Tesla has announced a host of over-the-air software updates to inject a bit of festive fun into the run up to Christmas. And Tesla says it wants to 'spread extra joy to Tesla owners this holiday season'.
The 2024 Holiday Update brings new features and enhancements to the Tesla fleet from next week - from Apple Watch additions to improved battery and navigation settings to make driving home for Christmas easier.
As always, the update is free of charge - there's no extra cost for Tesla owners - so Tesla drivers can count it as a bit of an early Christmas present. The big news is that Apple Watch update: You can finally get a Tesla App on your Apple Watch - a massive connectivity step towards lifestyle syncing. But that's just one of many holiday treats Tesla's unveiled.
Tesla Apple Watch app introduction
For a lot of people, the most exciting update by far is the new bespoke Tesla App for Apple Watch owners. Using your Apple Watch as your phone key you can remotely lock and unlock the car, adjust climate controls, view battery charge, and open the 'frunk'.
Tesla updates bound to bring merriment to the holidays
For our American friends with Cybertrucks there are many Christmas updates - like 'Santa Mode' which changes the Cybertruck avatar into Santa's sleigh with reindeers and elves - but these aren't available in the UK: Cybertrucks aren't allowed in Europe because they don't meet safety regulations. But Christmas isn't forgotten for UK Tesla owners because there are silly additions such as a fart on contact button, a new Boomerang Fu party game, and new light show settings with remote scheduling.
Tesla map and navigation updates
There are more useful updates, including a new navigation feature that enables drivers to set a desired battery energy level on arrival. The Tesla route planner will then add or remove charging stops as necessary along the way to ensure arrival at your destination with the desired battery level.
"If the driver wants to stop for a coffee or a charge then mapping function will add on time that reflects real world timings."
You can check weather at your destination thanks to a new precipitation overlay function added to maps - which tracks live weather data and projects it on your map in form of weather radar - also checking nearby parking spaces too.
Tesla safety and security updates
There are very useful safety and security updates too. Security-wise Dashcam and Sentry Mode clips can be watched directly from the Tesla app and saved on your phone for editing or sharing (these clips can make for some amusing watching).
"Your Tesla will trigger an alert if pedestrian or vehicle crosses behind while reversing," said an official statement.
An audible warning will also play if cross-traffic object is detected now. Part of move towards fully-autonomous driving includes Autoshift on stalkless Model 3 automatically shifting between Drive and Reverse during parking lot manoeuvres all by itself.