Track Mode turns a Tesla into a stunt car that could keep pace with the Fast and Furious franchise, even Toyko Drift. Except while Dom and the other gearheads would be under the hood adjusting or using a laptop and some nitrous for an extra jump, Track Mode enables users to make stability, braking and cooling changes with a few simple swipes of the screen.
Track Mode is available on Model 3 and Model Y Performance variants, as well as the Model S Plaid. However, Elon Musk has committed to Track Mode in the Model X Plaid. He's also said that it could be available for all Models, even those non-Performance models.
Track Mode first appeared in 2018 on the Model 3 Performance. But Track Mode V2, an updated version, was sent to Model 3 Performance vehicles via an over-the-air update in 2020 with several enhancements. Several YouTubers wasted no time taking their Model 3 with V2 to the track and showing the results. It's fair to say Track Mode surprised many people with its wide range of adjustments, ease of use and tire-eating capabilities. It left as many rubber marks as it did smiles in most videos.
Track Mode is completely software-based; however, there is hardware available for purchase on the Tesla website to ramp up the Model 3 Performance even further. The package includes 20-inch lightweight rims with XL Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Tires, upgraded tire pressure sensors, and high-performance brake pads. Excellent addition but certainly not necessary.
Track Mode in Action
Track Mode Software
Now to the software update that beamed into Model 3 Performance vehicles in 2020. Users select Driving and then tap on Track Mode and enable it. The screen displays an overhead view of the car with green and blue colors on the components that will be used the most while driving the car hard and therefore need monitoring. These parts include the battery pack, the front and rear motor, the brakes, and the tires. A setting tab is also displayed that opens a menu, where the real fun begins. Telsa allows users to make drastic changes or minor tweaks, on the fly, right from the comfort of the vegan driver's seat.
Handling Balance
The first option is Handling Balance, which allows users to adjust the motor bias from the front to the back or vice versa. But that's not all. Like how you can change your car stereo speakers to blast from the rear, the front, or a blend somewhere in between, Track Mode has this set up for power to the motors. The software gives users 10 percent increments to move power to the front or rear motor. This adjustment addresses understeer or oversteer and will play a big part in creating burnouts or drifting around a corner.
Stability Assist
Speaking of drifting, Model 3s have won several safety awards, and many of those accolades may be due to its excellent stability control. The traction control reacts within ten milliseconds to a loss of traction, sending power to the other wheels to avoid slipping and sliding. Stability Assist in Track Mode can be adjusted from -10 to 10. There are several videos of drivers spinning out when turning the Stability Control to -10, not realizing how much the Tesla does to help the driver control the car.
Regenerative Braking
Track Mode also allows users to adjust how much regenerative braking occurs while on the course. Drivers can pick zero, which then goes up in 5 percent increments to 100 percent. Unfortunately, this isn't as useful as it sounds since the regenerative braking system helps prevent the braking system from overheating, a real threat during track time. Tesla recommends keeping regenerative braking at 100 percent, and there doesn't appear to be a way to turn it off completely.
Cooling Features
That's it for sliders, but there are also on/off buttons for Post Drive Cooling, Compressor Overclock and Save Dashcam for Laps. Post Drive Cooling and Compressor Overclock are utilized to decrease components' heat after a track session. While these seem like easy decisions to have turned on, Tesla warns that using the Overclock Compressor will reduce the part's lifespan.
Lap Times and Dashcam
Track Mode can record lap times with you with video footage
DragTimes/YouTube
As for Save Dashcams for Laps, that opens another element of Track Mode. After closing the settings and returning to the usual navigation screen, users can tap and hold on to the icon representing the car, which will set the finish line. After pushing start, the vehicle will use the location to start and stop lap times. When passing the finish line for the first time, the system puts the course in blue on the screen so drivers can follow their exact path. The screen shows the lap number and lap times. This information, video and telemetry data can then be downloaded and viewed on a computer. There is a lot of data, including vehicle thermals, tire use, acceleration and deceleration rates, and the G-meter. Yes, Track Mode also displays the G-forces on the car.
Tesla Warns Users
For all the above reasons, Tesla warns that Track Mode is designed for closed circuit courses. The company states: "It is the driver's responsibility to drive safely and ensure others are not endangered. Track Mode is designed for use by experienced track drivers familiar with the course. Do not use on public roads. It is the driver's responsibility to be in control of the vehicle at all times, including on the track. Because vehicle behavior (including traction and stability control) differs when using Track Mode, always use caution."
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest Tesla news, upcoming features and software updates.
