Why Tesla doesn't update all of its vehicles at once

By Lennon Cihak
How to check for a software update
How to check for a software update
Not a Tesla App

Tesla releases a major update about once a month that includes feature improvements, safety enhancements or new features.

While some owners may receive an update within a few days of it being released, most owners will actually not receive the latest update for several weeks.

There are a couple of reasons why Tesla doesn't update all of its vehicles at the same time.

Unfortunately, updates for Teslas aren’t like mobile devices where an update is available for everyone right away. There’s a little more that goes into pushing updates for vehicles, especially for a vehicle that can drive itself.

How Tesla Rolls Out Updates

Tesla rolls out updates to its fleet based on the vehicle's VIN, region, model, hardware, and other factors. The main reason Tesla rolls out updates in this manner is to minimize risk and to assess how an update is performing.

Rolling out updates slowly lets Tesla quickly iterate on their update and focus on feedback and bug fixes before a potential issue has the chance to affect a large number of vehicles.

If, for example, an update caused the MCU reboot , making the display go dark while the vehicle was in motion, Tesla could more easily isolate the issue. Tesla would then be able to roll out a fix before the issue had a chance to affect a larger portion of their fleet.

Your vehicle model or other hardware in your vehicle is taken into account as well. For example, if Tesla is looking to gather feedback on a feature that requires MCU 2 or MCU 3, they may first send the update to those vehicles before releasing it more widely.

If you look at our software updates page you'll see that there are Tesla vehicles on a wide variety of updates. Some may be on the same major update, but on a different revision, while others may be one or two major updates 'behind'.

Although a vehicle can have an update that gets 'stuck' while downloading, that's usually relatively rare. If you notice that your vehicle falls too far behind, you can send a message to Tesla Service to see whether there is an issue with your vehicle.

What do the Numbers in Tesla Updates Mean?

Tesla's release process is why you may notice several versions for the same update.

For example, Tesla may first release update 2022.36, but as new issues are found and Tesla fixes them, Tesla will roll out further updates such as 2022.36.1 and 2022.36.2.

The 2022 in the version number stands for the year in which development began for this update. The 36 stands for the week number, and the last number stands for the revision of the update.

So in general, 2022.36.1 would include the same features as update 2022.36 but would contain several fixes for issues that were found in 2022.36, while 2022.36.2 would contain fixes that were fixed after 2022.36.1 was released.

This isn't always the case since Tesla does sometimes release new features with a minor revision, or but in general it's a good rule of thumb.

Once Tesla is confident they have solved all known issues, they'll then send out the update to the entire Tesla fleet.

Can I Force My Vehicle to Receive an Update?

Unfortunately, no. Under normal circumstances, there is no way to force your Tesla to receive an update. You'll simply have to wait until the update is available for your vehicle.

However, there are a couple of things you can do to receive updates as soon as possible.

It's not clear how much this toggle does anymore, but if you're interested in receiving updates as soon as they're available it's a good idea to toggle on “Advanced Updates” under the Software tab in your vehicle.

You'll also want to make sure your car is connected to Wi-Fi as often as possible, such as at home or work. Tesla prefers to download updates over Wi-Fi so this will ensure you get an update as soon as it's available to you.

You can track which updates are going out to by checking our software updates page.

How to Check if Your Tesla is Running the Latest Update

If an update is available for your Tesla, it will usually show up in your mobile app, although it's not clear how often the mobile app checks for updates. If you suspect an update may be available for your vehicle, you can check in your vehicle, although Tesla has recently started limiting this check to once per 24-hour period.

To check if there is an update available for your Tesla, tap Controls (the car icon), and then tap on Software. On the right side, you'll be able to check your vehicle's version and whether an update is available.

Your vehicle does not need to be connected to Wi-Fi to check whether an update is available

Do I Need to be on Wi-Fi?

For the most part, Tesla requires that updates be downloaded while the vehicle is connected to Wi-Fi.

However, there are exceptions to this. If an update includes important fixes or a recall then it is usually available over cellular. The same goes if you haven’t updated your vehicle in a while, are on FSD Beta, or other unique scenarios.

If you can't connect to Wi-Fi at home or work, you can try using public Wi-Fi networks or using your mobile phone as a hotspot for your vehicle.

Growing Interest in Electric Trucks Among Drivers, but Tesla Cybertruck Faces Skepticism

By Kevin Armstrong
Electric truck survey was completed by AmericanTrucks.com
Electric truck survey was completed by AmericanTrucks.com
AmericanTrucks.com

Oh, the irony! American truck drivers are all revved up for electric trucks, yet they can't wrap their heads around the idea that the Tesla Cybertruck is a "real" truck. Sounds like a classic case of a truck identity crisis!

A recent survey by American Trucks delved into the opinions of truck drivers in the United States about electric trucks, revealing a sizable number of them are considering going electric. However, an interesting finding from the survey is that many truck drivers don't see the Tesla Cybertruck as a "real" truck.

