Teslas may soon apply brakes for a consistent experience when regenerative braking is limited

May 30, 2022

By Kevin Armstrong

Tesla may soon support applying the brakes automatically when regen is limited

Forbes

It's challenging to determine Tesla's best feature or the one that has changed driving habits the most, but regenerative braking must be high on the list for anyone who owns an electric vehicle.

After getting accustomed to the system, the brake pedal becomes obsolete.

However, that piece of metal to the left of the accelerator is quickly remembered during cold temperatures or when the battery is fully charged and regenerative braking is reduced or not available.

A feature found in Tesla's latest update (2022.16) appears to address that issue by adding an option to make the car perform the same with or without regenerative braking.

When regenerative braking is reduced and the driver lets off the accelerator pedal the car will automatically apply its regular brakes. This gives the driver a consistent driving experience whether regenerative braking is fully available or limited.

Regenerative braking is one of the most significant factors that make electric vehicles so efficient. While in motion, if the driver applies less pressure to the accelerator or lifts their foot nearly off the pedal to decelerate, most EVs will slow down like the brakes are being applied, but they are not.

This one-foot driving style saves the use of brake pads and sends a charge back to the battery, creating additional energy. Tesla believes this is such an important feature it made the strongest regenerative braking mode standard in 2020.

However, if the car is fully charged, the battery will not take more energy. This system has also been known to act differently in cold climates.

Now, thanks to the 2022.16 update, during those circumstances, specific Tesla's Model 3s and Model Ys will perform the same without the ability to engage regenerative braking.

In the release notes, Tesla stated, "Your car can now automatically apply regular brakes for consistent deceleration when regenerative braking is limited due to battery temperature or state of charge."

According to @greentheonly, this feature is only available on limited Model 3s and Model Ys with specfic hardware. It's possible that Tesla is testing out the feature on very limited hardware or specific vehicles before making it available more broadly in a future update.

Understandably, some drivers may be turned off by the car blending in the brakes without the driver specifically pressing the brake pedal, so Tesla has made this feature optional.

If drivers want to be reacquainted with their brake pedal, then they don't need to enable the new feature; for those who do: tap Controls > Pedals & Steering > Apply Brakes When Regenerative Braking Is Limited. But, again, this is only available for select Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.

There's no news on when it will be made available for more broadly.

Another change came through on the latest over-the-air update, so subtle you may not have realized it was there.

After reading this, you may want to check out the display's top left corner. There is a line that is directly above the speedometer. Maybe you've noticed it before and not given it a second glance, but the line provides some valuable information.

The line is in the center if the car is not using or gaining energy, but it turns black during acceleration and green during regenerative braking.

You're not alone if you haven't noticed it or ignored it, as Tesla has made the line thicker and easier to see. This update is also only available for Model 3 and Model Y Teslas.

Tesla Launches Karaoke Mic (CaraokeMic) in North America

July 27, 2024

By Karan Singh

Not a Tesla App

Following on the heels of the 2024.26.3 update launch, Tesla has launched the CaraokeMic in both the United States and Canada.

These mics also come in line with the updates we previously reported on about the Recording Studio mode in the Caraoke app. The microphones – in China at least – were originally launched as the TeslaMic. These have been available in China for a while now, but are just now available in North America.

In the US, the CaroakeMic will run you $215 USD, while it’ll cost you a $300 CAD if you’re in the Great White North. These are a bit higher than the prices we originally estimated, but these also include a hardshell carrying case

Rock Out

You can rock out using the new CaraokeMic – it syncs automatically to your vehicle, and each one has a ten-hour battery life. And you’re not limited to just Caraoke – you can open any media app and get singing.

The CaraokeMic syncs with both the front and the rear touchscreens in vehicles, and comes with “anti-howling” technology, so that your opera-worthy renditions don’t shatter any ears – ahem – come through nice and clean.

There are 2 CaraokeMics per package, along with a receiver, data cable, charging cable, and hardshell storage bag. The mics themselves light up when they’re in use, and when they’re charging too. You can turn them on by simply pressing down a button on the bottom of the mic, which will also begin the sync process. Keep in mind that the receiver will need to be plugged into the a USB port in the vehicle that has data access — usually the glovebox or in the center console on older vehicles.

The data cable is USB-A to USB-C, coming from the car to the receiver, which the mics wirelessly sync to. The charging cable also seems to be the same, USB-A at the power source (which can be the car), and going to the USB-C on the CaraokeMic. Since the data and power cables appear to be the same, you should be able to use the cables interchangeably as charging cables.

The CaraokeMic requires vehicle update 2024.26 or later and the vehicle must have an Intel Atom or AMD Ryzen infotainment unit.

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

July 26, 2024

By Karan Singh

@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.