For the last couple of years I’ve been writing about just how significant over-the-air (OTA) Tesla software updates are—the details of which go largely unreported by the mainstream media or are labled as "recalls".
These updates can greatly improve your vehicle and add new features. These OTA updates come every few months throughout the year and just include random “bug fixes” or undisclosed "minor improvements" but there are usually a couple massive ones—spring and around Christmas. The latter is typically the most significant and truly feels like a gift.
Understandably, these updates are kind of a big deal to most Tesla owners. My 2022 Model 3 hasn’t received the update yet but the 2025.8 updates are steadily trickling out to the Tesla fleet so I thought this would be a good opportunity to highlight some of the improvements this update will bring.
2025.8.6 Changes:
✅ AutoShift (Beta) [New Model Y]
2025.8.4 changes:
✅ UI transparency for vehicles with Intel Atom [undocumented]
2025.8.3 changes:
✅ Standard Ride & Handling in Autopilot [2024+ M3P]: Your vehicle will now automatically transition to Standard Ride & Handling when Autopilot is engaged for a more comfortable drive. This setting is enabled by default. To disable, tap Controls > Dynamics > Use Standard Ride & Handling in Autopilot.
✅ Adjust Ride Height via Tesla App [CT]
✅ Steer-by-Wire Improvements [CT]
✅ Consumption Page Update: View your last 10, 100, or 200 miles (15, 150, or 300 kilometers) of energy usage in the Consumption page, with the option to clear your history.
✅ Battery’s Energy Estimate: Your battery’s energy estimate now accounts for your vehicle’s usage characteristics and will adjust over time based on your history.
✅ Battery Health Test: measure your battery’s energy retention compared to when it was new (Controls > Service > Battery Health)
✅ Updated Trip and trip card with more precise energy consumption with decimal accuracy, and real-time energy usage tracking for the current drive [undocumented]
✅ Redesigned Rainbow Road (blue line removed) [undocumented]
✅ Updated Bluetooth page with a new “Streaming” section [undocumented]
Software updates are continuously rolled out to the entire Tesla fleet free-of-charge, whether your vehicle is a month or 10+ years old. Tesla's vehicles evolve and improve greatly, this is one of the reasons I’d be hesitant to buy any other brand at this point.
I especially like the fact Tesla is adding the Battery Health Test on the main menu. This feature was available previously in the system’s Service Mode but was buried so deeply in the UI that most people didn’t know about it or weren’t willing to delve into service mode and accidentally change a setting that might harm their vehicle.
This Battery Health feature will be vital for people buying used cars to make sure they're getting a good one or those who want to make sure their battery's health is what it should be before a vehicle goes out of warranty.
If you're interested in joining the Tesla family please consider using my referral code. This code will get you up to $1,000 off a new car and will earn me $500 towards my next car (which will probably be a Model Y...when the wheels finally fall off of my Model 3).
Be well, make the most of this day. Thank you for reading!
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I always enjoy reading it, even if I don't have a car, let alone a Tesla.
I can see why there is an overt preference for this type of vehicle and how well it does. It seems that Elon Musk found the perfect formula in having a great technological communication company like X and one of the most important automotive companies in the world like Tesla.
Happy Thursday.
Cheers and greetings.
Thank you my friend! Happy Friday to you!
How much will Tesla sales have dropped or will it be the perfect time to buy one? How good or bad will it be for your companies that Elon Musk has entered politics? I can't look at a Tesla right now without thinking of all the vandalism that has occurred in the last few months. A hug, my friend
Right now is a really good time to buy one. People don't realize how little can go wrong with them mechanically so as long as the battery health is good buying a used one is pretty safe overall. The used prices don't reflect this because of the public's lack of knowledge, people are nervous about buying them used.
There's no doubt Elon's foray into the political arena has hurt Tesla with the liberal/left demographic but gained them customers from the conservative/right. The unfortunate thing is mainstream media is mostly controlled by the left so the Tesla brand has been harmed by misinformation spread through these traditional media outlets. This has sparked the vandalism and caused long time customers to sell their cars.
Also, there have been many calls for Elon to step down as CEO and if the smear campaign continues I don't see how he escapes having to leave the company. If this happens Tesla's innovation will gradually fall behind. Tesla has a fabulous team of uber talented people but without Elon's leadership and outside-of-the-box thinking the company will lose its edge—much like Apple lost its edge after Steve Jobs passed away in 2011. This would be a pretty big loss for America and the world. I hope you have a wonderful weekend Nancy!
That is pretty cool. I like the idea that you are basically getting a primary upgrade without having to buy new hardware. Kind of like a 1.0 to a 2.0 upgrade without all the extra hassle. I don't understand what all of those things do, but if you are excited about it, I am excited about it :)
There are sometimes hardware limitations to which updates you receive. My '22 has HW3 (Hardware v.3) but Tesla rolled out HW4 in 2024 and this includes higher res cameras that allow Full Self-Driving to perform a little better. Also, older (pre-2018) Model S and X's have older computers that owners will sometimes upgrade so they can utilize all of the latest and greatest features. The word is the camera-suite and processors will get yet another upgrade soon to AI5 which will be on par with what RoboTaxi has. This will optimize the vehicles for full autonomy. Tesla has said they'll upgrade everyone for free who has purchased Full Self Driving. This is going to cost them a boatload of money. The cameras are relatively inexpensive though compared to the cost of upgrading the computer.
Ah yeah, I guess that makes sense. I wasn't even thinking about the cameras.
What do you do to extend the lifespan of Tesla's battery?
This was one thing I was worried about when I first got it but learned I didn't have to be. They're pretty bulletproof at this point. The main thing to remember is to just charge to 80% for everyday driving, 100% is reserved for long roadtrips. Also, if you have a charger at home it should be plugged in whenever you aren't driving it (ABC or always be charging). However, there's a Model S that was used as a taxi in the UK and it has clocked over 400 kilometers and the owner charged to 100% 3-4x every day for years. I think the battery life is still around 88% of the original range when it was new.
Ok, now I'm going to add Tesla to list of car collection I'm creating. Very good update. The battery health check is really useful, good to see it easier to find now. Perhaps I'll get the Model 3 older version and add the upgrades. Would be cheaper than the latest models
The used ones are an EXCELLENT deal as long as battery health is good. There isn't much else that can go wrong. If you can find a Long Range or Performance model with Full Self Driving already loaded that would be a huge plus. I was looking at used Model S Plaids the other day and they can be had for 60% less than retail. I found one just two years old with 23K miles on it for $48k. This goes from 0-60mph in 1.9 seconds. It's a rocket ship. Totally insane.
woah 23K miles for $48K that's a miracle 👀😳
Yeah, they have lots of deals in their used inventory but there are even better deals on third-party websites.
I just checked the inventory skills and you're so right the deals are awesome man
Good afternoon, dear friend @ericvancewalton
Acquiring this vehicle has undoubtedly been a great investment. I don't think many companies would bother making vehicle improvements, much less at zero cost.
These updates look great.
Enjoy a beautiful afternoon.
Hello my friend! I hope to be getting the update within the next few days so I can delve into it a little deeper. Thank you and I hope your week is going well!
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Tesla is delivering. I am happy to know they are on the work and continuously giving software updates for the advancement and customer care.
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