Unlocking the Peaceful Drive: A Closer Look at Tesla’s Joe Mode

Inside the serene interior of a Tesla, the usual array of chimes and alerts can sometimes disrupt the tranquility. This is especially noticeable when passengers are trying to relax or when you simply desire a quieter driving experience.

Enter Joe Mode, a convenient feature designed to lower the volume of non-essential vehicle alerts. Let’s delve into what Joe Mode accomplishes, how to activate it, the story behind its name, and potential upcoming enhancements.

Understanding Joe Mode

Joe Mode is a straightforward toggle that reduces the volume of most in-car chimes by around 50%. It’s important to emphasize that this feature specifically targets non-critical alerts.

Any chimes related to urgent safety matters, such as Forward Collision Warnings, will still sound at their regular volume to ensure they grab your attention. This includes the chime for the FSD takeover screen (the red hands alert) but excludes the blue “Pay Attention to the Road” chime.

Enabling Joe Mode

Activating Joe Mode is a breeze. Simply navigate to Controls > Safety > Joe Mode and toggle the switch.

Note: Joe Mode is saved per profile, allowing you to enable it on your profile while another driver can opt to keep it off.

What’s Quieter with Joe Mode?

When Joe Mode is on, you’ll notice a noticeable decrease in the volume of various common alerts, including:

• Autopilot Engagement and Disengagement Chimes

• Turn Signal Sounds

• Parking Sensor Chimes (USS and non-USS vehicles)

• Initial Seatbelt Reminders

• General notifications and informational chimes

Essential safety warnings like Lane Departure Avoidance and Automatic Emergency Braking remain unchanged.

The Origins of Joe Mode

Joe Mode owes its name to a Tesla owner named Joe, who contacted Elon Musk on Twitter in 2019. Joe requested that Tesla reduce the volume of vehicle chimes that were disturbing his baby during car rides.

Elon acknowledged the request, recognized its value, and Tesla eventually introduced the feature in the V10 software update, naming it Joe Mode.

When to Utilize Joe Mode

Joe Mode has numerous practical applications, with the author personally using it to soften the sound of regular chimes. Many find it invaluable for ensuring sleeping passengers remain undisturbed, making it ideal for parents with young children napping in the back seat. Night driving is another scenario where softer chimes can be less intrusive and startling.

You can also pair it with Camp Mode to muffle chimes while you rest off-grid.

Future Enhancements for Joe Mode

While Joe Mode is already beneficial for many users, there have been requests to enhance its functionality. In response to user feedback, Elon Musk suggested adding a volume slider to Joe Mode in 2020, enabling users to customize the volume of vehicle alerts.

In 2022, Elon acknowledged the possibility of making Joe Mode even quieter, as some users found the 50% volume reduction inadequate.

Joe Mode exemplifies Tesla’s commitment to listening to user feedback and implementing practical features. It’s exciting to consider potential future enhancements to this feature.