Tesla is as much of a tech company as it is a car company. As such, some of the most advanced infotainment features in the industry come standard in Teslas. Better yet, updates and upgrades are available over the air. One of which is Tesla Premium Connectivity.
Telsa Premium Connectivity unlocks some great features that allow users to get the most out of their car and driving experience. At $10 USD/month though, is Premium Connectivity worth it?
In this post, we will go through what is and isn’t included with the service, break down Tesla Premium Connectivity cost, and ultimately answer whether or not it is for you.
What is Tesla Premium Connectivity?
Before diving into whether Tesla Premium Connectivity is worth it, let’s talk about what it offers.
Similar to booking service or adding on features like Tesla Homelink, Tesla Premium connectivity can be ordered through the Tesla App.
Tesla Premium Connectivity essentially improves three driving experiences and services through the cellular network in your car.
These improvements can be broken down as follows:
1) Navigation Improvements
Tesla Premium Connectivity allows for real-time traffic visualization. This can help you find better routes and shed time off your travel. That said, without this feature, Tesla navigation still factors in traffic so Premium only adds the ability to see traffic on your screen.
Less important and more of a nice to have is, with Premium Connectivity, you have the ability to use satellite maps. I know some prefer to use this but I find it distracting. Where I find it useful is turning it on to line up landmarks and visuals to find destinations more easily.
2) Entertainment Improvements
The biggest addition Tesla’s Premium Connectivity adds is the ability to stream music and video over the car’s cellular connectivity. While driving, this means using your Spotify account and playing Caraoke.
While parked this means easy access to built-in apps like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube.
I will say that the browser and YouTube capabilities, at least on pre-AMD Ryzen models, are not a great user experience. I haven’t used them much but noticed lag and delays at times.
3) Security Improvements
Lastly, Tesla Premium Connectivity helps keep your car a little safer. With the introduction of Live View, subscribers can access the live cameras on their cars through the Tesla app on their mobile devices.
This is an obvious advantage and, paired with remote honking, can be used to scare off would-be intruders.
Tesla Premium Connectivity Cost
What will you pay for these navigation, entertainment, and security improvements? The price varies by location and in some places, you can save on an annual subscription.
In the USA, for example, the Tesla Premium Connectivity cost is $10 a month or $100 a year. In Canada, it’s $13.99 a month with no option for an annual subscription.
Note, like everything Tesla, Tesla Premium Connectivity cost may fluctuate. For the latest rates, please consult Tesla’s official site or app.
How to Purchase Tesla Premium Connectivity
Purchasing Tesla Premium Connectivity is a straightforward process designed to enhance your Tesla ownership experience. To get started, navigate to your Tesla account on the official Tesla website or through the Tesla App on your mobile device. From there, select the ‘Upgrade’ option and choose ‘Subscription.’ You’ll find the Premium Connectivity option listed, which typically comes with a monthly or yearly subscription fee depending on where you live. Simply follow the on-screen prompts to complete the purchase.
Premium Connectivity offers various advantages, including faster over-the-air software updates, streaming music services, live traffic visualization, and more. This upgrade is ideal for those who want to enjoy the full range of Tesla’s advanced features and stay connected on the go.
How to Get Tesla Premium Connectivity for Free
Tesla Premium Connectivity Free Trial
Tesla often runs promotions and incentives that give new owners free Tesla Premium Connectivity. This has ranged from year-long to 30-day free trials. There was even a lifetime offering at one point however that may have been a glitch.
Tesla Referal Reward
Another way to skirt the Tesla Premium Connectivity cost is by cashing in Tesla referral credits if you have them. Similar to the free trials, Tesla offers promotional credits for purchasing Tesla products through a referral link or sharing that referral link with a friend. These credits can then be redeemed for a variety of Tesla products and software upgrades, one of those being a year-long subscription to Tesla Premium Connectivity.
At the time of posting this, Tesla’s current referral offers $250 off a Tesla vehicle and 3-months of full self-driving. This promotion typically changes around Tesla’s end of quarters, so be sure to check back for better offers using this referral link.
How many Tesla referral credits does Tesla Premium Connectivity cost?
At the time of posting this, Tesla Premium Connectivity costs 2,500 credits when redeemed through the Tesla referral store. You can find this by clicking on the cube icon in the Tesla App then ‘Upgrade’ and finally, ‘Subscription.’
