Mastering Off-Roading with Your Cybertruck: A Detailed Guide
The Cybertruck is not your average vehicle. With its unique features like adaptive air suspension, rear-wheel steering, and stainless steel exterior, it’s a top choice for off-road adventures.
But before you hit the trails, it’s crucial to understand what your Cybertruck is capable of. We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide based on our own experiences and Tesla’s official manuals to help you navigate off-road terrain with ease.
Note: This guide focuses on the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast models. For the Cybertruck LR RWD, refer to the specific vehicle manual for limited Off-Road Mode features.
Essential Off-Roading Tips
Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced off-roader, preparation is key. Know your vehicle, plan your route, pack the right gear, and never go off-roading alone. Safety first!
Know Your Vehicle: Understand the Cybertruck’s dimensions, clearance, and angles for a smooth off-road experience.
Know Your Route: Scout the trail ahead, assess obstacles, and check terrain conditions before driving through them.
Know Your Gear: Have recovery equipment and communication tools handy for emergencies.
Bring a Friend: Off-road with a buddy who can assist and provide external guidance.
Tire Pressure: Lower tire pressure for better traction, but remember to reinflate after your adventure.
Wading: Use Wade Mode cautiously for water crossings and be aware of water depth.
Unlocking Off-Road Mode
Access specialized off-road settings by activating Off-Road Mode through the Off-Road App in the App Drawer.
Off-Road Mode replaces the FSD visualization with real-time data like angles, pressures, and settings for customization.
Note: Off-Road Mode can only be enabled in Park.
Adjustable Ride Heights
The adaptive air suspension is a game-changer for Cybertruck off-roading. Choose from three ride height settings in Off-Road Mode.
High: Default height with 12.4-inch clearance, available at all speeds off-road.
Very High: Boosts clearance to 14 inches, automatically lowering above 25 mph.
Extract Mode: Raises clearance to 16 inches for tight obstacles, limited to 10 mph for maximum torque.
Off-Road Drive Modes
Cybertruck offers Overland Mode and Baja Mode for tailored off-road performance.
These modes optimize traction and handling based on terrain specifics.
Overland Mode
Maximize traction at lower speeds with Surface and Stopping Mode adjustments.
Surface options include All Purpose, Sand, Gravel/Deep Snow, and Rock for varied terrains.
Stopping Mode offers Hold and Roll settings for brake application and coasting.
Baja Mode
Dynamic damping and stability control for high-speed off-road driving with optimized performance on low-traction surfaces.
If you have ever dreamed of doing donuts in your Cybertruck, Baja Mode is the way to go. Baja Mode offers a variety of settings including Handling Balance, Stability Assist, Terrain, and Deceleration Mode to tailor the handling and preferences of your Cybertruck.
Handling Balance allows you to choose between Front or Rear Bias. Front Bias mimics a front-wheel-drive vehicle, providing stability and making the truck feel more grounded. Rear Bias, on the other hand, behaves like a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, offering more agility but less stability. For those looking to do donuts, setting the Rear Bias to the maximum is recommended.
Stability Assist offers three options – Standard, Reduced, and Minimal. This feature modifies motor torque and applies brakes to enhance stability and control. Minimal Mode removes most stability control, but caution is advised as the Cybertruck may not self-stabilize, posing a risk of rolling.
Terrain settings include Smooth, Rugged, and Clearance options, each adjusting the ride height and suspension damping for different terrains. Deceleration Mode allows you to choose between High and Standard regenerative braking levels for dynamic driving experiences.
In addition to Drive Modes, there are two additional features in Off-Road Mode – Wade Mode and Trail Assist. Wade Mode pressurizes the battery pack to allow the Cybertruck to drive through water, while Trail Assist maintains speed for better steering control on steep terrain.
Locking differentials are crucial for serious off-roading, ensuring power is transferred to the wheels with the most grip. The Cybertruck offers mechanical front and rear lockers, as well as a virtual rear locker on certain models.
Engaging locking differentials should be done cautiously, as it can affect the Cybertruck’s turn radius and may cause unintended damage if used inappropriately. These features are ideal for off-roading uphill or on level surfaces but should not be used on slick surfaces.
The use of front locking differentials is common in situations where increased traction is needed at the front of the vehicle, such as during rock crawling.
To engage the front locking differentials, access the Off-Road App and select your desired options:
For AWD: Choose between All-On, Rear Only, or Off.
For Cyberbeast: Select either Front Only or Off.
You can also activate or deactivate the lockers by tapping the locker icon in the vehicle status panel on the left. It may be necessary to drive a short distance to fully engage or disengage the locking differentials. When the lockers are fully engaged, the vehicle may exhibit slight side-to-side rocking at low speeds, which is a normal behavior indicated by a solid orange icon on the touchscreen.
In certain circumstances, the locking differentials may fail to engage promptly. If this occurs, a chime will sound, and a message will appear on the touchscreen providing instructions on how to resolve the issue.
Disengaging
To disengage the lockers, simply touch the icon on the touchscreen or select the Off option in the menu. Again, driving a short distance may be required for complete disengagement. The lockers may also automatically disengage when the vehicle shifts out of drive or when a different drive mode is selected.
Conclusion
This information should equip you with the necessary knowledge for off-roading with your Cybertruck. Remember to prioritize safety and tread lightly when exploring off-road terrain. Be sure to watch the Top Gear review of the Cybertruck’s Off-Road Mode for additional insights.