All the Undocumented Changes in Tesla Update 2024.2

Tesla now makes it easier to unlock a vehicle when someone is inside the car

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Like every other Tesla owner, we look forward to the latest Tesla update every month, which is hopefully filled with improvements and new features. However, the release notes only cover the biggest changes, so every month we go through an update and receive countless tips from readers that highlight all of the smaller changes Tesla has made in the latest update.

Here we’ll go through all of the undocumented changes in Tesla update 2024.2.

Unlock Car and Trunk Buttons

To make it easier to unlock the vehicle for others, Tesla has added a contextual unlock button that appears in certain situations.

If the vehicle is locked and there is someone inside the vehicle, an 'Unlock Vehicle' or ‘Unlock Trunk’ button will now appear if someone tries to open the vehicle from the outside.

Trips Menu Redesign

Tesla updated the Trips menu to be easier to read and take up less space

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Tesla has redesigned the Trips menu under Controls > Trips. The new design features 'Reset' buttons directly next to the trip meter instead of all the way at the bottom.

The 'Show in Trips Card' is now aligned right on the same row, allowing all trip meters to fit on the screen without having to scroll.

Each trip meter is now easier to read at a glance as well. The details for each trip meter are now grouped in a darker gray color.

Supercharging Tips

Tesla now points out that steam coming out of your vehicle while Supercharging is normal

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In the Charging menu, Tesla provides various tips when Supercharging such as not taking up adjacent stalls since some Superchargers share power between neighboring stalls.

Another tip has been added for vehicles with a heat pump. Tesla states that water vapor coming out of the car while Supercharging in cold conditions is normal. Recently some owners have been confusing the steam that is emitted from the vehicle for smoke.

Supercharging Tips can be accessed by going to Controls > Charging and tapping on Supercharging Tips.

PIN to Drive

The PIN to drive menu adds another layer of security

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The PIN to Drive keypad that appears when you enter the car received some minor design changes.

All Apps Menu

All apps are now displayed in the 'All Apps' menu

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The All Apps menu [...] will now display all apps available, even if they're docked at the bottom of the display. Previously, the menu would only display apps that weren't pinned as favorites.

Additional Vehicle Info

Additional Vehicle Information now contains, well, additional information...

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The Additional Vehicle Information menu under Controls > Software will now display if your vehicle is capable of 3rd-party NACS DC charging.

It sounds like not all vehicles may be capable of charging at all future 3rd party NACS DC chargers.

Software Version in App

Additional details are now shown about the vehicle's current software version

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With this update, the vehicle's software version displayed in the app will also display additional information.

Tesla recently added the software version hash to the software version at the bottom of the app, and with this update, they're also displaying the vehicle's software version number, such as v11.1 as part of the version field.

Undocumented Changes on Update 2024.8

We publish undocumented changes throughout the lifetime of a release. There have already been six undocumented changes related to Tesla’s latest software update, version 2024.8. If you haven’t seen them yet, head on over to the release notes page.

If you discover any additional undocumented changes in a Tesla update, please let us know on our contact us page.

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Tesla Is Now Offering Cybertruck Test Drives [List of Locations]

@brandonhd

Tesla has begun to reach out to customers in the United States and is offering demo drives of the Cybertruck on an invite-only basis. @brandonhd on X shared the first invite image, and it looks like it's going out quite quickly to multiple locations that have Cybertrucks on display.

Up until now, display vehicles have been for just that – looking, but no touching. Some Tesla delivery centers and showrooms have also allowed viewers to take a seat inside and open it up, but most are still locked away behind the velvet rope.

It’s exciting to see that Tesla has begun to demo them – and it can only be so long until demo drives open up to everyone.

Advisor-led Demo

This Demo Drive is led by a Tesla Advisor – while you’re driving, the advisor will be in the passenger seat, walking you through the experience. They’ll explain steer-by-wire, off-road controls, and will introduce new-to-Tesla buyers to all the features that are currently available.

