Tesla's 'Auto Cancel' Turn Signals and How They Work

By Lennon Cihak
Tesla's Auto Cancel turn signals
Tesla's Auto Cancel turn signals
Not a Tesla App

Tesla introduced Auto Cancel turn signals with update 2021.36 on their refreshed Model S and Model X vehicles. This feature makes using the new yoke steering wheel easier since the yoke uses touch-sensitive buttons for turn signals instead of a stalk.

Supported Models

In Tesla’s holiday update, version 2022.44.25, Tesla added the Auto Cancel turn signals feature to all Model 3 and Model Ys that have FSD hardware 3.0. It’s currently not available for legacy Model S and X vehicles and cars that have FSD hardware 2.5 or lower.

How to Enable Auto Cancel Turn Signals

Tesla’s Auto Cancel feature is turned off by default. To enable it, go to Controls > Lights > and toggle Turn Signals to "Auto Cancel." This setting is saved per profile, letting each driver choose their preference. It is also synced to your Tesla profile so that it's available across all vehicles you rent or own.

Behavior Without Auto Cancel

The Model 3 and Model Y currently have two ways to use the blinkers. The first is a soft press, which causes the blinker to flash three times before turning itself off. This is great for when you’re quickly switching lanes on the highway. The firm press, or click, activates the blinker until the wheel is returned back to center. This is ideal for stop signs and other longer events where you may need your turn signal on for longer than three flashes.

Behavior with Auto Cancel

When Tesla's Auto Cancel feature is enabled, the distinction between the soft press and click practically disappears. Tesla will now manage when to turn off your turn signals based on Tesla Vision. The turn signals will turn off only after a turn is completed, regardless of how many times the signal blinks. This is a much more functional (and safer) way to drive since the blinker will only turn off once the turn is completed. This could be as simple as changing lanes on the highway or making a complete left turn at an intersection.

It’s worth noting, though, that the signals will also turn off if the steering wheel is returned to the center, regardless of your setting. The vehicle is also intelligent enough to not turn the turn signal off after a lane change if there is an upcoming turn.

As previously mentioned, the Auto Cancel feature is not yet available to legacy Model S and Model X vehicles. But we’re anticipating Tesla will enable it in a future update.

Auto Shift in Model S and Model X

Tesla’s refreshed Model S and Model X vehicles have garnered a lot of adoration for their design, technology, and safety. To add to the “cool factor” of the vehicles, they come with the ability to automatically shift into park, reverse, and drive.

For example, if you are grocery shopping and your vehicle is pulled up to a wall, the vehicle will know that it can’t go forward; therefore, it needs to reverse and automatically shift into reverse.

Tesla can accomplish this by using its proprietary Tesla Vision, an advanced hardware and software functionality that only uses cameras to make decisions. The goal of Tesla Vision is to resemble human driving and make it safer.

Last year, Elon said the Auto Shift feature will come to all Teslas. With Auto Cancel functionality now being brought to the Model 3 and Model Y, Tesla may be looking to add Auto Shift next.

Tesla is currently testing hardware 4.0 internally, which is expected to be released with vehicles sometime next year. The Model 3 is also expected to be 'revamped' in the next three to six months.

Breaking Tradition: Tesla Hits the Social Media Advertising Road

By Kevin Armstrong
Model Y Advertising
Model Y Advertising
Tesla

Tesla has prepared us for a slower sales year, but just how slow may be showing up on social media. No, I’m not talking about X, which is where 99% of Tesla news comes from, but social platforms owned by a guy that Elon Musk once wanted to fight.

Tesla advertising has been shown on Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook and Instagram accounts. While Musk has talked about utilizing more conventional advertising for more than a year, Tesla has only sporadically shown up on a few digital avenues; now, it appears to be a full campaign.

