Tesla has recently unveiled their latest update, version 2024.44, to their employees. Although the update is still undergoing testing by employees, we have received a sneak peek at the upcoming features in Tesla’s next major update, thanks to a reader.
It’s important to note that this update is not the highly anticipated Christmas update, but rather a precursor to the holiday extravaganza. The Christmas update, expected to be version 2024.44.25, will bring even more exciting features.
The release notes have been translated into English, so there may be slight differences when the update is officially released. These features are specific to a 2024 Model 3 in Europe, and there may be region-specific changes or features tailored to other models.
Enhancements for Cold Weather
Despite the less-than-exciting memories of “Cold Weather Improvements” from past release notes, Tesla has introduced some Supercharging enhancements for colder weather in this update.
With improvements to the battery management system, vehicles can now Supercharge at a faster rate. It appears that Tesla will prioritize warming up the battery to enable quicker Supercharging in cold weather conditions.
Additionally, the automatic defogging feature has been enhanced for improved performance before and after using a Supercharger.
According to the translated release notes:
“Battery Preconditions have been enhanced to facilitate faster Supercharging, as well as improved automatic windshield defogging before, during, and after Supercharging.”
Trailer-Friendly Superchargers
Addressing a long-standing request from users who tow trailers, Tesla has begun installing trailer-friendly Supercharger spots near highways worldwide. Unhooking a trailer just to charge can be a hassle, especially in cold weather. This new feature will be a welcome convenience for frequent trailer users. Tesla describes the feature in the release notes as:
“You can now check if a Supercharger offers trailer-compatible spaces. Simply tap on a Supercharger location pin on the map to see if it is trailer-friendly. When your vehicle is in Tow Mode, trailer-friendly Supercharger locations will be prioritized at the top of the list.”
Blind Spot Warning While Parked
Tesla’s release notes mention:
“If an approaching object is detected in your blind spot (such as a cyclist or another vehicle) while attempting to open a door, the blind spot warning light will flash, an audio alert will sound, and the door will not open on the first button press. Wait, then press the button again to override the warning.”
In a previous update (2024.26.9), Tesla introduced a similar feature exclusively in China. This update appears to expand on that feature, making it available in other regions with some enhancements.
Tesla now alerts users with an audible tone when attempting to open a door with an obstruction in the way, in addition to illuminating the Blind Spot Warning Light near the front speaker. This object detection feature includes vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and other objects that may impede the door’s opening.
If an obstacle is detected, the vehicle will sound a warning and prevent the door from opening. Pressing the button again will override the warning and allow the door to open. However, this feature applies only to electronic door buttons, not mechanical levers on the front doors.
Users will have the option to enable or disable this feature under Controls > Safety. It remains unclear whether this feature will be limited to the Cybertruck and the 2024 Model 3, which feature blind spot warning lights in the front speaker grills, or if it will be available on all vehicles with some form of on-screen warning.
Following a viral video showcasing a Mercedes vehicle with a similar feature, many users requested this enhancement. Tesla has delivered this functionality through a software update rather than a complete model revision, demonstrating their commitment to enhancing safety for both vehicle occupants and other road users.
Additional Updates
Tesla has included several other minor improvements in update 2024.44, such as:
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Enhanced battery energy estimation for improved accuracy during drives.
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Navigation voiceovers now available in Czech. Users can change the voiceover language by navigating to Controls > Display > Language.
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The game Battle for Polytopia has received the Aquarion Rework Update, introducing amphibious mermaids capable of attacking both land and sea, along with sharks, jellies, and forgotten cities lurking beneath the ocean’s surface.
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Implementation of important security enhancements and measures.
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Various minor fixes and performance improvements.
Release Schedule
The rollout of the Tesla 2024.38 update has commenced on a large scale. Currently, approximately 27% of the Tesla fleet has access to this update.
It is worth noting that the upcoming version is not the Christmas update, which is expected to arrive with update 2024.44.25. Tesla typically releases their major Christmas update with a “202x.44.25” version. The forthcoming update will serve as the final update for Tesla owners before the Christmas update, which is anticipated to introduce new features, including support for Apple Watch.
We anticipate that the 2024.44 update will be available to the public within the next week or two.