It’s Christmas time once again for Tesla owners, with the brand rolling out a raft of new features for its latest “holiday update”, done over-the-air.
This software update is in part headlined by the integration of video game digital distribution service Steam, which isn’t yet available on any Tesla vehicle currently sold in Australia.
But there are still a wide range of other new features that are now available on all Tesla vehicles, including Australian models.
Apple Music
Tesla has integrated Apple Music into the infotainment system of all its vehicles it currently sells – including the Australian-spec Model 3 and Model Y.
Tesla notes in its update release notes, which can be viewed on Not a Tesla App, that a premium connectivity subscription is required to stream Apple Music over a cellular connection.
Now that Apple Music is integrated in Tesla vehicles, owners can stream “over 100 million songs and 30,000 playlists ad-free”. It joins the likes of Spotify and Tidal as another streaming service that’s built into the infotainment system.
In order to setup and access Apple Music, owners need to scan a QR code with their mobile phone and login with their Apple ID.
Improved Dog Mode
Tesla has improved its ‘Dog Mode’ with owners now able to view the interior camera from the mobile app when either Dog Mode or Sentry Mode is selected.
This follows Tesla recently introducing a feature early this year where owners can view their car’s surroundings from their mobile app when parked and Sentry Mode is turned on.
Tesla notes this feature requires mobile app version 4.15.0+ in order to work, as well as a premium connectivity subscription.
Scheduled Light Show
Tesla has improved its Light Show feature which can now be scheduled for up to 10 minutes in advanced.
Owners can now also synchronise multiple Teslas to start the Light Show at the exact same time.
The Tesla Light Show was originally only available on the Model X SUV, but was rolled out to the rest of the range in last year’s holiday update.
Climate control fan speed
Tesla has introduced three new fan speed intensities when the ‘Auto’ climate control is set.
These new ‘Lo’, ‘Med’ and ‘Hi’ fan speeds allow owners to personalise how the climate control system works when in the automatic mode. It’s very similar to the function that’s in a number of Hyundai and Kia models.
Before this update there was only one automatic setting that would vary the fan speed depending on the interior temperature.
Automatic Indicator Mode
Tesla has introduced a new automatic indicator mode for the Model 3 and Model Y.
This new feature needs to be switched on in the ‘Lights’ section of the control menu, and once it’s activated the indicators automatically turn off upon completing a lane change, fork, or merge.
Owners still need to start the indicating process by flicking the stalk in the intended direction, but the car now takes care of the cancellation process.
Track Mode
Tesla has rolled out its Track Mode to the Model Y Performance which gears the stability control and powertrains settings for track driving.
This mode allows owners to create custom track mode setting profiles, record and monitor their driving, as well as view a real-time accelerometer on the infotainment screen.
Track Mode is designed to be used exclusively on closed courses, according to Tesla, and can be turned on in the ‘Pedals and Steering’ section of the controls menu.
Auto-present door handles
Model S owners can now disable the auto-present (pop out) door handles when parked at home.
In order to turn on this setting you need to go to the ‘Locks’ section of the controls menu, click the auto-present door handles, and then select exclude home.
Exclude automatic door opening at home
In a similar fashion to the new Model S function, Model X owners can now disable the automatic door opening when parked at home.
In order to turn on this setting you need to go to the ‘Locks’ section of the controls menu, click the automatic doors, and then select exclude automatic door opening at home.
Other new features and changes
Tesla has introduced Mahjong to its ever-growing list of games that can be played while parked, including the likes of Cuphead and Stardew Valley.
There’s also a new ‘Emissions Testing Mode’ that allows to owners to trigger a fart noise from the mobile app.
Owners can now always have the ‘Rainbow Road’ visualisation on the infotainment system when Autopilot is active.
Tesla has added a confirm phone call transfer function that requires the driver to click a confirmation button before a bluetooth call can be transferred to the vehicle.
There’s also a new contact lookup function from a connected Bluetooth device.
Tesla has changed the media controls so they are closer to the driver. Owners can swipe left and right on this section to cycle through trips and tyre pressure information.
Lastly, all Tesla models now have Zoom integration which uses the interior cabin camera for conference calls. This feature isn’t available in Australian models however.
Undocumented changes
Tesla has introduced a range of other changes in this latest software update that weren’t noted in the release notes.
These include a new ‘Verified’ fart sound, and a change to the navigation user interface.
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