Photo: Tesla, @Jojje167 via X, Hella
Tesla is turning on the adaptive headlights in the refreshed Model 3 with the first software update of the year. So far, the 2024.2 version mainly concerns the refreshed Model 3 in Europe. Still, hopes are high that the adaptive headlights will also become available in the US when the Model 3 Highland deliveries begin.
Tesla is known for offering many cutting-edge features in its EVs. Still, it sometimes lags behind less expensive car models. And I'm not talking about ultrasonic sensors, which are now standard on most car models except Teslas. Thankfully, the EV maker improved its vision-based park assist features with High Fidelity Park Assist, making the lack of ultrasonic sensors a non-issue. However, in other areas, Tesla still needs to step up its game.
One such area is the headlights, which might be good but in no way the best on the market. Tesla switched to using LED-matrix headlights starting in 2021, but they still function like old dumb bulbs, lighting all the LEDs at once. In the US, this has been a result of local legislation, which prohibited the use of adaptive headlights until 2022. However, things have changed even in the US, and Tesla risks lagging behind competition.
Things are even more dramatic in Europe, where adaptive headlights have debuted more than a decade ago. Tesla has prepared to turn its LED-matrix headlights into intelligent, adaptive headlights, including by certifying this feature in Europe in December 2023. Still, the software support has been missing from the customer vehicles until now, leaving Tesla owners wanting. Things are getting interesting, though, as the first software update of the year brings the adaptive headlight features to some Tesla EVs.
The 2024.2 software update has started testing, and on Thursday, it was spotted on one Model 3 Highland in Germany. According to Not a Tesla App, the new update comes with Adaptive High Beams and Security improvements as the only documented changes. Based on the release notes, the Adaptive High Beam adjusts the beam to reduce glare for other drivers and cyclists.
The new feature works by selectively dimming individual LEDs (pixels) in the headlights to prevent them from blinding other drivers. This way, the high beam remains on for longer, providing better visibility at night. To activate it, you need to select Lighting > Adaptive High Beam in Tesla Settings. Although all Tesla EVs are theoretically capable of using this feature, it is only available on the refreshed Model 3 for now.
So far, it's unclear whether owners of the Model 3 Highland sold in the US will also get Adaptive High Beam in the future. Tesla is expected to start deliveries of the refreshed model by the end of this month, and we'll know more by then. Although the 2024.2 software is also tested in North America, it doesn't include Adaptive High Beam. Hopefully, Tesla will bring this feature not only to the Model 3 Highland in North America but also to the Model Y, Model S, Model X, and the Cybertruck.
One such area is the headlights, which might be good but in no way the best on the market. Tesla switched to using LED-matrix headlights starting in 2021, but they still function like old dumb bulbs, lighting all the LEDs at once. In the US, this has been a result of local legislation, which prohibited the use of adaptive headlights until 2022. However, things have changed even in the US, and Tesla risks lagging behind competition.
Things are even more dramatic in Europe, where adaptive headlights have debuted more than a decade ago. Tesla has prepared to turn its LED-matrix headlights into intelligent, adaptive headlights, including by certifying this feature in Europe in December 2023. Still, the software support has been missing from the customer vehicles until now, leaving Tesla owners wanting. Things are getting interesting, though, as the first software update of the year brings the adaptive headlight features to some Tesla EVs.
The 2024.2 software update has started testing, and on Thursday, it was spotted on one Model 3 Highland in Germany. According to Not a Tesla App, the new update comes with Adaptive High Beams and Security improvements as the only documented changes. Based on the release notes, the Adaptive High Beam adjusts the beam to reduce glare for other drivers and cyclists.
The new feature works by selectively dimming individual LEDs (pixels) in the headlights to prevent them from blinding other drivers. This way, the high beam remains on for longer, providing better visibility at night. To activate it, you need to select Lighting > Adaptive High Beam in Tesla Settings. Although all Tesla EVs are theoretically capable of using this feature, it is only available on the refreshed Model 3 for now.
So far, it's unclear whether owners of the Model 3 Highland sold in the US will also get Adaptive High Beam in the future. Tesla is expected to start deliveries of the refreshed model by the end of this month, and we'll know more by then. Although the 2024.2 software is also tested in North America, it doesn't include Adaptive High Beam. Hopefully, Tesla will bring this feature not only to the Model 3 Highland in North America but also to the Model Y, Model S, Model X, and the Cybertruck.
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