By Karan Singh
Tesla today reinstated its referral program in the US. You will need Tesla App V4.36.1 to see the updated referral menu, so be sure to update your app first.
The program is quite different from the original program. Instead of referral credits, Tesla offers a redeemable gift card instead. Let’s take a closer look at the new offers.
Rewards
The new referral program offers referrers $500 in credits, while the user of the code gets $1,000 off a new Tesla. The $500 can be used on pretty much anything, including Supercharging, software upgrades, Tesla Shop merchandise, service payments, or even a new vehicle. However, users are limited to 10 rewards. Each referral code is also only valid to get $1,000 off a new Tesla on the first 10 uses.
This means that if you refer 10 people, you can get up to $5,000 toward your next Tesla or almost anything else under the Tesla umbrella. Tesla isn’t sure if the 10-use limit is per year or lifetime, but we’re happy to see the program officially return.
Tesla Events
One of the most unique aspects of the program is that those who refer new buyers also have a chance to win an invitation to upcoming Tesla events. So if you want to watch the Robotaxi event on October 10,thbest to recommend it straight away!
Recommendations in other markets
Currently, the referral program appears to be limited to the United States. Canadian and European users cannot currently see the updated referral UI and the button to open the referral link is not available in the app. We hope Tesla rolls out the referral program in other markets as well, but it would not be surprising if Tesla turns it on and off in select markets based on demand.
By Karan Singh
Tesla recently released the 2024.32 update to its employees. It contains several new features that everyone will certainly be happy to see in future vehicles.
Note that some features may be region-specific, such as construction zones on your route. Additional features may also be available for other models or regions. The Cybertruck is expected to receive AutoPark soon, which may also be included in this update.
Construction site on your route
If you have Premium Connectivity and have online routing enabled (Settings > Navigation), maps will show construction sites on your route with an icon on the screen. Tesla added map icons to the screen with the 2023 Holiday Update and continues to support additional features in more regions.
Tesla already takes construction into account when navigating to a location, but now it displays the location of the construction site on the screen so you have a better idea of what areas to avoid or better understand the route chosen by the navigation system. For those in urban areas with a lot of heavy construction, this is a fantastic addition.
Text prediction for navigation searches
In addition to roadworks on the route, navigation searches now also come with word prediction, which suggests search terms as you type. Word prediction is helpful for completing searches quickly – but you need a stable internet connection for word prediction to work. Premium connectivity is not required.
Search this area
As part of further updates to Navigation Search, you can now “Search this area” when you’re looking for something specific and drag the map to a different location. This is similar to Google Maps’ “Search this area” feature and is a good update if Navigation likes to show you places in a different city.
Mobile App Notifications – Tire Service
As part of a previous update, your vehicle can now notify you when a tire change or rotation is needed. You must set your own schedule based on distance under Service > Tire Service Mileage. You can set a mileage-based reminder when you’re ready to rotate your tires. With this update, you’ll also be notified via the Tesla mobile app when your vehicle reaches the set mileage. You must also be using mobile app version 4.35 or higher.
When is it coming?
This update is still being tested with first wave employees, but it is expected to be available to the first consumers very soon. However, as with most updates, it will take weeks before it is available to most users.
If you are subscribed to FSD or own it outright, don’t expect this update anytime soon. The FSD branch always lags at least several weeks behind the main code branch. Since Tesla recently updated its FSD branch to 2024.26, it may be another month before it updates again.
By Karan Singh
In a recent post on X, Ashok Elluswamy, head of AP/AI at Tesla, confirmed that FSD will not be available for the Cybertruck yet.
Instead, Cybertruck owners can look forward to some parking assist features, which is at least a step towards FSD. While Ashok didn’t mention exactly what parking features are coming, we can probably guess what they will be.
Parking assistant and autopark on the Cybertruck
Currently, the Cybertruck does not have Park Assist or Autopark. Tesla’s Park Assist provides a highly accurate rendering of the vehicle’s surroundings (video below). Park Assist is a fantastic feature when parking in tight spaces, and since the updated Vision changes in recent months, it’s more accurate than ever.
We expect the Cybertruck to be even better, as it has access to a front bumper camera that provides even more data for the parking assist.
In addition, Park Assist works with Autopark and allows owners to automatically park their cars into parallel parking spaces or reverse into perpendicular parking spaces (video).
At low speeds (under 8 mph), Autopark automatically detects and displays nearby parking spaces—both perpendicular to backing and parallel. You can tap a space on the Cybertruck’s touchscreen and then stop. Autopark will then maneuver the vehicle as needed to get it into the right position and park.
Ashok mentioned that these updates for the parking assist features are planned for later this week. Park Assist will be available to everyone, while Autopark Enhanced will require Autopark or FSD.
Updated schedule for FSD on Cybertruck
Ashok also gave us an update on FSD for the Cybertruck. He says to expect Autopilot/FSD around September as Tesla is focusing on parking assist features first. It is still expected to arrive in an interim version of FSD 12.5, which recently started shipping to vehicles with HW3. All Cybertrucks come standard with AI4.
Park Assist is a fantastic step forward as Tesla works to refine and certify FSD for the Cybertruck. September isn’t too far away at this point, and given the FSD team’s recent pace of updates, it could show up even sooner.
