Easier Cold-Weather Charging: Tesla’s Latest Update Takes the Chill Out of Electric Vehicles

Innovative Fix for Frozen Charging Ports by Tesla

Tesla has implemented several upgrades in the 2024.2.6 software update to facilitate charging for customers who live in colder areas. This latest over-the-air update has enhanced the charging experience for Tesla owners in chilly climates.

Residents of regions that often endure freezing weather conditions have reason to rejoice, thanks to a novel addition that heats up the charging point. When picking a charging station using the navigation system, the car will automatically prepare the battery and warm up the charging port inlet, simplifying the process of plugging in the charging cable. However, it is the responsibility of customers to ensure that the port is free from any dirt or ice buildup before initiating the charging process.

If the charging cord remains stuck in the port inlet, the charging port can be heated to facilitate the disconnection of the cable. In the event that this does not work, manual separation is another option. Tesla has also implemented a new feature that informs users of the necessary warm-up time for the battery in order to initiate DC fast charging.

These modifications will greatly improve the convenience of charging in chilly temperatures compared to previous methods.

Electric cars can face significant challenges when operating in colder temperatures, resulting in reduced mileage compared to their performance in warmer weather. This is a common issue among electric vehicles, but Teslas seem to have better range capabilities in cold conditions. However, Tesla owners residing in colder climates also encounter problems such as frozen door handles. Luckily, there is a remedy for this peculiar issue as well.

The recent update brought forth not only enhancements to the charging function, but also other new features. While in Sport Mode, Tesla vehicles now offer a smoother driving experience on different types of roads, even on bumpy asphalt. Additionally, in Off-Road mode, drivers can anticipate reduced body sway and movement.

The dynamic high beams adapt accordingly, lessening the glare for cyclists and drivers approaching from the opposite direction. This feature enables Tesla drivers to maintain their high beam lights while also dimming specific pixels in the headlights.

Additional small revisions have been implemented, such as the incorporation of ultrawide band (UWB) technology for phone keys. This advancement enables improved and precise communication between the vehicle and mobile device, enhancing the efficiency of locking, unlocking, and utilizing the automatic doors.

A new contextual button for locking has been incorporated and can be utilized in selected scenarios. For instance, if your Model S is already locked but there is still someone inside, the ‘Unlock Vehicle’ button will be displayed on the screen, giving occupants the ability to unlock the car. This feature comes in handy when you have your arms full and need to access the vehicle.

In other locations, Tesla has recently unveiled a significant enhancement to the Full Self-Driving software, proclaiming that the latest upgrades allow the vehicle to make judgements similar to those of a human driver.