The S3XY Enhance package from Enhance Automotive is a set of accessories that expand what a Tesla can do with extra features and more everyday comfort. Let's take a look at each of the components.
1. Commander – The brain of the operation
The main element of the kit is a device called the Commander, which plugs into the car's CAN bus and acts as the go-between for the car and the other accessories. Installing the Commander is simple, though it can be a bit nerve-racking the first time. Here are the installation steps:
- Remove the seal from the right-hand door.
- With the glovebox open, detach the side panel by removing the clips – this is the part that requires the most precision.
- Disconnect the side panel and plug the Commander into the CAN bus, then connect it to power.
- Put everything back together in reverse order. At the end it's worth pairing the device with the dedicated app to make sure everything works properly.
A green LED shows the Commander is working. It offers various features available in the app, for example:
- Holding the rear left door handle unlocks the charge port.
- The Commander lets you keep the previous wiper setting when engaging Autopilot (instead of always switching to auto mode).
- Autopilot automatically disengages when changing lanes or above 140 km/h, and re-engages after 3 seconds or once the speed drops below 140 km/h, respectively.
2. S3XY Knob – An intuitive control dial
The second element is the S3XY Knob, a dial with an improved design that now has extra ridges for easier handling. The knob works as a potentiometer, but it also doubles as a button. You can configure up to 5 screens, each with 4 buttons plus the turn and press functions of the knob. Example configurations (the ones we use):
- Parked screen: buttons for opening the trunks and the glovebox, turning on battery preheating, and the door menu.
- Driving screen: access to steering wheel heating, seat settings and climate control for the driver and passenger.
- Extra screen: less frequently used functions, like recirculation, window defrost, camp mode or volume control.
The knob turns out to be handy in driving mode, especially thanks to the phone display showing which functions are currently active.
3. S3XY Buttons – Multi-function buttons
Another practical add-on is the S3XY Buttons, which let you assign functions to three different actions: a single click, a double click and a long press. Our kit has 6 buttons that can be configured for lots of actions, for example:
- Locks Toggle button – 1 click locks/unlocks the car, 2 clicks control the wipers, and a long press turns on battery heating.
- Music button – 1 click skips to the next track, 2 clicks go back, and a long press opens the passenger glovebox.
- Charging button – 1 click opens/closes the charge port, 2 clicks open the front trunk, and a long press the rear one.
- Right Indicator button – activates the right turn signal with a single click, which comes in handy on roundabouts.
- Hazards button – 1 click flashes the hazard lights twice (a thank-you), 2 clicks turn on the rear fog light, and a long press starts battery preconditioning.
4. The app – Personalisation and stats
The dedicated app lets you configure all of the devices above and also offers extra options for monitoring stats. In landscape mode the app turns into a dashboard, replacing traditional gauges and showing, among other things, current energy consumption, which I particularly liked – and when you use the S3XY Knob, it mirrors the knob's screen.
5. Coming soon: S3XY Stalks
In the future Enhance Automotive plans to add S3XY Stalks – levers for operating the turn signals and other functions that Tesla no longer offers.
The S3XY Enhance package significantly boosts comfort and functionality, adding new and interesting possibilities to the Tesla. It's an ideal solution for anyone looking for flexible controls and extra options that make everyday use more convenient. I give it a like!