Tesla MCU1 v MCU2 upgrade before and after demonstration - 2014 Model S. Faster? Better?

[@Jaw0lf]

I love the fact that Tesla offer this as an option. The biggest change in a lot of cars is the computer and software updates. Enabling you to choose this rather than having to sell your car and buy a new one is a great idea.Being an optional update you are not forced to do so.

[@Maarten_vd]

Yeah, really prolonges the usability of a car. Another booster for the secondhand market value. I am quite sure that as soon as chip shortages are solved (in some years) the same will be offered to the model 3's when they start to become laggy.

[@MrPeazy10]

Thanks for the video! I just upgraded my 2016 P90D Model S. Can’t wait to go pick her up!

[@Chaughan1]

I had MCU 2 upgraded my 2017 Model X after buying a model 3 since I could no longer stand the speed of the older MCU. Well worth the money since I can't get a new Model X until 2023 ... But then I will have to upgrade the Model 3 to MCU 3

[@P85D]

Did the upgrade today, as advertised on all fronts plus one I wasn't expecting, a significant upgrade to sound system audio quality (I have the upgraded system). Much better bass and overall clarity!

[@RizwanJaved26]

Oh wow that’s interesting. I always thought the sound on my MX 2018 with upgraded audio was very underwhelming. Is the upgrade in qualify significant?

[@Steror]

Are you sure you weren't using analog radio before? Digital radio has much better quality, but I heard from people that spotify also got an upgrade with MCU2. Might be the 4G internet allowing better bitrate.

[@P85D]

@@Steror Always streaming digital, never listen to the radio

[@tritiumrecords717]

I have the 2014 p85d got the mcu2 upgrade a year ago, love the car, I use it for uber...my home base is the local supercharger...I make $300 per shift all cash no hydro bill...

[@BrokenNinja]

That's crazy good. I'm looking into getting a used model s myself to do just this, find one in good shape with free supercharging.

[@tritiumrecords717]

@deviantpowersystems yes that's why in 2014 I bought the model for it's free supercharging, in the fine print elon said dont over charge please that's taking the michael...I will forfeit the newer models...tsk tsk...silly boy..

[@simngurry]

As a customer of yours that had this done to my P85 and also someone that’s posted to the groups you’ve probably used as a reference I love this video!! Mcu2 on my pre AP car is well worth it. A few months since having it done I’m so pleased it did it. I opted for the radio module and dont regret it.

[@efficientfuture]

So I can upgrade my 90D from MCU1 to MCU2?

[@efficientfuture]

Wait so you can upgrade from AP MCU1 to MCU2?

[@coupemusic1]

Extremely helpful! Thinking of having mine upgraded, and this helps!

[@joeozzie1]

I am told the update has a fixed price and then pay a $10.00 Per month subscription? AM I correct on the need for a subscription? Would love to move to MCU 2 but not the payments.

[@Chris-ju9tq]

Hi, I’m in uk with a 2016 model s 35k miles. An update turned deep sleep mode on on mine, I turned it off in settings and that’s helped with app connectivity and slow wake up times. The White screen issue is resolved by using my mobile personal hotspot, better connectivity on 4g and 5g

[@cicerofrancisco3188]

Thank you for your informative video. Could you please let us know in the video if dashcam functionality is now available in Sentry Mode?

[@slartybartfarst9737]

How usefull, thanks for this. My 2015 Model S P85 RWD now 125,000 uk miles has received notification of the MCU swap out under recall. Yes your right can take a few mins to wake up after it snoozes overnight but other than the clunky 3G its perfectly fine and responsive enough. Good of Tesla to make the upgrade available at fixed price as you say these cars are perfectly serviceable in fact just like a 2022 car in almost all aspects. Makes me chuckle when people call it a "classic" but with the pace of change of Tesla it is.........keep them running on though!

