First Look at Tesla’s 2025.26 Update [Photos + Videos]

DirtyTesla

Tesla’s Summer Update, 2025.26, has finally launched, bringing with it a batch of interesting new features for some, and a bunch of quality-of-life improvements for everyone else.

Grok AI Assistant

The star of the Summer Update is Grok, xAI’s conversational AI assistant, which has now landed in Tesla vehicles. For now, it's available in any Tesla that has an AMD processor and is potentially coming to Intel-based vehicles in the near future. The feature is also only available in the U.S., but it’s expected to expand to other regions — hopefully soon.

Grok is in its first iteration as an in-vehicle assistant, and for now, cannot control the vehicle, which means that Tesla’s voice command system is still intact. However, there is a lot it can do already. Grok is activated by pressing and holding the voice button (right scroll wheel on older vehicles), while a short press of the button is still reserved for voice commands. Grok will support a wake word in the future, letting you activate it without pressing a button.

You don't need to sign into Grok to use it in your Tesla!

It can't currently control anything in the car, but it does seem context aware that it is in a vehicle. pic.twitter.com/IpatR7sjiJ

— Dirty Tesla (@DirtyTesLa) July 16, 2025

Grok Options

Once Grok is open, which can also be done by tapping the Grok app icon, users can tailor the AI personality according to their preferences by selecting a persona and voice of their choice.

There are also several other settings for Grok under the settings button. You can enable NSFW mode, Kids Mode, or disable access to your vehicle’s location.

Grok has contextual awareness of your vehicle location, which means it can provide relevant answers to questions like “Where should I go for dinner?”

Logging In Not Required

Grok is free with Premium Connectivity, or if you’re using your phone’s hotspot feature or connected to WiFi, so anyone can try it for free. In fact, you don’t even need to log in to start using Grok. However, logging in adds some additional features.

If you’d like to log in, you can do so by scanning the QR code in the vehicle, which will provide chat management and transcripts, SuperGrok access (if you pay for a subscription), and better privacy control.

Light Sync

It’s so clean 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/ngRWTq6YJ8

— Warren (@Warren_pr1) July 13, 2025

Tesla has added a new Light Sync feature that pulses the vehicle’s ambient lighting in sync with the music being played. This option is turned on under Toybox > Light Sync. There are also a few options, including the ability to match the ambient light colors to the album’s artwork, instead of using your selected color.

In addition, in Park you can enable Rave Cave when parked, which cranks up the ambient lighting brightness to the maximum.

Dashcam App Update

The Dashcam app now allows you to adjust playback speeds, just like the older Dashcam Viewer, which is still used on Intel-based vehicles.

In addition to adjusting playback speed, you can now adjust the video view so that it’s displayed without being obstructed by the buttons at the top (video below). The difference is small, but could be useful if you’re trying to see something slightly out of view or that’s hidden behind the top Dashcam buttons.

While the Cybertruck has also received the updated Dashcam Viewer with this update, it does not have the new B-pillar camera recordings like other HW4 cars.

„New“ Dashcam Playback-Speed adjustment in 2025.26 pic.twitter.com/UpRdg92ekY

— Max Bracco (@max_bracco) July 18, 2025

Sentry Mode Glow

Sentry Mode is getting one of the best uses of the vehicle’s ambient lighting that we’ve seen so far. The ambient lighting will now slowly pulse red while Sentry Mode is activated to grab someone’s attention, instead of just relying on the vehicle’s display.

While you can disable Sentry Mode sounds, we’d love to see an even more stealthy Sentry Mode that also disables the ambient lighting and screen, allowing the vehicle to record without anyone being aware.

Since the ambient lighting is being used in this case to make people more aware of a feature, Tesla could also use it in other modes, such as Dog Mode.

There are a lot of potential uses for ambient lighting. Tesla can make it glow while the vehicle is charging, with the brightness potentially related to the vehicle's charge level.

Accent lighting now also turns red when someone’s protecting the car – someone who can’t open doors … 👁️ https://t.co/DgRqqV5MnR pic.twitter.com/PwNXgoGs1k

— Tesla (@Tesla) July 13, 2025

Supercharger Site Info at Arrival

When you navigate to a Supercharger, new icons in the charger list will indicate locations that require valet service or pay-to-park access.

Upon arrival at the location, a notification will appear on your screen, displaying important details such as access codes, parking restrictions, level/floor information for parking garages, and restroom availability. This information will also be available on the site card in the navigation.

Equalizer Presets

max_bracco/X

Tesla has moved the audio settings from the music player, directly into the vehicle settings — making them much easier to find. In addition to creating a new “Audio” section in settings, you can now create and save equalizer presets.

Each preset can have a name, custom EQ settings, and a setting for immersive audio.

max_bracco/X

Onboarding Guide

Not a Tesla App

Tesla has introduced a new Onboarding Guide for new owners. The guide covers driver settings, touchscreen use, steering wheel and seat setup, and how to control key portions of the vehicle, including lights, wipers, and Autopilot features.

The Onboarding Guide is automatically initiated when a new owner accepts delivery of a Tesla, or can be manually initiated at any time by going to Controls > Service > Onboarding Guide.

This appears to only be available for the new Model 3 and new Model Y.

