Tesla's Holiday Update: Unpacking The Massive Amount of Undocumented Changes [Updated]
Tesla usually packs a bunch of smaller, undocumented changes into every update, and this year’s holiday update isn’t any different. In fact, the holiday update contains massive improvements under the hood, especially for vehicles with the Intel Atom processor. The undocumented changes in this update are just as good as the features themselves, and for some owners, they may be even more of a gift than what Tesla has outlined in the release notes.
The improvements include a seamless transition from WiFi to cellular data, eliminating dead zones, as well as hardware video decoded, which improves the Dashcam, Sentry Mode and lowers CPU usage, even while the vehicle is in use. However, there are many more. In total, we found eleven undocumented changes in this year’s holiday update.
Come with us as we go through each feature that may have gone under the radar.
Update: Since we originally published this article, there have been an additional two undocumented changes found. They’re listed below.
Explicit Audio Content
In the Audio Settings Options section, Tesla lets you block explicit content. Until now it only applied to the music service Tesla calls ‘Streaming,’ which is Slacker. However, with update 2023.44.30, this now applies to the new Apple Podcasts app as well. Unfortunately, it still does not apply to other streaming services such as Spotify or Apple Music yet.
More Wheel & Tire Options
Under the Wheel & Tire section, you can now select from additional wheel options. Tesla has added two new Gemini wheel options. Although the metallic aero wheels are only available in China, you can now select them from the Wheel & Tire menu in other regions as well. This will update your vehicle’s visualizations on screen and in the app to show these wheels instead of the vehicle’s default wheels.
The other new option introduced is the Gemini Cap Kit wheel option, which is the same Gemini wheel, but with the covers removed and with the bolt covers, known as the cap kit added.
Switching your wheels in these menus will cause the infotainment system to restart.
Improved Transition to Cellular
Even if your vehicle is connected to WiFi, it will now immediately connect to cellular data once the vehicle is put into drive or reverse.
Previously, if a vehicle was connected to WiFi, it would often not have an internet connection for a period of time until the cellular connection was established.
The transition from WiFi to cellular now appears to be instant. Tesla may be activating the cellular connection as you enter the car, instead of waiting until the vehicle is put into drive.
Improved Reverse Functions
There are two improvements to reverse in this update when the vehicle is in reverse.
The vehicle's visualization will now display reverse lane markers when the vehicle is in reverse, indicating the vehicle's path.
For vehicles equipped with ultrasonic sensors, the update brings an innovative feature - the distance to objects behind the vehicle will now dynamically change based on the steering wheel's position (video). For example, if the steering wheel is centered and will go straight backward, then the distance to an object will be for the object behind the vehicle. However, if the steering wheel is turned, then the distance will be for the object that is in the vehicle's direction.
View Supercharger Amenities on Map
When viewing details about a Supercharger in the vehicle, the amenity icons are now buttons that can be tapped to view the locations on the map. Before, Tesla would show you what type of amenities were nearby, but you can now view the exact shops or stores.
Autopilot / FSD Beta Strike Reset
With the holiday update, FSD Beta strikes have been reset for everyone. This gives everyone a clean slate when using the updated system that now applies to FSD Beta and Autopilot use.
If your vehicle has a cabin camera, you’ll lose access to Autopilot and FSD Beta after accumulating five strikes. If your vehicle doesn’t have a cabin camera, then you’re limited to three strikes.
Cabin Camera Privacy
You can now view which Tesla features have access to the cabin camera. Simply navigate to Controls > Software > Cabin Camera.
The vehicle will display all features that are enabled and have access to the vehicle's interior camera.
Dashcam Icons
The dashcam now features an icon that is more informative. The dashcam icon will now display these states:
Saving / Loading: This icon features a gray badge with arrows letting you know the dashcam is saving or retrieving footage to the USB drive.
Saved Footage: After successfully saving footage to the USB drive, a green checkmark badge will now briefly appear on the dashcam icon.
Error / Not Recording: If there is an error with your dashcam, USB drive or recording is turned off, there will be a gray badge with an 'X' that signifies that the dashcam is not actively recording.
Paused: A red pause badge shows up on the dashcam's icon if the dashcam is temporarily not recording, like if the Dashcam Viewer is actively being used.
Automatic Wipers
Automatic windshield wipers can now be turned off, even while Autopilot or FSD Beta is enabled.
Previously, you could change the time interval between wipes, but you could not turn off the wipers completely.
Dashcam Viewer Improvements
Thanks to hardware video decoding, the Dashcam Viewer is now faster and more responsive. When scrubbing the progress bar, video is now smoother and jumps around less.
Tesla Theater Improvements
Similar to the Dashcam Viewer improvements, Tesla Theater is now much faster and smoother as well. Improvements are noticed while browsing content, playing content and minimizing Tesla Theater.
Automatic Emergency Braking, Now Required
Automatic Emergency Braking, which can help stop your vehicle for perpendicular dangers, or in reverse, must now remain enabled if your vehicle is set up to use Autopilot or FSD Beta, even if they are not active.
Ability to Turn Off Automatic 911 Calling
With this update, your vehicle will automatically call 911 if airbags are deployed and your phone is actively connected to the vehicle via Bluetooth.
The vehicle shows a countdown in such as situation, which allows you to cancel the call, however, the feature is optional and can be turned off by navigating to Controls > Safety > Automatic 911 Call.
The holiday update appears to have been a massive clean up by Tesla, where they not only improved performance but included many quality-of-life features. This is resulting in a smoother experience for owners and hopefully leaves some additional bandwidth for additional features in the future.
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