Track Mode turns a Tesla into a stunt car that could keep pace with the Fast and Furious franchise, even Toyko Drift. Except while Dom and the other gearheads would be under the hood adjusting or using a laptop and some nitrous for an extra jump, Track Mode enables users to make stability, braking and cooling changes with a few simple swipes of the screen.
Track Mode is available on Model 3 and Model Y Performance variants, as well as the Model S Plaid. However, Elon Musk has committed to Track Mode in the Model X Plaid. He's also said that it could be available for all Models, even those non-Performance models.
Track Mode first appeared in 2018 on the Model 3 Performance. But Track Mode V2, an updated version, was sent to Model 3 Performance vehicles via an over-the-air update in 2020 with several enhancements. Several YouTubers wasted no time taking their Model 3 with V2 to the track and showing the results. It's fair to say Track Mode surprised many people with its wide range of adjustments, ease of use and tire-eating capabilities. It left as many rubber marks as it did smiles in most videos.
Track Mode is completely software-based; however, there is hardware available for purchase on the Tesla website to ramp up the Model 3 Performance even further. The package includes 20-inch lightweight rims with XL Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Tires, upgraded tire pressure sensors, and high-performance brake pads. Excellent addition but certainly not necessary.
Track Mode in Action
Track Mode Software
Now to the software update that beamed into Model 3 Performance vehicles in 2020. Users select Driving and then tap on Track Mode and enable it. The screen displays an overhead view of the car with green and blue colors on the components that will be used the most while driving the car hard and therefore need monitoring. These parts include the battery pack, the front and rear motor, the brakes, and the tires. A setting tab is also displayed that opens a menu, where the real fun begins. Telsa allows users to make drastic changes or minor tweaks, on the fly, right from the comfort of the vegan driver's seat.
Handling Balance
The first option is Handling Balance, which allows users to adjust the motor bias from the front to the back or vice versa. But that's not all. Like how you can change your car stereo speakers to blast from the rear, the front, or a blend somewhere in between, Track Mode has this set up for power to the motors. The software gives users 10 percent increments to move power to the front or rear motor. This adjustment addresses understeer or oversteer and will play a big part in creating burnouts or drifting around a corner.
Stability Assist
Speaking of drifting, Model 3s have won several safety awards, and many of those accolades may be due to its excellent stability control. The traction control reacts within ten milliseconds to a loss of traction, sending power to the other wheels to avoid slipping and sliding. Stability Assist in Track Mode can be adjusted from -10 to 10. There are several videos of drivers spinning out when turning the Stability Control to -10, not realizing how much the Tesla does to help the driver control the car.
Regenerative Braking
Track Mode also allows users to adjust how much regenerative braking occurs while on the course. Drivers can pick zero, which then goes up in 5 percent increments to 100 percent. Unfortunately, this isn't as useful as it sounds since the regenerative braking system helps prevent the braking system from overheating, a real threat during track time. Tesla recommends keeping regenerative braking at 100 percent, and there doesn't appear to be a way to turn it off completely.
Cooling Features
That's it for sliders, but there are also on/off buttons for Post Drive Cooling, Compressor Overclock and Save Dashcam for Laps. Post Drive Cooling and Compressor Overclock are utilized to decrease components' heat after a track session. While these seem like easy decisions to have turned on, Tesla warns that using the Overclock Compressor will reduce the part's lifespan.
Lap Times and Dashcam
Track Mode can record lap times with you with video footage
DragTimes/YouTube
As for Save Dashcams for Laps, that opens another element of Track Mode. After closing the settings and returning to the usual navigation screen, users can tap and hold on to the icon representing the car, which will set the finish line. After pushing start, the vehicle will use the location to start and stop lap times. When passing the finish line for the first time, the system puts the course in blue on the screen so drivers can follow their exact path. The screen shows the lap number and lap times. This information, video and telemetry data can then be downloaded and viewed on a computer. There is a lot of data, including vehicle thermals, tire use, acceleration and deceleration rates, and the G-meter. Yes, Track Mode also displays the G-forces on the car.
For all the above reasons, Tesla warns that Track Mode is designed for closed circuit courses. The company states: "It is the driver's responsibility to drive safely and ensure others are not endangered. Track Mode is designed for use by experienced track drivers familiar with the course. Do not use on public roads. It is the driver's responsibility to be in control of the vehicle at all times, including on the track. Because vehicle behavior (including traction and stability control) differs when using Track Mode, always use caution."
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Tesla’s plan to brand its autonomous network of taxicabs has found an interesting little snag. The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a “nonfinal office action” regarding Tesla’s application to trademark the term “Robotaxi” specifically in connection with autonomous electric vehicles.
This is an initial refusal by USPTO’s examining attorney and is very particular for autonomous electric automobiles. A separate trademark application by Tesla for the term “Robotaxi” as it relates to its upcoming autonomous ride-hailing service is still under examination and has not yet received a similar rebuttal.
Understanding the Refusal
A “nonfinal office action” means the USPTO has found potential issues with the trademark application, as stated, which prevents its immediate approval and subsequent granting to Tesla. Tesla now has a three-month period to file its counterarguments and address the USPTO's concerns.
