Tesla Improves Auto High Beam Lights in Update 2022.40

Many users are seeing drastic improvements to Tesla's auto high beams

EV Raffael/YouTube

For many of us, the days are getting shorter. Unfortunately, with the winter solstice one month away, we will have to deal with even more hours of darkness. This time of year gives headlights a workout, including auto high beams. While Tesla does many amazing things, the auto high beams have been problematic for owners, but that appears to be changing.

A video posted on YouTube by Twitter user @raffaeru shows a night drive with the lights changing from high to low beam. The description of the video reads: Finally, usable auto high beams on Teslas. A welcome undocumented change in software version 2022.40.4.

Twitter Confirms High Beam Changes

Although Tesla did not officially mention improvements to its auto high beams feature in the 2022.40 release notes, many users have reported drastic improvements to the feature. We recently asked people on Twitter if they'd noticed a difference in auto high beams. Some have not, but others raved about the change. Here are some responses:

Video of Improved Auto High Beams

@Arpe_DK: Yup, so much better! Was driving 200 miles in the dark the other day, only once did the Tesla annoy an oncoming driver. Usually it annoys all of them. I rate the [auto] high beams 7/10 from 1/10. Further improvement are needed for sensitivity, and no high beam during streetlamps.

@wertzu112: Noticed very big difference on 2022.40.4.1. Seems Tesla has cranked up the sensitivity, now they also turn off without apparent reason all the time when light reflects off of signs, poles etc. But no more dazzling of oncoming traffic, so that's a plus. Was unusable before…

@bjornstenberg: Oh it has improved massively. It now dips as soon as it detects a vehicle in the field of view. Front, back, side, it detects everything. I didn't want to use it before since I couldn't trust it to not blind oncoming traffic. That worry is completely gone.

@andefred: Yes! Significant improvement! To the point that I most of the time could not react faster manually which I always did before.

V11 Includes High Beam Improvements

Also, well-known Tesla enthusiast @WholeMarsBlog posted a text conversation when tweeting the Full Self-Driving Version 11 release notes. It's unknown who is in the discussion, but they talk about V11 and then say "auto highbeams are waaay better with this version. I can actually trust it now!"

It's not clear whether FSD Beta v11 contains only the improved auto high beams from update 2022.40 or if Tesla has made additional improvements in v11.

Full Self-Driving has started going out to everyone in North America and FSD Beta v11 is speculated to be released later this year.

By the way, we rely on information from Tesla owners and would like to thank everyone for their input on our Twitter question. If you've noticed improvements to auto high beams, let us know in our forum below.

Tesla Activates In-Cabin Radar in Software Update 2025.2.6

Not a Tesla App

Tesla has released software update 2025.2.6, and while minor updates typically focus on bug fixes, this one introduces a major new feature. With this update, Tesla has activated the in-cabin radar, a sensor that has been included in some vehicles for more than three years but remained unused until now.

Why Not Vision?

Unlike vision-based systems, radar can precisely measure object dimensions and even detect movement behind obstacles by bouncing radio waves off surrounding surfaces. This allows for more accurate and reliable measurements of objects that vision may not even be able to see, such as behind the front seats.

What Tesla Announced

Tesla recently highlighted the 4D radar in the new Model Y, explaining how it will improve passenger safety. Tesla executives stated that the radar would be used to properly classify passengers and improve the way airbags deploy.

Tesla went on to say that in a future update, Tesla will use the in-cabin radar to detect any potential passengers left in the vehicles. Since radar can even pick up on heartbeat and breathing patterns, it can provide a much more accurate method of detecting children left in a vehicle. Tesla talked about how the vehicle will send owners a notification via the Tesla app and enable the HVAC system if it detects a passenger in the vehicle. It’ll even call emergency services if needed.

New Feature in Update 2025.2.6

Tesla has officially named this feature in update 2025.2.6, “First-Row Cabin Sensing Update,” which appears to align with the first portion of what Tesla discussed in the new Model Y video.

In the release notes, Tesla describes the update as:

“The first-row cabin sensing system has been updated to use cabin radar, which is now standard in all new 2025 Model Ys. Your Model Y was built pre-equipped with the necessary hardware, allowing Tesla to also bring this technology to your vehicle.”

