Tesla Releases FSD V13.2.1 - What's New

DirtyTesla

Last night Tesla released FSD V13.2.1 with software update 2024.39.15. While the update is still going out in very small waves, it’s the first time FSD V13 has gone out to users beyond the initial early-access testers.

The update is going out to all HW4-based models, including the new Model S/X and the Model 3/Y, and includes the Cybertruck for the first time.

FSD V13

FSD V13 adds various new features, including the ability to start FSD from Park, Reverse, and Park at Destination. However, not all features are available on the Cybertruck yet. You can check out our detailed examination of the FSD V13.2 features here.

Start FSD from Park is also called Unpark - and it means that you can select your destination, and then tap and hold the new Start FSD button. FSD will engage, shift out of park, and into drive or reverse to get to your destination.

Next up, FSD is now capable of driving in reverse. It can now shift into reverse as required and will shift between the three gears as needed (Reverse, Drive, and Park). This means that FSD can now perform 3-point turns when necessary.

Finally, when FSD reaches its destination, it will navigate to an open parking spot if one is nearby and available. For now, FSD will only look for open parking spots, but soon you’ll be able to pick what the vehicle should do when arriving at its destination.

Take a look at the video below of one of the first drives of FSD V13.2.1.

V13 is MINDBLOWING.

Here’s the first drive video with FSD v13.2.1. 31 mins from parking lot to parking spot with ZERO disengagements or interventions. I can’t believe how smooth it is- it’s incredible.

This is it folks, it’s here. @elonmusk @Tesla_AI pic.twitter.com/uZvxsgRmJA

— Zack (@BLKMDL3) December 16, 2024

What’s New

This update is essentially a bug fix for the Model S, 3, X, and Y. However, the Cybertruck is receiving a modified release that’s missing several features compared to the other vehicles receiving 13.2.1. Here’s what’s missing from the Cybertruck version:

First off, Cybertruck does not get integrated Park, Unpark, and Reverse for the time being. In addition, there still isn’t support Actually Smart Summon in this release. With this update, Tesla is calling out the “Start FSD (Supervised) from Park” feature as a separate item in the release notes due to some changes (more on this below), but this is also not available on the Cybertruck.

This is likely because further refinements are needed for Cybertruck to be able to park itself or move accurately in tight spaces. The Cyebrtruck is significantly larger than other Tesla vehicles, and Tesla is likely waiting for more validation tests before releasing Summon or the Park-related features outside of Auto Park. T

Two other items missing from the Cybertruck version are Improved Camera Cleaning and the Redesigned Controller for smoother and more accurate tracking. Both are listed in the upcoming improvements section for the Cybertruck. Everything else in the release notes is identical to the other models.

Interestingly, this update still does not include the holiday update, so while users on FSD V13.2.1 get to enjoy the latest FSD build, they still do not have access to the features in the Holiday Update.

Start FSD From Park

WifeDirtyTesla

While FSD V13.2 included Start FSD from Park, it’s getting some changes in this update. Tesla is now specifying that the driver must be in the driver’s seat and buckled and that the camera camera must be unobstructed.

The process for starting FSD from Park has also been slightly adjusted. By default, you’ll need to tap and hold the Start FSD button after meeting the requirement above, but after pressing the on-screen button, you’ll also need to press the brake pedal before FSD is activated.

This seems like an additional safeguard to prevent accidental use of the feature, but it is optional. You can turn off the additional safety measure by going to Controls > Autopilot and turning on Start FSD (Supervised) from Park.

This feature is expected to arrive for the Cybertruck in a future release.

Upcoming Improvements

The Upcoming Improvements section doesn’t mention any features that weren’t previously mentioned in the FSD 13.2 update, which includes the following features:

• 3x model size scaling

• 3x model context length scaling

• Audio inputs for better handling of emergency vehicles

• Improved reward predictions for navigation

• Improvements to false braking and slower driving in parking lots

• Support for destination options including pulling over, parking in a spot, driveway, or garage

• Efficient representation of maps and navigation inputs

• Improved handling of camera occlusions

That’s an extensive list of upcoming improvements for FSD V13, so we’ll be seeing lots of changes and improvements as FSD approaches its Unsupervised phase in the near future.

Hardware 3?

Sadly, Tesla did not mention HW3 in their previous roadmap update and hasn’t referred to it since the original roadmap update. HW3 vehicles recently received the Holiday Update alongside FSD V12.5.4.2, which is the latest FSD build for HW3.

Besides saying that a future hardware upgrade will be available if Tesla can not achieve Unsupervised FSD on HW3, Tesla has been mum on the situation. However, there’s no word on whether FSD V13 will be made available on HW3 vehicles before such an upgrade is available.

There’s a good chance that Tesla will create a smaller model version of FSD V13 that’s capable of running on HW3 and is capable of some of the same abilities we’re seeing on HW4-based vehicles running FSD V13. However, it’s clear that Tesla’s focus is achieving Unsupervised FSD and meeting their goal of running it out next year.

HW3 vehicles are still waiting on the merger of the city and highway stack, so we’re hopeful we’ll see that, at least that, if not V13 in the coming months.

Update: This FSD update (V13.2.1) is now going out to all HW4 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Read our article here on when you can expect to receive it.

