Teslas can now auto-adjust their suspension to handle potholes

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Tesla vehicles can now adjust their suspension if they detect a pothole in the road ahead. That’s pretty cool and might stop underbody scrapes, save a few tires, and even some alloy wheels from damage.

Noticed by Electrek, the newest Tesla software update, 2022.20, includes a new feature for the Tesla Adaptive Suspension system. This is the active suspension on newer Model S and Model X vehicles, which can adjust according to road conditions.

That feature can now adjust ride height based on previously identified rough road sections. See, back in 2020, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that Tesla vehicles with Autopilot will be mapping roads, including potholes, stop signs, and other features.

That information is then passed to other Tesla vehicles, so they all know where the potholes are.

Tesla Adaptive Suspension will now adjust ride height for an upcoming rough road section. This adjustment may occur at various locations, subject to availability, as the vehicle downloads rough road map data generated by Tesla vehicles.

Tesla decided that instead of making the vehicle avoid those sections, it would instead raise the suspension “for comfort.” That’s probably the right call, as doing maneuvers around holes could get into hairy situations with other road users.

Eventually, Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving will get to the level of a human driver. At that time, we expect it will swerve to avoid potholes, instead of hoping that going over them doesn’t ding your rims. Until that time, enjoy having active suspension to soften the ride.

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Editors’ Recommendations:

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• GM and Honda are teaming up to make EVs that compete with Tesla
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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.