Tesla Will Lower Climate Fan Speed While on a Call, Add Ability To Pause PWS and Reposition Backup Camera

Tesla 2023.26 will automatically lower the fan speed while you're on a phone call

Not a Tesla App

Tesla has a few more tricks hidden in the Tesla 2023.26 update. This update has already introduced us to several improvements to Service Mode, but now a new batch of features has been discovered, thanks to user NinerByNature. These new features outlined in Tesla's owner's manual affect the vehicle's HVAC system, backup camera and more.

Lower HVAC Fan Speed While on a Call

The update impacts the HVAC system and aims to provide a better environment for drivers during phone conversations. According to Tesla's updated owner's manual, "When in Auto, the fan speed may automatically lower to reduce the sound of ambient noise while on a call." This is a thoughtful feature and will be one of those that go unnoticed, but for anyone who has lived through a call while trying to turn down the fan noise, we are grateful!

Backup Camera Repositioning

The software update also hints at advancements on the visual front. An intriguing passage in the "Rear Facing Camera(s)" section of the owner's manual raises anticipation. The manual states:

Drag the camera feed to different positions on the touchscreen, depending on your preferences.

While currently speculative, this development suggests a forthcoming feature that may enable the repositioning of the backup camera feed on the touchscreen.

Unfortunately, this feature is not available in the 2023.26 update as the manual states, so we're not sure whether it's a typo, or if it's an upcoming feature that was simply included in the owner's manual prematurely.

At present, whenever a Tesla vehicle is shifted into reverse, the screen automatically displays the rearview camera, with lines that adjust as per the steering wheel's position. The driver can also display the fender/repeater cameras, but there's currently no way to drag any of the camera feeds to another location.

Pause 'Pedestrian Warning System' for Some Cars

Tesla’s attention to safety is also evident in the manual's discussion of the Pedestrian Warning System for cars manufactured between September 2020 and November 2021. This system, which emits a sound when the vehicle is moving at approximately 19 mph or in reverse, is designed to alert pedestrians to the vehicle's approach. The software allows drivers to temporarily pause this system when necessary, such as in heavy traffic situations. However, the manual warns that this feature might not be available in vehicles manufactured post-November 2021.

From reducing ambient noise during phone calls to introducing an intriguing repositioning of the backup camera feed, Tesla’s 2023.26 update continues to bring us more unnoted improvements. Tesla's 2023.26 update also includes additional Service Mode screens for troubleshooting, a suggested destination when you enter the vehicle and more features that weren't included in the release notes.

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A Closer Look at Tesla's Ambient Lighting Feature in the New Model 3 and Cybertruck [Video]

Tesla introduced a wrap-around ambient lighting strip to its new Model 3

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If you look up ambient lights for Tesla, you'll see several ads for third-party light kits. Perhaps this is why Tesla added its own Ambient Lights feature to the new Model 3. So, let's get enlightened.

Tesla's ambient lights are thin light strips that are embedded in each of the vehicle's doors near the top edge. It also curves around the dashboard near the windshield, giving passengers a near 360-degree light effect.

Supported Models

Tesla new ambient light feature is available on the new Model 3 (2024+), and will be available on the Cybertruck in a similar manner. With a refresh ongoing for the Model Y, known as Juniper, it will likely also have ambient lights. That just leaves out the most luxurious flagship vehicles, the Model S and X, for now.

The Model S and Model X could be due for a minor refresh that would not only add ambient lighting, but also include a front-bumper camera that the Cybertruck has and the new Model 3 is expected to have in the near future.

Customization

Tesla introduced a wrap-around ambient lighting strip to its new Model 3

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The ambient light settings allow you to light up the interior in a color that reflects your mood or preference. Under Controls > Lights > Accent Lights, you are handed the freedom to choose virtually any color to adorn the interior of your Tesla.

You have control over whether the ambient lights are on, off, or set to an "Auto" setting, though not fully clarified, seems to promise intelligent lighting adjustments akin to our control over dome lights, offering a reduction in reflections during drives.

While the ability to control the brightness level seems missing, Tesla did include color presets, letting you curate a series of your favorite colors.

It should be noted that the changes are confined to the light strips on the doors and dash, steering clear of the footwell lights and other interior lighting.

Future Enhancements

With Tesla, we can be assured there will be enhancements to this feature in a future update. In fact, the Tesla community is already busy coming up with useful suggestions. Some owners thought Tesla should take advantage of the lighting to provide driver feedback, such as automatically changing the ambient lighting to a red hue when there's a vehicle in your blind spot. Tesla could also glow the light strip on a door if it's not closed properly, or use the lighting to provide feedback when Sentry Mode is enabled.

Other uses could be more fun, such as cycling the light through various colors when the 'Rainbow Road' easter egg is activated.

Ambient Lighting in Action

While the possibilities are endless and Tesla engineers will surely have fun coming up with creative uses for the feature, the biggest improvement we can hope for in the near future is the ability to adjust the light intensity.

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Tesla Model 3 'Highland' Performance Details Discovered in European Documents

Tesla's new Model 3 received a host of exterior and interior upgrades

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Tesla outdid itself with the refreshed Model 3, known as the Highland. Despite all the fantastic upgrades, something is missing - the Performance version or perhaps the Plaid. The letter "T" has shown up on vehicle certificates in Europe, and despite Elon Musk's sense of humor, it is unlikely this is a Mr. T reference.

Deciphering the 'T'

A new document shows the new Model 3 Performance will have a dual motor

eivissacopter / X

Diligent scrutiny of the European Type Certificate, issued by the Dutch vehicle authority RDW and shared on the TFF Forum, revealed a subtle yet pivotal alteration — including the letter 'T' in the eighth digit of the Model 3 Performance's VIN.

This seemingly minor detail, indicative of the vehicle's motor/drive unit type, sparked curiosity and speculation on the forum. Could it be a tri-motor setup to usher in a new Plaid version of the Model 3? This vehicle has already got endless amounts of zip, but three motors? May The Schwartz Be With You!

This could also explain the Model 3+ badging that was spotted during the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in China inspection of the refresh. However, the regulatory filings highlighted just two distinct variants of the car: a rear-wheel drive (RWD) with a 194 kW motor and an all-wheel drive (AWD) dual-motor setup that combines to deliver a formidable 331 kW of maximum power.

Initial conjectures leaned towards the possibility of a tri-motor setup, drawing parallels with the Plaid variants of the Model S and Model X. However, a deeper dive into the certification document clarified that the Model 3 Performance retained its Dual Motor setup, dispelling the possibility of a tri-motor upgrade.

Strategic Enhancements: A Glimpse into Potential Upgrades

Given the documented specifications, it becomes plausible that Tesla has strategically enhanced one of the dual motors, potentially aligning it with the advanced motor found in the Model S/X Plaid. This modification is poised to augment the top-end speed and acceleration of the Model 3 Performance, addressing its comparative limitations in extended races against traditional gas-powered supercars.

Meanwhile, the Model 3 refresh has become the new Bigfoot of the roads of North America, with rare sightings posted on social media. However, it appears the continent is excluded from the initial launch of the Model 3 Highland. Internal communications within Tesla suggest North American enthusiasts might have to exercise patience until 2024.

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