Tesla Update 2023.38 Shows Predicted Supercharger Wait Time and Number of Cars En Route

By Kevin Armstrong
Tesla will now predict Supercharger availability
Tesla will now predict Supercharger availability
luizfl/X

Tesla has now released update 2023.38 to roughly half of its fleet. Now that the update is in the wild, a couple additional enhancements have been spotted that are only available in certain regions.

Predictive Charger Availability

Tesla has continually improved Supercharger information in the vehicle. In the past couple years they've added the ability to view the number of chargers available at site Supercharger location, as well the number of stalls that are out of order. They also show how busy the Supercharger is at various points throughout the day.

If you thought live data was the best Tesla could do, they have a surprise in store in update 2023.38. If you're navigating to a Supercharger, Tesla will now predict how many Supercharger stalls will be available at your arrival, and display the predicted wait time, if any.

Tesla says they will factor in your travel time to the Supercharger, as well as other Tesla vehicles' travel times, to predict the charger's availability when you arrive.

Tesla continues to open up Supercharger to other electric vehicles, and while the number of non-Teslas charging at Superchargers may be a small percentage right now, that number is expected to increase as more manufacturers adopt Tesla's charging port. It'll be interesting to see how well Tesla can predict Supercharger availability when they may not be aware of all vehicles routing to each charger.

This feature is currently limited to the U.S., but is likely to expand to other regions as Tesla gathers more data and determines its accuracy.

Updated Hazard Lights Pattern

We recently talked about Tesla's upcoming update to hazard lights. It looks like Tesla will use the updated light pattern, which flashes up to about three times quicker, if the vehicle is involved in an accident.

When Tesla officially announced the feature on X, it wasn't clear which update the feature would feature the updated feature, but it has now been spotted in update 2023.38. The updated light pattern is currently only be available in select countries, including the U.S. It appears to not be available in most of Europe at this time, but that may change in a future update.

Vampire Survivors: Multiplayer Gaming

Update 2023.38 also brings other features, such as an update to Vampure Survivors. Just in time for Halloween, Tesla owners and their passengers can team up in a co-op mode, mowing down hordes of the undead. The gameplay allows up to four passengers to participate, turning your vehicle into a virtual battleground against zombies. This feature, however, has its prerequisites.

It requires MCU 3, making it exclusive to the recent Model S/X and 3/Y models. For those ready to dive into this electrifying experience, shift the Tesla into Park (P), navigate to the Tesla Arcade, and then choose Vampire Survivors. Remember, each player needs their own controller, which can now be wired or Bluetooth.

Location Sharing: Enhanced Transparency

Update 2023.38 also notifies drivers if they are being crept on, known as location sharing. A new icon now appears at the top of the touchscreen when any app — including the official Tesla app — requests live location data from your vehicle.

This icon will also show up if future third-party services have access to your vehicle's location.

Windows Adjustment

Tesla also introduces a practical modification that could prevent window or door damage during a vehicle update. We know that the window goes down just a little bit when the door opens and closes because of the distinct frameless door design. However, the windows can not adjust during software updates, increasing the chances of window damage. This update brings down the windows just a little bit to facilitate door opening and closing. Once the update concludes, the windows revert to their former position.

With every update, Tesla gets just a little bit better. We are just a few months away from the epic Christmas update. The countdown is on!

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Tesla Holiday Gift Guide: Top Accessories Every Tesla Owner Will Love

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

It’s that time of year again - it's getting colder, the snow might be falling, and the bells are probably jingling. And you know what that means? It’s time to find some holiday gifts for that someone special in your life.

Whether you’re buying for yourself or gifting to a friend, we’ve put together a guide to help you decide.

S3XY Buttons & Stalks

Aren't they S3XY?
Aren't they S3XY?
Not a Tesla App

One of the coolest accessories for your Tesla is, hands-down, the S3XY Buttons. Using them alongside the Enhauto commander that comes in the kit can give you a massive amount of new customizability and control over your vehicle.

You can set a command for each button like folding your vehicle’s mirrors, or turn on/off your seat heater, but you can also control certain options Tesla doesn’t currently offer, like manually preconditioning your battery.

Sadly, these aren’t compatible with the Cybertruck just yet, but Enhauto rolled out a new set of features for the 2024 Model 3 Highland, which uses the ambient light strips to warn you about traffic or other situations.

