Tesla Updates Owner's Manual: Reveals Improvements to Autopark, Valet Mode, Cabin Radar and Construction Info

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Tesla continuously updates their vehicle owner’s manuals to reflect the latest software updates and the Holiday update is no exception. We often comb through (thanks Niner!) the owner’s manual and find all the undocumented changes that weren’t mentioned in the release notes.

The 2024.44.25 update included several changes which we’ve categorized into various categories below to make them easier to read.

Service Maintenance Changes

Front Camera Window Cleaning

Tesla has added new instructions indicating that the inside of the windshield within the front camera enclosure (behind the rearview mirror) must be cleaned periodically. Previously, there was no indication of this being a regular maintenance item.

Tesla now advises users to schedule cleaning service if it is needed by checking the new maintenance section under Vehicle Controls > Service > Maintenance. Tesla recommends that cleaning be scheduled through a service appointment. 

If you’re interested in doing this task as a DIY, you can search your relevant vehicle’s Service Manual for “Quad Camera Cover - Upper (Remove and Replace).” The procedure is not too difficult, but you’ll, at a minimum, need a tool to pry trim-free safely. We recommend a service appointment if you’re not confident in doing that.

Desiccant Bags

Tesla has also gone ahead and removed another set of instructions. Previously, Tesla indicated that the desiccant bag in the A/C portion of the heat pump required replacement every four years. This has now been removed from the manual.

This change is likely because Tesla saw no need to continue replacements of these desiccant bags, which could have been superfluous. It seems likely that the desiccant bags last far longer than 4 years - likely well past the vehicle’s warranty period.

This particular change only applies to vehicles with heat pumps. Older vehicles not equipped with heat pumps (such as a legacy Model S or older Model 3s) still have the desiccant replacement indicated at the 4-year mark.

Vehicle Dynamics

Regenerative Braking Setting

Tesla offers two regenerative braking options on older vehicles, Low and Standard. However, the low setting was removed on vehicles after January 2024. While the normal setting may take a while to get used to for new EV owners, it increases the vehicle’s efficiency and affects the numbers Tesla can show for the vehicle’s EPA range.

What’s interesting in this version of the owner’s manual removed the note saying that regenerative braking options are not available on vehicles manufactured after January 2024.

This appears to indicate that regen braking options could come back as a setting in the future, at least in some fashion. Keep in mind that this doesn’t indicate that the also-removed Stopping Modes are coming back - that part of the manual still has the relevant text about it being removed.

Steering Wheel Weight

This is a relatively simple naming change. Tesla has renamed the steering wheel weight option from Medium to Standard. There are no additional changes here except renaming.

Construction and Accident Alerts in More Regions

Tesla began adding new map icons, including road closures, accidents, and construction within the US, as part of update 2024.2. The text indicating this feature was limited to the United States has now been removed, which means that the feature is expected to roll out to other regions.

Construction and Road Closures are already available in Canada, so we’re likely just waiting for more data providers to work with Tesla for this addition.

Parental Controls

When you enable Require Safety Features in your vehicle’s parental controls, the below options will be automatically enabled and won’t be able to be changed or removed.

• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)

• Obstacle-Aware Acceleration

• Automatic Blind Spot Camera

• Blind Spot Collision Warning Chime

• Automatic 911 (Emergency) Call

• Allow Mobile Access

• Park Assist Chimes

• Lane Departure Avoidance - Locked to “Assist”

• Speed Limit Warning Set to Chime

  • Speed Limit: Set to Relative

  • Offset Set to +5 mph (8 km/h)

• Forward Collision Warning - Locked to “Early”

New to parental controls are the speed limit setting being set to relative and the offset being set to +5 mph.

Valet Mode

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Additionally, Valet Mode, which prevents drivers from using certain vehicle features such as Autopilot/FSD and other features, also improves privacy by removing home and work addresses, access to driver profiles and more.

With the Christmas update, it’s adding one more thing to the list. If your device is still connected to the vehicle via Bluetooth while Valet Mode is turned on, the vehicle will no longer show or read text messages.

Valet Mode prevents access to over a dozen features and even forces the vehicle to remain in Chill Mode to reduce acceleration. Check out our guide to read all the features and restrictions of Tesla’s Valet Mode.