[@markriddington]

The recall isn’t for the MCU, only the eMMC, that said, it should still help, but it won’t be the MCU2

[@buzzofftoxicblog791]

The Tesla 2014 app is as quick as our 2021 BMW i3S app 🤣

[@mattbk1yn]

are there any other glaring signs that the mcu was upgraded? im looking at photos of used cars and it isnt readily appraent to me. some sign i can find in photos?

[@ramblerandy2397]

I notice that the old MCU1 was still better than the vast majority of [perhaps still all, don't know, and not including those which hand over identity to Android Auto as Default [ahem] Polestar] other EV infotainment systems. But MCU2 was a definite improvement.

[@RSEV]

Yes, on this Model the MCU1 was not too bad actually but it was crashing a few times and especially after longer trips. Considering the car has almost 8 years this upgrade brings pretty much up to date with the computing power and software at least.

[@ukfalcon85]

Looking very smart in the coat 👌 👍

[@florenciovela7570]

update..we love space x. We traveled to Boca Chica to the the starshing get built. & we got the S dual motor fsd last Christmas 🎄 😎 still have the cybertruck tri motor or 4 motor fsd on order..

[@AKA001]

I’ve got a 2016 with an MCU1 and AP1. Had a free SD card upgrade to 64gb recently and that seemed to work, with much less blackouts and faster operation. However, more recently I’ve had a couple of blackouts and the system is slower again. I’m strongly considering an upgrade. What games do you get extra over the old one? I’m also interested to see how it affects AP1 operation. I’ve also had feedback that the reversing camera is clearer, but has less low light operation.

[@RSEV]

Serge here. For games you get Sonic the Hedgehog, The Battle of Polytopia, Sudoku, SkyForce Reloaded, Solitaire. It won't affect AP one, if any it will make it better. The camera seems clearer but I did notice that night time the visibility is not great sometimes. We have the newer camera which will go on it at some point just to find some time. Maybe make another video about that as well. 😁

[@AKA001]

@@RSEV thanks Serge.

[@patrikahlberg3710]

@@RSEV So you are planning to replace the backup camera with a newer version? Please make this video asap! Really interested in doing so myself, but not sure what different camera versions there are and what it would cost etc. Willing to do the work myself if it is not to technical!

[@ElMistroFeroz]

So you get quicker netflix/youtube and scheduled preconditioning.... all for $1400? Yeah, not feeling the sales pitch.

[@henriquerochelle]

I have a Tesla Model X 2017 with 20.OOO Miles and I think I will install the IMU 2 on it! Do you think it's worth it? Thanks

[@Anonym-dx2tp]

It’s for sure worth it for the longevity of the car.

[@RSEV]

Not absolutely essential but I think it’s nice to have and worth it

[@rafaeldemestre2335]

if you would put the brightness of the Tesla monitor to 100% then the flickering on the gopro is stopping ;) - one hour is a long trip? check out 80 days, every day many hours driving #80edays 20.000 miles trip, this is long ;)

[@mattthompson8281]

Hi Richard, thanks for the video as I am considering changing mine on a AP1 car. Did they list the binnacle as being replaced on the invoice as Tesla have told me they don’t replace the binnacle only the mcu screen? Cheers

[@roygardiner4002]

My MCU1 crashes after an hour of supercharging followed shortly thereafter by the instrument pod screen. 4 finger shuffle restores normal service or ending supercharging with the phone app.

[@Killahkron1992]

What does Netflix look like on the screen

[@visionlink2012]

why didn't you say about the car cam ? I thought this is the main reason for the upgrade .

[@JasKik]

If this upgrade were to take place on a AP2.0 car would it enable dash cam recording?

[@michaelgoode9555]

Another thing that struck me with this upgrade is to 4g only. Why not make slightly more future proof with 5g capability?

[@RSEV]

5G is not available yet. Not even for the refreshed S/X. I'm sure they will offer that as a retrofit when it's available.