We also recently covered the launch of Enhauto’s new S3XY Stalks, which add stalks back to the new Model 3 and 2021+ Model S and X.

Use coupon code “NATA” for an additional 10% off anything at Enhauto.

Jowua Controllers

Wireless charging and Tesla compatible? They also look good? Every box is checked.
Wireless charging and Tesla compatible? They also look good? Every box is checked.
Not a Tesla App

Jowua makes a lot of fantastic Tesla accessories, but one of our favorites is their Tesla Controllers. You can get just the controller or a bundle. They’re comfortable to hold, the buttons are clicky and responsive, and they’re compatible with both your Tesla and your PC at home.

They’re multi-purpose, and the latest generation controllers can recharge on your Tesla’s wireless chargers too.

Use coupon code “NotATeslaApp” for an additional discount.

Abstract Ocean Hydrophobic Camera Covers

Super effective against water and grime - and a version for nearly every Tesla!
Super effective against water and grime - and a version for nearly every Tesla!
Not a Tesla App

Abstract Ocean also makes many accessories, but if we had to choose one that stands out, it's their Hydrophobic Camera Covers. They go over the rear camera of your vehicle and help keep mud, grime, and water off the lens. 

As a note, the new camera lip that’s been shipping with the Model Y since about September will interfere with the mounting of these covers, so if you have the new camera lip, these aren’t compatible yet.

We’ve linked the one for the Model 3 and Model Y above, but they also have versions for the Cybertruck, Model S, and Model X.

You can use the coupon code “NotATeslaApp” for an additional 10% off.

Tesbros Wraps

Carbon Fibre Console Wraps!
Carbon Fibre Console Wraps!
Not a Tesla App

Tesbros focuses on customization and cleaning, and they’ve got a lot of wraps. They've got everything you need to DIY wrap your vehicle, including interior and exterior wraps. So, if you want to wrap your vehicle or put on some carbon-fiber-like wraps on your dash, they’ve got what you need there. Check out their interior wraps here.

Also, check out their Interactive Wrap Visualizer to see what your Tesla would look like wrapped up in one of their many options - they sell both DIY and professional kits!

Tuxmat Custom-fit Mats

Perfect fit.
Perfect fit.
Not a Tesla App

Tuxmat makes custom-fit mats for vehicles - and they’re very high quality. They’re resistant to water, mud, salt, and whatever else you want to throw at them. They clip in seamlessly to your vehicle and look factory installed.

If you’re looking for a set of mats that will last, these took a lot of punishment in the author’s Model Y, and are still going nearly three years later without any wear or tear. Take a look at their mats at this link.

3D Spider Mats

Super sleek, super resistant, super affordable.
Super sleek, super resistant, super affordable.
Not a Tesla App

Another option in the mats department is 3D Spider. Rather than the fabric-like feeling of the Tuxmats, 3D Spider offers thicker mats that will fit your vehicle nearly as well. They’re also a fair bit cheaper than Tuxmat. They make an excellent choice if budget is on your mind, and they’re nearly just as resistant as the Tuxmats above.

In terms of price-to-performance, these are some of the best Tesla mats you can get on the market - here’s a link to their store, but you can also buy them on Amazon.

T-Sportline Cybertruck Offroad Lightbar

A fantastic third-party lightbar option - without being permanent.
A fantastic third-party lightbar option - without being permanent.
Not a Tesla App

The Cyberbeast’s off-road lightbar is taking a long time to ship—and there are plenty of AWD owners who want one, too. T-Sportline makes an off-road lightbar that mounts to the roof in a similar position as the OEM lightbar but without the glue on the windshield.

They also sell a quick disconnect and an L-rack mount, which means you can pull it off quickly and store it safely in the back of your truck when you’re not offroading. If you’re interested, shine your lights at this link.

Durable Sentry SSD

Waterproof, heatproof, coldproof, and dustproof. It'll survive it all!
Waterproof, heatproof, coldproof, and dustproof. It'll survive it all!
Not a Tesla App

If you’re looking for a Sentry SSD that’s got greater capacity than the 128GB one that comes with your Tesla, look no further than the Samsung T7 Shield. It’s a rugged SSD that can withstand both heat and cold and is available in a 1TB, 2TB, or even 4TB capacity. They’re also sold directly on Amazon, making buying them easy.

