The importance of software updates in electric vehicles has been highlighted once again, this time through the experience of influencer Brianna Janel, who was trapped inside her Tesla Model 3 for 40 minutes while the car performed an update . The situation, although uncomfortable, highlighted the precautions that owners must take into account when carrying out these processes.
The incident occurred when Janel, who has thousands of followers on her TikTok account, decided to follow Tesla’s instructions and carry out the software update for her vehicle. According to the Model 3 owner’s manual, the brand recommends installing updates as soon as possible and provides specific guidelines to follow during the process.
One of these precautions is to avoid using the vehicle while the software is being installed, as some vehicle functions may be limited or disabled during this time. “Don’t update your car when you’re in it,” the influencer warned in her video.
Despite her attempt to turn on the air conditioning to counteract the heat inside the car, Brianna Janel found that it was not working. With the temperature inside the vehicle reaching 43º, the wait became even more of a challenge.
Despite the discomfort, the influencer chose not to open the windows or doors, respecting the warnings in the owner’s manual that pointed out possible compromises in the vehicle’s functions during the update.
This incident raises questions about occupant safety during software updates in electric vehicles. Although it is crucial to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. In this case, Tesla “recommends installing software updates on the vehicle as soon as possible.”
“To ensure the fastest and most reliable installation of software updates, leave Wi-Fi on and connected whenever possible,” the company advises on its website. Additionally, they recommend that you do not drive the vehicle while the software is being installed. “If plugged in, the vehicle will stop charging until the installation is complete,” they add.
