A Tesla owner pressed one button on a Supercharger handle and thought she’d found a secret, but longtime drivers had known for years
She unlocked a Tesla feature and a thousand unsolicited tutorials.
A Tesla owner thought she had discovered a hidden feature at a Supercharger station. Unfortunately for her, other drivers had known about it for years.
Kaybee, who posts on TikTok as @prettydiamondbee, filmed herself preparing to charge her Tesla at a Supercharger station in Raleigh, North Carolina. In the clip, she demonstrated that pressing the button on the charging connector can open the vehicle’s charge port door, even before the connector is plugged in.
The discovery prompted a familiar internet experience: learning that a supposed secret is apparently common knowledge. The clip drew reactions from Tesla enthusiasts who were less impressed by the trick than by the fact that she had only just learned about it. One commenter asked, “Oh, you new to this squad?”
The feature isn’t a newly introduced Tesla upgrade. The charging connector’s button has long served functions beyond simply releasing a cable, and Tesla owners have discussed using it to open the charge port for years.
Tesla’s charging handle has a trick some owners already know
The button on a Tesla charging connector is designed to help drivers interact with the charge port. Depending on the charging setup, pressing it can open the port door or release the connector’s latch. The precise behavior depends on the vehicle and charging equipment.
Tesla’s own Supercharging support guide explains that drivers can open the charge port through the vehicle’s touchscreen, the Tesla app, or by pressing the bottom of the port door while the vehicle is unlocked. The connector button offers another convenient way to get the charging process started.
That convenience can also surprise drivers who haven’t encountered the feature before. Rather than having to walk back to the touchscreen or open the app, a driver can use the button on the charging handle to prompt the port to open.
Reddit users say the button serves a practical purpose
Kaybee’s TikTok isn’t the first time the feature has come up online. A 2023 Reddit discussion described the same functionality, and commenters there had their own reasons for using it.
Reddit users also pointed out that the feature can help prevent confusion at busy charging stations. One commenter explained, “Most importantly, it lets everyone know that the spot is occupied.” They added that this helps drivers avoid finding a charging spot only to discover it is blocked by a vehicle that isn’t charging.
Other Tesla features have had their own viral moments, including Tesla’s built-in cameras and dog mode. Features that seem obvious to experienced owners can be easy for newer drivers to miss, especially when a vehicle offers several ways to perform the same task.
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