With most vehicles moving on to Tesla’s 2025.14 Spring Update, we’re now taking a look at all the undocumented features that were discovered during Tesla’s 2025.8 update.
While these features tend to be smaller in nature, some of them are just as valuable as the features outlined in Tesla’s release notes in the vehicle.
This update includes changes such as improvements to maps, trip meters, and Rainbow Road. Let’s take a look at all the undocumented features in Tesla’s 2025.8 software update.
New Map Icons
Not a Tesla App
Icons on the map are being redesigned to be rounder and easier to see. They now feature a white border to make them pop out against a colorful background, which is especially better when using satellite views.
This feature started rolling out slowly but should now be available to everyone.
Trips & Odometer
Not a Tesla App
The Trips display has been improved to show more precise information, and a new metric has been added.
More Precision: The trip meters will now show values with a tenths place when they’re under a certain value. That means that the Current Drive and Since Last Charge trip meters will now show a fractional kWh and a mile. This is especially useful for Current Drive.
The Current Drive meter is automatically reset when your vehicle comes out of park so that it can track your current drive, while the Since Last Charge meter automatically resets after a charging session completes.
More Data: In addition to added precision, the Current Drive now features a new data point. kWh is now shown for the current drive, just like the other trip meters. Previously, the Current Drive showed minutes instead of kWh -- it now features both.
These changes affect the Trips widget in the Model 3, Model Y and Cybertruck. While the added precision is also added to all vehicles under Controls > Trips, the new kWh metric for the Current Drive is only displayed in the small widget.
Additional Tool Tips
Not a Tesla App
Tesla has added some additional tips to the screen that show up in certain cases. For example, if you’re playing audio over Bluetooth, Tesla will suggest that you use their built-in music apps instead of streaming through your phone.
Destination Charging
Not a Tesla App
Destination charging icons are now visible on the map when you have Points of Interest enabled. You can enable Points of Interest by tapping on the map and choosing the Points of Interest icon on the right side near the satellite imagery icon.
Some destination chargers may charge a fee, while others may be open to the public or exclusive to paying customers.
Navigation Improvements
Not a Tesla App
If you're using Tesla's navigation system with voice guidance enabled, the spoken directions will now stop immediately when you end the trip. Previously, the spoken directions would continue being played until the phrase was completed.
Improved Rainbow Road
Not a Tesla App
The rainbow road feature has been greatly improved in this update with FSD. Rainbow road, which can be enabled in the Toybox app, now changes the vehicle's path when on Autopilot from a blue path to a rainbow one.
Previously, Tesla had to overlay the blue path on top of the rainbow colors because rainbow road didn’t support all the features of the path, such as showing chevrons when slowing down rapidly.
With this update, the rainbow path now incorporates all the same features as the blue path when FSD is active.
In addition, if you start Rainbow Road by tapping the right stalk four times, audio will play. Unfortunately, the sound couldn’t be stopped until it was completed before, but with this update, you can now stop the audio by reducing the volume with the left scroll wheel.
Additional Transparency Effects
Not a Tesla App
On Intel vehicles, several modules didn't include a transparency effect. This was primarily due to Intel cars not using the blur effect since it could slow down the infotainment unit.
With this update, Tesla has enabled the transparency effect across a set of modules. Notably, this fixes the issue when using full-screen visualizations where the music player had transparency, but the navigation module on the right did not.
Transparency has also been added to other modules that are displayed over the map, such as the list of Superchargers, destinations, search results, and the ETA / End Trip module displayed at the bottom.
Note: Due to the lack of the blur effect on Intel due to performance reasons, these changes could make some text more difficult to read.
No Phone Key Graphic
Not a Tesla App
The graphic that's displayed in the vehicle when it doesn't detect a phone key has been updated. Tapping on the blue text at the bottom displays the old animation showing you where to tap a key card.
Bluetooth Player
Not a Tesla App
The Bluetooth app typically only displays the connected devices and a button to connect a new device. There was a lot of white space, since there wasn’t much other information to display.
With this update, Tesla is making it easier to jump to another source by displaying available music streaming services underneath the connected Bluetooth device.
Tapping a music service will jump to the selected service.
Service Mode Release Notes
@scotsrule08 on X
As with most Tesla updates, Tesla usually adds or improves Service Mode with additional features, making diagnosing and fixing problems easier. This update adds or improves the following items.
New HVAC Panel
A new HVAC panel is available to support HVAC system diagnosis. It adds the ability to determine the status of the HVAC actuators, HEPA filter, and blower motor.
