In a report by information outlet Electrek, 130,000 Tesla autos had been recalled as a result of a CPU overheating concern present in sure fashions that includes Ryzen APUs, which might trigger the automobile’s infotainment system to decelerate or flip off. Happily, a software program replace has already been launched to repair the difficulty.
The overheating drawback is triggered in the course of the automobile’s battery pre-conditioning course of whereas driving or in the course of the quick charging course of, the place an excessive amount of of the automobile’s cooling energy is diverted towards the batteries. This leaves the infotainment’s Ryzen APU to fend for itself.
The one Tesla autos affected are sure 2021 and 2022 Mannequin S sedans, Mannequin X SUVs, and 2022 variations of the Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y. The difficulty has been confirmed to solely have an effect on Tesla infotainment items that includes AMD’s extra power-hungry Ryzen APUs. Older autos powered by Intel Atom processors will not be affected.
In keeping with the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration, the overheating concern happens when the automotive enters into its pre-conditioning section, the place the automotive batteries are ready for fast-charging whereas the automobile is en path to a Tesa Supercharging station. Nevertheless, overheating also can occur when the automotive is stationary whereas being fast-charged. In both case, a lot of the cooling energy is diverted to the automotive batteries, however not sufficient is left over for the automobile’s infotainment system — inflicting the CPU to overheat. We imagine this drawback happens as a result of the automotive’s liquid cooling loop is shared by each the infotainment’s CPU and the automotive’s batteries.
The one purpose it’s affecting Ryzen APU variations of Tesla’s infotainment system is due to the upper TDP these processors require in comparison with their Atom predecessors. Apparently, Tesla forgot to regulate the cooling parameters for these Ryzen APUs, which is why they’re overheating.
Fortunately there isn’t any rapid security threat concerned with the overheating points — like a fireplace. Nevertheless, the recall remains to be required as a result of the central infotainment display screen controls lots of Tesla’s important capabilities, together with the speedometer, gear selector (Mannequin S, Mannequin X), navigation, local weather system and extra. As soon as the Ryzen APU begins overheating, it could possibly trigger the infotainment system to decelerate severely or pressure a black display screen, forcing the system to restart itself. Both manner, the overheating results forestall customers from utilizing these important capabilities. It needs to be famous that major automobile capabilities (steering, accelerating, braking, flip indicators) will not be affected.
Over-the-air software program updates for the affected vehicles are already underway. Fixes had been first pushed out on Might third, in accordance with APNews, so we suspect all affected autos ought to have the brand new software program replace shortly.