Typically, when a Tesla driver uses the company’s driver assistance systems — which are marketed as Autopilot, Full Self-Driving or FSD Beta options — a visual symbol blinks on the car’s touchscreen to prompt the driver to engage the steering wheel. If the driver leaves the steering wheel unattended for too long, the “nag” escalates to a beeping noise. If the driver still does not take the wheel at that point, the vehicle can disable the use of its advanced driver assistance features for the rest of the drive or longer.
With the “Elon mode” configuration enabled, Tesla can allow a driver to use the company’s Autopilot, FSD or FSD Beta systems without the so-called “nag.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sent a letter and special order to Tesla on July 26, seeking details about the use of what apparently includes this special configuration, including how many cars and drivers Tesla has authorized to use it. The file was added to the agency’s website on Tuesday and Bloomberg first reported on it.
Tesla was given a deadline of last Friday to furbish all the information demanded by the agency, and replied on time but they requested and their response has been granted confidential treatment by NHTSA.
Shares in the electric car maker stumbled $2.25 to begin Wednesday at $254.93.
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