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Tesla 2020.40.0.4: Speed Assist, Glovebox PIN, Priority Bluetooth, and more
Tesla’s new 2020.40.0.4 Software Update has been released to owners, and a variety of new features were added to make life easier for drivers. Speed Assist Improvements join new security functionalities, along with fresh accessibility features to make driving a Tesla safer and more luxurious.
While the electric automaker rolls out updates in a frequent fashion, this new software comes with multiple functionalities that are entirely new to drivers. Other updates could include one or two features that are simply improvements to already existing characteristics. However, 2020.40.0.4 includes multiple features that Tesla has not included in past updates.
Speed Assist Improvements
Tesla vehicles will now use the external cameras on the car to detect speed limit signs. This will help improve the accuracy of speed limit date for highways, but it will also help vehicles travel at appropriate speeds.
In the past, some owners have complained that their vehicles are not recognizing the speed limits in certain regions. California drivers were having relatively non-existent issues with the functionality, but drivers in other parts of the United States were reporting several issues with their cars traveling at the correctly intended speeds.
Tesla poised to roll out speed limit recognition and roundabout support worldwide
CEO Elon Musk responded that the issues were of “high priority,” and that Tesla was addressing them.
It appears that the functionality has been improved and fixed. The release notes state:
“In addition to local roads, Speed Assist now leverages your car’s cameras to detect speed limit signs to improve the accuracy of speed limit data for highways. As usual, to adjust Speed Assist settings, tap Controls > Autopilot > Speed Limit.”
Additionally, drivers with different Infotainment systems will have differing capabilities.
Notes for MCU2 drivers state:
“Speed Assist now leverages your car’s cameras to detect speed limit signs to improve the accuracy of speed limit data on local roads. Detected speed limit signs will be displayed in the driving visualization and used to set the associated Speed Limit Warning. As usual, to adjust Speed Assist settings, tap Controls > Autopilot > Speed Limit.”
MCU1 users will have slightly fewer capabilities, according to their notes, which say:
“Speed Assist now leverages your car’s cameras to detect speed limit signs to improve the accuracy of speed limit data on local roads. As usual, to adjust Speed Assist settings, tap Controls > Autopilot > Speed Limit.”
The functionality is availabel on all four currently released Tesla models and requires HW 3.0 to be used.
Priority Bluetooth Device
Tesla vehicles will now connect to one Bluetooth device that has been defined as the “priority device,” according to the new update. This will stop confusion between two owners whose phones or devices are both synced to the vehicle. One phone will be considered the “priority” device, and will automatically connect. It is available for all four vehicles.
“To avoid connecting to the wrong nearby phone, you can now set your priority Bluetooth device. Your car will attempt to connect to the priority device associated with the profile selected before it attempts to connect to other paired phones. To set your priority device, tap the Bluetooth icon on the top of your touchscreen, select your preferred phone and tap Priority Device.”
Mobile App – Vent Windows
This feature is pretty self-explanatory. It is only available for the Model S, however.
“You can now vent all of your windows from the Tesla mobile app.
Note: this feature requires the Tesla mobile app version 3.10.0 or later.”
Glovebox PIN
A great security addition for owners, the Glovebox will now be locked until a four-digit PIN number is entered. A glovebox is a great place for sensitive information like insurance or vehicle titles. Tesla adding this feature should give owners peace of mind. It is available on all four cars.
“Protect the valuables in your glovebox with a 4-digit PIN. Tap Controls > Safety & Security > Glovebox PIN on the touchscreen to create your PIN.”
Charge Port Inlet Heater
Model 3 and Model Y owners can enjoy a defrosted charge port thanks to an inlet heater that will remove any ice or snow from the inside of the mechanism. It can be turned on through the Tesla mobile app, so owners won’t have to go out into the cold weather to get things cleared up for when they need to charge.
“Your car can now use the charge port inlet heater to help defrost the inside of the charge port. The charge port inlet heater can be activated in cold ambient temperatures by enabling preconditioning using the mobile app, activating the rear defrost button on the vehicle’s touchscreen, or preconditioning the vehicle using scheduled departure.”
