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Tesla’s spring update arrives with adaptive headlights and more

The highly anticipated adaptive headlights are finally set to roll out to owners in the U.S. and Canada.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla shared release notes for its spring update over the weekend, and the forthcoming update includes new features such as the highly anticipated adaptive headlights, custom trunk height settings, and more.

In a post on X on Saturday, Tesla said that the 2025 spring update would be rolling out soon, along with noting that the software version would include the highly anticipated adaptive headlights for owners in the U.S. and Canada. The update also adds features such as the ability to set custom frunk and trunk heights at saved locations, view and select alternative trip routing plans, and a number of other minor improvements.

After the release of the new Model Y, Tesla’s VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy confirmed in February that the matrix headlights and adaptive headlights would be making their way to the U.S. soon, alongside their inclusion in the refreshed model. Additionally, Moravy went on to confirm that the adaptive headlights would be coming to the Cybertruck after speculation around the topic.

READ MORE ON TESLA SOFTWARE UPDATES: Tesla’s new Model Y gets first software update—Here’s what’s in it

You can see the full release notes for Tesla’s 2025 spring update below, as shared by the company over the weekend.

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Adaptive Headlights (U.S. and Canada)

Credit: Tesla | X

High beams adapt to reduce glare for other drivers and cyclists. By detecting other road users, and selectively dimming individual pixels of the headlight, your high beams stay on more often for greater visibility at night.

If your vehicle has the necessary hardware, you will see the setting under Controls > Lights > Adaptive Headlights

Blind Spot Camera on Driver Screen (New Model S/X)

Credit: Tesla | X

Blind Spot Camera feed is now available on the instrument panel.

Controls > Display > Automatic Blind Spot Camera & select Driver Screen

Dashcam Update & Side Camera Recording (Newer Model S, 3, X, and Y)

Credit: Tesla | X

Your vehicle’s side cameras (B-Pillar) will now be recorded to both Dashcam and Sentry clips, increasing the total number of camera views from 4 to 6.

The Dashcam Viewer app has also been redesigned with a grid view and quick access to the next video, making it easier review recordings.

Alternative Trip Plans

Credit: Tesla | X

Multiple trip plans are now available for you to choose from, allowing you to better suit your travel needs. Also, when viewing a charger location page, nearby restaurants, cafes, and shops within walking distance are displayed at the bottom

Fastest: offers the quickest route

Best Amenities: prioritizes stops near open and highly rated restaurants, shops, and restrooms

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Fewer Stops: minimizes charging stops

Comfort Drive Mode in Autopilot (Cybertruck)

Your Cybertruck will now automatically transition to Comfort Drive Mode when Autopilot is engaged.

Lane Departure Avoidance (Cybertruck)

Credit: Tesla | X

This feature warns you if your vehicle drifts near or out of your lane. With this update, your Cybertruck can now also assist you.

When enabled, a blue indicator line will appear on the touchscreen, showing which lane marking is being crossed. You can customize Lane Departure Avoidance in Controls > Autopilot > Lane Departure Avoidance.

Save Trunk Height Based on Location (Model 3, Model Y, New Model S/X, New Model 3)

Credit: Tesla | X

Customize the opening height of your trunk & save it as the default for a specific location, such as your garage.

To set height, manually adjust the lift gate to your preferred opening height, then press & hold the trunk close button until you hear a chime.

Save Frunk Height Based on Location (Cybertruck)

Customize the opening height of your frunk & save it as the default or for a specific location, such as your garage. Manually adjust to your preferred height, then press & hold frunk exterior button until you hear a chime.

