Tesla Acronyms, Abbreviations, Terms And What They Mean |

WTTWOT! Or in plain English, Welcome To The World of Tesla! As you dip your toe in researching your much anticipated Tesla purchase online, or pull up for your first ever supercharge and strike up a conversation with the owner in the next (but one) stall, you’ll soon come across a new language: TWAs (Tesla World Acronyms). If you hadn’t stopped here, you might be scrabbling for words to keep up, but luckily you did stop here, and we’ve got you covered. You’ll be aware of some general EV (Electric Vehicle) and ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) abbreviations already, but if you want to know your SCs from your SuCs and more Tesla-specific TWAs, you’re in the right place.

Combined Charging System - a newer charging port that has become the standard in Europe and other markets

CHArge de MOve, a popular DC charging standard

AC power charging connection standard by SAE

Tesla's Mobile Connector that was previously included with vehicles. Older generations are called the Universal Mobile Connector (UMC)

Tesla's wall connector used to be called the High Power Wall Connector, but it is now just referred to as the Wall Connector

OK, so this abbreviation comes up a lot in the Tesla community. And there are three possibilities with SC, so context is everything. SC can refer to the Service Center, which you hopefully won’t need. It can also refer to a SuperCharger in the Tesla network. Finally, it is occasionally used to refer to SolarCity, a solar energy company that was acquired by Tesla in 2016.

You might see this as an abbreviation for a Supercharger that helps to differentiate it from a Service Center.

State of Charge. The percentage your battery is charged.

Pay Per Use, for charging either at Superchargers or other public chargers

Alternating Current - the electricity in your house uses alternating current

Direct Current - energy stored in batteries uses direct current

The National Electrical Code is a common standard for electrical wiring and equipment in the US

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association is the largest association of electrical equipment in the US

This common plug is often used to charge EVs and provides a maximum 50 amps of power, however EVs should only use up to 40 amps due to a constant load.

Kilowatt (1000 watts, a unit of electric power)

Kilowatt-hours on the other hand refers to how much energy has been consumed in total. It is an absolute figure, equivalent to gallons or liters of gas burned in an ICE car.

Not a Tesla-exclusive term, but an important one for EV owners. Watt-hours per mile is the EV equivalent of MPG, and tells us how much energy is being used per mile. Lower is better.

Again, an EV term rather than Tesla only, but you’ll see it used a lot in the Tesla community. It’s short for Regenerative Braking, and refers to the re-capture of kinetic energy by the battery when slowing down, or going down a steep hill. Regen is often the biggest thing new Tesla owners notice and have to adapt to. Once you do, there is no going back!

Central Processing Unit - the main chip in a computer responsible for processing data

Graphics Processing Unit - some computers contain a processor specifically made for rendering graphics

The Media Control Unit is the big touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard, and the computer that drives it. The car’s various radios, and all the entertainment and drive-related visualizations are routed through here. You may come across some numbers attached to MCU that specify the hardware version.

MCU1 refers to Tesla's first Media Control Unit hardware which was used in Model S and Model X vehicles until March 2018

This is Tesla's second general Media Control Unit hardware. It was used in Model S and Model X cars after March 2018. The Model 3 and Model Y started with MCU2 and later transitioned to MCU3 in late 2021. Vehicles with MCU1 can be upgraded to MCU2. MCU2 has the Intel Atom processor.

This is Tesla's third and latest MCU hardware. It contains AMD Ryzen's chip, making it much faster than MCU2. For the Model S and Model X it also features a dedicated GPU that will be used for high quality games that rival the PS5 and Xbox Series X. There is no official word from Tesla yet, but MCU2 does not appear to be upgradeable to MCU3.

Hardware 1 refers to Tesla's original hardware for Autopilot. It was supplied by MobileEye and was only available on the Model S and Model X.

Around October 2016 Tesla transitioned to their own hardware with version 2.0. This was also only available for the Model S and Model X.

Hardware 2.5 was available in the Model 3 and the Model S and Model X around July 2017.

Tesla eventually released hardware 3.0 in April 2019, which features much faster processors. Owners who bought the FSD package (not the subscription) and had hardware 2.5 are given a free upgrade to hardware 3.0.

The Electronic Control Unit is the hardware in a vehicle used to control various driving functions.

Embedded Multi Media Card is flash storage that is used to store certain information.

An Integrated Circuit, is a chip that is integrated onto a circuit board. This could could refer to the Instrument Cluster on a Model S or Model X.

Printed Circuit Board used in electronic systems.

Driver Assistance System, in Tesla's case this would be Autopilot

Autopilot is the term that allows Tesla's to perform some level of self-driving. All Teslas today include basic Autopilot that allows the car to use TACC (Traffic-Aware Cruise Control) and Autosteer.

Enhanced Autopilot is a package that is a subset of FSD. Tesla offered it for a number of years, but it no longer offers it.

Enhanced Autopilot included features such as TACC (Traffic-Aware Cruise Control), Autosteer, Smart Summon, Autopark, automatic lane changes and more. It does not include as much as the FSD package, which allows the car to also navigate on city streets.

