Tesla Update 2024.8 Brings New Menus for WiFi and Bluetooth; Changes to Turn Signal Icons

By Not a Tesla App Staff
WiFi is now found under Controls >
WiFi" caption="WiFi is now found under Controls > WiFi" credit="MiTMo">

Tesla's latest update has started going out to the fleet in small numbers, and along with the official changes, Tesla has also introduced smaller, undocumented changes that bring consistency across vehicles and introduce a better way to manage WiFi and Bluetooth.

Turn Signals

This update makes a couple of changes to the icons at the top left of the screen while driving.

Turn Signals: The turn signal icons are now plain arrows instead of being inside green circles. This makes it easier to distinguish between the left and right turn signals at a glance and better matches other vehicles.

Hold Mode: Hold Mode (if enabled), prevents your vehicle from rolling after your vehicle comes to a complete stop.

Previously, when the vehicle was in 'Hold,' it would display the hold icon where the vehicle's speed is normally shown. With this update, Tesla now displays the hold icon next to the other indicator 'lights,' and continues to display your speedometer at all times.

Update: The Hold icon underneath the speedometer instead of replacing the speedometer has been available in Europe for a while and it is not expected to come to additional regions.

New WiFi Menu

There is a new WiFi menu that makes it easier to connect your vehicle to WiFi. The new menu can be found under Controls > WLAN (WiFi).

The updated menu replaces the old dialog box that appeared when you tapped the WiFi icon at the top of the Controls menu.

The status icons at the top of the screen are still present to let you quickly view whether the vehicle is connected to WiFi and its signal strength.

New Bluetooth Menu

Bluetooth now has its own menu
Bluetooth now has its own menu
MiTMo

Similar to WiFi, the Bluetooth menu is now located under Controls > Bluetooth, instead of an overlay on the screen.

To make room for the additional WiFi and Bluetooth options in the left column, you can now scroll the column vertically, with WiFi, Bluetooth, and Upgrades being the last options.

The Bluetooth icon will also remain at the top of the screen to quickly let you know whether any Bluetooth devices are connected.

These changes come as Tesla continues to refine their software, making it quicker to find options and easier to use. Given the number of options and devices to connect to for WiFi and Bluetooth, it makes sense that these options would have their own menu instead of a small dialog window.

The changes to turn signals and Hold Mode are also welcomed ones, as Tesla better matches the display in other vehicles. The speedometer and turn signals offer crucial information that you should be glanceable while driving. In hindsight, replacing the speedometer, something drivers always expect to be on screen, with the hold icon may not have been the best choice.

Update 2024.8.3

FSD 11.4.9
Installed on 0% of fleet
0 Installs today
Last updated: Feb 26, 7:45 pm UTC

These changes come just two updates after Tesla was asked to make changes to their indicator lights in the vehicle so that they would meet the minimum text size mandated by the U.S. government. The turn signals icons in particular are a small but needed change and it could be Tesla getting out ahead of any potential issues in the future.

Ordering a New Tesla?

Consider using our referral code (karan29050) to get up to $1,000 off your Tesla.

Tesla’s NACS Charging Standard Receives MotorTrend Best Tech Award

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

MotorTrend is running their suite of Best Tech of 2025 - and the winner that took home the Best Tech for Public Charging System is none other than Tesla’s North American Charging Standard - better known as NACS or the Tesla Plug.

What is NACS?

NACS is Tesla’s home-grown connector standard - and is now the standard in North America. Tesla opened the connector standard back in November 2022, inviting other automakers to collaborate on a better and easier-to-use charging standard.

At that time, CCS was rapidly gaining traction as the industry standard, but Teslas remained the most common EV on the road. This put Tesla in a unique position to establish a new standard in North America, where the Tesla connector was the most popular.

SAE Standard

After Tesla opened up its connector, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) swiftly adopted it, naming it the J3400 EV Coupler. The SAE initiated the process in June 2023, with the validation phase concluding in October, alongside the release of the J3400 Recommended Practices document, officially establishing NACS as the industry standard in North America.

While a few holdouts, such as Volkswagen and Stellantis, initially hesitated to embrace NACS, they soon came on board. Today, no major automaker selling vehicles in North America plans to use CCS for their future EVs.

Why is NACS Better?

NACS is an innovative charging standard that outperforms both CCS1 and CCS2 (the EU’s version) in almost every way. The system is lighter, more user-friendly, and more versatile, offering better thermal efficiency than comparable CCS systems. Additionally, the handle and plug are designed to be more ergonomic and streamlined, making them easier to use and far less cumbersome.

Differences Between CCS1 and CCS2

The CCS1 charging standard in North America combines the J1772 connector for AC charging with separate pins for DC fast charging. However, it differs drastically from CCS2, which is used in Europe. CCS2 features a more compact design and allows digital communication for both AC and DC charging. It also supports higher power than CCS1.

Technically Better

NACS was designed out of necessity back in 2012 when there wasn’t a connector that met Tesla’s needs for the original Model S. As it turns out, it remains far superior to the charging standards created by legacy automakers today, who were more concerned with having a simple plug-in port than the efficiency and quality of the charging process itself.

Unlike CCS1 or J1772, which use analog communication when charging over AC power, NACS relies on digital communication, regardless of whether it’s charging the vehicle over AC or DC power. This enables better and more reliable information exchange during the charging process. In contrast, analog systems like CCS1 can run into issues—such as ground faults—that may leave your EV bricked without an explanation since data isn’t transmitted the same way.

