True to their word, Tesla has finally launched FSD V12.6 on the 30th of December, squeaking in under the promised timeline before the end of the year. FSD V12.6 for HW3 vehicles is software update 2024.45.25.10, and the release notes reveal several interesting things about the update, but it was mostly what we expected — which is a good thing.
We expected FSD V12.6 to include End to End for highway driving, improved city streets behavior and potentially some features from FSD V13, and that’s exactly what happened.
According to Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s VP of AI, Tesla has also pulled in some improvements from V13 into this V12.6 release. This release has started rolling out to some Model S and Model X vehicles, but not the Model 3 and Model Y. Ashok says that it should become available for those models within a week.
FSD V12.6
V12.6 is supposed to be a big update for Hardware 3 vehicles and is part of Tesla’s commitment to continuing to support older vehicles. Let’s break down the release notes and talk about what’s new and what came from FSD V13.
End-to-End on Highway
The new end-to-end highway stack has finally arrived for HW3 vehicles. The new highway stack should mean better decision-making on the freeway. Up until now, HW3 vehicles have been using FSD V11’s stack for highway driving.
When End-to-End was introduced on city streets, it brought drastic improvements in how FSD was handled between V11.4.9 and V12.3.6. HW3 owners will hopefully see similar improvements in how the vehicle behaves on the highway.
Improved City Streets Behavior
As part of the update, Tesla has honed in on some of the issues with behavior on city streets, which should address the false green light braking and other issues that have been prevalent in current FSD V12 builds. That’ll be a big improvement, as it has become one of the sticking points for V12.
Speed Profiles
The updated speed profiles, including Hurry Mode, have now arrived. For now, the speed profiles are restricted to roads with a 50mph (80km/h) minimum speed limit, which was the same limit HW4 vehicles saw on FSD V12.5. Here is the breakdown of the new speed profiles:
Chill will drive in slower lanes, with minimal lane changes, and more strictly adhere to the speed limit. The minimal lane changes button has been removed, so if you want to have minimal lane changes, switch your profile to chill.
Standard is the new Average. It will drive at a normal speed, keeping pace and adjusting in accordance with traffic. It will dynamically adjust based on how fast traffic is moving based on Max Speed, and will make lane changes to stay at or around the speed of traffic.
Hurry replaces Assertive and will drive faster while also making more frequent lane changes to stay at or above the speed limit. It is fairly aggressive with its lane changes and looks for opportunities to get ahead or cut through the flow of traffic.
Earlier & More Natural Lane Change Decisions
This is going to be one of the most noticeable changes for HW3 users. FSD has always struggled with lane selection, especially in advance of an upcoming turn or exit. Tesla has put in a lot of work in previous FSD V12 versions - namely V12.5 and its offshoots, and these improvements should translate over to FSD V12.6 just as well.
We’re hoping to see considerably improved performance on V12.6 due to this particular set of changes.
Redesigned Controller (FSD V13)
The redesigned controller is a big change - and actually was brought down from FSD V13. The controller is what tracks your own vehicle, as well as other vehicles and objects around the vehicle. Smoother and more accurate tracking for the controller means that FSD will be able to make better decisions, resulting in higher confidence and smoother driving.
Autospeed is now gone, and is now replaced with Max Speed Offset. Tesla recommends the Max Speed Offset be set to 40%. You’ll instead be able to use the FSD Driver Profiles to better control vehicle speed. Chill will keep you at or below the speed limit, while Average will keep you around the speed limit. Hurry does what it sounds like and will speed up, if possible, up to that Max Speed Offset.
The minimum and maximum offsets are 40%, so if the limit is 50mph, your FSD speed limit will be up to 70 mph, while at -40%, it could travel as slow as 30 mph.
When Does It Arrive?
The update was available to employees early yesterday, and it later went out in an extremely limited fashion to some non-employees last night. Right now, it’s also limited to Model S and Model X vehicles with HW3. We should hopefully see a roll out to additional Model S/X cars in the coming days, but Ashok has already stated that it’ll be about a week before it’s available for other models.
That means that the majority of Model 3/Y owners with HW3 will likely have to wait at least a couple of weeks before receiving the update. We’re looking forward to seeing the first few drives and reviews of FSD V12.6.
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While there were a ton of new features for everyone in Tesla’s Holiday update, it was especially true for the Cybertruck. Not only did the Cybertruck receive features such as custom wrap and license plate visualizations and a special Santa Mode, but it also included improvements to the rear camera and more.
Rear Camera Update
The Cybertruck’s rearview camera is a little different from other vehicles since it acts as a rearview mirror when the back glass is covered. Since drivers may need to use the maps and rearview at the same time, Tesla created a special interface that allows you to view the rearview camera on top of the maps.
Wider Rearview: The Holiday update is making additional improvements to this. The rearview camera is now stretched across the full width of the maps, making it a far more seamless part of the interface.
Zooming In: If you double tap the camera or tap the icon in the corner once, you’ll be able to switch between three preset zoom levels - 0.5x, 1x, and 1.5x. And if three isn’t enough, you can fine-tune your zoom by pinching your finger in and out to really get the zoom level you’re most comfortable with.
Door Opener
MattWallaceTech / j32pmxr
On other Tesla vehicles, you’re able to unlatch the driver’s door through the Tesla app, by adding the Unlatch option to the list of Quick Actions. However, this wasn’t available on the Cybertruck, and the only way to open the vehicle doors was to actually walk up to it and press the button.
Now, when you’re within Bluetooth range (approximately 30 ft/10m), the Controls Section of your Tesla App will have a new set of buttons - an arrow facing away from each door. Pressing one of these will pop open the door, similar to the “Open Driver’s Door” button that was previously available for other Tesla vehicles.
It’s a fantastic feature, especially for the winter months, as snow and ice can build up, and pressing the button can become a challenge. Another good use is for your passengers - many of whom are likely unfamiliar with the Cybertruck’s rather unique door-opening solution. You’ll be able to open it as they walk up.
Wes Morrill, Tesla’s Cybertruck Program Manager, confirmed on X that the Offroad Light Bar will eventually make its way to the Tesla Shop, and is compatible with both the Dual Motor and Tri-Motor variants of the Cybertruck.
However, those who haven’t purchased a Foundation-series Cyberbeast will have to wait until everyone who pre-ordered has received their lightbar first.
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
Not a Tesla App
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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