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.
Tesla Warns Users
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 maintains two primary software branches: the main feature branch and the FSD branch. In general, the FSD branch lags behind on new features pushed to the main branch but provides a more recent FSD version.
However, now Tesla is updating the main branch to a much more recent version of FSD.
Current FSD Build & Shadow Mode
Nowadays, the main branch always includes an older but stable build of FSD. It’s been on FSD V12.3.6 since July 2024. So, if you subscribe to FSD in North America, this is the FSD version you’ll receive until you get added to the FSD track.
Even if you don’t subscribe to or have purchased FSD, your vehicle has v12.3.6 on it. That includes vehicles in regions where FSD isn’t available for general use, such as Europe and China. In those cases, FSD runs in Shadow Mode, providing training data to Tesla if you’ve agreed to their data privacy policies. So Tesla is always analyzing what the vehicle would do compared to what the driver does. When there are contradictions, these are the clips and data Tesla will want to analyze.
FSD V12.5.4.2 on Main Branch
For the first time in five months, Tesla has now updated the baseline version of FSD in the main branch. The new version included with 2024.44 updates is FSD v12.5.4.2. This Tesla is updating the baseline FSD version to FSD V12.5.4.2
FSD 12.5 includes many features for a much smoother experience compared to FSD 12.3.6. Many users will appreciate that it gets rid of the steering wheel nag and instead relies on the cabin camera to provide real-time driver monitoring. This version also includes support for sunglasses with driver monitoring. It’ll be a big upgrade for anyone coming from FSD 12.3.6.
It's always a good thing when Tesla updates the baseline FSD version—that means that Tesla is confident that this new baseline is considerably safer and will continue to train the fleet against it.
What Update Am I Getting?
If you’re already on FSD V12.5.4.2, you’ll likely remain on that FSD build unless V13.3 manages to make its way to the public as Tesla originally planned, but that’s unlikely to happen before the Thanksgiving holiday. In all likelihood, you’ll be getting update 2024.44, which will give you some additional Tesla features while keeping you on the same FSD version.
For those who are already on 2024.44 - if you subscribe now, you’ll have V12.5.4.2 enabled on your vehicle.
If you have a Cybertruck, then you’ll receive update 2024.39.5 with FSD V12.5.5.3. They’re on a unique build for the moment, and this will likely be the case until Tesla acquires enough training data from the Cybertruck fleet.
The Cybertruck is having an eventful November. Just last week, we shared the news that Tesla isn’t offering their in-house wrap service for the Cybertruck anymore; the Foundation Series is now available in inventory in select US locations, Crossbars have arrived, and faster charging is around the corner. Now there’s even more to discuss about the stainless steel beast.
Projection Puddle Lights
Like the recently launched puddle lights for the Model 3 and Model Y, Tesla has introduced a set of add-on Projector Puddle Lights for the Cybertruck. These Cybertruck-specific ones go for $75 USD, or $105 CAD and are available in both the Canadian and US Tesla stores.
However, these don’t have the Tesla wordmark - instead, they feature the iconic Cybertruck symbol and, in our opinion, look even nicer. Here’s to hoping Tesla also introduces a set with the graffiti-style Cybertruck wordmark.
Powershare in Canada
While the Foundation Series Cybertruck has been getting delivered in Canada since November 7th, there was no news on Powershare being supported due to regulatory constraints. On the 20th, Foundation Series owners in Canada began to receive emails to get their Powershare installs started through Tesla’s official installer - Qmerit.
More to follow on pricing and the process as we receive our Canadian quote from Qmerit soon.
FSD in Canada
The Cybertruck Program Manager, Siddhant Awasthi, confirmed that with Powershare now becoming available, FSD for the Cybertruck in Canada will also become available soon. Canadian trucks shipped with a factory software build that didn’t include FSD, but did include TACC and stoplight/traffic control.
Early this morning Tesla began rolling out a new version of FSD 12.5.5.3 for the Cybertruck, which is update 2024.39.5. Will this be the version that rolls out in Canada?
Update: Yesterday, Tesla started rolling out FSD on the Cybertruck in Canada for the first time. The update being rolled out is update 2024.39.5, which not only features the latest FSD available on the Cybertruck, version 12.5.5.3, but it also includes all the features update 2024.38, which includes the huge Sentry Mode improvements that reduce power consumption by about 40%.
Following Integrated Flight Test 6 for SpaceX’s Starship, Elon Musk confirmed that uncrewed Starships are likely to begin making their way to Mars in about 2 years. You’re probably going to ask what’s going to be in those Starships - that’s what Brett Winston on X asked as well. Elon confirmed that Cybertrucks and Optimus robots will be among some of the first items landing on Mars.
That’s a ton of awesome news for Cybertruck, and there’s absolutely going to be more around the corner, especially as we await the big Tesla Holiday Update. While you wait, why not take a look at our Holiday Update Wishlists?
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