Tesla FSD v9, how it's going. We take a look at what v9 is capable of

It’s presumptuous of me to write an article on Tesla’s FSD Beta v9 considering the sad fact that my Tesla Model 3 doesn’t have it. I’ve had the urge to do it anyway, but what could I say? Well, I’ve watched videos and read articles written by people who have it, and now I have something to say that no one has said. I’m going to compare Tesla to Mercedes Benz.

There are numerous people who now have access to the FSD v9 Beta, and many of them have now posted videos online to describe their experience. We take a look at some of those most interesting videos below.

All these reviewers mention that v9 is much smoother and more human-like in its driving leading to fewer disengagements. You’ll note that even though v9 is a better driver, it’s not yet a human-level driver. There’s no such thing as disengagement when a human is driving.

AI Addict took his Tesla with v9 down Lombard St. in San Francisco and here's how it did:

For those of you not familiar with San Francisco, Lombard St is extremely curvy and hilly. It’s also very narrow. It’s a one-way street, so you have to drive downhill. The last time I drove down that hill, I scraped my car on a cement curb. AI addict went down the street twice, and he had to take over both times. Clearly, Lombard St is an edge case that the neural network hasn’t mastered yet.

Here’s a v9 video in San Francisco that doesn’t go down Lombard St, but that does still need some human interventions.

Here’s a video by Dirty Tesla in downtown Ann Arbor. He did need to intervene a number of times.

So, basically, v9 is much better than v8, but it’s still not able to drive as well as the average human driver. So, what else is new? Here’s the kicker.

There’s an article in Engadget that describes the author's test track experience in a Mercedes Benz with level 3 self-driving. Benz is planning to release level 3 within a year.

Below you have the six levels of vehicle autonomy as defined by the SAE International group, which defined the standards the US goverment now uses.

Here’s the thing about the Mercedes Benz version of level three. It’s geofenced to limited access highways, and it’s velocity fenced to speeds of less than 60 kilometers/hour which translates to speeds of less than 37.2 miles an hour. So if you buy one of these cars for the level 3 self-driving feature, you’ll be able to use it only on limited-access highways during traffic jams. According to the video, you’ll be able to watch movies, play video games, and send texts while in traffic jams, that is unless the police see you doing those things. You’ll be able to keep your hands off the steering wheel, but you still have to be ready to take over instantly if the car decides it doesn’t know what to do. If you fall asleep or raise a newspaper high enough so the interior camera doesn’t know if you’re awake and alert, the level 3 self-driving feature will stop working.

So now, let’s get back to Tesla. Although I don’t have FSD Beta v9, I do have Navigate on Autopilot on my Model 3, and that’s what gets used on limited-access highways even on cars with FSD Beta v9. So here’s my experience on limited-access highways.

I do have to keep my hands on the steering wheel, and I’m not permitted to text, play video games, or watch movies even when I’m in a slow-moving traffic jam. Frankly, I wouldn’t feel safe doing those things while driving any car including a Mercedes. And keeping my hands on the wheel seems like the right thing to do in a car that might want me to take over at any moment. It would take one or two tenths of a second for me to get my hands onto the steering wheel if they were off the wheel when an emergency situation arose. It would take one or two seconds to figure out what to do if my mind was on a text, a video game or a movie when a disengagement happened. Even a tenth of a second could make the difference between a close call and an accidental crash.

For the most part, the only time I ever need to intervene while on a limited-access road is when my Tesla and I disagree on which is the most propitious travel lane. This sort of disagreement happens often enough that I have the settings adjusted so that the car needs my consent before it changes lanes.

But if you’re willing to let your Tesla decide which lane to travel in, then Tesla FSD non-beta is already more powerful than the Mercedes level 3. Yes, you need to keep your hands on the wheel and you’re not permitted to watch movies. But otherwise, the Tesla will drive itself as well as the Mercedes, and it will do that very well at full highway speeds, in stop and go traffic jams and everything in between. Level 3 self-driving below 37 MPH isn't an improvement over advanced autopilot.

Tesla's Autopilot is currently a level two driving feature, which basically means that it should be used as an aid to drivers, but that it does not drive on your own. If you've ever used Autopilot then you'll know that Tesla is right on the cusp of level three. With the FSD Beta, I believe Tesla is planning on pushing level three automation to everyone who has purchased the FSD package. Level three is where the FSD features break free and stop just being an aid and turn into an "autonomous" vehicle that the driver should pay attention to, and not just at 37 MPH.

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Tesla’s New Signal Viewer Panel in Service Mode+ Allows You to View Real-Time Data

@scotsrule08 on X

Tesla’s latest software update, version 2025.2, brings new features to Service Mode, continuing the trend of improving in-vehicle diagnostics.

Currently, this feature is only available for vehicles with AMD Ryzen infotainment systems and requires Service Mode+, which is a subscription service aimed at technicians. Intel-powered vehicles aren’t supported yet, but we expect this feature to roll out to them as well unless hardware limitations prevent it.