Strike Outs & Autopark

Vehicles with a cabin camera can receive up to five strikes before Autopilot features are no longer available. While vehicles without a cabin camera can receive three strikes. Autopark was previously considered to be a part of this, meaning if you strike out, you’d also lose access to automated parking.

However, now, even if you strike out, you’ll still have access to Autopark. Remember that strikes reset one per week for every week of strike-free driving.

Camp Mode Ports & Sockets

As part of a text change (no feature change), Tesla now points out that Camp Mode will keep the vehicle’s USB ports and 12V sockets operational. There is no change to this functionality after Tesla disabled Sentry Mode 12V Socket access.

Cabin Radar

Last but not least, is that the Cabin Radar is now primarily used for cabin occupancy rather than seat sensors. Tesla did this to both address a recall, and to use the cabin camera sensor as a backup. The cabin radar is located right above the rearview mirror in newer Tesla models, close to the cabin camera. 

Tesla now indicates in the manual that blocking the cabin radar or cabin camera will throw errors and prevent Autopilot or FSD from engaging.

This version of the owner’s manual includes various changes. While some are minor, some are definitely interesting and hint at other features coming soon.

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Want to See the New Tesla Model Y? Here's Where It’s on Display

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Tesla’s refreshed Model Y has started hitting display and Tesla showrooms across North America and Europe, where you can now get up close and personal with the new Model Y and all of its improvements, including the smallest of details.

The refreshed Model Y surprised all of us by sporting its own unique look instead of just being a stretched-out Model 3. While it’s available to order now through the Launch Edition, which includes FSD and Acceleration Boost, deliveries won’t start for another couple of months.

The new front light bar and rear indirect lights make the vehicle unique and worth checking out. There are plenty of new items to check out in the updated interior as well, including new door panels, powered rear seats, and more.

Here’s where you can check out the new Model Y in North America and Europe:

North America

In North America, the updated Model Y can be seen in 19 showrooms across the United States and Canada. The photo below shows the 17 locations in the U.S. and two in Canada. We expect this list to grow as Tesla produces more vehicles and we get closer to the official launch.

New Model Y Displays in North America

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Europe

In Europe, the Model Y is already on permanent display at two locations - the Mall of Berlin in Germany, and at Tesla’s Amsterdam Europe Headquarters - both publically accessible. If you’re in the area, definitely drop by and take a look.

Tesla is also holding special events throughout Europe where they’ll be showing the new Model Y through select dates. place to check if you’re far away from the ones above is on Tesla’s Events List.

We recommend checking the page out to confirm any dates, as Tesla will be rotating the locations until each showroom receives its permanent display vehicles.

Tesla will also be visiting major auto shows, including the Toronto and New York International Auto Shows with the new Model Y - so keep an eye out for those events as well.

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Tesla's Holiday Update: The 15 Undocumented Features

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While Tesla’s exciting holiday update is now behind us, it left us with amazing new features, such as weather radar, Apple Watch support, mobile Dashcam viewer, SiriusXM, and so many other great features that some of us now use every day.

However, it doesn’t end there. Tesla always includes other smaller changes that don’t make it into the release notes, and the holiday update was a big one in terms of undocumented changes.

We’ll go through all the new features that are now available in your vehicle that Tesla didn’t show in their release notes.

Precipitation Map

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While this feature did make it to the release notes, some users may still not be aware that the Precipitation Map (weather radar) is now available on all Teslas with the Intel infotainment unit (except for legacy Model S/X). This feature was requested so long ago that, honestly, we didn’t think it’d ever be released. All Model 3, Model Y and 2021+ Model S and X vehicles now have access to the weather radar map overlay.

Fart on Sit

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For the Emissions Testing Mode easter egg, you can now have your vehicle fart when someone sits down in their seat.

The sound will come from the direction of their seat. For example, a fart sound will sound from the front-right speaker when someone sits in the front passenger seat. It will play the sound selected in the fart selection box, or play a random fart if you choose "I'm so random."

This option defaults to off after every drive.

Voice Assistant

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You can now say 'Hi' or 'Hello' to your vehicle through the voice command prompt, and the vehicle will respond with "Hello!"

