So, you want to transform your Tesla into a mobile sound machine? The Tesla Boombox feature is an incredibly fun and unique way to do just that, allowing your car to play various sounds externally through its Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) speaker. Whether you want to announce your arrival with a quirky sound effect, project your voice like a megaphone, or even replace your horn with something truly unexpected, the Boombox has you covered.
Let's dive in and get your Tesla booming!
Step 1: Confirm Your Tesla's Boombox Capability (and Get Excited!)
Before we start, let's make sure your Tesla is equipped for this sonic adventure!
Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) is Key: The Boombox feature relies on your Tesla having the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) speaker. This speaker is mandated in many regions for electric vehicles to emit sounds at low speeds to alert pedestrians.
Vehicles manufactured after approximately September 1, 2019, generally have this speaker installed.
How to check if you have PWS: The easiest way to confirm is to put your Tesla in reverse, roll down your windows, and listen for a "spaceship noise." If you hear it, you're good to go!
Now that you've confirmed your Tesla is ready, let's get to the fun part!
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| How To Do Boombox On Tesla |
Step 2: Accessing the Boombox Feature on Your Touchscreen
Once you're in your Tesla, accessing the Boombox is straightforward.
Sub-heading: Navigating to the Toybox
Ensure Your Vehicle is in Park: For most Boombox functionalities, your Tesla needs to be in Park (P).
Tap the Controls Icon: On your Tesla's large touchscreen, look for the Controls icon (usually a car icon). Tap on it.
Find the Toybox (or Entertainment) Section: Within the Controls menu, navigate to the "Toybox" section. In some software versions, this might be under "Entertainment" options.
Select Boombox: Once you're in the Toybox, you'll find the Boombox option. Tap on it to open the feature.
Step 3: Exploring Built-in Sounds and Adjusting Volume
Tip: Remember, the small details add value.
Tesla comes pre-loaded with a variety of fun sounds to get you started.
Choose a Preset Sound: Inside the Boombox menu, you'll see a list of available preset sounds. Tap on any sound to hear it.
Adjust the Volume: Before you unleash your chosen sound, you'll find a volume slider within the Boombox menu. Adjust it to a level that's audible and enjoyable without being overwhelming. Remember to be considerate of your surroundings!
Activate the Boombox: Once you've selected your sound and adjusted the volume, press the Play button (or activate the desired function, like the horn or summoning) to start the sound.
Step 4: Customizing Your Boombox with Your Own Sounds (The Most Fun Part!)
This is where the Tesla Boombox truly shines – the ability to add your own custom sounds!
Sub-heading: Preparing Your USB Drive
Obtain a USB Drive: You'll need a USB drive. A small one (even less than 1GB) is sufficient as the audio files are typically small.
Format the USB Drive: This is a crucial step. The USB drive needs to be formatted in a way your Tesla can read.
Recommended Format: exFAT is generally the most compatible. Other supported formats include MS-DOS FAT (for Mac), ext3, or ext4. NTFS is currently not supported.
On a PC: Go to "This PC" (or "My Computer"), right-click on your USB drive, select "Format," choose "exFAT" from the "File system" dropdown, and click "Start."
On a Mac: Open "Disk Utility," select your USB drive, click "Erase," choose "ExFAT" as the format, and click "Erase."
Create a "Boombox" Folder: On the newly formatted USB drive, create a folder exactly named Boombox (with a capital 'B'). Important: The USB drive should only contain this one folder for Boombox functionality; it cannot be shared with Dashcam directly without partitioning.
Sub-heading: Adding Your Custom Audio Files
Supported Audio Formats: Your custom sounds must be in .wav or .mp3 format.
File Naming Conventions:
Use simple file names with no spaces. You can use uppercase or lowercase letters (a-z/A-Z), numbers (0-9), periods (.), dashes (-), and underscores (_). For example,
my_custom_horn.mp3orufo_landing.wav.If you're using a file for the lock chime, it must be named
LockChime.wavand placed in the top-level folder of the USB drive (not in the Boombox folder).