[@paulharbun6994]

@@RSEV my mobile phone has 5G. Tesla should put 5G hardware in the MCU2

[@Chris-bz9pg]

@@paulharbun6994 5g is still completely useless anyway and probably will continue being so for many years

[@GC-ye9qf]

@@paulharbun6994 Elon knows the dangers of 5G

[@connclissmann6514]

The radio tuner is £500 extra? In a model S, having spent £ 1400 ?

[@rogerstarkey5390]

Almost like Porsche?

[@RSEV]

Yes, unfortunately. But don't need it really because TuneIn finds most radio channels anyway. The problem occurs where the 4g signal is not good enough like in a rural area.

[@michaelgoode9555]

This is my major concern with all these integrated entertainment and function systems in modern cars. Seven years is not even half the lifespan of many cars and yet the customer has to pay to upgrade to make a usable system once again. When does the tipping point come and there are no upgrades and usability of the car becomes difficult or even perhaps impossible? I understand the tech fanboy desire for the big screen with everything but when you are no longer able to access your heating / AC or perhaps initiate charging then the car becomes a massive paperweight. I love tech but there has to be limits.

[@gathonar]

The same thing can happen to any new car now they all have computers that control the buttons and screens.

[@CrimeDoesNotPay]

As a 2017 Model S owner, I am seeing how Elon Musk milks his customers at every turn and they will pay it for the status of being a Tesla owner. We're all too blind and already invested to step away from the scam of a dashboard with 5-year built in obsolescence.

[@AdrianMcDaid]

Loosing the radio would be shame .

[@babyJbiz]

Can you tell me if your upgrade now runs steam after the latest update?

[@AdrianMcDaid]

That's only for latest model S

[@simonhollifield]

How is the battery holding up in the car with that age and mileage?

[@RSEV]

Battery all good. Will calculate some numbers one day for usable capacity but still covers 200 miles and still drives without fault and no rattles 💁‍♂️

[@dazfrombramley]

£1400 is not bad, I had my iDrive screen changed on a 2 series BMW under warranty but I did ask what it would cost had it not been under warranty and it was £2500

[@RuiSjm]

One question, was Tesla or was your company who install the upgrade?

[@AdrianMcDaid]

Tesla did it.

[@efficientfuture]

So we can update the MCU1 to MCU2?

[@RSEV]

Yes.. just like this

[@andychen7818]

I'm watching this with hopes of upgrading to MCU3...lol

[@RSEV]

Would be cool but Tesla said they don't have plans of retrofitting the MCU3 unfortunately.

Can you get v11?

[@RSEV]

Yes since filming it’s now on v11

[@willieduplooy9587]

Well spent money 💵 👍🏻

[@MrGMawson2438]

Nice 👍

[@steveearley8352]

Oh heck, 17k miles for rear tyres, that sounds bad. I get 22k in my BMW X5 … heavy car as well … maybe 17k wasn’t right?

[@RSEV]

Yeap 17k miles done in 9 months. 2,2 tons car. 21” wheels with Continental TO tyres.

[@RSEV]

The power in the Tesla is bigger than the X5. The acceleration is a lot more stronger as well hence the tyres need changing in less than a year after 17k miles. We use this car a lot. Under normal driving it would definitely do a lot more miles.

[@laloajuria4678]

it sucks knowing the computer hardware is already DOA on these cars. i dont know what well do in ~10 yrs, pay for an upgrade (if even available) or abandon it for something new.....very sustainable indeed.

[@Frygisk]

Sooooo how many cars don`t need some kind of maintenance after 10 years? this is a literal upgrade that makes the car feel like new again, I dont know of any other brand that offers that for such a fair price. mercedes charges pretty much the same just for maps for its Nav.

[@CrimeDoesNotPay]

@@Frygisk Who uses a car's navigation when we all have cellphones with Waze or Google Maps? Tesla builds in this obsolescence as a money grab on invested owners just like a common dishwasher appliance company.

[@gathonar]

Well worth £1400 if you got a older model S

[@williammillard687]

Does this upgrade impact fart mode?