If Tesla’s response satisfies the examiner, the trademark could be granted.
While the exact content of the office action isn’t detailed in the initial report, such refusals for terms like “Robotaxi” often occur if the USPTO considers the term “merely descriptive” or “generic” for the goods in question. In this particular context, “Robotaxi” could refer to any autonomous taxi vehicle.
Trademark law generally prevents the exclusive registration of terms that competitors would need to use to describe their own similar products. For a term to be trademarked, it typically needs to be distinctive and act as a brand identifier rather than just a descriptive name of the product’s class or type.
Separate Application for Ride-Hailing
Tesla still has a distinct, separate, and still pending application to register “Robotaxi” as a trademark for “transportation services, namely, autonomous ride-hailing services.” The criteria for trademarking a service can differ from those on trademarks for goods, and it’s possible Tesla may have more success securing the name for the service itself, which would allow them to brand the network as “Tesla Robotaxi.”
Why This Matters
Securing a trademark grants exclusive rights to use a brand name in conjunction with specific goods or services. This helps prevent customer confusion and to protect the brand identity.
If the refusal for the vehicle trademark becomes final, Tesla may be limited in its ability to exclusively name a good (specific vehicle) the “Tesla Robotaxi.” Other manufacturers could also potentially use “robotaxi” descriptively for their own autonomous taxi vehicles.
The ability to trademark “Robotaxi” for the ride-hailing service is arguably more critical for Tesla, as they’re working to establish a unique brand for their autonomous transportation network, which kicks off in Austin next month.
The USPTO’s office action won’t hinder Tesla’s ability to develop or deploy its own vehicles in June - instead, it’ll just impact how Tesla can brand the app and their vehicles, which could cause some last-minute delays if they have to rebrand.
While Tesla is facing challenges with the broader Robotaxi term for vehicles, the company is also seeking to trademark “Cybercab,” “Robovan,” and “Robobus.” Securing a less descriptive name for the vehicle itself often has a higher chance of success with USPTO, as it is far more distinctive than a more general term like “robotaxi.”
Why Didn’t Tesla Do This Years Ago?
Tesla may have waited too long to file a trademark for the term “Robotaxi.” While the company has been discussing a self-driving fleet since 2016, the concept of autonomous taxis has gained a lot more traction in recent years — and competitors like Uber have also begun using the term.
We suspect there was some strategic timing behind these filings. Earlier versions of FSD — particularly those prior to V12 — may have lacked the progress needed to support Tesla’s robotaxi ambitions. Filing for a trademark that isn’t actively in use or about to be used can make it harder to defend or retain.
Moreover, while the idea of autonomous vehicles has been around for years, a clearer public understanding of Tesla’s specific plans has only emerged over the past 18 months. Filing too early can trigger speculation long before the company is ready to reveal details.
Ultimately, whether Tesla secures the rights to “Robotaxi” remains uncertain — but trademarks like “Cybercab” and “Robovan” seem much more likely to stick.
One of Tesla’s greatest weaknesses, as it has quickly become one of the world’s most ubiquitous cars on the planet has always been service. Escalating issues to managers and sometimes even reaching a Tesla Service employee can be a total coin flip, depending on your Service Center.
Tesla is continuing its push to integrate AI across its customer support channels in an effort to improve customer service. According to Raj Jegannathan, Tesla’s VP for IT, AI Infrastructure, Apps, Infosecurity, and Vehicle Service Operations (that’s a lot), Tesla is launching a pilot program for a new AI designed to improve customer interactions with Service.
Tesla Service’s new AI Agent detects comms delays, monitors sentiment, & auto-escalates to leaders. Starts tomorrow at 10 pilot locations. In 2 weeks, type “Escalate” in ‘message center’ to reach managers. Guardrails in place to prevent abuse. We’ll keep improving!
At 10 pilot service locations, this new AI agent will begin working behind the scenes at Tesla Service, to help with customer communications. It will provide three key features:
Detect Communications Delays: The AI will actively monitor service interactions to identify potential delays in communication or progress. These are often a key pain point for customers who reach out to Tesla Service and don’t receive a response for several days, as Service has nothing new to add. The AI can now step in and let the customer know Tesla is still waiting on parts or something else.
Monitor Customer Sentiment: By monitoring the tone and content of the messages between the customer and Service agents, Tesla will be able to identify situations where a customer might be dissatisfied or facing difficulties.
Auto-Escalate: If either a communications delay or negative sentiment is detected, the AI can automatically escalate issues to human managers for review. This helps to address problems before customers need to seek escalation themselves or become upset about an issue.
Customer Escalation Requests
Alongside the new AI tool, Tesla is also introducing a more direct way for customers to get higher-level attention. According to Tesla, within the next two weeks, customers can simply type “Escalate” in order to have their issue routed directly to management.
Raj’s team is currently working on implementing guardrails to prevent abuse, but this will soon make its way to improving Tesla’s service offerings. We’re glad to see Tesla taking steps to identify and correct deficiencies in the process - it has always been a sore tooth for Tesla in the last few years.
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