Once FSD V12.5 comes to the Cybertruck, we’re sure they’ll be demoing its capabilities FSD capabilities as well.

Locations

The list of locations so far for demo drives appears to be fairly limited, but we will hopefully see demo drives roll out throughout the United States, and eventually Canada too. Here is the current list of city/state locations that have seen demo drive invites.

• Manhasset, New York

• West Covina, California

• Los Angeles, California

• Houston, Texas

• Orlando, Florida

• Westmont, Illinois

• Tucson, Arizona

• Phoenix, Arizona

• Delaware

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Musk Confirms 'Actually Smart Summon' is Coming in a Revision of FSD V12.5

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Actually Smart Summon, the successor to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature, has been confirmed to be coming as soon as next month as per Elon Musk. Colloquially known as “ASS”, Actually Smart Summon is supposed to improve on the regular Smart Summon capabilities, which have historically used ultrasonic sensors (USS) to navigate parking lots.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon, and we’re quite excited about what other features will be unlocked once it finally shows up at our doorstep.

Vision-based Improvements

ASS is supposed to bring Smart Summon to vehicles that don’t have USS – using Tesla Vision. Most recently, Tesla has brought Autopark to vehicles without USS, and Vision-based Autopark has been a huge success. It is faster, more reliable, and smoother than the older USS-based solution. It can also park and maneuver in tighter locations.

Just recently, Tesla returned the Model X’s self-presenting doors, using Tesla Vision. Vision has seen some fantastic improvements, and many people are waiting for ASS to bring forth these improvements to Smart Summon.

Smart Summon Today

Today, Smart Summon is sometimes useful at best, usually a party trick, or downright dangerous at worst. It’s excellent and best used in straight lines, where you have a clear line of sight of the vehicle, and can stop it if doesn’t see an obstacle.

I used Smart Summon today, just before writing this article – my 2022 Model Y (with USS) – did manage to show up just fine – in a straight-line location from where I was parked, after exiting the parking spot fairly cleanly. However, I’ve previously used Smart Summon and have had the vehicle turn towards obstacles, such as cart returns or curbs. Overall, it’s a sometimes-useful feature that has a lot of drawbacks right now.

Smart Summon is also restricted to a certain distance – and it's pretty small. The max distance is shorter than most parking lots, being only about 215 ft (65m). If you’re lucky enough to park close, it's very useful to bring your car right to you.

Actually Smart Summon

ASS will bring FSD V12-like capabilities to Smart Summon – the vehicle will primarily use Vision to drive toward you (or the location you’ve indicated). ASS has been supposed to be coming since about September 2022 and has seen many delays – we’re almost at the 2-year point today.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon being able to bring the vehicle – safely – right to you. ASS is also one of the key steps towards bringing some other cool features that Elon Musk has previously mentioned – Park Seek and Banish Autopark.

We’re also hopeful that Actually Smart Summon will increase the maximum range a vehicle can be summoned, because the current range is fairly small. Alongside Park Seek and Banish Autopark, we’re closing in on a Robotaxi-based future.

Park Seek and Banish Autopark

When the FSD v12.4 showed up, Elon also mentioned that going forward, vehicles would automatically park themselves when arriving in a parking lot – Park Seek – and that if you got out of the car at the entrance to a business, you could get it to automatically park itself in the parking lot – Banish Autopark. These are two features that are needed for Robotaxi to work – which itself is delayed to October 10^th of this year. We’re looking quite forward to them – as in combination with Actually Smart Summon, Tesla has reached the cusp of vehicle autonomy.

A vehicle that arrives, driverless, at the location you’re at, then drives somewhere, parks itself there, and waits for you – is the definition of a Robotaxi.

While we’re likely to have to wait for Banish Autopark and Park Seek just a bit longer, Actually Smart Summon being around the corner is exciting! Gone will be the days of having to run out to your car when you forgot your umbrella – your car will just come right to you instead.

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