Thanks to Spencer for providing an image of the panel in action.

Signal Viewer Panel

While update 2025.2.6 adds four service mode improvements, including updates to brake burnishing, charge port calibration, and noise recording panel improvements. In this article, we’ll focus on the new signal viewer panel.

This new panel offers a live data feed from selectable vehicle sensors. You select the signals you’re interested in and it’ll plot the signal on a graph. In addition to allowing you to view real-time signal data, it also allows you to record them.

The signals are searchable and can be easily added or removed from the panel. You can track up to 10 sensors, and the UI allows three of them to be viewable at once.

However, this is Service Mode and it’s more than just pretty looks. You can really dig down into these charts. You can pan them left and right through time, and tapping a specific point shows the exact value of that signal. The panel also supports pinch-to-zoom, enabling you to adjust the time scale across all panels simultaneously.

This feature is exclusive to Service Mode+, which requires a subscription to Tesla’s ToolBox3 software and a connection to a computer. It’s designed to help technicians diagnose issues related to signal quality, noise in the vehicle’s electrical systems, and signal variance in components during driving.

We’re excited to see Tesla’s continued focus on repairability, especially with additions like the Cybertruck’s Interactive Wiring Diagram and the launch of the Tesla Online Parts Catalog, which lets customers purchase parts directly.

Plus, with the reduced cost of ToolBox 3 subscriptions, even DIY enthusiasts now have access to tools that make Tesla repairs more accessible.

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Tesla Introduces New Model Y Variants in Europe; Ends Launch Series

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Tesla has updated its Model Y lineup in Europe, introducing new standard configurations while discontinuing the limited-edition Launch Series. With the new variants now available, European customers will have more choices and cheaper options to pick from.

The Launch Series and some of its exclusive features will no longer be offered—except in the UK, where it remains available alongside the new lineup.

New Models Introduced

Tesla’s new Model Y lineup in Europe includes three main variants. The prices vary slightly from country to country.

• Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): Priced at €44,990, this model is the most affordable new Model Y, but it also has the shortest range and is missing a few features available on other trim levels.

• Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (LR RWD): Available for €49,990, this version is essentially the same as the RWD model, but with a larger battery. It has seen a €1,000 price increase compared to the outgoing Long Range RWD model.

• Long Range All-Wheel Drive (LR AWD): At €52,990, this model has seen a price drop of €2,000, making it a better deal than the previous LR AWD Model Y. This is also the only new Model Y to come with most of the same features as the Launch Series, including additional speakers, a subwoofer, premium materials inside the cabin and improved acceleration. Acceleration boost should also become available for this model, letting it match the performance of the Launch Series.

All Model Y variants come with all the improvements that we’ve discussed about the new Model Y, including the new front and rear light bars, improved aerodynamics, ventilated seats, improved heat and sound isolation, and the 8-inch rear touchscreen. Some exclusive options, like the Midnight Cherry Red paint, appear to no longer be available. However, Tesla has already said that they’ll be introducing new paint options for the Model Y in North America.

Compare Model Y Variants

Here’s how the various Model Y variants compare to each other:

Launch Series Ends

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The Launch Series, which debuted just weeks ago in Europe, has now been phased out. This limited-edition model was priced at €60,990 and included a suite of premium features comparable to a bundle deal you may find with other products. It came equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD), Acceleration Boost, and exclusive badging on the rear liftgate, door sill plates, and puddle lights.

While the Launch Series is no longer available for new orders in most European countries, customers can still get a similar vehicle by opting for the Long Range AWD model and manually adding premium features like FSD. Acceleration Boost, which was standard in the Launch Series, is expected to become available for purchase once these vehicles are delivered or soon afterward. However, some exclusive elements, such as badging and trim details, will remain unique to the discontinued edition.

For now, the UK remains an exception, still offering the Launch Series alongside the newly introduced models.

Performance Model Still to Come

With Tesla now introducing the expected variants of the refreshed Model Y, one notable absence is the Performance model. While the Launch Series was fast due to the Acceleration Boost addon, there’s no doubt the Performance version will be in a league of its own.

What we saw Tesla do with the 2024+ Model 3 Performance variant was more than just using binned motors. The vehicle featured unique bumpers, a spoiler, an improved suspension, sport seats, Track Mode V3 and other features that made the vehicle stand out compared to the Model 3 AWD.

The Performance version of the new Model Y is expected to become available later this year, however, expect it to carry a $5-$8k premium over the AWD model.

Other Regions to Follow

As Europe phases out the Launch Series, other regions are expected to see similar changes. With the other models now revealed, owners in other regions have a better idea of whether they should buy the Launch Series or wait for the additional models to arrive.

Tesla naturally adjusts its offerings based on market demand, and if sales of the Launch Series remain strong in other parts of the world, Tesla will likely wait it out a little longer before offering the other models.

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