Tesla's 2025 Holiday Update: A Feature-Rich Extravaganza
Karan Singh
The 2025 Holiday Update from Tesla is a treasure trove of new features, addressing minor quibbles, enhancing quality of life, and adding major new functionalities. From the integration of Grok into vehicle navigation to the introduction of Dashcam Viewer updates, this update is a game-changer. Here's a breakdown of the exciting additions:
Grok Commands: Adding and Editing Navigation Destinations
Grok, Tesla's AI assistant, now has the ability to add and edit navigation destinations. You can ask Grok to add a stop or change destinations, and even add multiple destinations in a single command. This feature requires Grok's in-vehicle personality to be set to Assistant, and it's currently only available on AMD vehicles in the U.S. and Canada.
Navigation Improvements: A Smoother Driving Experience
The navigation menu has been reorganized, allowing you to reorder your favorites. You can also set Home and Work by dropping a pin on the map. Tesla also introduces suggested destinations based on your recent trips and habits, displayed in a UI extension below the navigation search bar.
Supercharger Site Maps: 3D Navigation
Tesla adds 3D views of Supercharger locations, allowing you to view site maps and live occupancy of each stall. This feature is expected to be available for AMD-equipped vehicles.
Automatic HOV Routing: Intelligent Lane Selection
Tesla now supports intelligent HOV routing based on HOV lane restrictions. It automatically selects the HOV lane when your vehicle is eligible, considering time, location, passenger count, and local restrictions.
Charge Limit Per Location: Customizable Charging
You can now set a maximum charge limit for your current location, allowing you to charge to a specific percentage at different stations. This feature is expected to be available for all vehicles.
Dashcam Viewer Update: Enhanced Video Analysis
The Dashcam Viewer has been updated to display additional details directly in the UI, including vehicle speed, gear, steering wheel angle, and self-driving state. This feature is expected to be available for all vehicles.
Phone Left Behind Chime: A Holiday Wish Come True
Your vehicle will now chime if a phone key is inside or a phone is left on the wireless charger with no occupants detected. This feature requires Ultra-wideband and is available on 2024+ Model 3s, 2025+ Model Ys, 2021+ Model S/X vehicles, and all Cybertrucks.
Enable/Disable Wireless Charging Pads: Control Your Phone Chargers
Tesla allows you to turn off wireless phone charging pads, a feature requested by users to prevent phone overheating. This can be done from Controls > Charging for Models S3XY and Controls > Outlets & Mods for the Cybertruck.
Spotify UI Update: Improved Music Experience
Spotify gets a minor update, allowing you to add new tracks to your queue without changing the current playing track. Tesla also adds the ability to scroll through large playlists without paging.
Tesla Photobooth: Capture Fun Moments
The Tesla Photobooth mode uses the cabin camera to take in-vehicle selfies with fun stickers, which can be shared via the Tesla App.
Santa Mode Update: Festive Fun
Santa Mode has been enhanced with festive snowmen, trees, a unique lock chime, and snow effects. It's available on all vehicles, with parked visualization and falling snow potentially simplified for older Intel vehicles.
Light Show Update: Jingle Rush and More
A new light show, Jingle Rush, is added, along with minor updates to light shows, including new color display effects, interior lighting controls, and longer light shows.
Custom Wraps & License Plates: Personalize Your Ride
Custom wraps and license plates are now available for all vehicle models, allowing you to personalize your Tesla with pre-loaded or custom designs. This feature is expected to be available for all vehicles.
SpaceX ISS Docking Simulator: Play Astronaut
Tesla adds a new game, SpaceX ISS Docking Simulator, where you can control and guide your SpaceX Dragon pod towards the International Space Station using actual NASA astronaut interfaces.
Rainbow Rave Light Sync: Music-Syncing Lights
Light sync gets an update, allowing you to use rainbow colors during Rave Mode while parked, with accent lights changing to the beats of your music.
Light Cycle Lock Sound: Tron Mode's Iconic Sound
The Light Cycle lock sound from Tron Mode is added as a default sound in the Lock Sounds list, available to all vehicles.
Dog Mode Live Activity: Keep an Eye on Your Pup
Dog Mode is now available as a Live Activity for iOS users, sending a snap of the cabin interior and updates on interior temperature, vehicle state of charge, and exterior climate conditions.
CarPlay: The Missing Link
The big omission is CarPlay, which was rumored to be in development. Tesla may be working on it for the future, but it's not included in this update.
Release Date: Wave 1 and Beyond
Tesla announced the features of the holiday update, and Wave 1 employees are likely to receive it first, followed by the general public. The update is expected to be version 2025.44.25, with potential changes if issues arise.
Eyes-Off Feature: Texting While Driving (Controversial)
Tesla quietly unlocked the ability to text and drive, allowing users to send brief texts under certain traffic conditions. This feature is controversial, as it relaxes driver monitoring and effectively deploys Level 3 autonomy without accepting liability.
The Uncertified L3: A Risk-Taking Move
Tesla's approach mimics Mercedes-Benz's Drive Pilot, which is certified as L3 in specific conditions. However, Tesla's FSD v14.2.1 lacks certification and liability transfer, creating a dangerous gap.
New Icons: Attention Required
New attention-required icons were discovered in Tesla's source code, representing varying driver attention levels. These icons may be used to inform users of FSD's confidence and driver requirements.
Legal Realities: Distracted Driving Laws
Tesla's relaxation of driver monitoring may conflict with state laws regarding distracted driving. Owners must be aware of the legal implications, as device use remains illegal in some states.
True Eyes-Off: Implementing a Safety Net
To allow true eyes-off behavior, Tesla needs to implement a safety net, similar to the Minimum Risk Maneuver used in certified L3 systems.
Don't Put Yourself in Danger: Responsible FSD Use
Drivers should use FSD responsibly, keeping phone use limited. Tesla's FSD is not as safe as a human driver, and owners should treat the newfound freedom with caution.
Cybertruck CCS Adapter: Finally Available in Korea
Tesla Korea launches an official CCS Combo 1 Adapter for the Cybertruck, addressing physical fitment and voltage architecture issues. This adapter is priced competitively with high-end third-party options.
