How to get the best audio quality from your Tesla

Driving an electric vehicle can save you money on gas, but even in a Tesla, your audio output still matters. You may have chosen one of the company’s electric vehicles for its fast charging and long range, but several Tesla models include audio setups that are worth taking advantage of; for example, some high-end Model 3s can deliver up to 560W of power. Many Tesla audio systems can deliver great sound, and here’s how to get the most out of them.

When it comes to audio in a Tesla, users should familiarize themselves with their vehicle’s media settings, which can offer equalization (EQ) and immersive sound (adjusts the soundstage for surround sound). Changing these settings can improve your sound profiles, just like certain settings can improve audio quality on a Samsung phone. We’ll show you where to find these settings and share some quick solutions if you’re having audio issues.

These solutions mainly involve refreshing the display, but software updates can also help. A device can also help with audio, as can a particular streaming service. There are many pros and cons to buying a used Tesla, although the audio system probably falls more into the former than the latter. If you’re expecting a little more jerking and jerking from your Tesla’s audio system, the tips below may be a good place to start.

One of the first ways to adjust the sound in your Tesla is to start with the media settings. In a Model Y, for example, users can either go to Controls > Audio or tap the settings icon above their volume controls to access it. In this menu, Tesla users can change several features, the main one being Tone. This is essentially your equalizer. Users can drag the sliders to adjust multiple frequencies, including Bass, Bass/Mid, Mid, etc.

Try increasing the bass by +2 and the treble by +1 or +2 for more body and detail. With Cybertrucks, it might be a good idea to go easier on the bass. If you have the premium audio plan, you may also have an Immersive Sound option. An adjustable slider lets you set it however you want, but there’s also an Auto option that adjusts based on the media being played. Try to experiment, as different genres may require different levels.

For example, one Reddit user recommends increasing the 5.5 and 7.5 frequency bands by several levels, increasing the 6.0 band by a few levels, and then slightly tweaking the 4.0 and 6.0 bands. Changing frequency ranges can be subjective, so experiment to see what works best for your ears. You can also get more mileage out of your media settings by changing the balance controls, which can help focus the sound in one place.

What’s interesting about Teslas is that they support lossless audio like FLAC and WAV from a USB drive, but those with a subscription to the streaming service Tidal can also access high-quality audio via an individual plan. If you’re unfamiliar, lossless is essentially CD-quality audio, and we explain it in more detail by wondering if some users can even tell the difference between high-resolution audio and lossless audio. Remember that other streaming services also allow you to change the audio quality.

For USB, it’s as simple as using a FAT32 formatted drive and keeping your music in a folder in the root directory (the top level folder on your drive). You can also use the USB drive that came with your vehicle, and a USB hub can be an accessory that makes your Tesla feel like new. If you’re really concerned about audio, the USB route may provide better sound than streaming options because you no longer have to worry about Bluetooth potentially compressing audio.

If your Tesla is having audio issues, a scroll wheel reset can provide a quick fix if you have too much noise or clipping. Make sure the vehicle is in Park, then press and hold both steering wheel scroll buttons. Let go when the screen goes black or restarts. It’s also good to know if your touchscreen is having any issues. Software updates can also be helpful, although your vehicle should download them automatically. Consult your manual for more information.