Tips and Tricks for Tesla's v11 update

Tesla's v11 update was received with mixed feelings. It's split about 50/50 whether you love the update or hate it. There doesn't seem to be much in between.

The UI is cleaner and better organized, but it comes at the expense of quick access to many settings.

Tesla's v11 UI

Some things we'll all just need to get used to. For example, checking your tire pressure in a card-like view will likely not be something that Tesla adds back.

While in other areas we'll certainly see Tesla make some needed updates.

Until the next update, there are a few tips that could make v11 a little easier to use.

Climate

You don't need to tap the temperature to access the climate controls. You can access them at any time by swiping up anywhere from the app launcher.

Once you have the climate open, you can close it by waiting for it to timeout, or by swiping down anywhere in the screen except the vent area, which would aim the direction of the vent instead.

Minimizing Apps

Unfortunately in version 11, Tesla replaced a lot of buttons with sliders, which are less than ideal to use while driving.

Each app used to have a close button, but they have mostly been removed. Apps are now closed by swiping downward in the app.

However, if you prefer you can still close an app with a single tap. It's not as obvious as a close button, but you can tap the app's icon to close it. The music app which has multiple states may require multiple taps on the app icon as the app cycles through its various sizes.

Dismissing Alerts

Tesla now displays various alerts on the bottom left of the screen for the Model 3 and Model Y. This is used for HomeLink, blind spot camera, seat belt warnings, phone calls, and more.

If you receive multiple alerts at once, they can sometimes hide other information you'd like to interact with such as your phone or HomeLink.

Any of these alerts that show up on the bottom left corner can be dismissed by swiping downward. This lets you dismiss HomeLink or another alert if you're trying to interact with another alert that is underneath.

HomeLink

HomeLink is contextually aware and the controls will show up based on the location you have set for your garage door or gate. However, if you use Auto-Open, it's not very obvious how to cancel it if the garage door is already open.

Underneath the HomeLink buttons, you'll see a word named Activate or Cancel. That will be the action performed when you tap the garage door button.

So when pulling up to your garage, you'll initially see Cancel underneath the garage door button, with the number of feet before the garage door will auto-open. Tapping on the button will cancel the automatic opening of your garage.

This solution isn't very intuitive and we hope Tesla will revisit this.

Customizable Launcher

The customizable launcher in v11 is a welcome addition, although it shouldn't remove options that owners had access to before.

We believe Tesla will be adding more options to the app launcher, including seat heaters and window defrost in the future, however for now we have to deal with what we have.

The app launcher will always contain shortcuts to Controls, Volume, and cabin temperature.

Five additional apps will be shown before the driver and passenger temperatures. If you customize 2, then the other 3 will automatically show recently used apps.

You can customize up to 4, as one will always be reserved for a recently used app.

This also means that regardless of which app you're using, the icon for the app will always be the launcher. This lets you quickly close the app by tapping on the app's icon.

Quick Access to Wipers and Headlights

Some of the actionable alerts that can show up on the bottom left portion include windshield wipers and headlights.

In a Model 3 or Model Y, you can quickly adjust these without having to navigate into Controls.

You can tap the end of the left stalk to have the wipers' speed come up on the display.

Similarly, you can flick your high beams to get light controls to come up on the display, which will then let you adjust your fog lights, auto high beams, and regular headlights.

Music

The music app was one of the few apps that received a visual overhaul with the v11 update.

But did you know that it also includes a new Up Next feature that lets you view upcoming songs when you're playing a playlist?

If you tap the button to the left of the search icon, your player will take up about half the screen and it'll show some additional information. You can pick from Up Next, Recents and Favorites and Sources. Recents/Favorites and Sources are now only accessible in this view.

Save Dashcam

The Dashcam icon has been removed from the top of the screen, leaving us without a quick way of saving any Dashcam footage.

However, you can still easily save Dashcam footage by using the "Save Dashcam" voice command. There are many voice commands you can use to make it easier to access features you used before.

Keep the Seat Heater On

Since the seat heaters are now part of the climate view, it makes it more difficult to use them in certain scenarios.

You can still keep your seat heater on and the climate system off. This could be useful if you're running on an extremely low state of charge.

To do so, open the climate system and choose your seat heater temperature. Auto seat heaters will need to be turned off.

You can then power off the climate system and your seat heater will remain on. You can also use the app to turn on just your seat heater if you prefer.

Version 11 of Tesla's UI is a step forward in some cases and a step back in others. It's reassuring to know that Tesla is working on updates to overcome the shortcomings in v11.

You shouldn't expect the UI to go back to the way it was in v10, but you should expect to regain some lost functionality, such as the ability to keep seat heaters in the app launcher or quickly save Dashcam footage.

Check out a fan-created concept of Tesla's app launcher.

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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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