Most people don't have to, but want to
And whilst you do benefit on some models from software improvements, and new features, which are great, you do not actually get the mechanical enhancements. Personally, I found the original model 3 not good enough, but the changes made to the highland version in a mechanical sense have transformed the car. Still not up to what I expect from a car, but a significant improvement.
And there are differences and limitations between the Autopilot ECU as in HW1, HW2, HW3, HW4 (not retrofit possible), and then of course there was MCU1, MC2, and even an MCU-Z. With some limited (granted more than most manufacturers do) hardware upgrades available.
The idea is admirable, undoubtedly, and is being executed within the limits of the hardware. However, there will be a limit to what is possible eventually.
Or in short, someone buying a second-hand 2017 Model 3, has a very different car than a 2024 Model 3 despite them looking rather similar. No software update is going to resolve that.
Just an FYI, so far, buyers have been able to upgrade their Teslas at a level unmatched by other manufacturers. People can go from HW1 to HW3. The first break is HW4+. The CEO has indicated that if FSD reaches it limits with HW3, they will develop a retrofit for a newer HW4 or later for vehicles on earlier HW. This has been the case for FSD buyers in the past, so it will fall right in line with the past. There are limits to what OS you have based on if you choose to retrofit the newer hardware or not. Being HW3, I’m at the current limit, but I’m fairly confident that I will be able to upgrade the HW at some point.
Because of how Tesla has developed their platform, and maintained the same or very similar body and electronic components owners have the ability to extend their upgradablity. For example, I have retrofitted the Biodefense mode (large hepa filter), Sirius XM satellite radio (actual satellite radio, not the new streaming platform), Matrix Headlights (on both my TM3 & TMY), latest revision (prior to HW4) side repeaters on my TM3, latest (prior to highland) drivers wiper arm (added an additional washer nozzle), and CCS charging retrofit. Many people have replaced center console, dash, and doors to the latest.
Every vehicle has upgrade limits, they aren’t going to be upgradable forever. So far, with Teslas, owners have had an unmatched level of added new features, tweaks, and retrofits. The drive to reduce manufacturing costs, means there are very little part differences by trim level. So the wiring harnesses are the same. This is the first vehicle I know if where the upgraded headlights have the same plug as the lower trim headlights. All it requires is changing the vehicle headlight code (which an owner can do on their own by renting toolbox).
Sure, fair enough, it has existed for a very long time though.
A lot of things have existed, but are not standard…. It wasn’t until 2018 that reverse cameras were required in the US. I have only bought 2 cars since 2018, my TM3 and my TMY. My 2017 Ram had an OEM Backup camera, I had to add it to my other vehicles.
Fair point, and if I was in the USA, I may feel the same. I still find it weird how good headlights aren't on cars in the USA, but FSD is allowed.
FSD exists because the driver is responsible. It is no different than having adaptive or dumb cruise control. If I take any non-FSD vehicle and drive down the street on cruise control it is perfectly legal anywhere in the world. If I fail to stop and hit someone, just like with FSD I would be responsible. We have no regulations that prevent the use, which there is no reason to.
We have the exact same headlights. The exact same matrix headlights in Europe are here. It is simply because of an old regulation that was in place preventing a specific number of forward facing lights on at one time. But this has been lifted. There may be some other regulation that are slowing the activation by manufacture’s design, but the hardware is here.
We need it, because manufactures and car owners would put all kinds of lighting and blind oncoming traffic (It’s almost on every drive through NYC I see LED light bars installed and used). Manufacturers would add these, because customers would ask for it.