Copy Files to the "Boombox" Folder: Drag and drop your
.wavor.mp3audio files into theBoomboxfolder on your USB drive.Note: While you can add many files, your Tesla will typically only display and allow you to select from the first five files listed alphabetically.
Safely Eject the USB Drive: Always safely eject your USB drive from your computer before removing it.
Sub-heading: Plugging into Your Tesla and Selecting Custom Sounds
Insert the USB Drive: Plug the USB drive into a front USB port in your Tesla. For some newer vehicles (manufactured after approximately November 1, 2021), you might need to use the USB port located inside the glove box, as center console USB ports might only be for charging.
Access Boombox Again: Go back to the Controls > Toybox > Boombox menu on your Tesla's touchscreen.
Select from USB: In the Boombox dropdown menu, you should now see your custom sounds listed, often prefixed with "USB" (e.g.,
USB my_custom_horn). Select the sound you want to use.Enjoy! Now you can play your personalized sounds through your Tesla's external speaker!
Important Considerations and Legalities ⚖️
Tip: A slow skim is better than a rushed read.
While the Boombox is a blast, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
Vehicle in Park: Many Boombox features, especially those playing custom sounds for extended periods, require your Tesla to be in Park.
Horn and Summon Integration: You can set custom sounds to play when you honk the horn (while in Park) or when using the Summon feature.
Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) Interference: The Boombox feature has been subject to recalls in some regions (like the U.S.) because it could potentially obscure or interrupt the federally mandated pedestrian warning sounds. Tesla has issued software updates to address this, often by disabling Boombox when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral, or Reverse, or when using Summon at low speeds. Your Tesla will generally default back to the standard PWS sound in these situations.
Local Laws and Regulations: Always check local laws and regulations regarding external vehicle sounds and noise ordinances. What's fun in your driveway might be illegal on a public street. Be a responsible Tesla owner!
Software Updates: Tesla frequently releases over-the-air (OTA) software updates. These updates can sometimes change how features like Boombox operate or introduce new functionalities. Keep your software up to date to ensure the best experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check if my Tesla has the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS)?
Put your Tesla in reverse, roll down your windows, and listen for a "spaceship noise." If you hear it, you have the PWS.
How to format a USB drive for Tesla Boombox?
Format the USB drive to exFAT, MS-DOS FAT (for Mac), ext3, or ext4. NTFS is not supported.
How to create the correct folder structure for custom Boombox sounds?
Create a folder named Boombox (capital 'B') on the root directory of your USB drive. All your custom audio files go inside this folder.
Tip: Share this article if you find it helpful.
How to ensure my custom audio files are recognized by the Boombox?
Make sure your files are in .wav or .mp3 format and have simple names with no spaces. Your Tesla will recognize the first five files alphabetically.
How to change my Tesla's lock chime sound?
Rename your desired .wav file to LockChime.wav and place it in the root directory (not in the Boombox folder) of your USB drive. Then, access the Boombox settings in your car and select the lock sound option.
How to troubleshoot if my custom sounds aren't appearing?
Double-check your USB drive's format, the "Boombox" folder name, and the audio file formats and naming conventions. Ensure the USB is plugged into a front USB port, or the glovebox port for newer models.
How to use the Megaphone feature in Tesla Boombox?
Within the Boombox menu, there's an option for Megaphone. Select it, and your voice will be projected through the external speaker.
Reminder: Focus on key sentences in each paragraph.
How to know if my Tesla's software is up to date for Boombox features?
Go to Controls > Software on your touchscreen to check your current software version and for available updates.
How to adjust the volume of the Boombox sounds?
There is a volume slider within the Boombox menu on your touchscreen. You can adjust it while a sound is playing.
How to ensure I'm using the Boombox legally?
Always consult and adhere to your local laws and regulations regarding external vehicle sounds and noise emissions.
Check out this video for a quick setup guide:
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