Full release notes are available here, thanks to TeslaScope.com.
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Tesla Megapacks chosen for 548 MWh energy storage project in Japan
Tesla plans to supply over 100 Megapack units to support a large stationary storage project in Japan, making it one of the country’s largest energy storage facilities.
Tesla’s Megapack grid-scale batteries have been selected to back an energy storage project in Japan, coming as the latest of the company’s continued deployment of the hardware.
As detailed in a report from Nikkei this week, Tesla plans to supply 142 Megapack units to support a 548 MWh storage project in Japan, set to become one of the country’s largest energy storage facilities. The project is being overseen by financial firm Orix, and it will be located at a facility Maibara in central Japan’s Shiga prefecture, and it aims to come online in early 2027.
The deal is just the latest of several Megapack deployments over the past few years, as the company continues to ramp production of the units. Tesla currently produces the Megapack at a facility in Lathrop, California, though the company also recently completed construction on its second so-called “Megafactory” in Shanghai China and is expected to begin production in the coming weeks.
READ MORE ON TESLA MEGAPACKS: Tesla Megapacks help power battery supplier Panasonic’s Kyoto test site
Tesla’s production of the Megapack has been ramping up at the Lathrop facility since initially opening in 2022, and both this site and the Shanghai Megafactory are aiming to eventually reach a volume production of 10,000 Megapack units per year. The company surpassed its 10,000th Megapack unit produced at Lathrop in November.
During Tesla’s Q4 earnings call last week, CEO Elon Musk also said that the company is looking to construct a third Megafactory, though he did not disclose where.
Last year, Tesla Energy also had record deployments of its Megapack and Powerwall home batteries with a total of 31.4 GWh of energy products deployed for a 114-percent increase from 2023.
Other recently deployed or announced Megapack projects include a massive 600 MW/1,600 MWh facility in Melbourne, a 75 MW/300 MWh energy storage site in Belgium, and a 228 MW/912 MWh storage project in Chile, along with many others still.
What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.
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Elon Musk responds to Ontario canceling $100M Starlink deal amid tariff drama
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said, opens new tab on February 3 that he was “ripping up” his province’s CA$100 million agreement with Starlink in response to the U.S. imposing tariffs on Canadian goods.
Elon Musk company SpaceX is set to lose a $100 million deal with the Canadian province of Ontario following a response to the Trump administration’s decision to apply 25 percent tariffs to the country.
Starlink, a satellite-based internet service launched by the Musk entity SpaceX, will lose a $100 million deal it had with Ontario, Premier Doug Ford announced today.
Starting today and until U.S. tariffs are removed, Ontario is banning American companies from provincial contracts.
Every year, the Ontario government and its agencies spend $30 billion on procurement, alongside our $200 billion plan to build Ontario. U.S.-based businesses will…
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) February 3, 2025
Ford said on X today that Ontario is banning American companies from provincial contracts:
“We’ll be ripping up the province’s contract with Starlink. Ontario won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy. Canada didn’t start this fight with the U.S., but you better believe we’re ready to win it.”
It is a blow to the citizens of the province more than anything, as the Starlink internet constellation has provided people in rural areas across the globe stable and reliable access for several years.
Musk responded in simple terms, stating, “Oh well.”
Oh well https://t.co/1jpMu55T6s
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 3, 2025
It seems Musk is less than enthused about the fact that Starlink is being eliminated from the province, but it does not seem like all that big of a blow either.
As previously mentioned, this impacts citizens more than Starlink itself, which has established itself as a main player in reliable internet access. Starlink has signed several contracts with various airlines and maritime companies.
It is also expanding to new territories across the globe on an almost daily basis.
With Mexico already working to avoid the tariff situation with the United States, it will be interesting to see if Canada does the same.
The two have shared a pleasant relationship, but President Trump is putting his foot down in terms of what comes across the border, which could impact Americans in the short term.
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Tesla Megapacks chosen for 548 MWh energy storage project in Japan
