4 Tips for Modding Your Tesla Model Y

Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!

---

At the recent Tesla Owners Club Easter Egg hunt, we all got to ogle Brent’s modded out Tesla Model Y. He has certainly made the vehicle a great advertisement both for Tesla, and for his business. The car has been wrapped in the Iced Blue Titanium Matte option, the color that Brent uses for his business. Being an astute man, he ordered a blue Model Y so that when wrapped, even the unwrapped portions (like the inside of the doors, the sills, the frunk, and the boot) still blend in. Smart cookie. (That’s tip #1.)

The Queensland branch of the Tesla Owners Club of Australia is endeavoring to run a social event each month so that Tesla owners and their families can get together for fun and to share their experiences. The Easter egg hunt was definitely one for the kiddly winkles, with its games and chocolate eggs. But Brent’s Tesla Model Y was the main attraction for the adults’ inner child, especially ones who were considering their own mods.

Everywhere Brent takes it, onlookers go “Wow!” The car provokes a massive reaction. “The guy who wrapped it says if I give him $100 every time someone says ‘wow,’ he will be able to retire.” Brent can’t speak too highly of wrapcity.

Brent enjoyed doing the modifications. He was inspired by YouTube videos of owners personalising their cars. This is his first time doing mods. Apart from the professionally applied wrap, Brent has done some work himself. He has installed gauges above the steering wheel. He says this is a must have. “Much easier to see than the speed gauge on screen.” The other gauge is for energy flow, as indicated by the green and grey line. He finds it much easier to see in a gauge form. “I don’t have to take my eyes off the road.” (Tip #2.)

Brent fitted it himself in a “non destructive installation.” He didn’t have to drill any holes in his precious Model Y. It duplicates the screen and can even do sat nav and access Apple CarPlay. The gauges cost about $500 and took Brent 30 minutes to install. A prying tool was supplied, but you will need some knowledge and a few of your own tools as well. Brent was unable to supply me with the details for purchase of the gauges, but assures me they are available on Amazon.

The product appears to be from Verkokappa. Verkokappa says its heads-up display provides “comprehensive functions and simple operation.” It is specially customized for Tesla Model 3/Y cars in the years 2019–2023. The screen is clearly visible in the sun, promoting safer driving.

Brent originally bought a swivel mount for his screen, but it came as a left-hand drive version from Amazon. He ended up having to buy another from Australia in right-hand drive. The screen can now be moved to face the driver. Brent no longer has issues with glare reflecting off those numerous fingerprints. To be sure, though, he has also applied an anti-glare screen protector also available from Amazon. This is touted as scratch-resistant and shock-resistant, with an oleophobic coating to resist oil, and fingerprints. They say it is easy to install, with automatic adsorption features, and leaves no residue if you have to remove it. (Tip #3: get a swivel screen and/or anti-glare screen protector.)

The installation of mats in the back means that when the kids get in the car after soccer practice, the carpets doesn’t get covered in wet grass. In the boot, mats that sit over the back of the back seats and across the floor protect the seats and 20 cm (about a foot) of the carpet. These mats cover the gap between the boot and the back seats, so the grass and dirt from the soccer balls and other sporting equipment is easily cleaned off. (Tip #4.)

Amazon tells us that they are durable, easy to clean, and odorless. Being waterproof prevents damage to the car frunk and trunk. They protect from water, snow, ice, dirt, and grease. Protection from snow and ice is particularly valuable for Queensland. /s. It sounds like they would be great protection if you were planning to have your dog travel in the back of the car for those long EV road trips.

Brent’s Model Y sports a hand-stitched steering wheel cover. It is partly dark grey and partly white, so it blends better into the black and white interior of the car. The white interior comes with white seats and white dash trim. When I asked about the white seats showing the dirt, Brent said that his wife was initially concerned, but as it is Brent who cleans the car and he has found that the seats clean easily with a damp cloth, there have been no problems.

Part of the installation of the steering wheel cover requires some DIY stitching with thread and needle. Whoever writes the copy for Amazon describes this as “enjoy the fun of DIY stitching, it worth the time and effort when installed correctly.” I don’t think I would have enjoyed it, but Brent tells me it wasn’t too difficult.

A few weeks later, Brent brought his modded Model Y to a ride sponsored by “Tesla Owners and Fans Brisbane.” We met at the 200-year-old Brookfield General Store for morning tea and then drove out for lunch and a photo shoot. Once again, Brent’s Model Y was the star attraction, really standing out amongst the 7 other Teslas on show. Over lunch at the Ansted Bushland Reserve, he answered questions and then gave a tour of the vehicle. 

Then it was on to the Kholo Botanical Gardens for a short walk and afternoon tea. Brent’s modded Model Y attracted a lot of interest from the general public in the carpark. He kindly stopped and answered a few questions from passers by.

I have spoken recently to people who tell me they wouldn’t buy a Tesla anymore, because they are too common. “They all look the same! Especially those white Model 3s — we call them tic tacs.” I remember those comments about another best selling world car — the VW Beetle. Here is the answer: with some thought, a little ingenuity, and research, you can individualize your Tesla and make it your own.