Tesla has been continuously improving and adding features to its Service Mode feature, and update 2024.44 is no exception.
Tesla also recently launched Service History for vehicles. With the new additions to Service Mode and price cuts to ToolBox 3 (TB3), their in-house service software, Tesla is really pushing Service accessibility.
If you’re interested in knowing more about Service Mode in general, check out our Guide to Service Mode.
Service Mode Improvements in 2024.44
This update introduces several new Service Mode features, so we’ll break down each new feature in Service Mode for 2024.44. Thanks to @max_bracco on X, who shared these photos with us.
Brakes Panel
The Brakes Panel has been updated to allow for the diagnosis of wheel speed sensors, which were previously only accessible in TB3 while physically connected to the vehicle. In addition, information on the Electronic Parking Brake, Electronic Stability Program and iBooster (Electromechanical Brake Booster) are now available in the Brakes Panel as well.
This new panel is under Chassis > Brakes and has multiple subpanels with brake details. This update is exclusive for the Cybertruck.
Brake Burnishing Update
Brake Burnishing is a process to help condition or break in your brakes, helping to make sure you’ll get optimal performance out of them. It can also be used as regular maintenance for an EV - because you’ll rarely use your friction brakes with Tesla’s one-pedal driving.
The update to Brake Burnishing will now allow you to continue performing this service task even if the vehicle goes into reverse. Previously, any UI, including the rear-view camera, popping up would cancel Brake Burnishing and close the service window - meaning you’d have to restart.
Placing the vehicle back in drive automatically resumes the service task, which makes it easier to do so in a smaller location.
This improvement applies to all vehicles, including legacy Model S and X.
Speakers Panel and Audio Test
A Speakers Panel has become available for some vehicles to help diagnose issues with any of the internal vehicle speakers. You’ll be able to play test tones through any selected speaker or set of speakers. This could be helpful to figure out if a speaker isn’t working properly or to diagnose a rattling speaker or subwoofer.
As part of the Audio Test, you can also play specific frequencies - helping to figure out what exactly is wrong with the speaker. Previously, you’d have to use TB3 to perform this test, so it's nice to see Tesla moving things to Service Mode and increasing accessibility for owners and third-party technicians.
This new speakers panel is only available for the 2024+ Model 3, and the Model Y with the AMD Ryzen infotainment processor.
SCCM Update
The Steering Wheel Control Column (or Yoke) has received updated graphics to correctly display what you’ve got equipped in your vehicle. You’ll also be able to initiate the steering wheel/yoke swap on a Model S or Model X in this UI as required, assuming you’re swapping them.
Previously, this feature was only accessible to Tesla’s Service Technicians or through a fairly complex procedure in TB3 that required outside scripting support - well beyond the knowledge and skills of most third-party technicians who aren’t intimately familiar with TB3. This makes the procedure something that can be done by the user at home - as long as you’re following the Service Manual carefully.
This is only applicable for the Model S and Model X. The Cybertruck has a special Steer-by-Wire panel in Service Mode.
Interior Lighting Diagnostics
The last item to get added to Service Mode is an entirely new panel for testing the ambient lighting system, which is availablle for the new Model 3 and Cybertruck. This panel allows you to diagnose and repair the vehicle’s RGB lighting. It also allows you to view the health state and run an RGB lighting addressing routine, which is required when replacing some of the lighting strips.
Earlier this summer, Tesla also added a Battery Health Test to Service Mode.
