TESLA RECALLS VEHICLES OVER FONT SIZE ISSUE
In a recent move, Tesla has issued a voluntary recall for some of its vehicles. The recall was prompted by concerns over the font size of warning lights in the cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) expressed worries that drivers could get distracted while attempting to read the text on the icons. As a result, Tesla decided to change the font to a larger size.
While the recall is a necessary step to ensure driver safety, some news outlets have blown it out of proportion. Reports have exaggerated the recall, making it seem as if over two million Teslas are unsafe to drive. However, this is not the case. Tesla has already released a software update to address the font size issue. Currently, more than a quarter of all cars in the US have received the update, displaying the new warning icons with bigger text.
In addition to the software update, Tesla is required to send paper letters to all owners, totaling over two million. This requirement seems excessive and wasteful, both for the environment and taxpayers’ money. In today’s digital age, a more appropriate means of communication, such as email or text, could have been utilized.
In response to the recall, Tesla fans have raised concerns about the term itself. Many argue that the term “recall” does not accurately reflect the nature of the issue, as it can be easily resolved through a software update. Suggestions for alternative terms, such as “software recall,” have been proposed. However, Tesla has chosen to refer to it as an “over-the-air recall,” highlighting the ability to address the problem remotely.
Alongside the font size fix, the recent 2024.2.2.1 software update brings additional improvements to Tesla vehicles. Notably, the update includes pre-charging optimizations, allowing the battery to be more accurately pre-conditioned based on the power level of each DC charging station. This results in more efficient charging when using a DC fast charging station. Tesla has also made changes to the Trips menu, making trip meters easier to read, and redesigned the All Apps menu to display all apps, including favorites.
Furthermore, Tesla owners can now access the revamped Additional Vehicle Information menu, located under Controls > Software. This menu provides information on the compatibility of Tesla cars with third-party DC fast charging stations, including CCS and NACS. It is worth noting that not all Tesla vehicles are capable of charging at third-party NACS stations, similar to the current CCS compatibility, which may require an additional charging module for certain Tesla EVs.