The survey aimed to gauge the excitement around electric pickup trucks and understand the preferences of both truck owners and non-truck owners. Electric vehicles have been gaining popularity, but electric pickup trucks have taken longer to enter the market. With more models becoming available, American Trucks sought to identify which ones generate the most interest.

Truck Drivers are Ready for Electric

According to the survey's results, 35% of truck drivers are thinking about transitioning to electric trucks within the next decade, with most planning to do so within the next five years. The electric pickup models that have captured their attention include the Ford F-150 Lightning, Tesla Cybertruck, Chevrolet Silverado EV, Toyota Tacoma EV, Rivian R1T, GMC Sierra EV, and Canoo Pickup Truck.

Drivers' slower adoption of electric trucks can be attributed to valid concerns. While range anxiety is becoming less of an issue for most passenger vehicles, it is still significant for truck drivers who use their vehicles for heavy-duty tasks like towing. Electric trucks' range can be affected under these conditions, leading to driver hesitancy.

Cybertruck Gets the Attention

Interestingly, when the survey shifted its focus to non-truck drivers, the Tesla Cybertruck emerged as the most anticipated electric pickup. This finding suggests a difference in perception between truck drivers and the general public, who might be more attracted to Cybertruck's futuristic design and unique features.

Despite the Cybertruck's popularity among non-truck drivers, 56% of the truck drivers surveyed don't believe it is a "real" truck. The reasons for this perception remain unclear, but it could be due to the unconventional design, the vehicle's specifications, or other factors that might not align with traditional truck drivers' expectations.

Electric truck survey was completed by AmericanTrucks.com
Electric truck survey was completed by AmericanTrucks.com
AmericanTrucks.com

Production Concerns

Tesla has announced plans to begin Cybertruck production this summer, but many truck drivers surveyed believe it will be at least two years before it becomes widely available. Their skepticism might also be influenced by Tesla's track record of production delays and the fact that there are already around a million reservations for the Cybertruck.

Truck drivers are seeking longer ranges, increased availability of charging stations, and faster charging times before they fully commit to switching to electric trucks. These factors play a crucial role in ensuring that electric trucks can be effectively used for work purposes, just as their gasoline-powered counterparts have been for years. It will be interesting to see how perceptions change and whether the Tesla Cybertruck can eventually win over the hearts of traditional truck drivers.

We recently covered how the Cybertruck is expected to have an 18.5" screen, rear-wheel steering and 18" wheels.

Tesla Model 3 Long Range Price Appears on Tesla's Website: Is It Set to Make a Comeback?

By Kevin Armstrong
Tesla's Model 3 Long Range may be set to make a comeback
Tesla's Model 3 Long Range may be set to make a comeback
Not a Tesla App

Tesla halted production of the immensely popular Model 3 Long Range last summer due to an overwhelming backlog of orders extending well into 2023. This move left customers with only the base, rear-wheel drive version and much more expensive performance version of the Model 3 available for purchase.

However, recent developments suggest that Tesla might soon begin accepting orders for the Model 3 Long Range once again. One of our readers, Jake Bercic, pointed out that the price of the Long Range Model 3 has appeared on a Canadian Tesla support page. The price appears among other Tesla models, which all reflect current pricing.

Update: It looks like Tesla has kept the Model 3 Long Range model on this support page, and they updated the pricing in January 2023.

The prices displayed on the Canadian support page for the Long Range Model 3 are:

Rear wheel drive: $54,990 CAD (this version in the US: $42,990)

Dual motor Long Range: $67,990 CAD (equal to approximately $49,700 USD)

Performance: $72,990 CAD (this version in the US: $53,990)

Project Highland and New Price

The possible return of the Model 3 Long Range comes amidst speculation of Tesla's Project Highland - the refreshed Model 3. We recently uncovered more details about Project Highland. The possible reintroduction of the Model 3 Long Range, coupled with Project Highland, could signal a new chapter in Tesla's EV dominance. By bringing back a highly sought-after model and potentially introducing a new and improved version, Tesla continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and meeting the increasing demand for electric vehicles.

The possible reintroduction of the Model 3 Long Range, coupled with Project Highland, could signal a new chapter in Tesla's EV dominance. By bringing back a highly sought-after model and potentially introducing a new and improved version, Tesla continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and meeting the increasing demand for electric vehicles.

Tax Credits

This development is particularly noteworthy, as the Model 3 Long Range's previous price of $57,990 USD, made it ineligible for the new US tax credit for electric cars. With the new regulation, a price cap of $55,000 applies to passenger car models, and $80,000 for SUVs and pickups. That means all Model 3's are eligible for the $7,500 tax credit.

The halt in Model 3 Long Range production came after Tesla CEO Elon Musk warned about potential order freezes due to a sharp increase in demand for electric cars in several regions of the United States. Musk had stated that once Tesla increased production, the model variant would return to the market. Now, it seems that the time for its return might be near.

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