Tesla's Latest Software Update 2023.26 Adds More Features to 'Service Mode'

Tesla has added more health checks to its Service Mode

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On the heels of the previous updates Service Mode, Tesla is back with more features in update 2023.26.

Thanks to reader NinerByNature, we have a look at some new Service Mode health checks. The additions to service mode include tests for the steering wheel stalks, the low-voltage battery, airbags and other vehicle diagnostics.

Airbags Diagnostics

The new 'Airbags Screen' is the first upgrade. Here, users can check the status and availability of all vehicle airbags. This includes Tesla's newer far-side airbag, which helps prevent front passengers from colliding against each other. The diagnostic screen will display the location of each airbag and state whether it's operational or if there are known faults.

Tesla has added more health checks to its Service Mode

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Steering Wheel and Stalks Checks

The new 'Steering Wheel and Stalks' service is particularly useful for troubleshooting. With it you can verify the functionality of various key components like stalks, scroll wheels, steering wheel, parking brake, and horn, ensuring smooth operations and minimizing the chance of unexpected issues on the road.

Low-Voltage Battery

The low-voltage battery reading feature offers detailed data, including voltage, charge level, and current. These details let you check on the health of your low-voltage battery and potentially replace it preemptively before it becomes an issue. Most of the vehicle's electronics are run off of the low voltage battery, and a non-working battery could leave you stranded.

Camera Pitch Verification

Tesla has added more health checks to its Service Mode

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Last but not least, this update appears to allow you to verify the pitch of each of the vehicle's cameras. This is presumably used to verify whether the camera pitch needs to be adjusted, either physically or through Tesla's automated camera calibration feature.

Earlier today we reported on some 2023 vehicle models being recalled due to the front cameras being misaligned, and this feature likely helps diagnose those issues. The cameras play a critical role in the vehicle's functions, so it's paramount that they're aimed and functioning properly.

Building on Previous Service Mode Improvements

These updates build on the momentum set by the previously released service mode updates. Looking back at our June report, we noted Tesla's significant strides in refining its Service Mode. The update introduced diagnostic screens for seat belts, the HVAC system, and a unique feature for calibrating auto-appearing door handles on the Model S. The seat belt service menu provided a detailed visual of the safety equipment's interaction with the restraint control module (RCM), creating an additional safety-check tool for owners.

The HVAC system visualization offered an immersive understanding of the vehicle's climate control. Additionally, door handle calibration, specific to the Model S, allowed individual calibrations for these handles. Even though Service Mode was designed primarily for technicians, the detailed insights provided were a boon for owners who sought to troubleshoot and calibrate their vehicles effectively, provided they understood the implications of their adjustments. These features marked another incremental step in improving Tesla's Service Mode, setting the stage for the even more impressive updates in their latest release.

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Tesla Improves Wrap Services: Switches to Vinyl, Cuts Prices Drastically, Adds New Colors and Expands Availability

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After canceling the in-house wrap program for the Cybertruck last month, Tesla has reintroduced the program with a lot of changes. Let’s take a look at the original program, then we’ll dive into what’s changed.

Tesla began the wrap program for the Model 3 and Model Y in the fall of 2023. With the arrival of the Cybertruck, Tesla launched Matte Black and Satin White options for the Cybertruck and later added 11 more colors.

Tesla initially offered high-quality PPF (Paint Protection Film) wraps, which protect the paint in addition to changing the color of the vehicle. PPF is thicker than traditional vinyl wraps, but the material costs more and is more time-consuming to apply.

Tesla’s updated program switches away from PPF wraps and now offers traditional vinyl wraps at a cheaper price. This makes Tesla’s wrap service more comparable to third-party installers.

Correction: We initially reported that the new wrap program offered PPF rather than vinyl and that the program was only available for new deliveries.

New Wrap Prices

First things first - the price of the wraps has dropped considerably, mostly due to the change away from PPF. While these prices are still a little more expensive than what you could find at a third-party location, you have the advantage of getting it directly from Tesla.

Tesla initially offered 11 wrap colors, but that selection has now been reduced to eight per vehicle. Interestingly, the color options vary by model—Model 3 and Model Y owners have their own distinct palette. The Cybertruck also boasts its own unique set of colors, though unfortunately, the popular Satin White option is absent from its catalog.

Of course, the ever-popular Matte Black is still available, along with a fairly unique set of other vivid colors.

New Locations

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When the wrap program launched, it was limited to just three locations in California and one location in Texas. That meant that unless you were taking delivery at West Covina, Oceanside, Costa Mesa, or Santa Clara, you’d be unable to get a first-party wrap done by Tesla.

Under the new program, Tesla is offering wraps out of all the original locations and adding Seattle, Washington. What initially seemed like Tesla scaling back its wrap service has turned out to be them making it more affordable and efficient. While the switch to vinyl may disappoint some owners, in reality, a lot of owners probably didn’t know the difference between PPF and vinyl, making Tesla’s service seem disproportionally more expensive.

No Longer New Purchases Only

While the original wrap program was constrained to new vehicle purchases—you can now have Tesla wrap a vehicle that’s already been delivered. Paint damage and scuffs can impact the installation of wraps and require additional time to smooth out the vehicle surface, and most third-party installers charge additional fees to prepare the surface.

Tesla doesn’t appear to be charging any additional surface prep fees at this time and is able to install on any Model 3, Model Y, or Cybertruck that’s been delivered after 2023.

Either way, with cheaper wrap options, Tesla is now directly competing against third-party wrap shops. While it’s still a bit more expensive than you’d find elsewhere, it also comes with a level of care and precision from technicians intimately familiar with your vehicle.

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Tesla Increases Price of Model S; Starts Offering Free Lifetime Supercharging

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For the first time in quite a while, Tesla has increased the price of one of its vehicle offerings. The Model S Long Range and the Model S Plaid have both received a hefty price increase. However, not all is bad - as Tesla also added a new benefit for buyers.

Price Increase

The price increase for the Model S is $5,000 - currently only in the United States. This price increase will likely impact other markets, including Canada, in the coming days.

The Model S Long Range now starts at $79,990, while the Model S Plaid now starts at $94,990. The Model S and Model X now have the same starting price. Interestingly, that’s also the same pricing point for the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast Trimotor non-Foundation Series. 

The vehicle configuration does not appear to have changed, so the new pricing is simply an increase rather than the addition or removal of features. Tesla previously cut the price of the Model S and Model X by 15% in 2023, so this could simply be an adjustment to ensure that the vehicle pricing stays in line with inflation and other factors.

Free Lifetime Supercharging

For those on the fence about ordering a Model S, Tesla has brought back Free Lifetime Supercharging when you order a new Model S on or after December 13, 2024. As always, Free Lifetime Supercharging is restricted to the buyer’s Tesla account and to that specific vehicle. It cannot be transferred to another vehicle or another owner after ownership transfer. It’s worth noting, that it also doesn’t exclude the owner from receiving Supercharger idle fees or congestion fees. There is currently no end date for this promotion.

There are currently no changes to the Model X, neither a price increase nor the addition of Lifetime Superchargering. However, when Tesla makes changes to one of their premium vehicles, it usually affects the other one as well. So be on the lookout for potential changes to the Model X offering in the coming days.

We’ve seen Tesla value Lifetime Supercharging at $5,000, so this falls in line with the price increase we’re seeing. It’s possible that Tesla will begin to bring back Lifetime Supercharging as a perk for buying into their more premium Model S and Model X cars, or this could be another temporary promotion to get buyers who are on the fence to go ahead and make their purchase while this promotion lasts.

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