Tesla Updates Model 3

Tesla has begun to issue an over-the-air firmware update that CEO Elon Musk says will improve the car’s braking performance, after Consumer Reports chose not to recommend the car because of issues including emergency stopping distance. According to a tweet from Musk, the update began rolling out on Friday. He wrote that the update “should improve braking distance by 20 ft for repeated heavy braking events,” Fortune reported.Consumer Reports’ tests found that the Model 3 had dramatic problems with emergency braking at high speeds. At 60 mph, the car took 152 feet to stop—7 feet more than a full-sized Ford F-150 pickup. It is likely easier to fix the Model 3’s braking with a software adjustment than it would be on some conventional cars, though. That is because the car’s computer-controlled motor plays a significant role in braking. That also allows braking to recapture some battery power. The effectiveness of the update will be subject to further high-profile scrutiny, as Consumer Reports has said it would retest the Model 3 if the braking distance were improved.