Updates and Unaware Tesla Owners

[Chris350]

Quite a problem...

In the last few weeks, I have talked to many Tesla owners about updates.

All of these owners I talked to are first time owners...

In the conversations, the topic would move to V9 and new features that I have on my car, but they still don't...

Come to find out, all of these owners were still on old versions of the software... Anywhere from 36.2 to 40.1

I find it a little troubling that Tesla can't seem to get all the cars updated to the newest and safest versions of the software.

All these owners had no idea that they were missing features or on such an old version of the software... In fact, if I hadn't told them, they still wouldn't know.

I find it very strange that a better way to get updates to cars hasn't been solved at this point..

Pretty bad that such a wonderful car can't grow because Tesla can't get software to them.

Thoughts?

 

[nvx1977]

why are they not getting updates? insufficient LTE signal? not connected to home wifi?

 

[bbell]

Do you know if they connect to WiFi? I suppose if these drivers aren't tech savvy they may never setup WiFi in the car. That would make the updates much slower (and the map updates too).

 

[mtndrew1]

Maybe a pop-up on the display from time to time that there’s an update available with new features should the car be connected to WiFi would be useful. Perhaps with each wide release.

 

[0ptions]

Maybe a pop-up on the display from time to time that there’s an update available with new features should the car be connected to WiFi would be useful. Perhaps with each wide release.

This already happens with my car. I thought that was standard.

 

[mtndrew1]

This already happens with my car. I thought that was standard.

I’ve received this notice for maps but never for general firmware. Do you have a photo?

 

[Jrzapata]

I would imagine these owners are indeed not very tech savvy. I wonder if putting an intro to your car menu on the display for when you get it would help, BUT, I can imagine people just dismissing it and not following it. Just like when you factory reset a phone and it goes through all your settings.

1. name your car (Very Important step)
2. add phone as key
3. add phone for bluetooth entertainment
4. setup wifi
5. setup homelink
6. setup lights
7. setup driver profile
a. seats
b. mirrors
c. steering wheel
8. setup autopilot preferences
a. summon settings
b. navigate on autopilot
9. explain features maybe with a video?

I know this is what the delivery specialist should do, but really people just want their car and don't pay attention to what the delivery nerd is saying.

 

[JeffK]

Quite a problem...

In the last few weeks, I have talked to many Tesla owners about updates.

All of these owners I talked to are first time owners...

In the conversations, the topic would move to V9 and new features that I have on my car, but they still don't...

Come to find out, all of these owners were still on old versions of the software... Anywhere from 36.2 to 40.1

I find it a little troubling that Tesla can't seem to get all the cars updated to the newest and safest versions of the software.

All these owners had no idea that they were missing features or on such an old version of the software... In fact, if I hadn't told them, they still wouldn't know.

I find it very strange that a better way to get updates to cars hasn't been solved at this point..

Pretty bad that such a wonderful car can't grow because Tesla can't get software to them.

Thoughts?

It's mentioned in the manual too that if they don't have good cell reception to connect to local wifi. Either way, eventually they will get an update.

 

[Jrzapata]

It's mentioned in the manual too that if they don't have good cell reception to connect to local wifi. Either way, eventually they will get an update.

People don't read manuals (on that note, I read the whole damn thing way before I took delivery)

 

[woodisgood]

It's also amazing that some people don't know about the very obvious, not hidden-at-all Easter egg drawer.

 

[JeffK]

It's also amazing that some people don't know about the very obvious, not hidden-at-all Easter egg drawer.

Want to know what's funny?... There's even a manual page for that
https://www.tesla.com/content/dam/tesla/Ownership/Own/Model 3 Owners Manual.pdf#page=169

 

[lolder]

I’ve received this notice for maps but never for general firmware. Do you have a photo?

I think you may have it backwards. Map updates are not announced. Firmware is not changed but announced software is.

 

[nvx1977]

also note that wifi was not supported in model 3 until mid 2018. Anyone who took delivery in the first half of the year didn't have wifi connectivity (or rear heated seats) enabled yet. I took delivery end of March, and indeed, my car never got updates because LTE signal is very weak. When I had a chance to interact with mobile service (for my Model S), I had the tech check to see if there were firmware updates for my 3. He confirmed that indeed there were multiple attempts to download firmware but all were aborted prematurely, likely due to poor connectivity.

 

[StellarRat]

A lot of people know very little about what they're buying. We have several posts here about how people are disappointed with the range, but it's the dead of winter and some of them seem to think you can drive 75+ mph and still get the rated range. That indicates to me they did no research before buying their EV.

 

[mtndrew1]

I think you may have it backwards. Map updates are not announced. Firmware is not changed but announced software is.

I have received notifications on the screen that map updates are only available via WiFi and to connect to WiFi to receive them. I have never had such an alert for a firmware update.

 

[angelman]

When I lived in Cali I was getting updates in very good time. Since moving to the East coast (with good LTE reception - no wifi available) I haven't had any more updates. Waiting to get my hands on pole position!

 

[Runebane]

I have received notifications on the screen that map updates are only available via WiFi and to connect to WiFi to receive them. I have never had such an alert for a firmware update.

I have never seen that message. I have seen messages from the car saying there is an update available and asking me when it should schedule installing it. But maps updates? I've never seen a message about that. I wonder if there is a setting I don't have turned on for the maps?

 

[Chris350]

The woman I talked to today was still on version 36..... She received the car back in early Sept.

As she doesn't have Wifi in her garage, someone would have to set it up for her...

But the car does have a pretty solid LTE connection at her workplace....

So, in her case... I am unsure as to why she was still sitting on such an old version....

I'm pretty sure that Tesla has pushed it to her.... At least through Wifi, but no one knows if it went through via LTE.

In any case, I am sure that the download failed and her car is hung up somehow and can't get any updates...

But the main issue is, that she would of never known unless I had said something to her or that she happened to take the car in for service. Even taking it into service for something is also not a sure way to get it if the car is hung up...

I have had the issue once regarding a "failed updaate", but because I read these boards, I knew about it and called Tesla. They then verified that they had sent it, but it failed.... They had me get on wifi and pushed it out to me again...

Just very odd that allot of new owners could be sitting on very old firmware because there is no sure way to be aware that you had an update failure or that even new firmware is available...

Shouldn't be hard for Tesla to notify via a pop up on the screen that a download failed and instructions for receiving it... I would think that anyone with a failed download should have the option to have it force with an option on the screen...

 

[mswlogo]

When I lived in Cali I was getting updates in very good time. Since moving to the East coast (with good LTE reception - no wifi available) I haven't had any more updates. Waiting to get my hands on pole position!

My friend was getting regular updates on WIFI. He went on a 10 day trip where he had no Wifi but plenty of LTE. He never got version 48 (where most people had) on his trip. As soon as he got home and connected to Wifi he got the Update Ready within hours. I got the update on mine via Wifi like the first day he want on his trip.

Also in the Northeast. I don't think updates are happening over LTE, around here any ways.

 

[iluvmacs]

A lot of people know very little about what they're buying. We have several posts here about how people are disappointed with the range, but it's the dead of winter and some of them seem to think you can drive 75+ mph and still get the rated range. That indicates to me they did no research before buying their EV.

And apparently never noticed that their ICE vehicle got less range in the winter too.