Skip advert
Advertisement

Tesla’s 2024 Holiday Update brings a sack-load of Christmas gifts to owners

The Tesla 2024 Holiday Update is about to land with a host of upgrades to the systems of Tesla models in the UK.

Tesla Model 3 - front tracking

The holidays are a time for giving, being with friends, and feeling all content with the world. Tesla’s 2024 Holiday Update promises to give Elon Musk’s EV clan an extra endorphin bump thanks to its rather generous suite of new features. Here’s what to expect if you’ve got a Tesla on the drive (or under the tree). 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Apple Watch owners can now enjoy a Tesla App on their wrist - they can use their watch as their car key, check battery charge, open their cars’ frunk, and even turn on climate control. A small quality of life update, but for those in a hurry being able to fiddle with their car from afar it could be invaluable. 

Tesla’s inbuilt dash cam and Sentry Mode cameras are a lifesaver for proving who’s responsible for damage should anything happen to your car. The 2024 Holiday Update introduces the ability to send clips from either to your phone to either edit (to turn into memes… maybe), or share (with your insurance company). 

Perhaps the most useful update in the 2024 Holiday Update package is the ability to use Tesla’s smart Autoshift feature on the stalkless Model 3. Autoshift switches the car between drive and reverse (where appropriate) without having to prod the car’s screen. When you’re performing a low speed manoeuvre, slow down, and the screen should show that the car is ready for autoshift. With it enabled, turn the ‘wheel the way you’re told to while pressing the brake at the same time, and the car will switch itself from forward to reverse. A small thing, but something that could be incredibly useful in a tight spot. 

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Tesla’s update also features quality of life enhancements for the map, and route planning features. You can set your preferred battery level for arrival at your destination. Tell the car you, for example, want to arrive with at least 70% of charge in the tank, the system will adjust your charge stops to make sure you get there with the right amount in reserve. While you’re thinking about charge stops, you can also have a look at potential detours along your route - the map will show you how much time they’ll add to your journey. Fans of staying dry, or packing appropriately, will enjoy the update’s new Precipitation Map and Weather at Destination functions. Want to know whether to pack wellies or a crop top for your day trip? Your Tesla can now tell you… 

Tesla’s also given its cars a new active safety feature - Rear Cross Traffic Alert. When reversing out of a space, the car’s rear cameras and sensors will alert the driver, via the car’s screen and an audio warning, if a car, pedestrian, or… anything else is coming that might cause an accident. 

Not one to let whimsy pass it by, the latest update comes with a dose of fun. Cybertruck owners can now modify their car’s on-screen avatar with preloaded or custom designs, or they can activate ‘Santa Mode’ to turn their truck into a reindeer-towed blocky sleigh. It’ll even chuck in an elf. Tesla’s light shows are the stuff of legend, and now you can schedule them from the Tesla App - as soon as the update drops you can set any of the car’s shows (including two new ones) for whichever time you fancy. Your neighbours will love you for the 02:00 song and dance. 

Flatulence and Tesla are long-established bedfellows - so to speak - and the latest update to the car’s ‘fart mode’ isn’t afraid to toot that particular horn once again. You can now activate ‘fart on contact’ mode, which will play the appropriate (or not if you’re giving a vicar a lift) sounds when the seat detects a bottom. Fun for all the family. Speaking of fun - there’s also a new game, Boomerang Fu, on its way with the update, as well as the ability to play games from the rear seats. 

There’s quite a bit more on the way with the Tesla 2024 Holiday Update, too - a maintenance summary on the car’s screen, the ability to adjust passenger seats from a new Seats Control Panel, more control over video play, dropped music volume when reversing, navigation that’ll automatically avoid road closures, a sharper Sentry Mode if someone tries the door handle, energy consumption pages added to the screen for certain models, live Supercharger info, live updates traffic on your nav route for cars without premium connectivity, a better rear camera for the Cybertruck, improved TuneIn Radio, and more besides. 

The update will be available over-the-air to Tesla drivers and will begin rolling out next week. 

Click here for our list of the best electric cars...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Tesla denied Robotaxi trademark for its self-driving ‘robot taxi’
Tesla logo badge

Tesla denied Robotaxi trademark for its self-driving ‘robot taxi’

US authorities say Tesla’s proposed naming strategy for its autonomous EVs is too generic
News
8 May 2025
Tesla, Trump and tumbling sales: what’s the problem with Elon Musk’s EV brand?
Tesla Model 3 - front cornering

Tesla, Trump and tumbling sales: what’s the problem with Elon Musk’s EV brand?

Revenue from Tesla’s car sales dropped by a fifth in Q1 compared to 2024, with Elon Musk stating he will step back from his US government role under P…
News
1 May 2025
Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
28 Apr 2025
New Tesla Cybercab preview: 300-mile range for self-driving robotaxi due in 2027
Tesla Cybercab Ellis - front 3/4

New Tesla Cybercab preview: 300-mile range for self-driving robotaxi due in 2027

Tesla’s Cybercab will be two-seater with no steering wheel and a relatively small 50kWh battery
News
18 Mar 2025

Most Popular

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change
Protyre area manager Simon Hall inspecting a Vauxhall Corsa's tyre

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change

The number of MoT failures caused by worn tyres is on the rise, and experts are calling for mandatory follow-ups on advisories
News
12 May 2025
EV affordability alarm! Running costs are £6k higher than for petrol cars, say car clubs
BYD Atto 3 - front cornering

EV affordability alarm! Running costs are £6k higher than for petrol cars, say car clubs

Running costs for car share club EVs are £6k higher than ICE equivalents according to new data
News
8 May 2025
Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future
Mazda MX-5 EV exclusive image - front

Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future

The next Mazda MX-5 roadster is set to be offered as a pure EV, and our exclusive images preview how it could look
News
10 May 2025