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Avoid Highways

Navigation can now avoid highways when possible. Go to Controls > Navigation > Avoid Highways

Keyboard languages

Credit: Tesla | X

Switch between different language input methods on your touchscreen. Go to Controls > Display > Keyboards

Keep Accessory Power On

Use or charge devices through USB ports / inductive phone charger / low voltage outlets (depending on what your vehicle is equipped with) after exiting your Tesla, as long as battery is >20 percent

Minor Updates

  • Media search results are now filtered by sources, providing faster and more streamlined access to content
  • You can now shuffle an entire Apple Music playlist that contains more than 100 songs
  • Easily scroll through your SiriusXM favorites by tapping the steering wheel button left or right
  • Sign in with your Amazon Music Free account. Requires Premium Connectivity or an active WiFi connection
  • See what song will play next on YouTube Music playlists in the Up Next view of the media player
  • If your hotspot is enabled, it will automatically connect to your vehicle once you start driving, so you won’t have to reconnect each time

Tesla launches Holiday Update: Apple Watch app, Sentry Mode upgrades, and more

Zach is a renewable energy reporter who has been covering electric vehicles since 2020. He grew up in Fremont, California, and he currently lives in Colorado. His work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, KRON4 San Francisco, FOX31 Denver, InsideEVs, CleanTechnica, and many other publications. When he isn't covering Tesla or other EV companies, you can find him writing and performing music, drinking a good cup of coffee, or hanging out with his cats, Banks and Freddie. Reach out at zach@teslarati.com, find him on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

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Elon Musk

Elon Musk is now a remote DOGE worker: White House Chief of Staff

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is no longer working from the West Wing.

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Credit: Elon Musk/X

In a conversation with the New York Post, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles stated that Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is no longer working from the West Wing.

As per the Chief of Staff, Musk is still working for DOGE—as a remote worker, at least.

Remote Musk

In her conversation with the publication, Wiles stated that she still talks with Musk. And while the CEO is now working remotely, his contributions still have the same net effect. 

“Instead of meeting with him in person, I’m talking to him on the phone, but it’s the same net effect,” Wiles stated, adding that “it really doesn’t matter much” that the CEO “hasn’t been here physically.” She also noted that Musk’s team will not be leaving.

“He’s not out of it altogether. He’s just not physically present as much as he was. The people that are doing this work are here doing good things and paying attention to the details. He’ll be stepping back a little, but he’s certainly not abandoning it. And his people are definitely not,” Wiles stated.

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Back to Tesla

Musk has been a frequent presence in the White House during the Trump administration’s first 100 days in office. But during the Q1 2025 Tesla earnings call, Musk stated that he would be spending substantially less time with DOGE and substantially more time with Tesla. Musk did emphasize, however, that DOGE’s work is extremely valuable and critical.

“I think I’ll continue to spend a day or two per week on government matters for as long as the President would like me to do so and as long as it is useful. But starting next month, I’ll be allocating probably more of my time to Tesla and now that the major work of establishing the Department of Government Efficiency is done,” Musk stated.

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Tariff reprieve might be ‘Tesla-friendly,’ but it’s also an encouragement to others

Tesla stands to benefit from the tariff reprieve, but it has some work cut out for it as well.

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tesla employee
(Photo: Tesla)

After Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick made adjustments to the automotive tariff program that was initially announced, many quickly pointed to the reprieve as “Tesla-friendly.”

While that may be the case right now, it was also a nudge of encouragement to other companies, Tesla included, to source parts from the U.S. in an effort to strengthen domestic manufacturing. Many companies are close, and it will only take a handful of improvements to save themselves from tariffs on their cars as well.

Yesterday, Sec. Lutnick confirmed that cars manufactured with at least 85 percent of domestic content will face zero tariffs. Additionally, U.S. automakers would receive credit up to 15 percent of the value of vehicles to offset the cost of imported parts.

Big Tesla win? Sec Lutnick says cars with 85% domestic content will face zero tariffs

“This is ‘finish your cars in America and you win’,” Lutnick said.

Many were quick to point out that only three vehicles currently qualify for this zero-tariff threshold: all three are Teslas.

However, according to Kelley Blue Book’s most recent study that revealed who makes the most American cars, there are a lot of vehicles that are extremely close to also qualifying for these tariff reductions.

Tesla has three vehicles that are within five percent, while Ford, Honda, Jeep, Chevrolet, GMC, and Volkswagen have many within just ten percent of the threshold.

Tesla completely dominates Kogod School’s 2024 Made in America Auto Index

It is within reach for many.

