Tesla 2020.48.5 Software Update Rolling Out: What’s New

Tesla has started rolling out its 2020.48.5 software update to its fleet, according to @Teslascope.

Just ahead of this release, hacker @greentheonly shared what’s new in this release.

“Junction mode for improved navigation, but only for China now. Needs new maps.
In Canada running a red light/stop sign warning on hw2.x Blinking taillight on strong braking on model 3/Y in China. Text messages improvements,” explained the hacker.

“It also has the new Bluetooth firmware for the model X keys, but it’s not spelled in release notes on how to update to it visibly. Also new 5G cell modem is now official for both S/X and 3/Y cars,” which the hacker says looks to be Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Automotive 5G Platform.

There’s also a kernel update but the source is not up on Github, explained @greentheonly.

“Interesting that now they spell out codenames for the modems too. old one was codenamed Titan and new one is Iris. UAE, Israel, Jordan and Singapore got manuals now (and Egypt was removed),” added @greentheonly.

The full release notes are Teslascope’s website with visuals as well–you can read them below:

Model S and Model X (China)

To improve navigation guidance through complicated highway junctions and city intersections, an image of the intersection with the highlighted lane guidance will now be displayed in the instrument cluster.

Model 3 and Model Y (China)

To improve navigation guidance through complicated highway junctions and city intersections, an image of the intersection with the highlighted lane guidance will now be displayed in the turn-by-turn instructions on the touchscreen.

Tesla explains, “Note: Before this feature can be enabled, the latest version of Navigation maps must be downloaded via WiFi.”

Dynamic Brake Lights (China only says @greentheonly)

If you are driving over 50 km/h (31 mph) and brake forcefully, the brake lights will now flash quickly to warn other drivers that your car is rapidly slowing down. If your car stops completely, the hazard warning lights will flash until you press the accelerator or manually press the hazard warning lights button to turn them off.

Autosteer Stop Sign and Stop Light Warning (Canada); All Models (not HW3):

Your car may warn you in some cases if it detects that you are about to run a stop sign or stop light while Autosteer is in use. This is not a substitute for an attentive driver and will not stop the car.

Text Messaging Improvements (worldwide)

Consecutive messages from the same sender will now be displayed and dictated together for an improved viewing and listening experience. To view conversations, open the Application Launcher and tap Call > Messages.

“You can also now double press the right scroll wheel button to easily dismiss an incoming text message, or re-record an outgoing text message,” on Model 3 and Model Y says Tesla.

“As usual, to enable text messaging, tap the Bluetooth icon on the top of the display, and enable “Sync Messages”. Note: Due to the limitations of Bluetooth support from your device, you will not be able to send group messages,” reads the release notes.

Unlatching Charge Cable (Model S, Model X; worldwide)

“You can now press the small black button to the left of the charge port inlet to unlatch the charge cable when your car is unlocked. This may be particularly useful when charging with charge cables that do not have a release button on the connector handle,” details Tesla.

Tesla adds, “Note: You still have the ability to unlatch a charge cable by using other methods, such as from the vehicle touchscreen, the Mobile App, the connector handle button, or by pressing and holding the rear trunk button on the key fob.”

There are also now “QQ Music Improvements” for all models in China only, allowing users to shuffle tracks in a playlist.

TRAX v0.2 is now also available for all models (Model 3 and Y must have MCU2) worldwide, while there are also now Sentry Mode Improvements as well.

“Sentry Mode footage of the last panic event will now be saved to onboard memory. To view or save this clip, plug in a USB device, launch the Dashcam Viewer, and tap the save icon on the bottom right corner of the screen,” explains Tesla, for all cars worldwide.

You can also read the 2020.48.5 release notes from @kkvr2823’s Model Y in Canada below:

Here’s a look at the new text messaging improvements:

…developing, more to follow