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

Not a Tesla App

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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Tesla Cybertruck’s Unique Aero Wiper Trick

Matt Wallace on X

Have you ever hopped into your Cybertruck, admired the perfectly straight wiper, and then hit highway speeds—only to notice it shift slightly to the side? Did you wonder if it was loose or even considered reaching out to Tesla Service for a potential motor replacement?

Turns out that it’s not loose at all. In fact, it’s yet another clever aerodynamic trick the Cybertruck employs at higher speeds to boost efficiency. Let’s take a closer look at how it works.

Aero Mode Wiper

Matt Wallace over on X spoke to Wes Morril - Tesla’s Cybertruck Lead Engineer - who revealed some clever engineering Tesla built into the Cybertruck’s massive wiper. At higher speeds - roughly around 45 mph (75 km/h), the Cybertruck will move its wiper about an inch or two inwards. This movement inward optimizes the aerodynamic profile of the trick.

While Wes didn’t mention just how much of an efficiency boost it provides - we image it to be in the range of 1-2% - not negligible, but not much either. However, when traveling longer distances at highway speeds, that 1-2% can add up quickly.

If you’re going 500 miles, that adds up to an additional 5-10 miles. While it doesn’t seem like a lot, imagine that stretched across an average year of driving - 15,000 mi. That’s an annual savings of anywhere from 150 mi to 300 mi, which is pretty much an entire charging stop.

Wiper Down

Here’s another feature that non-Cybertruck owners may not have known. The Cybertruck’s massive wiper actually stays down after wiping some times to ensure that the water that’s been pushed down gets pushed away from the windshield and doesn’t come back up. This is generally done when the wiper is either on Auto, or at a low intermittent speed. 

From personal experience, this little technique does a fantastic job of ensuring that the windshield remains clear, but just like the Aero Mode, it can be a little bit odd seeing the wiper down until you understand why.

Cybertruck has plenty of unique tricks up its stainless steel sleeves, and we’re excited to hear about more of them as they’re uncovered. However, Tesla, we would love it if you put some of these tips and tricks into the Owner’s Manual. It would save a lot of hassle and prevent vehicle owners from putting undue stress on the already hard-working Service Centers.

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Tesla to Add New Navigation Options & Trailer Profiles in Update

Not a Tesla App

As part of the 2024 Tesla Holiday Update, Tesla hacker Greentheonly, has once again uncovered features that are coming in a future software update. Green regularly decompiles Tesla’s software updates and is able to see features that have yet to see the light of day. These features are in production code, but sometimes have only been partially developed or are being tested or waiting to be turned on remotely. Either way, it gives us an early look at features that are likely to be released in the coming months.

Recently Green spotted two new features, Trailer Profiles and new navigation routing options.

Trailer Profiles

According to Green, the new Trailer Profiles feature is expected to let you record your trailer mileage and select whether it’s an open or closed trailer. You’ll have the ability to keep track of up to 20 trailer profiles, letting you use various trailers without resetting your settings. This should let the vehicle give you more accurate range estimates, as the vehicle will be able to track your previous energy consumption when you used your trailer previously.

By creating multiple profiles, you can even account for different load types, such as transporting a car, boat, or lumbar.

This feature is expected to be available to all vehicles equipped with a tow hitch. Tow hitches are included on the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck and as an option for the Model Y and some Model 3s.

Trailers normally have no way to record mileage, so this could be an extremely useful tool for owners to be able to see how much a trailer has been used. This could help indicate when new tires, new trailer brakes, or other relevant service may be required.

Prioritize Highways / Avoid Highways?

Navigation routing is expected to receive two additional preferences. The first one is “Prioritize Highways” - which, like its name, will likely prioritize the usage of highways whenever possible.

This is an interesting feature, as most people have been asking for the opposite - Avoid Highways, which Elon previously promised would make its way to Tesla vehicles soon. It’s not clear whether this is Tesla’s interpretation of an Avoid Highways option, where disabling this feature will try to avoid highways and prioritize backroad use.

Prioritize Time

The second feature is “Prioritize Time”. This one is interesting, as it likely will provide the option for drivers to have an optimized route for charging/efficiency, and a route that is more focused on spending less time on the road at the cost of using more energy.

While Tesla leverages Google’s API for features such as Points of Interest, reviews, photos, map tiles and satellite imagery, Tesla determines the vehicle’s route themselves. This lets them prioritize efficiency and calculate charging stops.

Alongside the arrival of FSD’s new Hurry Mode, this is going to give users more flexibility when driving.

When Do They Arrive?

These features aren’t available just yet, but their inclusion in production code likely points to them launching soon. However, the features could be in varying degrees of completion, from active development to dev complete and simply awaiting for Tesla to enable them remotely.

It’s possible we’ll see one or more of these features activated in the next couple of months.

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