Right now, it is easy to see why some people might think this is a benefit for Tesla and Tesla only.

But it’s not, because Tesla has its Cybertruck, Model S, and Model X just a few percentage points outside of that 85 percent cutoff. They, too, will feel the effects of the broader strategy that the Trump administration is using to prioritize domestic manufacturing and employment. More building in America means more jobs for Americans.

Credit: Tesla

However, other companies that are very close to the 85 percent cutoff are only a few components away from also saving themselves the hassle of the tariffs.

Ford has the following vehicles within just five percent of the 85 percent threshold:

  • Ford Mustang GT automatic (80%)
  • Ford Mustang GT 5.0 (80%)
  • Ford Mustang GT Coupe Premium (80%)

Honda has several within ten percent:

  • Honda Passport All-Wheel-Drive (76.5%)
  • Honda Passport Trailsport (76.5)

Jeep has two cars:

  • Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (76%)
  • Jeep Wrangler Sahara (76%)

Volkswagen has one with the ID.4 AWD 82-kWh (75.5%). GMC has two at 75.5% with the Canyon AT4 Crew Cab 4WD and the Canyon Denali Crew Cab 4WD.

Chevrolet has several:

  • Chevrolet Colorado 2.7-liter (75.5%)
  • Chevrolet Colorado LT Crew Cab 2WD 2.7-liter (75.5%)
  • Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Crew Cab 4WD 2.7-liter (75.5%)

These companies are close to reaching the 85% threshold, but adjustments need to be made to work toward that number.

Anything from seats to fabric to glass can be swapped out for American-made products, making these cars more domestically sourced and thus qualifying them for the zero-tariff boundary.

Frank DuBois of American University said that manufacturers like to see stability in their relationships with suppliers and major trade partners. He said that Trump’s tariff plan could cause “a period of real instability,” but it will only be temporary.

Now is the time to push American manufacturing forward, solidifying a future with more U.S.-made vehicles and creating more domestic jobs. Tesla will also need to scramble to make adjustments to its vehicles that are below 85%.

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Tesla Cybertruck RWD production in full swing at Giga Texas

Videos of several freshly produced Cybertruck LR RWD units were shared on social media platform X.

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Credit: Joe Tegtmeyer/X

It appears that Tesla is indeed ramping the production of the Cybertruck Long Range Rear Wheel Drive (LR RWD), the most affordable variant of the brutalist all-electric pickup truck.

Videos of several freshly produced Cybertruck LR RWD units were shared on social media platform X.

Giga Texas Footage

As per longtime Tesla watcher Joe Tegtmeyer, Giga, Texas, was a hotbed of activity when he conducted his recent drone flyover. Apart from what seemed to be Cybercab castings being gathered in the complex, a good number of Cybertruck LR RWD units could also be seen in the facility’s staging area. The Cybertruck LR RWD units are quite easy to spot since they are not equipped with the motorized tonneau cover that is standard on the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast.

The presence of the Cybertruck LR RWD units in Giga Texas’ staging area suggests that Tesla is ramping the production of the base all-electric pickup truck. This bodes well for the vehicle, which is still premium priced despite missing a good number of features that are standard in the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast.

Cybertruck Long Range RWD Specs

The Cybertruck LR RWD is priced at $69,990 before incentives, making it $10,000 more affordable than the Cybertruck AWD. For its price, the Cybertruck Long Range RWD offers a range of 350 miles per charge if equipped with its 18” standard Wheels. It can also add up to 147 miles of range in 15 minutes using a Tesla Supercharger.

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Much of the cost-cutting measures taken by Tesla are evident in the cabin of the Cybertruck LR RWD. This could be seen in its textile seats, standard console, seven-speaker audio system with no active noise cancellation, and lack of a 9.4” second-row display. It is also missing the motorized tonneau cover, the 2x 120V and 1x 240V power outlets on the bed, and the 2x 120V power outlets in the cabin. It is also equipped with an adaptive coil spring suspension instead of the adaptive air suspension in the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast.

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