Gary Zhou 
Tesla has added several new features to its vehicles with the 2023.2.0.5 Software Update, including Sentry Mode improvements and Steering Wheel Heat upgrades.
The 2023.2.0.5 Software Update from Tesla is currently rolling out to owners, and the automaker improved on the Sentry Mode security feature with headlight flashing that will confirm that video is recording. This “pulsing” will start when recording begins and will stop after 60 seconds or when the vehicle is unlocked, whichever occurs first.
Sentry Mode has been one of Tesla’s most effective features in solving not only vandalism and burglary within owners’ vehicles but also helping assist with liability in accidents and other incidents nearby.
The company has continued to refine the feature for the past several years, with the most recent updates coming in late November.
Improvements to Steering Wheel Heating are also included in the update. Owners can now set the steering wheel heater to regulate its temperature automatically. The temperature will be based on the set climate control temperature within the cabin.
Tesla started shipping Model 3 units with heated steering wheels in February 2021. The changes took effect after Tesla refreshed the Model 3 in late 2020.
Several features will apply to owners outside the U.S., like Speed Assist, which will utilize Tesla’s exterior cameras to detect speed limit signs in “select countries.”
Tesla’s Release Notes for these features are available below (via NotATeslaApp):
SENTRY MODE LIGHTING
“When a threat is detected, Sentry Mode will softly pulse the headlights to indicate that your vehicle is recording video. The pulsing stops after 60 seconds or when the vehicle is unlocked.”
AUTO STEERING WHEEL HEAT
“Set your steering wheel heater to regulate its temperature automatically based on the climate control set temperature. To access steering wheel heating controls, tap the temperature settings to bring up the climate control panel.”