Full Self-Driving. Refers to the package that currently, in beta form, allows Teslas to navigate many more streets and scenarios by itself (with an alert and engaged driver on standby). In Europe and Asia FSD is still limited, but cars with the FSD package are ready to go from a hardware perspective as soon as the regulations allow.

Traffic-Aware Cruise Control - All Teslas today compare standard with TACC.

These are the Tesla acronyms and abbreviations you’ll encounter most often. Which ones are new to you? Have you come across any others?

UI stands for User interface, also commonly referred to as GUI (graphical user interface). You'll often find this term when referring to the design of a piece of software.

UX is the User Experience of a piece of software.

OTA stands for Over-The-Air, referencing Tesla's ability to download car updates over Wi-Fi or in some cases using the vehicle's cellular data.

A technology stack refers to the technologies used to build a system. A single-stack refers to using the same technologies for multiple applications, instead of having separate technology stacks for each one. Single-stack is often mentioned regarding Tesla to applying everything it has learned in city driving to its Navigation on Autopilot highway feature.

Daytime Running Lights are lights on your vehicle that remain on even during daylight.

The Instrument Cluster on a Model S or Model X. This term could also mean Integrated Circuit which is a chip that is integrated onto a circuit board.

A vehicle's Tire Pressure Monitoring System

The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system in a home or vehicle

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (for safety ratings)

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - The U.S. federal government agency that governs vehicle safety.

Formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers, it's a US-based association for developing standards for engineering professionals

GigaFactory - What Tesla calls their various factories, such as Giga Factory Texas

ICE refers to traditional gas and diesel-powered vehicles that contain an Internal Combustion Engine

Being ICEd refers to an EV charging spot being taken up by an ICE vehicle

Tesla's Service Advisors which are the main contact at Tesla Service

TSLA is Tesla's stock symbol but the term is often used around someone investing in Tesla as well

TSLAQ is pronounced "Tesla Q" and refers to individuals who publicly criticize Tesla and may be short-selling (the opposite of buying stock when profits are earned when the stock goes down) Tesla stock

FUD stands for Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt and is sometimes used when someone is spreading misinformation to cast fear

This is referring to the battery chemistry in the car’s high voltage pack, specifically the chemical symbols for Lithium (L), Iron (F) and Phosphate (P is actually for Phosphorus on its own, but PO₄³⁻ doesn’t have the same ring to it). Tesla started shifting some of its shorter-range cars (the SR MYs and M3s) to LFP in 2021, away from battery chemistry involving Nickel and Cobalt.

Even if you’re not a chemist, it’s still worth knowing which battery chemistry you have. It is recommended to keep LFP battery charge limit at 100%, unlike the previous Li-ion batteries that are stressed out if charged fully too often.

Staying with the high voltage battery, 4680 refers to the newer battery technology that is being phased in at Giga Berlin, Giga Texas and Giga Shanghai. These batteries offer efficiency, range and cost improvements over the previous, smaller batteries. The numbers come from the dimensions of each individual cell: 46 x 80mm.

Standard Range. For example, a M3SR refers to the Model 3 Standard Range model.

The Standard Range Plus variant has a larger battery than the Standard Range and some additional features.

Mid Range vehicle which was available for the Model 3 (discontinued)

Long Range model which includes a larger battery than other variants. For example, a M3LR refers to the Model 3 Long Range model.

Performance model. This could refer to the performance model of any Tesla vehicle.

The performance variant of the Model 3 dual motor

Performance Model 3. This term was used when Tesla offered the Model 3 with and without the additional performance hardware such as larger wheels and disc brakes and a spoiler. This model is commonly referred to as the P3D.

The performance Model 3 without all the features in the P3D+

The same as P3D

Simply referring to the Tesla Model Y

DM refers to a Dual Motor vehicle

All Wheel Drive - In a Tesla, this means that at least two motors are powering the vehicle. Some cars contain two rear motors and a single front motor, while all Model 3s and Model Ys will contain a single front and rear motor.

RWD refers to the car being a rear-wheel drive vehicle. In Teslas that means that there's a single motor in the back powering the car.

Alternatively, you might see a M3RWD (Model 3 Rear Wheel Drive).

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (ICE/EV combo)

Right-hand drive, as used in Australia, England and Japan

Neural Network refers to AI and is a subset of Machine Learning (ML) that Tesla uses to develop Autopilot

Tesla has released their latest monthly update, version 2022.24.

As usual, these updates are packed (usually) with improvements and new features.

This update is no different.

The first major feature of 2022.24 is the release of cloud profiles, known officially as Tesla Profiles.

Tesla Profiles will give you the ability to tie your vehicle profile to your Tesla account. Your supported profile settings will then be saved to the cloud, allowing you to sync driver profiles across multiple vehicles.

More information on Tesla's new cloud profiles, check out our Tesla Profiles article .

Tesla introduced the Blind Spot Camera about seven months ago with Tesla's 2021 holiday update .

