News
Tesla Model Ys without radar equip several changes to improve Autopilot performance
Tesla is delivering new Model Y vehicles without radar, and the vehicles are equipping several relatively unknown changes when it comes to the overall operation. The changes are making the vehicle’s functionality perform differently, and it seems to be more robust and for the better, according to owners.
A new video from Tesla owners/enthusiasts DaErik shows the subtle but very noticeable changes in the Model Y, now that Tesla has started delivering vehicles without radar. For those who aren’t familiar, Tesla has long set out to eliminate radar from its vehicles in favor of a completely camera-based approach called “Tesla Vision.” Recently, Tesla announced that from May 2021 on, Model 3 and Model Y vehicles would no longer equip radar. Model S and Model X cars will still have radar for the time being, but it will eventually be removed from these vehicles as well.
DaErik met up with several friends who just took delivery of a new Model Y. For more comprehensive comparison optics, the friends compared Tesla Autopilot’s performance in the new, radar-less Model Y to the other Model Y they own, which does have radar installed. The differences in the overall performance of Autopilot were great. The new owners said that the Model Y without radar seemed to not only drive more confidently, but the overall performance of Autopilot was considerably and noticeably more precise and less timid than it was previously. This is a good sign and should alleviate worries from plenty of potential owners who were skeptical of Tesla’s removal of the radar and camera-based system in its vehicles.
The Model Y wouldn’t travel past 75 MPH on Autopilot, a detail that the company outlined in its blog post that announced the introduction to “Tesla Vision.” However, Auto High Beams must be turned on to utilize Autopilot now. This makes sense because, for the vehicle to have the best vision possible after radar was removed, high beams will provide the new, vision-based vehicles with more visibility in dark environments.
Tesla Autopilot will now prompt the driver to turn Auto High Beams back on to utilize the semi-autonomous driving functionality. (Credit: DaErik | YouTube)
Additionally, new windshield wiper nozzles seem to be available on the radar-less Model Y. DaErik notes that his Model Y isn’t necessarily the most impressive when it comes to windshield washer fluid coverage, and several areas remain untouched or dirty. However, the new Model Y seems to have more washer jets that spray the fluid onto the windshield, making the glass cleaner and providing better visibility for the driver. This is certainly advantageous to those who drive in challenging weather conditions, especially snow.
The new 2021 Model Y also has the double-paned glass that Tesla has installed onto the Model 3. This feature helps deafen road-noise, adds additional stability for air circulation by keeping air within the car, and provides additional strength to all windows in the vehicle. In addition, Tesla also added Auto-Dimming Side Mirrors to the new Model Y.
There are also some changes to the taillights on the car, with the new Model Y having more visible, amber-colored brake lights and more precise reverse lights, as seen below.
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- 2021 Model Y [Top] compared to 2020 Model Y [Bottom]. (Credit: DaErik | YouTube)
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- (Credit: DaErik | YouTube)
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Tesla obviously had to make several changes as it phased out radar from its two mass-market vehicles. The most obvious change is the Auto High Beam option that Tesla has made a requirement for Autopilot operation, but the several other changes also show that Tesla is planning to make any changes possible to make its all-electric crossover more well-rounded for future deliveries.
Watch DaErik’s full video explaining the Model Y’s new changes as Tesla phases out radar from its all-electric crossover below.
News
SpaceX just launched a secret payload from California
SpaceX launched a classified Space Force mission from Vandenberg, revealing almost nothing about its payload.
SpaceX launched a classified Falcon 9 mission for the U.S. Space Force from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Saturday night, and the government released almost nothing about what was on board. The mission, designated USSF-366, lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4E with a window that opened at 9:52 p.m. ET and ran into the early hours of Sunday, according to SpaceX’s own mission page, which described the payload only as classified. SpaceX confirmed the launch on its X account and pointed viewers to a livestream that began roughly ten minutes before liftoff.
Watch Falcon 9 launch the USSF-366 mission from pad 4E in California https://t.co/FFEzeYOds1
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 16, 2026
The lack of detail did not stop analysts from filling in the blanks. Independent tracking of the rocket’s stage drop zones matched the pattern SpaceX has used on previous Starlink Group 15 missions, according to reporting from Outer Space Today, which pointed to Starshield as the likely payload rather than a one off government satellite. Starshield is SpaceX’s national security product, a version of the Starlink satellite bus built to Pentagon specifications for earth observation, communications and hosted payloads. Unlike consumer Starlink, government agencies do not have to disclose what Starshield satellites are actually doing once they reach orbit.
USSF-366 is the latest entry in a steady flow of classified and semi classified work between SpaceX and the Space Force. The company picked up a $178.5 million task order in April to launch missile tracking satellites for the Space Development Agency, as Teslarati reported at the time, and followed that in July with a $1.6 billion award covering 18 more Falcon 9 missions from Vandenberg through the end of 2027, also detailed by Teslarati. Add those contracts up and SpaceX’s Pentagon business for 2026 alone tops $8 billion.