This is the first sign of Tesla adding a smart voice assistant to the vehicle, which is expected to be powered by Grok.

Voice Command Changes

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If you use Tesla's voice commands, there are a few changes. When you press the voice command button on the steering wheel, you may now not get audible feedback that the button has been pressed. This will depend on whether there’s music playing or other circumstances.

When sending a text message through a voice command, you may now have to press the steering wheel button again to start dictation after choosing a recipient. It’s not clear what’s causing this change, as sometimes it goes straight into dictation mode, while other times it ask you to press the button to start dictation.

Equalizer

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You can now reset the equalizer settings with the touch of a button by tapping the new circular arrow to the right of the equalizer. This will bring all settings back down to 0.

Performance Improvements

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Intel users are seeing performance improvements while using the Tesla interface, especially in more demanding areas like Tesla Theater. Videos on YouTube now stutter less and Tesla Theater can be minimized more smoothly than before.

The media controls can now control YouTube videos and other web video content as well, even after the vehicle is put into drive.

Service Mode Updates

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Several screens in Service Mode have been updated to show larger visualizations, such as the Airbags and Seats menu.

Tesla has also introduced several new visualizations to vehicles with the Intel infotainment unit, that were previously only available on AMD-based vehicles. Some of these includes Coolant and HVAC options.

The only new feature in Service Mode is for the Cybertruck under Service Mode Plus, which includes:

Connector Reference (Service Mode Plus): A new Connector Reference panel is available to help find connectors and highlight harnesses on the vehicle. Rotate the 3D model to explore or type in the search bar to find a specific connector.

Rearranged Menus

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With the addition of the Seats menu to settings, Tesla has now rearranged the menu options so that the more used options are now more easily accessible.

The Software menu has been moved up, while other options like Navigation and Trips have been moved down to be close to WiFi, Bluetooth and Upgrades.

Selected Custom Lock Sound

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The currently selected custom lock sound is now shown underneath the Lock Confirmation Sound option in the Controls > Locks menu.

Ambient Lighting Easter Eggs

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The Rainbow Road and Santa Mode easter eggs have been updated on vehicles that include the ambient lighting feature.

There are new options in these easter eggs that let you enable or disable the ambient lighting while the easter egg is active.

If enabled, the light strips will cycle through colors of the rainbow when the Rainbow Road easter egg is enabled. For Santa Mode, the interior lights will cycle between red, green and white.

Updated Energy App

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The Consumption tab in the Energy app has been updated with several changes, including:

• The last 200 miles are now shown, instead of a user-selectable, 5, 15 or 30 miles.

• Instant Range / Average Range has been removed to simplify the interface.

• The average range as moved to the top left and now shows the offset from the vehicle's EPA-rated Wh/mi

• Total energy consumption is now displayed at the bottom left.

• The colors now have different meanings. Before this update, yellow meant the vehicle was using energy, while green meant the vehicle was generating energy through Regenerative Braking. However, now, yellow means that the vehicle consumed more than the EPA average, and green means that the vehicle consumed less than the EPA average and doesn’t necessarily mean it generated energy.

Toll Roads

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When navigating to a destination, the alternative routes menu that is displayed when you first enter a destination will now show you which routes include tolls by displaying a dollar sign icon next to the travel time.

Limiting Explicit Content

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The Exlicit Content toggle under Audio Settings now applies to YouTube Music as well. This now supports LiveOne, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and TIDAL.

Charging Icons

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Tesla has redesigned the charging pins that appear on the map. Supercharger and third-party charger pins are now oval-shaped instead of circular.

Instead of just having the number of charging stalls available, Tesla has added the charging icon to make it more obvious these are charging stations.

Adjust Dashcam Viewer Speed

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You can now adjust the Dashcam Viewer's playback speed. Users can pick from 0.5x, 1x or 2x playback speeds by tapping the playback speed button.

Tire Pressure Indicator

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Tapping the tire pressure indicator will now open the tire pressure card on the left side of the screen instead of opening the Service menu under Controls > Service.

If you ever spot a change that isn’t listed in Tesla’s release notes, we’d love to hear about it!

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