Tesla Begins Rolling Out FSD 12.5.1.5 Update for HW3 Vehicles
Late on August 23rd, Tesla initiated the distribution of the FSD 12.5.1.5 update, which is integrated into software version 2024.26.20. This release follows closely on the heels of the FSD 12.5.1.4 internal testing phase, which was exclusively available to Tesla employees.
HW3 Vehicles Rejoin the FSD Program
This update marks the return of Hardware 3 (HW3) vehicles to Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) program. HW3 vehicles had been excluded from FSD updates since the launch of the FSD 12.4.x series, which was swiftly succeeded by the FSD 12.5 version. With the new 12.5.1.5 update, HW3 vehicles are once again supported, allowing owners to benefit from Tesla’s latest advancements in autonomous driving technology.
Key Features of FSD 12.5
FSD 12.5 was initially rolled out last month for HW4 vehicles and received widespread acclaim for its smoother and more human-like driving behavior. Improvements introduced in FSD 12.4, including the “Do Not Disturb” driving mode that reduces steering wheel torque alerts, are now available to HW3 vehicle owners with this update.
FSD Differences Between HW3 and HW4
Following the news that FSD 12.5 was being tested on employee-owned HW3 vehicles, Tesla's head of Autopilot, Ashok Elluswamy, shed light on the differences in FSD implementation between HW3 and HW4. He noted that while HW3 will run a smaller AI model compared to HW4, compensatory factors should allow the overall performance to be comparable. HW4’s high-resolution cameras may contribute to its smoother operation, and Elluswamy outlined the conditions required for HW3 vehicles to eventually run the same FSD model as HW4.
Deployment of the 2024.26.20 Update
The update is currently being rolled out in the usual phased manner typical of Tesla updates, with the FSD 12.5.1.5 update now reaching vehicles outside of the early access program. Although the rollout is still limited, it is expected to expand to more vehicles in the coming days if no major issues are identified. For the many HW3 owners still running FSD 12.3.6, this update promises not only a significant improvement in FSD performance but also introduces additional features from Tesla’s summer update, including YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and enhanced parental controls.
Stay tuned to our statistics page for ongoing updates on the rollout progress.