With NACS, however, any issues can be diagnosed on either the vehicle side or the Supercharger side. If you’re interested - open up Service Mode while plugged into your Wall or Mobile Connector, or while at a Supercharger - and take a peek at the Charging Pane.

Ultimately, NACS offers improved diagnostics and testing, a more intuitive cable and interface, and the best part is that it can support up to 1,000V charging without major changes. Plus, it works seamlessly with both residential two-phase and commercial three-phase power without requiring major alterations to the connector format—unlike CCS1 and CCS2, which uses separate connectors for AC and DC charging.

Improved Communications

We’ve already discussed how digital communication enables effective debugging, but it also plays a crucial role in streamlining the payment process for charging. This is how Tesla makes its Supercharging experience so effortless. When you plug in your vehicle, it communicates directly with the Supercharger and Tesla’s servers. Your payment is automatically processed through the payment method linked to your Tesla profile, making the entire process seamless.

In contrast, with most CCS1 chargers, the process is the reverse. While Plug-and-Charge is a standard, it’s not always fully or reliably implemented. When you arrive at a CCS1 charger, you often need to plug in your EV, fumble with an app or the screen and hope the charging post is working properly before you can proceed.

Who’s using NACS?

Here’s a list of automakers that have either pledged to begin using NACS - usually by their 2025 or 2026 model year - or have already incorporated it. Many of these companies also offer adapters, and can also use Tesla’s Magic Dock-equipped Superchargers.

Any companies in parentheses represent a sub-brand of the parent company that has also committed to the NACS connector.

  • Audi

  • Aston Martin (No EVs)

  • BMW (MINI, Rolls Royce)

  • Ford (Lincoln)

  • GM (Chevy, Buick, GMC, Cadillac)

  • Hyundai (Genesis)

  • Kia

  • Lucid

  • Mazda (No EVs)

  • Porsche

  • Rivian

  • Subaru

  • Nissan (Infiniti)

  • Toyota (Lexus)

  • Honda (Accura)

  • Mercedez-Benz

  • Stellantis (Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, RAM, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati)

  • Volkswagen (Scout)

  • Volvo (Polestar)

And that’s it—NACS has won the EV charging standards race in North America. If you’re in Europe, you’re using the CCS2 connector, which is superior to the CCS1 connector offered in North America. China has its own relatively novel connector standard, but it still differentiates between DC and AC plugs, unlike NACS, which keeps things simpler.

Tesla Cybercab to Use Paint-Infused Plastic Panels as Production Hiring Gets Underway

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

Tesla’s autonomous robotaxi made a big impact last year at the We, Robot event in October, sparking plenty of questions about when, where, and how production would begin. Well, it looks like we finally have some answers to these questions thanks to new Cybercab-related job openings.

Engineering Roles

Tesla is actively recruiting engineers to focus on various aspects of the Cybercab’s production. One of the key positions is for an equipment engineer, responsible for developing the machinery that will be used to build the Cybercab. Designing and implementing the assembly line is crucial, especially with Tesla’s ambition to manufacture thousands of Cybercabs in the near future.

Unboxed Production Process

Tesla plans to produce the Cybercab using its revolutionary “unboxed” process, which stands in stark contrast to traditional car manufacturing methods. Unlike typical assembly lines that build vehicles from the floor up, the unboxed process involves constructing vehicle sections in parallel and bringing those parts together for final assembly. This method increases the number of engineers that can work on the vehicle at once and increases accessibility for works and robots, allowing the vehicle to be manufactured more efficiently.

Tesla shows off the unboxed process in the vehicle below:

Paint-Infused Plastic Panels

A crucial part of the Cybercab’s production will be handled by a new process engineer specializing in plastics. This engineer will focus on the exterior plastic panels, working alongside a tool & die specialist. The reason for this specialized role is likely due to the Cybercab’s unique use of paint-impregnated plastic for its exterior panels, which requires different processes and tooling than Tesla’s typical vehicle exteriors.

Tesla’s VP of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, shared that the company will be injecting polyurethane paint directly into the plastic during the manufacturing process. This method eliminates the need for a traditional paint shop, as the colors are embedded directly into the plastic while the panels are molded. The best part is that these panels are highly resilient—if they get scratched, dinged, or worn down, the original color remains visible throughout, unlike standard painted panels, which would reveal the underlying material.

Technicians

To implement these new engineering practices, Tesla is also hiring various technicians for the assembly line. These include specialists in plastics, general assembly, and the Giga Press, all of whom will play key roles in bringing the Cybercab to life.

This information was revealed in a recent episode of the Ride the Lightning podcast, where Lars discussed several exciting topics, including the upcoming refreshes for the Model S and Model X.

According to the Q4 2024 Earnings Call, the Cybercab’s assembly line is not expected to launch until late 2025 or early 2026. Building such an innovative assembly line is no small feat, and it’s clear Tesla is laying the groundwork for something special.

Latest Tesla Update

Confirmed by Elon

Take a look at features that Elon Musk has said will be coming soon.

More Tesla News

Tesla Videos

Latest Tesla Update

Confirmed by Elon

Take a look at features that Elon Musk has said will be coming soon.

Subscribe

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter