Elon Musk recently took to Twitter to reveal that a smoothness upgrade is on the way for Full Self-Driving (FSD) version 12.5 on Hardware 3 vehicles. This update aims to address issues such as phantom braking that users have been experiencing with the current version.
As an owner of a HW3 vehicle running FSD V12.5.4, I can attest to the increased instances of phantom braking, especially in situations like approaching green lights or when traffic merges from behind the vehicle.
Phantom braking occurs when the vehicle unexpectedly applies the brakes without a clear reason. Factors like intense light, obstructed front cameras, or the detection of objects in the vehicle’s path can contribute to this behavior.
Anticipated Improvements
The upcoming smoothness upgrade is expected to mitigate the issues plaguing FSD V12.5.4, offering a more seamless driving experience. While V12.5 was marketed as a comfort update, it still falls short of passing the “coffee cup” test compared to HW4. Despite some improvements over V12.3.6, there is room for enhancement.
We are optimistic that the next update will introduce smoother braking on HW3 vehicles and enhance decision-making timing. Currently, V12.5.4 delays lane change decisions until the last moment, leading to abrupt maneuvers just before exits, which can be disconcerting for drivers.
We eagerly await further enhancements to FSD and commend Tesla for its commitment to refining the technology on older hardware. The upcoming major FSD update is poised to introduce an end-to-end highway stack similar to what is expected on the Cybertruck.
Smoothness upgrade is in the works for HW3
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 4, 2024