Tesla’s latest software update is turning up the heat literally. With update 2024.14, the company has improved its heated steering wheel system, making cold morning drives more comfortable and hands-free.
Now, when the steering wheel heater is set to Auto, it will activate based on cabin temperature even if the climate system itself is set to Manual. This is a major improvement for drivers in colder regions who want a warm wheel without fiddling with climate settings.
What’s New?
In previous versions, the heated steering wheel only turned on automatically if the entire climate system was set to Auto.
With this new update:
- You can leave climate control in Manual mode
- Set the steering wheel heater to Auto
- Tesla will now activate the heater based on cabin temp
That means less tapping on the screen, and more getting in, buckling up, and just driving — with a warm wheel waiting for you.
Which Models Are Affected?
According to the release notes, this feature applies to all five Tesla models:
- Model 3
- Model Y
- Model S
- Model X
- Cybertruck (if equipped with heated steering wheel)
This makes the 2024.14 update one of the more universally helpful comfort improvements Tesla has rolled out recently especially for those in Canada, the northern U.S., Europe, and other chillier climates.
Another Win for Tesla’s Software-First Approach
This update is a perfect example of what sets Tesla apart: cars that get better over time.
Recent over-the-air improvements include:
- Third-party charger unlock trick via door handle
- Dashcam Viewer upgrade with multi-clip deletion
- Interface tweaks, Sentry Mode refinements, and more
Even a small tweak like this one adds meaningful value for owners, especially in colder regions where preconditioning your vehicle is part of daily life.
Why This Matters
Let’s face it no one likes grabbing a freezing-cold steering wheel at 6 a.m. Tesla’s heated wheel system has always been helpful, but it required just the right settings to work automatically.
Now, with this more flexible behavior, your Tesla can intelligently pre-warm the steering wheel based on the actual cabin temperature, not just climate mode.
That’s smarter comfort, and exactly what EV owners expect from a software-first vehicle.
Are you a Tesla owner in a cold region? Have you noticed the new heated steering wheel behavior? Let us know in the comments and tell us what other comfort upgrades you’d like to see next.