out to owners to give them security tips via email.

We received reports from Tesla owners in Los Angeles and the Bay Area, where the majority of break-ins are being reported, about getting those emails over the last week.

Tesla wrote in the email:

As a Model 3 owner, you can make your car even safer by activating additional security features. To enable these features, go to Controls > Safety & Security on your car’s touchscreen.

• Pin to Drive: requires four-digit verification to start your car
• Manual Entry: disables Passive Entry via the Tesla app and requires a key card for entry
• Security Alarm: activates when locked trunk or door is opened without a valid entry key

Those are features that would mostly prevent someone from stealing the vehicle, but the break-ins have mostly been about stealing items inside the vehicles or most often leaving empty-handed but having broken a window.

In the email, Tesla also talks about the upcoming ‘Sentry Mode’, a feature that CEO Elon Musk has been hyping over the last few months.

The automaker wrote:

“Soon, Sentry Mode will be enabled on your Model 3 via over the air software update, and will monitor your car’s environment while it’s parked. When a potential threat is detected, the cameras on your car will begin recording, and the alarm system will activate.”

That’s the feature that owners hope will help deter break-ins, but Tesla gave more advice until then:

“In the meantime, for owners looking to prevent theft, we also recommend removing valuables from your car and leaving the rear seats folded down with the trunk empty when parked.”

Musk said that Tesla could release ‘Sentry Mode’ as soon as this week.

The automaker started pushing a new software update yesterday, but it didn’t include the feature.

Tesla also released a new Enhanced Anti-Theft system for Model S and Model X in order to help with the situation.