Follow

Follow

Follow

New Castings Spotted at Giga Texas Likely Intended for Tesla Cybercab

@JoeTegtmeyer

Tesla’s Giga Texas factory usually gives us the first site of Tesla’s upcoming products. We first saw the Cybertruck and Model Y castings here. With Giga Texas being one of Tesla’s largest factories, it’s logical that most products would originate here.

Tesla has also stated that it intends to manufacture the Cybercab, Semi, the next-generation vehicle, and Optimus at Giga Texas over the coming years. The affordable vehicle and Cybercab were originally intended to be manufactured at Giga Mexico, but the plans for that facility were waylaid by changes in economic policy.

Robotaxi Castings

These new castings were spotted by Joe Tegtmeyer, who regularly does drone flights of Giga Texas. Joe pointed out that these castings don’t look like the usual Model Y or Cybertruck castings usually seen outside Giga Texas.

With an eagle eye, @minusYCore on X also spotted some interesting text on the frames holding the castings up. In particular, the castings say “RTTX050” and “W68-RSF AS-CAST”. These could be interpreted as ‘Robotaxi Texas’ and ‘Rear SubFrame.’ The as-cast portion indicates that these particular castings haven’t been trimmed yet, according to the X user.

The castings laid out.

@JoeTegtmeyer

The size and shape of these castings—combined with rumors that Tesla’s more affordable vehicle has been delayed—suggest they are intended for the Cybercab.

These castings are much flatter and appear to be a different size than the castings found elsewhere throughout Giga Texas, indicating that they are intended for a different product entirely.

It’s possible that these are the first castings used by Tesla to test their unboxed assembly process, which the Cybercab is expected to rely on. If you take a closer look at the video below, you’ll note that these new castings look very similar to the ones in the unboxed assembly video.

Interestingly, Tesla did say that they don’t intend to have the Cybercab available for customers before late 2026 or early 2027, but we’ll likely hear updated timelines as Tesla’s Q1 2025 Earnings Call tomorrow.

A more vertical look at the castings.

@JoeTegtmeyer

New Giga Presses

To top it all off, new parts for a Giga Press - the machine Tesla uses to make these castings - were also sighted in Texas. These machines are few and far between, and each one is highly specialized for the particular vehicle it produces. Seeing new parts coming in usually indicates that a new assembly line is under construction, or that changes are being made to an existing line to either expand it or update it.

There’s a lot happening and we will hopefully know more tomorrow evening.

New Giga Press parts

@JoeTegtmeyer

Follow

Follow

Follow

PepsiCo Building Additional Tesla Semi Chargers

Not a Tesla App

Tesla’s first large-scale partner for the Tesla Semi - PepsiCo - is building out another Semi Megacharger site per a recent filing found by MarcoRP. Building out these Semi charging sites is expensive due to their much higher power output when compared to Superchargers.

Name Change

Interestingly enough, Tesla appears to have shifted its terminology recently, now often referring to the Semi’s high-power charging solution as Tesla Semi Chargers instead of the previously common "Megachargers." Regardless of the name, these chargers are crucial for the Semi. They’re designed to deliver 1.2 megawatts of charging power capable of adding hundreds of miles of range in roughly 30 minutes.

Frito-Lay Site

The new site detailed in the recent filing will be located at a Frito-Lay production plant on Hageman Road in Bakersfield, California. Permits were filed just a couple of days ago for the installation of eight Tesla Semi Charger stalls along with their associated electrical equipment.

This facility adds to PepsiCo's existing network of chargers, supporting the Tesla Semis operating out of their Sacramento facility, and highlights Bakersfield as the next expansion of the Semi’s operational area. Notably, this new Frito-Lay charging site is strategically located just five miles (approx. 8 km) away from a massive future public charging complex Tesla is planning on Kelton Way.

Kelton Way Charging Complex

Tesla’s planned charging complex in Bakersfield, which is just down the road, will feature 72 Supercharger stalls, as well as 18 Semi charger stalls. According to pre-permits filed last month, this site will be fairly large and accessible to both the public and Tesla’s partners.

A rendering of the Kelton Way site - with the Semi Chargers on the outside, and the Covered Supercharger site in the center.

@MarcoRPi1 on X

Tesla plans to develop a vacant plot right off the interstate into a large charging hub, which is now the second major public Semi Charger site we’ve heard about. For now, these sites will remain rare, but we expect that Tesla and its partners will be happy to expand them out further as required.

Carson Semi Charger Site

These Bakersfield developments – both the private Frito-Lay site and the large public Kelton Way hub will help lay out the necssary infrastructure for the Tesla Semi, much like the early days of Tesla’s Superchargers. Since Semi cannot be charged at a Supercharger site (the MCS plug is notably different than NACS), these sites are a must-have.

Tesla's first publicly accessible Semi Charger site planned near the Port of Long Beach in Carson, California, was one of the first signs of these types of Semi Charger facilities being established - and like Kelton Way, it also includes amenities for truck drivers. Tesla is also considering what long, medium, and short-haul truckers need for their stays at these sites.

As Tesla works to ramp up production of the Semi itself, the parallel expansion of dedicated, high-power charging infrastructure by both Tesla and its key partners are essential to making electric heavy-duty trucking a reality.

Follow

Follow

Follow