One of Tesla’s latest features included in the 2021.24.4 release is Car Wash Mode. The feature was initially available for all Model 3 and Model Y vehicles and it has more recently been added to the redesigned Model S and Model X. Unfortunately, it’s not available for the older Model S or Model X models.
For the most part, this feature doesn't add anything new. You could already turn off most of these car wash related features manually, but using Car Wash Mode makes it much easier. It also provides a useful status of each feature that is relevant during a car wash so that you can use it as a checklist.
Car Wash Mode can help prevent damage to cars for many owners when using automatic car washes. For example, it’ll lock your charge port door to prevent it from opening when a brush pushes against it. It also disables your wipers, preventing them from coming on and getting tangled or caught in a car wash’s felt strips.
After arriving at a car wash, you can enable Car Wash Mode by going to Car Controls > Service > Car Wash Mode. The car will immediately perform a variety of things for you to get your car ready.
Your vehicle will automatically close your windows and other things to prevent water from getting into the car. This includes the charge port, windows and if your car is equipped with an automatic trunk, it’ll close the trunk for you as well.
It does quite a bit more than just close your windows for you though. It’ll disable your wipers, lock the charge port door, turn off Sentry Mode, disable walk-away door locking and even disable the parking sensor chimes to prevent unwanted beeping during the car wash.
For automatic car washes that use conveyor belts, you will need to put your Tesla into neutral. Now, if you’ve never done that before, it’s not very obvious how to do it in a Tesla.
It requires you to have your foot on the brake pedal while pushing the gear stalk up or down and holding it for a second. Car Wash Mode now makes it very easy to get your car into Neutral. There’s an “Enable Free Roll” button that you can easily tap in Car Wash Mode. You'll need to be in drive and have your foot on the brake pedal for the button to be enabled. No need to mess with the gear stalk anymore.
One of the nicest features of Car Wash Mode is the great overview it gives you of your car and all of its features that are relevant during an automatic car wash.
It’ll display a list of each feature and give you a red or green status light to alert you of any issues. For example, if you left your trunk open, it would show a red light and display “Trunk: Open.”
It’s sort of a car wash checklist with a live status for each feature. It’ll even show you the status of the climate system, which you likely want to turn off or set to recirculating while in the car wash.
On the Car Wash Mode screen, you also have easy access to Screen Clean Mode and the ability to fold your mirrors if needed.
You can exit Car Wash Mode by tapping the exit button or simply by putting your car into Drive and going above 10 MPH.
Car Wash Mode is a nice addition that certainly doesn’t do anything you couldn’t do before, but it sure makes it easier and more enjoyable.
Tesla has now merged the latest FSD versions with the newest Tesla production features. This has several impacts on users with and without FSD, including giving FSD vehicles some of the latest Tesla features. The new software update is 2025.2.8 and it’s rolling out now in several countries.
FSD Vehicles Get Latest Features
For the first time, Tesla’s FSD is based on the 2025 branch, bringing the latest features to vehicles with FSD.
The highlight features of update 2025.2 include Hands-Free Trunk and Frunk Support for Android, the Rear Cross-Traffic Chime and it finally activates the in-vehicle radar in Model Y vehicles. In North America, vehicles also gain access to Third-Party Charger Preconditioning, while the Cybertruck gets Trailer Profiles support and some much-needed improvements to its wiper.
As for FSD, this update still includes FSD 12.6.4 for HW3 vehicles and V13.2.8 for HW4 cars, so there aren’t any updates there except for potential bug fixes.
New Base FSD Version?
While the latest FSD version is now available on update 2025.2, it’s not immediately clear whether this replaces FSD V12.5.4.2 as the new base FSD version that Tesla will include in all future updates.
Tesla has the ability to include different FSD releases with the same software update, so we’ll have to wait and see if this version continues to roll out to non-FSD vehicles.
Subscribe and Get the Latest FSD
Since Tesla doesn’t allow vehicles to roll back software update versions, users who were already on one of Tesla’s 2025.2 updates would be stuck with receiving FSD 12.5.4.2. However, anyone who subscribes to FSD will now be eligible to receive the latest FSD version.
FSD versions often lag behind in non-FSD Tesla features, so it’s always exciting to see an update go out that catches everyone up. Furthermore, if Tesla makes FSD V12.6 and V13.2 the new base versions that are included in all Tesla updates, that will be a huge win for everyone as these latest versions perform much better for most users.
Tesla’s next major update may be their Spring Update, which last year included a ton of new features, so there is a lot to look forward to!
Tesla recently launched FSD in China, making it the first region outside North America to receive the feature via a software update. This marks a major milestone for Tesla, which has been working diligently to gain regulatory approval outside of North America.
Both China and Europe were key targets on Tesla’s Autonomy Roadmap, with the company aiming to roll out FSD in these regions by Q1 2025—pending regulatory approval.
Regulatory Issues
Elon Musk recently confirmed on X that FSD is ready for Europe—Tesla is just waiting on regulatory approval. However, securing approval could be challenging, as the process is overseen by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which sets regulations for the entire EU.
While the UNECE has fast-tracked some advancements—such as adaptive and matrix high-beams (soon available in the U.S.), its approach to autonomy has been far more cautious. The commission has consistently slowed the deployment of self-driving technology and even reduced the capabilities of Autopilot.
Adding to the challenge, the UNECE body responsible for vehicle autonomy meets infrequently, sometimes with months between sessions. The next meeting is scheduled for March 4, but autonomy is not yet on the agenda, meaning approval could still be a long way off.
We are waiting for regulatory approval - Musk
Regulation 157
UNECE Regulation 157 governs “Automated Lane Keeping Systems” (ALKS), similar to Autopilot or lane-keeping cruise control in other vehicles. This regulation imposes strict limits, including speed restrictions and requiring driver confirmation for every autonomous decision.
While approving a lane change with a tap on the screen or steering wheel might seem minor, imagine having to do so for every FSD action—speed adjustments, turns, stops, starts, and more.
Additionally, Regulation 157 only permits autonomy in areas where pedestrian traffic is physically separated from vehicles. This means that many highways without clear barriers would be off-limits for autonomous driving.
Hope on the Horizon
There’s still hope—if the UNECE amends Regulation 157, over 50 nations, including the EU and Japan, could open the door for FSD.
A step in the right direction came with the 2024 adoption of UN Regulation 171, which expanded the framework for driver-assist systems that don’t fully take over control—such as FSD (Supervised).
While regulatory changes take time, the momentum is building. As technology advances rapidly, it’s only a matter of time before the rules catch up.
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