Vandalism Against Tesla: How to Activate the Sentinels Camera?

If your Tesla is vandalized, the Sentinelle mode can assist you in your procedures to be covered by your insurance.

Tesla vehicles are increasing worldwide, notably in Paris where this photo was taken in the 8th arrondissement by Mobiwisy, showing a Model Y with all four tires flat. What’s behind this? The controversial statements by Elon Musk, the primary shareholder and leader of the American electric car manufacturer. In response to these incidents, Tesla owners have a valuable tool to protect their vehicle: the Sentinelle mode. This surveillance system records any suspicious activity around the car and can deter offenders. Here’s how to activate it and make the most of it.

What is Sentinelle Mode?

The Sentinelle mode is a security feature integrated into Tesla vehicles. It uses the vehicle’s cameras and sensors to monitor its surroundings while parked. In case of suspicious activity, Sentinelle mode can trigger various responses:

A visual alert on the central screen
Activation of warnings and headlights
Automatic recording of images
Alarm activation in case of a break-in attempt

How to activate Sentinelle Mode?

Activating the Sentinelle mode is simple and can be done in several ways:

From the vehicle’s central screen:

Access the Controls menu.
Select Safety.
Enable Sentinelle Mode.
You can choose to exclude certain locations (home, work) to prevent unnecessary activation. Currently, we do not recommend this.

Via the Tesla mobile app:

Open the Tesla app on your smartphone.
Go to the Security section.
Activate Sentinelle Mode remotely.

Where are the recorded videos stored?

The videos captured by Sentinelle mode are stored in two ways:

On a USB drive or external SSD: You need to connect a storage device formatted in exFAT, FAT 32, or NTFS to one of the vehicle’s USB ports.
On Tesla Cloud (for Premium Connectivity subscribers): Some models allow online storage accessible via the mobile app.

How to view the recorded videos?

From the central screen:
- Tap the camera icon on the central screen.
- Select Dashcam Viewer to see the recorded clips.
Using a computer:
- Remove the USB drive or SSD from your vehicle.
- Connect it to a computer and access the video files sorted by date and time.

Why use Sentinelle Mode?

Dissuades acts of vandalism: The presence of cameras and alerts on the central screen can deter malicious individuals.
Identifies perpetrators: In case of damage or theft attempt, recorded images can serve as evidence for authorities or insurance companies.
Remote monitoring: Thanks to the Tesla app, you can monitor your vehicle in real-time and be alerted in case of incidents.

Conclusion

In a context where Tesla vehicles are becoming targets for vandals, Sentinelle mode is an effective tool to monitor your vehicle and gather evidence in case of an incident. Its activation is straightforward and allows Tesla owners to benefit from enhanced security. Be sure to verify that storage functions correctly to avoid losing crucial recordings.

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