Tesla to add tire pressure data to its app

Tesla has made a noteworthy change in one of their APIs in update 2022.4. According to Reddit user Wugz, Tesla's vehicle state API now includes data from the internal TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System).

Tire pressure being shown in the vehicle

Tesla uses their APIs for creating the Tesla app, which means that tire pressure data will likely soon be available on the Tesla mobile app.

The current system alerts the driver when the PSI (pounds per square inch) of a tire is too low. The PSI can also be displayed on the touchscreen of the vehicle by navigating to Controls then Service.

Tesla recommends a tire pressure between 40-45 PSI. Depending on the model and vehicle configuration, this is typically the minimum amount of air pressure needed to support your vehicle at its maximum load.

In a potential update, users could be sent a notification if their tires are over or under-inflated.

Tire PSI can vary due to a variety of factors, including extreme climate conditions. Leaving a car parked in direct sunlight or hot weather can increase the pressure inside of a tire.

This update would also be helpful for Tesla owners in colder climates because tire pressure goes down one PSI for every 10° F (6° C) drop in outside temperature.

It is recommended to make tire pressure a part of your monthly maintenance because on average, tires lose approximately 1 PSI of tire pressure every month. In an upcoming mobile app update, Tesla owners could be notified before they start driving that their PSI is too low or too high.

Proper tire pressure is crucial for protecting tires from damage and maximizing the range of the vehicle. Over-inflation is usually less problematic than under-inflation. Under-inflation is the most common cause of tire failures including tire cracking, tread separation, or blowout. Under-inflation reduces the vehicle's range and tire tread life.

If you've ever tried to check your tire pressure while the vehicle is stopped, then you likely noticed that the vehicle doesn't show you tire pressure while the vehicle isn't in motion. This is done to preserve the battery life of the wireless tire pressure sensors that are located in each tire.

It's possible that with this update Tesla may allow the tire pressure sensors to turn on and report tire pressure readings even if the vehicle is stationary, or Tesla may simply report the last known tire pressure in the app.

You can expect this feature to appear in the Service section of the Tesla app.

With safety and range maximization at the forefront of Tesla’s mission, it makes sense why important tire pressure data may soon be available in the Tesla app.

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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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