Tesla has rolled out another set of improvements to its Service Mode; if you're a Tesla owner aiming to keep abreast of the latest features and optimizations available in Service Mode, the recent update is for you.
Service Mode provides essential details and diagnostic tools to ensure your Tesla is operating at its peak potential. Service Mode is a specialized function initially reserved for service technicians but accessible to Tesla vehicle owners.
Taking user convenience and information accessibility to a new echelon, the latest addition to Service Mode becomes your one-stop shop for everything that's new or improved in Service Mode. This mode avails critical data and facilitates diagnostic tests for various vehicle components, offering a deep dive into the vehicle's operational status.
Service Mode Release Notes
A spotlight feature in the 2023.32 update includes a new, separate section where users can access release notes that are specific to Service Mode. After entering Service Mode, you can tap Release Notes to open a new menu that outlines improvements made to Service Mode in this vehicle update.
The release notes breakdown all the new Service Mode features included in the current update, 2023.32, and previous updates as well. Each new feature is listed with a description and which vehicles it applies to. You can also tap the section name in blue to jump directly to that area in Service Mode.
One of the major changes in Service Mode in update 2023.32 is the ability to view the status of the vehicle's Electronic Control Unit (ECU) under Infotainment > ECU Update Status, which allows monitoring the status of various sensors and vehicle sub-systems.
Tesla now has release notes for Service Mode
Niner
Other Service Mode changes in 2023.32 include Enhanced Service Alerts, ability to Update Low Voltage Battery Type and Enhanced Heat Pump panels.
The last two Tesla vehicle updates have included significant Service Mode advancements that users may want to check out. The 2023.26 update introduced health checks including the much-appreciated 'Airbags Screen' where users can scrutinize the status and operational health of all vehicle airbags. The update also extended diagnostic options for steering wheel stalks, the low-voltage battery system, and a camera pitch verification feature, which could potentially aid in diagnosing issues such as misaligned front cameras, a problem noted in some 2023 vehicle models.
Use Caution in Service Mode
However, users have reported that exiting Service Mode is taking a notably long time, leaving some room for improvement.
It is advised that while exploring these features, owners should exercise caution, understanding the implications fully before making any adjustments to avoid potential repercussions on vehicle safety and performance.
Tesla continues to make the Service Mode a more robust tool, with each update. While primarily designed for technicians, the level of detail and insight provided in this mode is a boon for Tesla vehicle owners eager to understand and maintain their vehicles at optimal levels. It embodies Tesla vision of not just creating a car but offering a comprehensive vehicle experience that puts control and information right at the owners fingertips.
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest Tesla news, upcoming features and software updates.
Tesla recently launched software update 2025.8.3, which included a bunch of “minor updates.” Nestled away in the release notes are a couple of interesting features - including some major changes to the Energy App.
We’re not quite sure we’d call these minor updates, so let’s take a bit of an exploration of the revitalized Energy App.
The Energy App has received some new categorization features in the Consumption tab. You can once again limit the graph by distance. As part of the 2024 Holiday Update, Tesla redesigned the consumption tab and brought it to the new Model S and Model X for the first time. However, with the redesign, Tesla removed the ability to choose the distance shown in the graph, instead providing a static display of the last 200 miles (300km).
The first part of the improved Energy App is bringing back this distance filter. You can now choose between showing the last 10, 100, or 200 miles (15, 150, or 300 km). This differs from the previous available distances of 5, 15 and 30 miles, but brings back the ability for the driver to choose a distance that may be more applicable to how they’re driving.
We’d love for Tesla to introduce custom distances by pinching and zooming the graph or simply add the ability to choose “This Drive Only” to the list of available distances.
Reset Energy App History
@EV3_Model3 on X
Sadly, the “Instant Range” button that was available in the Energy App before is still not available, but Tesla introduced a new feature that may be even better. You can now clear your driving history so that the graph only reflects your current driving style.
This is a little hidden, but if you tap the little info icon at the top near your average Wh/mi, you’ll now be presented with a dialog that lets you clear your history.
This could be useful if you’ve just come from some hard driving on a track or off-road, where energy consumption could be exaggerated. It could also be useful if you just started towing or a different type of driving that is drastically different from your current driving.
Other Changes
In addition, it looks like future predictions of the Energy app now take into account your driving history and apply that in addition to expected vehicle consumption, weather, altitude, and the multitude of other factors that your Tesla constantly takes into account while calculating your expected range.
While these are smaller improvements to the Energy app, they added some important functionality, as it helps users better understand their vehicle consumption and display data that is more applicable to the current driving style.
This is a great example of Tesla listening to its customers and bringing back features they had previously been removed. Check out the video below by akide on the updated Energy app in update 2025.8.3.
Sandy Munro once again had the opportunity to chat (video below) with Lars Moravy, Tesla’s Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, as well as Franz Von Holzhausen, Tesla’s Chief of Vehicle Design. This time, rather than focusing on the improvements to the refreshed Model Y and all the new engineering behind it, the focus was on Tesla’s autonomous ambitions.
In this case, the Cybercab and Robovan were the key highlights, with a distinct focus on the Cybercab. With that all said, let’s dig into all the fun new stuff. You can check out the entire video at the end of the article.
Cybercab Unboxed Process
The Cybercab will be the first of Tesla’s vehicles to use their new unboxed assembly process, which builds vehicles in parallel sections, and then brings them together all at once for final assembly. Traditionally, vehicles are assembled from the ground up, and sometimes even disassembled for parts of production to take place.
This innovative method involves using a big rear and front casting, brought together by a structural battery pack on the floor. The door rings are hot-stamped and laser-welded to form the side shell of the Cybercab, resulting in a very rigid structure that can also absorb crash impacts due to its unique manufacturing.
Paint-Free Panels
We’ve already talked about the Cybercab’s unique paint-free panels, but we’ve never heard until now exactly how Tesla intends to manufacture them. Tesla will inject colored PU plastic onto the backside of another plastic part (formed from various processes) and then ultrasonically weld that entire piece to an inner part.
That essentially combines multiple parts into one smooth piece that is easy to repair - because all you have to do is remove the entire panel - it just comes off as the interior fasteners are removed. There is no subframe holding it together - instead, the subframe is part of the panel.
The only area of the vehicle that will have any paint will be the hot-stamped door rings - which will be painted to improve corrosion resistance to protect the steel.
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamically, the Cybercab boasts the largest aero-cover-to-wheel ratio of any Tesla vehicle. This updated aero cover improves efficiency, even with the Cybercab’s relatively large tires—chosen to reduce rolling resistance. Interestingly, the impact of unsprung weight on efficiency is minimal compared to the benefits of improved rolling resistance and aerodynamics.
Another key to the aerodynamics is the teardrop shape of the Cybercab itself. With its low profile and smooth shape, it is extremely aerodynamically efficient. While neither Sandy nor Lars delved into drag coefficients, we expect it will likely be more efficient than the Model 3’s already fantastic Cd of 0.219.
Range and Battery Pack
Tesla currently has prototypes undergoing real-world testing at Giga Texas to evaluate range and efficiency. The goal is to ensure the vehicle can operate throughout an entire day in the city before returning to charge.
Tesla is targeting a battery pack under 50kWh, delivering close to 300 miles of real-world range—an impressive efficiency of around 166Wh/mi, even outperforming the Model 3’s lowest at 181Wh/mi.
When Does It Arrive?
So, with all that new knowledge - when does the Cybercab arrive? Well - the prototypes for the June Robotaxi network deployment in Austin are getting prepared now - but Tesla expects to begin production and sales sometime in the first half of 2026.