Photo: Tesla, @Tslachan via X
Tesla released FSD V12.4 to employees alongside software update 2024.9.5. As Elon Musk promised last week, the new FSD version removes the steering wheel nag in favor of camera-based driver monitoring in certain conditions. The new software also comes with an updated strike system for drivers that abuse the FSD software.
Last week, Elon Musk offered some needed updates regarding FSD software on X.com (formerly Twitter). Tesla CEO promised that V12.4 would roll out to Tesla employees this week, while customers were scheduled to receive it next week. The EV maker fulfilled its part of the deal as the FSD V12.4 started internal testing as planned. Unless anything is terribly wrong with this version, regular customers should get it by the end of the month.
One of the most important changes the new FSD build brought was scrapping the steering wheel nag, which annoyed most owners without providing much safety. Some Tesla owners complained that they were prompted to apply slight torque to the steering wheel every few minutes. For new FSD customers, this was not optimal, as moving the steering wheel a little more than required could disengage FSD altogether. This could surprise newcomers and even lead to dangerous situations as they try to figure out what happened.
This is why seasoned FSD testers have asked Tesla to remove the nag. Elon Musk promised that FSD V12.4 would accomplish this, and Tesla delivered. While it didn't remove the nag completely, its implementation improved tremendously. For starters, the cabin camera now becomes more important for driver monitoring. However, there are limitations that can make the system fall back to the steering wheel check.
These include situations when the cabin camera is blocked, the light is dim, and the driver has the eyes covered by sunglasses or low-brim hats. The steering wheel nag is also triggered when the driver does not look forward. Of course, don't expect the steering wheel nag to be removed if you're driving an older Tesla EV without a cabin camera.
Tesla also changed the way its suspension (strikeout) system works when drivers are not paying attention. A driver is currently booted off Autopilot and FSD after five "strikeouts." When this happens, they cannot use these automated driving features for a week. The new system will continue to issue strikeouts if you're not paying attention, but every strikeout will expire after one week if you're not getting another during this time.
According to the release notes, one Autopilot Strikeout will be forgiven for each seven-day period in which you do not receive any new strikeouts. Each time you receive a strikeout, the timer will restart. Once you reach five strikeouts, the FSD feature will be removed for about a week, as before. Tesla fans have welcomed the changes on social media.
One of the most important changes the new FSD build brought was scrapping the steering wheel nag, which annoyed most owners without providing much safety. Some Tesla owners complained that they were prompted to apply slight torque to the steering wheel every few minutes. For new FSD customers, this was not optimal, as moving the steering wheel a little more than required could disengage FSD altogether. This could surprise newcomers and even lead to dangerous situations as they try to figure out what happened.
This is why seasoned FSD testers have asked Tesla to remove the nag. Elon Musk promised that FSD V12.4 would accomplish this, and Tesla delivered. While it didn't remove the nag completely, its implementation improved tremendously. For starters, the cabin camera now becomes more important for driver monitoring. However, there are limitations that can make the system fall back to the steering wheel check.
These include situations when the cabin camera is blocked, the light is dim, and the driver has the eyes covered by sunglasses or low-brim hats. The steering wheel nag is also triggered when the driver does not look forward. Of course, don't expect the steering wheel nag to be removed if you're driving an older Tesla EV without a cabin camera.
Tesla also changed the way its suspension (strikeout) system works when drivers are not paying attention. A driver is currently booted off Autopilot and FSD after five "strikeouts." When this happens, they cannot use these automated driving features for a week. The new system will continue to issue strikeouts if you're not paying attention, but every strikeout will expire after one week if you're not getting another during this time.
According to the release notes, one Autopilot Strikeout will be forgiven for each seven-day period in which you do not receive any new strikeouts. Each time you receive a strikeout, the timer will restart. Once you reach five strikeouts, the FSD feature will be removed for about a week, as before. Tesla fans have welcomed the changes on social media.
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