Applies to: Cybertruck
HV Battery Panel Update - Moved State of Health (SOH) Routine
The State of Health (SOH) routine in the HV Battery panel has been moved to the Controls > Service tab, which does not require entering Service Mode or Service Mode Plus.
Applies to: 2021+ Model S, 2021+ Model X, Model 3, Model Y
Windows Panel Update - Rear Defrost Routine
The rear defrost component on the Windows panel has been updated to simplify diagnostics. The re-enable routine will now be visible all the time, but it can only be ran when a condition requiring its usage is detected.
Applies to: 2021+ Model S, 2021+ Model X, Model 3, Model Y
Seats Panel Update - Cabin Radar and Seat Sensor
The Seats panel has been updated to show whether the cabin radar and/or seat sensor is being used to detect occupants in the front seats.
The gateway configuration for the steering column motor type can now be updated on the Steering panel.
Applies to: Model 3, Model Y
Service Mode Update - Media Source Switches to Bluetooth
When entering Service Mode, the Media Source will now automatically switch to Bluetooth to prevent the vehicle from playing media using the customer's connected media accounts.
Applies to: Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y
Charging Panel Update - Charge Port ECU Reset Routine
The Charge Port Electronic Control Unit (ECU) reset routine, TEST-RESET_CP, has been added to the Charging panel, which may be required after performing Charge Port related service.
Applies to: Model 3, Model Y, Palladium S, Palladium X, Cybertruck
Noise Recording Panel Update - Moved to Tools
The Noise Recording panel has been moved from the the High Voltage panel to the Tools panel. To access the panel, tap Tools > Noise Recording.
Applies to: Cybertruck
Coolant Panel Update - Coolant Purge Status Indicator
An indicator has been added to the Coolant panel to report the status of the coolant purge and whether the coolant purge needs to rerun.
Applies to: Cybertruck
Next Update
Tesla’s next update is the 2025.14 Spring Update, which has now rolled out to more than half of the Tesla fleet. If you’re still waiting for it, rest assured that you should be updated soon. If you’ve already updated, be sure to check out the undocumented features already found in the 2025.14 update.
Tesla has issued a strong denial in response to a Wall Street Journal report (Paywall) which claimed that Tesla’s Board of Directors had initiated a search for a new CEO.
In a statement posted directly on Tesla’s X account, Board Chair Robyn Denholm denied the report unequivocally. As per the statement, Tesla’s board did not reach out to recruiting firms in search of a new CEO.
Earlier today, there was a media report erroneously claiming that the Tesla Board had contacted recruitment firms to initiate a CEO search at the company.
This is absolutely false (and this was communicated to the media before the report was published).
The statement reaffirmed the board’s position on Tesla’s current leadership and that the board is highly confident in Elon’s ability to continue executing Tesla’s plans and future growth.
This confidence behind Elon follows his recent statements made during the Q1 2025 Earnings Call that he would be stepping back from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the coming days and significantly reducing time spent there. Instead, he would be returning to focus on Tesla’s operations and the upcoming deployment of Robotaxi.
Shortly after the denial was posted, Elon Musk also commented on the report, specifically tagging the Wall Street Journal and criticizing their handling of the report.
It is an EXTREMELY BAD BREACH OF ETHICS that the @WSJ would publish a DELIBERATELY FALSE ARTICLE and fail to include an unequivocal denial beforehand by the Tesla board of directors! https://t.co/9xdypLGg3c
We’re glad to see Tesla and Elon set the matter straight, but there could have been a better way to spread this message and maybe even prevent the report from WSJ from going out.
We recently published an opinion piece on why Tesla needs its PR team back, and this specific incident is a good example. Relying solely on platforms like X for critical corporate communications - and in this case, late at night (1 AM EST), with limited reach outside the existing follower base seems like an ineffective way of communicating important company information.
We’d love to see Tesla really put some thought into managing its image, as it seems that several recent reports from major financial news organizations have apparently been wrong.
Either way, the board’s stance is clear - there is no active search underway, and Elon has the full backing and support of the board to lead Tesla toward the future.
![Tesla’s B-Pillar Recording Requires HW4 [Update: New Dashcam Viewer Included on HW3 / Ryzen Vehicles]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/tesla-screen/dashcam-viewer-hw3.jpg/ba8281c93679d2cf4a405a771e96b167/dashcam-viewer-hw3.jpg)
![Tesla Semi Keynote: New Features, 46 Charging Sites, Upgraded Battery & More [VIDEO]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/semi/semi-new-features.jpg/c7df4e0d32f8cb0beee080ad201e943b/semi-new-features.jpg)
