Tesla brings back the infamous “Mad Max” mode in the FSD system
Tesla has revived its controversial Mad Max mode in its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. The move comes at a time when Tesla is already under increased scrutiny from regulators and faces a series of lawsuits related to accidents involving its autopilot systems. The “Mad Max” mode, which allows the vehicle to ignore speed limits and change lanes more often, has already caused widespread criticism.
The latest FSD update and its “crazy” features
Last week, Tesla released the FSD v14 update, the first major update in a year. It introduced a new, cautious “Sloth” mode, which reduces speed and minimizes maneuvers. But just a few days later, the FSD v14.1.2 update was released, which added the complete opposite mode, Mad Max. The update notes state: “Introduced new speed profile MAD MAX provides higher driving speed and more frequent lane changes, unlike HURRY mode.”
The name, borrowed from the cult post-apocalyptic film “Mad Max”, is not accidental. This reflects the aggressive driving style that Tesla has tested before. “Mad Max” mode first appeared in 2018 as part of Tesla’s Autopilot system, which later evolved into FSD. At the time, Elon Musk described it as a mode with increased aggressiveness during lane changes, especially in difficult urban conditions such as Los Angeles. Today, Tesla positions “Mad Max” similarly, but with a greater emphasis on dynamics and maneuverability.
Disturbing observations and safety issues
Just 24 hours after the update was released, users reported that cars in this mode were going through stop signs without coming to a complete stop and exceeding the speed limit by more than 24 km/h (15 mph). In recent years, Tesla has been actively promoting its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system – a complex of driver assistance systems, which is still officially classified as a level 2 autonomy system according to the international classification. This means that the driver must constantly control the road and keep his hands on the steering wheel.
Despite this, the company has repeatedly claimed that the system will become fully autonomous “immediately” when it reaches level 4, and has made such promises every year for seven years. In this context, the California Department of Motor Vehicles and the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are conducting several investigations into the safety of FSDs. Tesla is also involved in several wrongful-death lawsuits that have occurred in accidents where drivers relied on the Autopilot system. Despite these circumstances, the company continues to develop the system, adding modes that only increase the safety debate and raise concerns about the potential risk on the road.
