Tesla owners and enthusiasts have long debated the use of the term “recall” for minor issues that can be resolved through a software update. However, there are cases where the term is appropriate, as certain problems can pose a risk to people’s safety if not addressed properly. In other instances, it is simply a topic for sensationalized news, with only minor adjustments needed to comply with obscure regulations.
A recent example of this is the voluntary action taken by Tesla to change the font of certain warning lights in their vehicles. It was found that icons containing text, such as ABS, Brake, or Park, were too small. The NHTSA expressed concerns that drivers could become distracted while trying to read the text. Tesla agreed with this assessment, leading to the voluntary action. However, some media outlets exaggerated the situation, creating the false impression that over two million Teslas were unsafe to drive.
Tesla has already released a software update to address this issue. As of now, more than 25% of all cars in the US have received the update, featuring larger text for the warning icons instead of the previous symbols. However, according to NHTSA regulations, Tesla is also required to send physical letters to all owners, which amounts to over two million letters. This is not only wasteful in terms of the environment but also a burden on taxpayers. The purpose of these letters is simply to inform owners that no action is required to receive the update. In this day and age, it would be more appropriate to communicate through email or text messages.
In light of this situation, Tesla supporters have suggested reevaluating the use of the term “recall.” Various alternative terms have been proposed, with “software recall” being one of the more popular options. However, as Tesla introduced the fix, they have chosen to refer to it as an “over-the-air recall.” The software update 2024.2.2.1 brings the larger text to US customers and introduces adaptive high beams for Model 3 Highland owners in Europe. Additionally, it includes enhancements for all other Tesla vehicles.
One notable improvement is the optimization of pre-charging. After this update, your Tesla will have knowledge of the power level at each DC charging station, allowing for more accurate pre-conditioning of the battery. As a result, charging will be more efficient when you enter a DC fast charging station into the navigation system. Tesla has also made changes to the Trips menu, making the trip meters easier to read. The All Apps menu has been redesigned to display all apps, including those you have pinned as favorites.
A valuable addition is the revamped Additional Vehicle Information menu, which can be found under Controls > Software. Here, owners can check if their car is compatible with third-party DC fast charging stations, whether they use CCS or NACS connectors. This information indicates that not all vehicles are capable of charging at third-party NACS stations. Similar to CCS compatibility, some Tesla EVs may require an additional charging module for this capability.