Tesla Premium Connectivity Workaround – Mobile Hot Spot
If paying for Tesla Premium connectivity isn’t worth it for you there is a limited workaround. After a software update in 2021, Tesla gave the ability to keep mobile hotspot connections active while driving.
So, if your data plan can handle it, you can access the entertainment advantages on the go. While stopped you can access the video streaming services. You will miss out on the security improvement of Live View and won’t be able to get real-time traffic updates.
How to Connect Your Tesla to a Mobile Hot Spot
Connecting your Tesla to a mobile hotspot is a convenient way to ensure you have an internet connection on the road. As mentioned though, it is not always seamless.
To get started, go to the ‘LTE’ or ‘Wireless’ section in your Tesla’s settings. Select ‘Add Network’ and choose your mobile hotspot from the list of available networks. If your hotspot is password-protected, enter the correct password to establish a secure connection. Note: this can only be done while the vehicle is in park.
Once connected, make sure you select the option to allow connection to remain while in drive otherwise, you will disconnect once moving.
Once connected, your Tesla will utilize the mobile hotspot for internet access, enabling features like real-time traffic data, streaming services, and over-the-air updates. It’s a practical solution for staying connected and making the most of your Tesla’s tech features while on the move.
So, is Tesla Premium Connectivity Worth it?
In short, for me, absolutely. For you, this really depends on your needs.
For myself, once my one-year free subscription ran out, I tried using my cell phone hotspot for connectivity and the results were mixed. The car would often drop the connection and after a recent update, has issues even detecting my phone as a hotspot. This is annoying so the ability to always be connected is a plus.
Still, the traffic and entertainment features weren’t enough for me to sign back up however with the introduction of Live View, I decided to upgrade. It’s also a great benefit for my Turo renters as they can get the most out of the car. It has also helped with some damage caused by a neighbor…
What say you? Is Premium Connectivity worth it for you? Let me know in the comments below!
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Tesla Premium Connectivity FAQs
What is the difference between standard and premium connectivity on a Tesla?
The main difference between Standard and Premium Connectivity is the level of access to online services and features. Standard Connectivity is free for the life of the vehicle and provides basic online services, while Premium Connectivity comes at a cost
This fee provides additional features, such as live traffic visualization, satellite maps, and in-car streaming services, making it more convenient and providing a better overall user experience.
Do you really need Tesla premium connectivity?
No, you don’t need Tesla premium connectivity. You can pair your phone to obtain some of the same features however the user experience is not as seamless.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to purchase premium connectivity for your Tesla comes down to your individual needs and preferences.
Do I need Tesla premium connectivity for Spotify?
Yes, you need Tesla premium connectivity to use Spotify in your Tesla. Spotify is one of the streaming services that is included in the premium connectivity package for Tesla vehicles.
Without premium connectivity, you can still listen to music in your Tesla using Bluetooth or USB connection with your mobile device, but you won’t have access to built-in streaming services like Spotify.
So, if you want to stream music directly from your Tesla’s infotainment system and use services like Spotify, you’ll need to subscribe to premium connectivity.
Can you watch Netflix while driving Tesla?
No, you cannot watch Netflix while driving a Tesla. Tesla vehicles have a built-in feature called “Driver Attention Monitoring,” which uses cameras and sensors to detect whether the driver is paying attention to the road.
If the system detects that the driver is not paying attention, it will issue visual and audio warnings, and eventually, the Autopilot system will disengage.
Can I hotspot my Tesla?
Yes, you can use your Tesla as a hotspot by enabling the car’s built-in Wi-Fi feature and connecting your other devices to it.
To use your Tesla as a hotspot, you’ll need to have the premium connectivity package, which includes the Wi-Fi hotspot feature.
Once you have the package, you can activate the hotspot by going to the “Settings” menu on your Tesla’s infotainment system and selecting “Wi-Fi” and then “Hotspot.”
Does Tesla have WiFi?
Yes, Tesla vehicles are equipped with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. Tesla cars come with a connectivity package that enables internet connectivity while on the go.
This connectivity allows passengers to access various online features and services within the vehicle, such as streaming music, navigation, over-the-air software updates, and internet browsing. Additionally, Tesla vehicles can connect to Wi-Fi networks when parked, providing further access to online content and services.
If you are wondering if Tesla has a WiFi hotspot you can connect a personal device, the answer is no.
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