New onboarding guide in Update 2025.26 pic.twitter.com/cfg0ioSBms

— Max Bracco (@max_bracco) July 18, 2025

Rollout

In typical Tesla fashion, this 2025.26 update is rolling out gradually in small waves initially. Three waves have already gone out, so all signs are looking good for it going into a wide release soon.

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Musk Confirms That Tesla Will Add 'Hey, Grok' Wake Word

@greentheonly on X

Tesla’s new in-car AI assistant, Grok, will be getting a hands-free wake word soon. Tesla added Grok to its 2025.26 update, and it’s already working on ways to improve the feature.

Elon Musk stated on X that Grok will soon be able to be activated on Tesla vehicles with the “Hey, Grok” wake word. The conversational assistant will feel even more human-like by having it respond to its own name.

Currently, Grok is activated with a long press of the voice command button (or a long press of the right scroll wheel on older vehicles). A single tap of the button/wheel is currently reserved for the outgoing voice command system, which is expected to be replaced by Grok in the future.

When you’re barely touching the steering wheel on FSD, having a wake-word will be especially useful since you don’t want to deactivate Autopilot accidentally by grabbing the steering wheel.

Coming

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 16, 2025

Grok Will Have More Data

Grok in a Tesla is going to be far more useful than on a phone or smart speaker, because Grok has access to a whole set of real-time contextual data about the vehicle and its surroundings. While Grok already has access to your vehicle’s location, in the future it’ll be tied in with a lot more, likely knowing your destination, route, battery level, and a lot more. This is all data that Grok will be able to use and take into account when responding to one of your questions.

“Hey, Grok - what’s the best coffee shop along my route that’s within 15 minutes?” will be easily answered by Grok in the future.

Expect More Improvements

Seamless, hands-free activation will be a big improvement for voice commands, especially if the syntax isn’t as rigid as it is today. “Hey Grok, turn on the heated seats”, or “Hey Grok, add a stop at the nearest coffee shop.”

While Grok is going to be an in-development product for quite some time, the confirmation of a wake word tells us that Tesla is already planning its next set of improvements. We don’t expect these to be added all at once, but we can see a long list of features that could be added to Grok.

Once Grok has access to vehicle controls, we expect it to be much more capable than it is today, not only from a syntactical point of view, but also in terms of the actual functions it could control. For example, you may be able to ask Grok to open your garage door when you get home, or tune to a specific radio station at a specific time.

Now, we just need to be able to talk to our vehicles from outside, Knight Rider style.

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Tesla Diner: First Look at Its Food and Potential Collectibles [VIDEO]

Thomas Adamian (@marasch3no) / Not a Tesla App

The very first Tesla Diner in Hollywood appears to be in its final stages of preparation before its grand opening. There’s been a flurry of activity on site, mostly focused on wrapping up and finalizing all the details. That includes stress testing the on-site Superchargers, testing the movie screens, recording what appears to be a promotional video, and taste-testing the food.

There are a lot of potential menu items, but we have our first look at some of the food that will be served at this 24-hour diner. There are also what appear to be some collectibles that Tesla will give away to patrons. It’s all coming together.

Lights, Power, Action!

Thomas Adamian (@marasch3no) / Not a Tesla App

Recent observations by readers Thomas Adamian (@marasch3no) and @tesla_lighting_ show that the diner is now fully operational, at least from an infrastructure standpoint. The Superchargers outside the building are now being stress-tested, making sure they’re ready for what’s sure to be a packed opening day. After dark, the diner itself is all nicely lit up, with a large, retro-style Tesla Diner logo shining brightly.

The two large movie screens have been spotted lit up numerous times, but the best sign that the Tesla drive-in diner is ready to open is that Tesla appears to be filming on-site, in what will likely be a video posted to YouTube and other social media channels.

A First Look at the Menu

@tesla_lighting_ / Not a Tesla App

For the first time, we’ve finally got a sneak peek at the type of food that will be offered at the diner. We’ve been expecting traditional diner fare, so this list of food isn’t surprising. 

The items spotted on the tables for taste-testing included hot wings, sandwiches, and a side of either salad or coleslaw. These will be joined by other staples, including burgers and hot dogs, which were also spotted.

Tesla Diner Nears Grand Opening: First Look at Food and Potential Collectibles [VIDEO]https://t.co/XHZD0pFJs0 pic.twitter.com/oxWABJk8et

— Not a Tesla App (@NotATeslaApp) July 17, 2025

Collectibles

Tesla is extending its Tesla Diner branding to drinkware and likely other tableware. The soft drink cups can be seen sporting Tesla’s lightning bolt logo. There also appears to be what looks like a Cybertruck-themed takeout box or a platter of some sort (can be seen on the very bottom left of the food image above).

Tesla previously teamed up with McDonald’s to offer a Cyber Spoon, so it’s possible they may make similar type offerings at their own diner.

Tesla has invested a lot in making this a unique destination. There’s no doubt that this place will be packed nearly 24/7 and will surely be a fan favorite destination.

Opening

While we haven’t heard of an official opening date yet, these final preparations, from promotional filming to taste testing, indicate that the wait for Tesla’s first Diner and drive-in movie experience is nearly over. Let’s hope it goes well, and they continue expanding the Tesla Diners across the globe.

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