The Return to Meta and Zuck

The year 2018 marked a significant moment in Tesla's history when Elon Musk, in a move reflective of his disdain for Facebook amid the Cambridge Analytica scandal, deleted Tesla and SpaceX's Facebook pages, both of which boasted millions of followers. Fast forward six years, Tesla has reinstated its presence on Facebook and launched advertising campaigns across Meta-owned platforms.

Musk is now paying Tesla money to a guy he challenged to a cage match and once joked/threatened to drive by his house and fight him. There are two takeaways here: Meta is a dominant force in online advertising, and Musk is willing to do whatever it takes to advance Tesla’s mission to a sustainable future.

Embracing Traditional Advertising Amidst EV Market Changes

Tesla's advertisements, including ads on Cars.com, which highlight the Model Y, demonstrate the company's adeptness in utilizing Meta's sophisticated targeting capabilities to reach potential customers. Tesla's avoidance of traditional advertising was once heralded as a visionary move, saving the company billions and contributing to its mystique.

However, the electric vehicle landscape has evolved, with early adopters now equipped with their chosen EVs, making it imperative for Tesla and its competitors to reach a broader audience. Tesla's advertising initiatives on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube reflect this strategic adjustment, aiming to capture the attention of potential buyers beyond its core fanbase.

Despite Elon Musk's historically critical view of advertising and his complex relationship with the social media advertising sphere, Tesla's foray into paid advertisements represents a significant evolution in the company's marketing strategy. This shift acknowledges the necessity of diversified marketing approaches in sustaining growth and expanding market reach in the contemporary automotive landscape.

Tesla Advances with 5G: A Future of Enhanced Connectivity for Cars and Robotics

By Kevin Armstrong
Tesla building 5G private network
Tesla building 5G private network

Tesla appears to be planning an ambitious project to build a private 5G network. This initiative would revolutionize connectivity for its vehicles and the robot, Optimus, as well as any other plans the company is likely to develop in the future.

Innovative Job Posting Reveals Big Plans

Although now removed, a recently spotted job posting for a Cellular Systems Integration Engineer on Tesla's career page shed light on the company's intentions. The role demands expertise to elevate Tesla's vehicle and Optimus robot connectivity, promising to push the boundaries of low latency and high data rates.

Tesla's journey from 3G to the anticipated 5G upgrade will bring about ultra-reliable communication and high-speed data transfer, crucial for over-the-air software updates, autonomous driving features, and real-time data analytics. These communications could be product to product, such as vehicles communicating with each other or with other products such as Optimus. However, the job posting also talks about products being able to communicate with Tesla’s internal 5G network. It’s not clear whether the private network would be internal such as at a Gigafactory, or a broader network out in the world.

Tesla is pursuing an internal 5G network for product communication
Tesla is pursuing an internal 5G network for product communication

The Strategic Role of Private 5G Networks

Deploying its private 5G network, Tesla aims to create a seamlessly connected environment in its manufacturing facilities, research labs, and outdoor spaces. This infrastructure is not just about enhancing vehicle connectivity; it's also pivotal for the operational efficiency of the Optimus robot in various scenarios, including warehouse operations.

Tesla's foray into private 5G networking places it in an advantageous position in the automotive and tech industries. This strategic move aligns with the global trend towards adopting private 5G networks, which promise to revolutionize industries with their reliability and speed. Tesla's efforts to develop a private 5G protocol stack that integrates with any cellular infrastructure globally will set new industry standards.

With 5G, Tesla vehicles and Optimus robots will benefit from significantly reduced latency, offering under 5 milliseconds compared to the 60-98 milliseconds of 4G networks. This technological advancement is expected to enhance the functionality and responsiveness of Tesla's products, paving the way for advanced autonomous driving capabilities and efficient robot operations.

Tesla's interest in developing a private 5G network is a logical step. By building an infrastructure that supports the fastest connectivity standards, Tesla is preparing for its vehicles and laying the groundwork for sophisticated robotics applications. This endeavor reflects Tesla's ongoing commitment to innovation and its role in shaping the future of transportation and automation.

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