Tesla's 2025 holiday update is rolling out with new features for infotainment, safety, and vehicle controls
Tesla began distributing its 2025 holiday software update in December 2024, with the rollout continuing into early 2025. The update includes changes to the center display interface, new voice command options, updated safety features, and adjustments to climate control and charging behavior. Not every feature arrives on every vehicle at the same time — Tesla typically stages rollouts by region and vehicle model, so you may see the update weeks before or after your neighbor does.
The update installs over Wi-Fi while your vehicle is parked and connected to power. You do not need to visit a service center. Installation usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, and your vehicle will be unavailable during that time.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 holiday update rolls out in stages by region and model, so check your vehicle's software screen to see if it is ready for your car.
- New features include a redesigned climate menu, expanded voice commands, and changes to how the vehicle handles charging schedules and Supercharger routing.
- The update installs wirelessly while parked and plugged in, taking roughly 20 to 40 minutes to complete.
- Some features may not appear on older model years or vehicles with hardware limitations, particularly those with first-generation Autopilot hardware.
How to check if the update is ready for your vehicle
Open the Tesla app on your phone or use the center display in your vehicle. On the display, touch the Tesla logo or "Controls" in the bottom-left corner, then select "Software." You will see your current software version and, if an update is available, a button to install it or a message saying when the update will arrive.
If you see an update available, your vehicle must be connected to Wi-Fi and plugged into power to begin installation. Plug in at home, at a Supercharger, or at any available outlet. The vehicle will not start the update if the battery is below a certain threshold — typically around 20 percent — so charge first if you are running low.
If no update appears yet, your vehicle is still in the staged rollout queue. Tesla prioritizes certain regions and model years first. Check again in a few days or a week. You can also enable "Advanced" settings in the Software menu to join Tesla's early access program, though this is not required and carries a small risk of encountering bugs before the general release.
New infotainment and display changes
The climate control menu has been reorganized. Instead of a single climate card on the main screen, you now access heating and cooling through a dedicated climate panel that shows seat warmers, steering wheel heat, and cabin temperature in one place. The layout is designed to reduce the number of taps needed to adjust common settings.
Voice commands have expanded. You can now use voice to control more functions — including adjusting the sunroof, opening the frunk, and managing charging settings — without touching the screen. Say "Hey Tesla" followed by your command. The system recognizes more natural phrasing than in previous versions, so you do not need to memorize exact phrases.
The home screen layout has been refined to show more information at a glance. Trip data, charging status, and navigation suggestions are more prominent, and you can customize which cards appear and in what order.
Safety and driver information updates
The update includes refinements to Autopilot and Traffic-Aware Cruise Control. The system now handles certain highway merges and lane changes more smoothly, and the visualization on the display has been updated to show detected objects and lane markings more clearly.
Collision avoidance has been tuned to reduce false alerts on highways while maintaining protection in city driving. If you have been getting warnings that felt unnecessary, this update may reduce those occurrences.
The blind spot camera feed — available on vehicles with the side-camera package — now displays automatically when you signal to change lanes, rather than requiring a manual tap. This is a convenience change and does not affect safety ratings.
Charging and energy management changes
The update changes how scheduled charging works. You can now set different charging schedules for weekdays and weekends, and the vehicle will respect those schedules more consistently. If you have a time-of-use electricity plan, this makes it easier to charge during cheaper hours.
Supercharger routing has been updated to account for real-time availability. When you navigate to a destination, the vehicle now shows you which Superchargers along your route have open stalls, reducing the chance you arrive at a charger only to find it full. This information appears in the navigation preview before you confirm the route.
For home charging, the update adds a "solar charging" option if you have a Tesla solar installation. You can now set the vehicle to charge only when your panels are producing power, rather than drawing from the grid or battery storage.
Compatibility and which vehicles receive the update
All Tesla models — Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck — are receiving this update, but the timing varies. Newer vehicles and those in North America typically receive updates first. Vehicles in Europe and Asia-Pacific regions usually follow within two to four weeks.
Some features may not appear on vehicles with first-generation Autopilot hardware (HW 1.0), which Tesla stopped installing in 2016. These vehicles receive the software update but cannot use certain vision-based features. If your vehicle was built before mid-2016, check your hardware version in the Software menu to confirm which features you can access.
Vehicles with older center display units may see a slightly different layout for some features, but core functionality remains the same across all hardware generations.
What to do if the update fails or gets stuck
If the installation begins but does not complete, the vehicle will typically retry automatically the next time it is parked and plugged in. You do not need to do anything — just leave it connected to power and Wi-Fi.
If the update fails repeatedly or your vehicle shows an error message, try these steps: first, restart the vehicle by shifting into Neutral, pressing and holding both scroll wheels on the steering wheel for 10 seconds, and waiting for the Tesla logo to appear. Then plug in again and attempt the update.
If the problem persists, contact Tesla Service through the app. They can push the update remotely or schedule a service appointment if a hardware issue is preventing installation. Most update failures resolve on their own within a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the update slow down my vehicle or drain the battery faster?
No. Software updates do not change the efficiency of the powertrain or battery management. Some users report slightly different energy consumption after major updates because the display or climate system behaves differently, but this is usually a matter of perception rather than actual efficiency loss. If you notice a real change, a service visit can check for underlying issues.
Can I refuse the update or stay on my current software version?
Tesla does not allow you to decline an update indefinitely. Once an update is available, it will eventually install automatically if you do not install it manually. You can delay it by not plugging in or by disabling Wi-Fi, but this is temporary. For safety and security reasons, Tesla recommends installing updates as soon as they arrive.
Do I lose any features or settings when I update?
No. Your saved locations, charging preferences, seat adjustments, and all custom settings remain intact after the update. The update only changes how the software works, not your personal data or configurations.
Why is my vehicle not showing the update yet?
Tesla rolls out updates in waves by region and model year. Vehicles in certain areas receive updates first, followed by others over the course of several weeks. This staged approach helps Tesla catch any issues before the update reaches all vehicles. If your vehicle is more than a few weeks behind, you can try enabling the early access program in Software settings, but this is optional.
Can I use my vehicle while the update is installing?
No. The vehicle is locked and unavailable while the update installs. Plan for 20 to 40 minutes of downtime. Do not unplug the vehicle or interrupt the process, as this can cause the update to fail and require a retry.