For now, it appears that Tesla is using the radar to detect and classify passengers in the front seats. This could eventually replace traditional seat sensors, reducing the number of hardware components and lowering production costs.

Tesla plans to expand the feature later this year, bringing rear-seat passenger detection in Q3 2025. While Tesla talked about the feature for the new Model Y, we expect it to be available for all vehicles with the in-cabin radar.

Supported Models

Although Tesla is vague in their release notes, this feature is being added to all Model Ys that include a cabin radar. Tesla started including the cabin radar in 2022, but its availability may vary by region and model. The Model 3 didn’t receive the cabin radar until it was redesigned in 2024, while all Cybertrucks already include it.

The owner’s manual for the redesigned Model S and Model X doesn’t specifically mention the interior radar, although Greentheonly believes the vehicles also include one, so we’ll have to wait to determine whether those vehicles also receive this new feature.

At this time, the feature appears to be only going out to Model Y vehicles, but we expect it to become available on other supported models soon.

We love to see these kinds of updates. Tesla is increasing the safety of existing and new vehicles through a software update while also making them more affordable to own.

Follow

Follow

Follow

Tesla Updates App: Adds Robotaxi Code, New Model Y Models and New Tesla Service UI

@olympusdev_ on X

Tesla has updated the Tesla app to version 4.42.0, and this time, it’s more than just bug fixes. The app includes a new service interface, introduces support for the new Model Y, and, for the first time, includes some code for the Robotaxi coming later this year.

This update was released for iOS and should be available on Android within a few days.

Refreshed Model Y 3D Model

First up in the update is the introduction of the 3D model for the refreshed Model Y. Interestingly, while we all know it as Juniper, the file code name inside the update lists the vehicle as “Bayberry.” The Bayberry name was introduced in Tesla app update 4.41.5.  Tesla’s internal code names sometimes change as the vehicle evolves - and we’ll continue to refer to it as the refreshed or new Model Y for ease of understanding.

A rear-angle shot of the Refreshed Model Y from the Tesla App

@olympusdev_ on X

As usual with Tesla’s 3D models in the app, there’s a lot of detail, although it’s not easy to see since you can pinch and zoom the model in the app. The 3D models used in the app are actually the same models that Tesla uses in the vehicle, although sometimes they include different lighting effects, but they’re all highly detailed.

Robotaxi API

Tesla has added a new endpoint in their app for Robotaxi - and it’s the very first Robotaxi or Cybercab-related item we’ve seen in the app. With the Robotaxi fleet launching in June, according to Tesla, it looks like they’re now adding support to the Tesla app.

What the Robotaxi interface is supposed to look like in the future.

Not a Tesla App

The new app API is called “rides_feedback_upload,” which seems pretty explanatory. Tesla will need to gather a lot of information on ride quality and all the little things in between. What better way than to get feedback directly from users?

While Tesla previously released prototype images of what the Robotaxi app will look like, the introduction of this API into the Tesla app leads us to believe that Tesla will utilize the current app for Robotaxi use.

Updated Service Interface

The Updated Service Panel in the Tesla App

Not a Tesla App

Tesla has released an updated UI for the Tesla Service panel, and we have a ton of details on these changes. This new pane displays appointment details more prominently. If you have a service appointment scheduled, you’ll now see a lot more details on the main service screen. The app will now display:

• Your current service status

• Appointment date and time, which you can now tap on to add the event to your calendar

• Address and hours of the service center. You can now also tap on the address to open up the location in your maps app

There’s also a new appointment details screen (the right portion of the image). This screen displays additional details that were previously unavailable, such as your transport type. The app will display whether you’ll get a loaner vehicle, demo vehicle, or something else.

There are a ton of user experience (UX) improvements in this update regarding service, including clearer language, improved UI fixes to images, and more.

Tesla has been making a lot of positive updates to the Service-related sections of the app lately, and we’re happy to see these coming rapid-fire. Tesla Service is now easier to use and understand. In the previous app update, Tesla also added the ability to pull down to update the service screens.

Follow

Follow

Follow