Tesla figures owners of its Model S all-electric sedan will happily trade a little dashboard start-up speed for a few more miles of range. That's the crux of a software update from the luxury EV maker that will include a so-called "sleep mode." That mode powers everything off when the car is shut down.
The upshot is that there will be what Tesla says is a "modest increase" in the amount of time the car's instrument panel "wakes up" from sleep mode (don't we all have that problem?). The good news is that the car's range increases because of sleep mode. In fact, folks willing to put their cars into sleep mode will get about eight more miles of range for every day that the car's not used and not plugged in. In other words, a non-sleeping Model S loses roughly a mile of range every three hours its just sitting there. Tesla says the software update will also improve voice-command and media-browsing features.
Tesla said late last month that it is boosting the price of the Model S by $2,500 for US customers, putting the base price at $59,900 and the top end hit at $94,400. Those prices don't factor in the federal tax credit worth up to $7,500. Details can be found in Tesla's announcement for the software update below.
The upshot is that there will be what Tesla says is a "modest increase" in the amount of time the car's instrument panel "wakes up" from sleep mode (don't we all have that problem?). The good news is that the car's range increases because of sleep mode. In fact, folks willing to put their cars into sleep mode will get about eight more miles of range for every day that the car's not used and not plugged in. In other words, a non-sleeping Model S loses roughly a mile of range every three hours its just sitting there. Tesla says the software update will also improve voice-command and media-browsing features.
Tesla said late last month that it is boosting the price of the Model S by $2,500 for US customers, putting the base price at $59,900 and the top end hit at $94,400. Those prices don't factor in the federal tax credit worth up to $7,500. Details can be found in Tesla's announcement for the software update below.
MODEL S SOFTWARE RELEASE NOTES v4.0
A new software update will be available in the coming days. The onboard notification will guide you through the installation. If you would like to review the process, instructions are available at the end of this email.
After installation, Model S will feature new energy-saving "sleep" functionality, improved door handle capabilities, Voice Commands and enhanced media browsing capabilities, and added functionality for Maps, HomeLink, and Steering Wheel Controls.
Beginning with this update, Release Notes will be displayed on the touchscreen right after the update and can always be accessed later by tapping the Tesla T in the status bar and tapping the Release Notes link located above your VIN number, next to the software version number.
NEW FEATURES
Vehicle Sleep
App Launcher
Release Notes
Voice Commands
ENHANCEMENTS
Synchronized Door Handles
USB Media Browsing
Alphabetical Index
Calling from Maps
Steering Wheel Controls - Fan
Speed / Sunroof
Throttle Response
HomeLink - Location Awareness
Energy App
NEW CONTROLS / SETTINGS
Auto-Presenting Door Handles
Alarm
Metric Distance Unit
Range Driving Mode
NEW FEATURES
Vehicle Sleep
With this release, Model S will power off the display and vehicle electronics each time you exit, transitioning to a "sleep" state. When you return to Model S, you'll note a modest increase in the time it takes the touchscreen and instrument panel to wake from this energy-saving state.
Model S will initiate the startup process the moment the key is recognized nearby. You can only begin driving once both displays are ready.
If you would prefer to keep the displays powered so they'll be instantly available each time you return, you can change the setting in Controls > Settings > Vehicle. Note that keeping the displays powered will reduce your car's range up to 8 miles per day when the car is not plugged in, and will also reduce the life of your 12V battery and vehicle electrical systems. If displays are set to power off, the displays will power off 2 hours after the rest of the car goes to sleep. The displays will also power off when the battery charge is low (or after 60 hours without use), regardless of the setting.
DISPLAYS
App Launcher
With this feature, you can easily launch an app in the bottom app window (in addition to the current default behavior, where tapping an icon replaces the app in the top window). To try it, tap and hold an application icon. You'll notice a small pop-up indicating the top and bottom viewing panes. Drag the icon to your preferred location.
KEEP DISPLAYS POWERED ON
COPYRIGHT 2012 TESLA MOTORS INC
A new software update will be available in the coming days. The onboard notification will guide you through the installation. If you would like to review the process, instructions are available at the end of this email.
After installation, Model S will feature new energy-saving "sleep" functionality, improved door handle capabilities, Voice Commands and enhanced media browsing capabilities, and added functionality for Maps, HomeLink, and Steering Wheel Controls.
Beginning with this update, Release Notes will be displayed on the touchscreen right after the update and can always be accessed later by tapping the Tesla T in the status bar and tapping the Release Notes link located above your VIN number, next to the software version number.
NEW FEATURES
Vehicle Sleep
App Launcher
Release Notes
Voice Commands
ENHANCEMENTS
Synchronized Door Handles
USB Media Browsing
Alphabetical Index
Calling from Maps
Steering Wheel Controls - Fan
Speed / Sunroof
Throttle Response
HomeLink - Location Awareness
Energy App
NEW CONTROLS / SETTINGS
Auto-Presenting Door Handles
Alarm
Metric Distance Unit
Range Driving Mode
NEW FEATURES
Vehicle Sleep
With this release, Model S will power off the display and vehicle electronics each time you exit, transitioning to a "sleep" state. When you return to Model S, you'll note a modest increase in the time it takes the touchscreen and instrument panel to wake from this energy-saving state.
Model S will initiate the startup process the moment the key is recognized nearby. You can only begin driving once both displays are ready.
If you would prefer to keep the displays powered so they'll be instantly available each time you return, you can change the setting in Controls > Settings > Vehicle. Note that keeping the displays powered will reduce your car's range up to 8 miles per day when the car is not plugged in, and will also reduce the life of your 12V battery and vehicle electrical systems. If displays are set to power off, the displays will power off 2 hours after the rest of the car goes to sleep. The displays will also power off when the battery charge is low (or after 60 hours without use), regardless of the setting.
DISPLAYS
App Launcher
With this feature, you can easily launch an app in the bottom app window (in addition to the current default behavior, where tapping an icon replaces the app in the top window). To try it, tap and hold an application icon. You'll notice a small pop-up indicating the top and bottom viewing panes. Drag the icon to your preferred location.
KEEP DISPLAYS POWERED ON
COPYRIGHT 2012 TESLA MOTORS INC
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