[@RSEV]

Fart mode intact 💨

[@williammillard687]

@@RSEV Phew! 😂 All it now needs is smello-vision, a 2000 mile range, ultra-fast 20 second 10-80% recharge time, full (level 6+) self-drive, built-in magic carpet and I’ll maybe consider perhaps procrastinating a little less and actually buy one....oh yes, I forgot it should be able to perform a fake coal-roll and must also make an external single cylinder diesel noise too..🤪

[@pkendall99]

no radio? pffff thats a downgrade

[@AdrianMcDaid]

There is. You just need to pay more .

[@justinholding02]

Planned obsolescence.. it's like an iPhone, gets slower after each update until you eventually have to purchase the new one

[@rogerstarkey5390]

No. 8 year old technology. Moore's law. 3G vs 4G etc. 🙄

[@justinholding02]

@@rogerstarkey5390 it wasn't laggy when it was released at the time.

[@ramblerandy2397]

@@justinholding02 I suspect that our interpretations for instantaneous and lagging have changed over the years.

[@justinholding02]

@@ramblerandy2397 I don't think so, in fact I remember seeing a video of the iPhone 6 that was comparing the same phone with each version of iOS. it got slower and slower after each update. They then compared it to the stock phone that hadn't been updated and it was 4 times faster

[@allenbaylus3378]

@@justinholding02 which was 4 times faster - the non upgraded iphone or the one which was on the current firmware?

[@brettsta72]

I thought Tesla recalled all cars with MCU-1 and upgraded to MCU-2 for free?

[@RSEV]

No, that’s eMMC chip. We mention this at beginning. But they only replace once totally failed. It simply fixes a crashed mcu1. MCU2 is a new thing, new screens, more capability, faster connectivity etc

[@brettsta72]

@@RSEV got it. Thanks very much for the clarification.

[@brettsta72]

And quite right, you do explain at the beginning. I just watched back again.

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

This is all due to careless coding of OTA upgrades. Mine used to work fine on 2018.50. Now it’s hopeless. I don’t want to lose the radio and couldn’t care about Netflix. STILL waiting for eMMC fix….. Prefer the old screen!! Be really cool to have that as an option. And if you upgrade now, you lose V10. Bad….

[@RSEV]

The bad coding has been fixed and the eMMC is being replaced under warranty. The MCU2 upgrade is not necessary but an improvement if you want the regular recent software updates. The MCU 1 would not be able to run most of the new features because they need more computing power. It's not because they didn't want to update the older ones. Exactly like a computer, you run on it what the system can take.

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

@@RSEV Fraid not. Still waiting for my eMMC to be replaced. Every time I try they cancel the appointment and tell me the car isn't dead yet. The point is I'd rather it was fixed BEFORE my partner is stranded somewhere. Poor coding more generally has led to the slowdown of all MCU1 apps. The browser worked fine when I first got the car, now it doesn't work at all. I just want the car I was sold back. Not paying 1400 quid to lose a radio and gain the dubious pleasure of netflix. I have a phone for that if I need it. The improvement in the sat nav speed definitely helps but again, it used to be fine. There's a reason Tesla has hired a game coding expert to improve their coding. He had the same complaints as me too! FYI there have been no updates to MCU1 codebase since 2020.48. I look forward to receiving a properly (more tightly) recoded OTA that actually works. Rolling over and paying out 2k+ because OTA has gradually slowed my car down to the point of unusability is unacceptable in a car that was, a few years back, nigh on 100k.

[@zoltanszeles9394]

​@@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524 So you don't wanna spend 1400 on a 100k car. Just try to use any other 100k car for 5-10 years, and see how much the maintenance cost...

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

@@zoltanszeles9394 It's a recall, they're obliged to do it. It's under warranty and it's up to them to fix it. Not me. You pay for your car to be repaired when under warranty? No, neither do I. And it's not 1400, it's 2000 because you have to buy a new radio because the old radio no longer works with MCU2. No point paying that on a car I'm keeping for another 9 months. That's 200 a month for Netflix in the car when it's on my phone anyway. Err no.