SpaceX scores another massive Pentagon deal to support military satellites
The Falcon 9 that flew Saturday landed back near the launch site, producing the sonic booms that have become routine for residents near Vandenberg. What is less routine is how little the public will likely ever learn about what the rocket carried. SpaceX and the Space Force have not confirmed the Starshield connection, and government satellite programs built on commercial buses rarely get identified beyond a mission number and a general orbit. For a company that live streams almost everything else it does, from Starship test flights to Optimus robot demos, USSF-366 is a reminder that some of SpaceX’s busiest work now happens entirely out of public view.
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On Friday, Tesla launched the Outlet Adapter that enabled Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) energy transfer, meaning owners could essentially utilize their cars as a power source for things like laptops, electric grills, or string lights.
However, even owners of some of the newest builds of the Model Y are finding out that their cars are not compatible with the new $80 accessory, stirring up a new complaint among members of the community.
Tesla launches V2L Outlet Adapter for Premium Model Y in the U.S.
Upon the release of the Outlet Adapter on Friday, I signed into my Tesla account to order the accessory. However, I was met with the dreaded “This product is not compatible with your 2026 Model Y” message at the bottom of the screen.
Some said their accounts also displayed the same message, but they ordered anyway. However, they might be surprised to find that this is no mistake; some of the newest Model Ys do not have the appropriate Power Conversion System (PCS). Mine, which was ordered on this day last year and delivered on August 31, has the old 48A, single-phase PCS.
Vehicles with the new, two-piece PCS are able to utilize V2L features on their cars:
🚨 Looks like you can hit the Parts Catalog and enter your VIN and check to see if your Model Y will be able to use the adapter for V2L.https://t.co/QA9zRk7n2k
h/t to @SawyerMerritt for finding this out.
-I am sad but this isn’t a huge loss. https://t.co/AYpI12QVV9 pic.twitter.com/LRFSrtRywo
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) August 16, 2026
Obviously, it’s disappointing. Many owners have taken delivery this year and still can not utilize the Outlet Adapter because their cars feature the old PCS:
Took delivery in February of 2026. I have the older one, so not going to work for me pic.twitter.com/RcOVq8gvvT
— Russell (@QuietTesla) August 16, 2026
It looks like if you have one of these older PCS units, you can upgrade, but the parts alone are $1,750, and that’s before Tesla adds labor for installing. It is honestly more logical to get some kind of portable power supply or power station at that point.
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It is great that Tesla has enabled V2L for Model Y vehicles, but it is also unfortunate that vehicles that are less than one year old are not able to take advantage of this awesome new feature.
With that being said, it truly is a first-world problem; can you really complain when Full Self-Driving is available, maintenance is incredibly inexpensive, and the car has been so good through a year of ownership?
Tesla has launched a new Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) Outlet Adapter for Premium Model Y vehicles in the United States, meaning you can now power devices like laptops or light strings with your vehicle’s battery.
It appears the capability will be available for any Model Y Premium trim, including those that were purchased prior to the Adapter being launched. It will also only impact Juniper Model Y vehicles, so the first-gen owners will unfortunately not have access to this capability.
If your Model Y was purchased before Tesla renamed the trim levels to “Premium” and “Standard,” it does not seem to be compatible. My Model Y is technically a Premium build, as it is the Long Range All-Wheel-Drive. However, Tesla says it is not compatible with my vehicle.
🚨 Tesla has launched the Outlet Adapter for Model Y Premium in the U.S., enabling V2L capability for all Premium trims (that’s what it appears to be as it is available for purchase with all Premium trims)
It’s available for $80. 2.4kW max power and rated for 120v, 20A pic.twitter.com/lDxlVIk5s8
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) August 14, 2026
For $80, you can now utilize your car as a portable charger for small appliances or devices. This is perfect for things like tailgates, concerts, or camping, as you can now plug in devices that you might use. Those string lights for camping? That laptop for the other games that are on at the tailgate?
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They’ll both utilize energy from your Tesla’s battery to be powered. This is the first time Tesla has expanded the capability to vehicles outside of the Model Y Performance and Cybertruck. However, this feature has been highly requested by owners for an extended period of time.
Tesla launched the Outlet Adapter in China last year:
Tesla China rolls out Model Y L V2L adapter, and it’s free for early owners
You will need the Mobile Connector to operate the Outlet Adapter: the Outlet Adapter will plug into the main housing of the Mobile Connector, where the appropriate adapter to charge your vehicle will plug in.
It is rated for 120 volts and 20 amps, and has a max power rating of 2.4kW.
You can buy it here from Tesla for $80.
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SpaceX just launched a secret payload from California
Tesla V2L adapter for Model Y stirs up a new complaint among owners
