Tesla started rolling out its 2026 Summer Update over the weekend, with the update arriving as software version 2026.26.
While they had previously highlighted the features last week ahead of the deployment, there is at least one additional feature that didn’t make the company’s official announcement.
The 2026 Summer Update introduces Traction Control Modes, replacing the long-standing Slip Start function with a more comprehensive set of driving options designed for different road conditions that should be particularly helpful in Canadian winters.
Instead of a single setting that temporarily reduced traction control, drivers now have three selectable modes:
- Auto – the default setting for everyday driving.
- Slippery Surface – improves traction on wet or icy roads by distributing traction evenly across all tires.
- Stuck Assist – intended to help free the vehicle if it’s stuck in snow, mud, or sand.
These new modes replace Slip Start, which was used as a way to help drivers regain momentum when stuck on loose or slippery surfaces by reducing the amount of traction control, allowing the wheels to spin more freely and potentially gain enough grip to get moving again.
Due to the limited nature of the release so far, it is unclear whether all vehicles will gain these new traction modes, but so far they have appeared on the refresh Model 3.
If you haven’t received the Summer Update yet, remember that Tesla deploys updates in waves, so it may take several days or weeks before version 2026.26 becomes available to every eligible vehicle.
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