The feature lets you display the vehicle's corresponding fender camera on-screen when you activate the turn signal.

Unfortunately, there were no choices in terms of where the camera feed appeared on the screen, and it was permanently fixed to the bottom of the screen.

With 2022.24 Tesla is fixing that. You'll be able to drag and drop the camera feed (video) to one of three predefined locations on the screen. They include the bottom corner closest to the driver, the top corner closest to the driver, or the top corner inside of the map area, near the 'Navigate to' button.

Sentry Mode has been a great addition since its introduction. It has already helped catch countless thieves and acts of vandalism.

As Teslas become more popular and the feature becomes well known, it could actually help reduce thefts and crime.

With 2022.24 Tesla is adding a new option to Sentry Mode: the ability to disable sounds.

The ability to use Sentry Mode without having an audible alarm was actually a part of update 2022.20 , but it was only available in Israel, where local laws prevent a vehicle alarm from making an audible noise.

With 2022.24 Tesla is now giving you the ability to use a silent version of Sentry Mode.

Tesla says that all other features of Sentry Mode will continue to function, such as sending app notifications.

Over the years Tesla has switched many car preferences from applying to everyone to being driver specific.

With this update Tesla is adding a couple more. Your navigation favorites and recent locations will now be profile specific.

That means that when someone else uses your vehicle, they'll have their own set of recent locations, and your recent locations and other drivers' destinations will no longer be mixed.

Favorites and recent locations will also be enabled in cloud profiles, so when you change vehicles, you'll have access to your same recent and favorite destinations.

Live Traffic Visualization, a Premium Connectivity feature that lets you view traffic along your route and surrounding streets.

Tesla is now enhancing the live traffic visualization by making it easier to see traffic on your route.

The traditional blue path that shows up in your navigation will now change color, depending on the amount of traffic for that particular area.

You may see a path that goes from blue to yellow to red, signifying the amount of traffic at each portion of the route, blue meaning no traffic.

Update: Traffic visualizations will still be shown on adjacent roads.

It looks like Tesla has made some other minor changes to the top area of the screen in the Model 3 and Model Y.

In order to make room for the blind spot camera at the top of the screen, Tesla has shifted some items around.

The turn signals have moved up, and they're now above the regeneration/acceleration line and will appear between the gear indicator and battery icon.

When the blind spot camera is active at the top of the screen, certain icons will also shift downward, such as the headlights and HOLD icons.

Update 2022.24 is surely going to be one that lots of owners look forward to receiving. However, keep in mind that Tesla features are often limited to certain regions to support local laws or due to data limitations.

2022.24 may also contain additional features that are not included here, while some features mentioned here may not be available for every model or region.

The long-rumored "cloud profiles" are finally arriving in Tesla update 2022.24.

Tesla is officially calling the feature 'Tesla Profiles.' With this latest update, you'll be given the option to tie your driver profile to your Tesla account.

If you decide to connect your profile to your Tesla account some of your vehicle's settings will be able to travel with you from one Tesla to another.

Settings such as mirror, seat and wheel positions will be synced across other supported vehicles. So if you're lucky enough to have multiple Teslas in your household and adjust your seat in one vehicle, then the setting will automatically be synced to the other vehicle.

Once your Tesla account is linked to a car profile, that car's profile will automatically appear in any other Teslas under your account.

These vehicles could be rentals or owned by you. As long as they show up in your Tesla app then your car profile will become available on that vehicle.

Having your car profile sync to multiple vehicles will be especially useful when renting a Tesla. It'll provide a consistent experience across vehicles and it'll save you time from having to adjust preferences such as your seat, mirrors, music preferences, and more.

This could be important for certain settings such as 'Stopping Mode'.

When you first get in the car, you may expect it to behave like your own Tesla and if the Stopping Mode is set to something unexpected, like roll, it could lead to confusion.

If you rent a Tesla or use one as a loaner, it'll feel almost magical being able to get in it and have it automatically adjust to you.

Tesla Profiles will go beyond just seat adjustments. It'll also include some vehicle settings, such as Autopilot, driving preferences, and climate control settings.

According to Tesla's release notes, navigation, media and data sharing preferences will also be tied to your Tesla account and sync over to other vehicles.

Synced settings will also include navigation favorites and recent destinations.

You'll be able to distinguish whether you're using a cloud profile or a local profile in your vehicle because Tesla Profiles will now include your profile photo from your Tesla app instead of the standard person silhouette. Your profile photo will appear next to your driver's profile name.

Tesla's release notes for this feature state:

Keep your settings and preferences synchronized across all supported vehicles using your Tesla account, including:

You can set up your Tesla Profile from Driver Profile settings and change your profile picture from the Tesla Mobile app.

This feature has been in the making for a while, with Elon first mentioning that Tesla would be moving info and settings to the cloud in August 2017.

Tesla's 2022.24 update also includes improvements to the Blind Spot Camera feature.

View the release notes for the upcoming version 2022.24.

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