Teslas have a huge battery, but you may be surprised to know that not everything can be powered by the car's main battery due. Teslas main battery packs are high voltage and can't power the more sensitive electronics inside of the car. Most of the car's interior electronics are actually powered by a traditional 12-volt lead-acid battery, the same one in your gas car. The difference is that instead of an alternator charging the 12-volt battery in a traditional car, in your Tesla the 12-volt battery is charged off of the car's main battery using a DC-to-DC converter.
The 12-volt battery is one of the earlier things to wear out in all Tesla vehicles. They typically last about 3-5 years before needing to be replaced. Tesla has started to deal with this issue by putting a lithium 12-volt battery in the newly produced Model S Plaid refresh.
Lead acid batteries are optimized for producing the high output needed to start a gasoline engine, with its heavy flywheel turning at the correct RPM to get the engine going in difficult conditions. That situation doesn't exist in a fully electric vehicle.
Teslas other than the refreshed Model S Plaid are still being produced with lead-acid batteries. Lithium batteries last longer, weigh much less and are optimized for use in electric cars.
FSD users can now join in the Holiday revelry, as FSDS V13.2.2 has started rolling out to customers, and it includes all the 2024 Telsa Holiday Update features.
Tesla’s VP of AI - Ashok Elluswamy, previously mentioned that the Holiday Update would be making its way to FSD users sometime this week. Ashok’s timelines have been right on point. All models with AI4/HW4 vehicles in North America are starting to receive the updated FSD release alongside all the features of the Holiday update.
This new build is update 2024.45.25.5, which should make its way throughout the fleet over the week.
Holiday Highlights
The Holiday update has a ton of new features in it, including new app features like Apple Watch support, the Dashcam and Sentry Mode Viewer and the ability to start Light Shows.
Here is our first look at FSD V13.2.2. While the release notes don’t point out any new features for FSD, it’s expected to include several unknown fixes and improvements.
Here is highlight clip #1 from my FSD Supervised v13.2.2 First Impressions Drive on the AI4 Model Y. This was an amazing example of EGO getting itself out of a bad situation very quickly. Bravo @Tesla_AIpic.twitter.com/gogzNswiTq
If you’re already on Tesla’s Holiday update, version 2024.44.25.2, and you have a HW4 vehicle, then this version now qualifies you to receive FSD V13.2. We expect all HW4 vehicles with FSD to migrate to this version in the coming week or two.
If you have HW3, then look out for a future update, including FSD v12.6.
FSD V12.6 for HW3 Soon
For Hardware 3 owners, FSD V12.6 is also right around the corner - it should be launching no later than the end of the year, according to Ashok. We’re expecting the new tech stack for highway driving, the updated speed profiles, including Hurry Mode, as well as improvements from V12.5.6 to land for HW3 soon.
If you’re excited about that, go read our in-depth look at V12.5.6 to see a preview of what you’ll be getting in V12.6.
We’re looking forward to seeing the demo drives of V13.2.2 from some of our usual influencers, but the good news is the update has already started rolling out to the general public, so expect larger waves soon.
If you’re planning to buy a new Tesla, consider using our referral code. Not only will you receive up to $2,000 off your vehicle, but you’ll help support our site.
Plus, if you take delivery by December 31st, you’ll also get 3 months of free Supercharging and Full Self-Driving (FSD).
Discount Per Model
Model Y - $1,000 off
Model 3 - $1,500 off
Model S, Model X or Cybertruck - $2,000 off
Free Supercharging and FSD
You must take delivery by December 31st, 2024 to qualify for the three months of FSD and free Supercharging. It’s not clear whether Tesla will offer these benefits starting January 1st.
Referral Codes
All referral codes will give you the same benefits. However, each one is limited to 10 uses, so if one hits the limit, try another one.
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