Rally Armor Mud Flaps

They look sleek and protect more than the OEM flaps!
They look sleek and protect more than the OEM flaps!
Not a Tesla App

The Tesla mud flaps can come off easily if you’re taking your vehicle down a rough dirt road or even in heavy snow. Rally Armor’s mud flaps are some of the best in the business - they’re flexible, solidly attached, and will keep your car from getting any dings from rocks or gravel flying up. Check them out on Amazon.

Touchscreen Protectors

Super easy to install, and you and you can get them in matte or gloss!
Super easy to install, and you and you can get them in matte or gloss!
Not a Tesla App

The touchscreen in your car is the primary means to interact with it. If you or your passenger accidentally smash a phone into it, trying to drop it on the wireless charger, it's a pretty penny to get it fixed.

Instead of taking the risk, a tempered glass screen protector—available in matte or gloss—will help. The best part? They’ll keep those pesky fingerprints off, too, so you won’t have to wipe down that display as often.

Keep your display safe - grab a screen protector here.

Car Cleaning

A fantastic starter kit for any Tesla!
A fantastic starter kit for any Tesla!
Not a Tesla App

If you or the Tesla owner in your life always gets out of your car and turns around to admire it, well, it better be clean. Car cleaning kits that come with rags, microfiber cloths, and all the chemicals you’ll need are a handy solution to getting that shine back on your ride.

If that’s not their style, go ahead and get them a car wash card for a local touchless car wash. They’ll appreciate it, and so will their Tesla.

We recommend this kit - it comes with all the basics and won’t break your wallet. You can add to it with a foam cannon and more tools as needed. You can buy it directly on Amazon.

Key Rings

A fantastic backup option.
A fantastic backup option.
Not a Tesla App

Tesla’s keycards are cool—nobody makes car keys this stylish. But what if you wanted something more convenient? You can also get a ring that will serve as an NFC key—it’ll act just like a keycard. Simply tap your knuckle on your car to get in, and then swipe your hand near the interior card reader to get going.

They’re waterproof, don’t require charging, and are a fantastic backup for when you leave your wallet and your phone in your car. Trust me, it’s worth it! Here’s a link to their site. We’ve also got a 5% Referral Code: FRIEND-QTS4D5R

Tesla Shop

A scale Cybertruck on some Cybertruck accessories!
A scale Cybertruck on some Cybertruck accessories!
Not a Tesla App

Of course, we saved this one for last. Tesla’s official shop has a lot of awesome stuff, from accessories for your vehicle to accessories for yourself.

If you’re aiming for some fantastic gifts, we highly recommend the scale models - they’re all really high quality and are fantastic display pieces. The author has a scale Cybertruck on their office desk.

Some of the links in this article may be a part of affiliate programs and/or offer you a discount. While they have no barring on what we decide to include in our gift guide, we may receive a small commission for items bought through some of these links, which goes toward supporting the site.

Tesla's FSD Team Members Tease FSD V13 on X

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

For the first time in a while, Tesla’s executives have started mentioning and hyping FSD V13 again. We previously reported on Elon Musk confirming V13 was around the corner, but this time more members of Tesla’s AI team have taken to X to talk about V13.

Starting a Fire…

Ashok Elluswamy started it all, and then Elon hopped in with a rocketship emoji.

Shortly after, other members of Tesla’s AI team started posting about V13 on their own accounts, and it really seems like it's starting to come together.

And that little fire has kept going, with more members of the team chiming in shortly thereafter. And there’s a lot more than that too. We’ve just captured a few of the reactions - and this is the first time we’ve seen so much positivity around an FSD release amongst so many Tesla employees.

So… V13 When?

With all the chatter around V13, it sounds as if it had or is about to have a limited employee release. We may even see it released to early-access testers with AI4 vehicles sometime next week. In fact, Ashok Elluswamy mentioned that engineers were even working on it Thanksgiving morning before taking time off to spend with their families.

Chuck Cook also recently caught a Cybertruck on his famous unprotected left turn near his house. The truck was likely testing a new version of FSD on the ADAS test vehicles before it was pushed out wider.

Tesla’s usual modus operandi for rolling out updates is to its internal ADAS testers first - and when it passes their rigorous safety testing, it's off to a wider set of employees before being given to early access testers. If all testing continues to go well, Tesla then begins small deployments to other Tesla owners.

That said, we’re hoping to see FSD V13 launch widely in time for the holidays—after all, what’s better than a holiday road trip with a new version of FSD?

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