Curious if your Tesla is packing the latest and greatest in autonomous driving hardware? You've come to the right place! Determining whether your Tesla has Hardware 4 (HW4) or an earlier version can be a bit tricky, but with this comprehensive guide, you'll be able to identify it with confidence. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Engage with Your Tesla's Inner Brain (Software Check)
The easiest and most reliable way to check for HW4 is by simply asking your car! Tesla has thankfully made this information accessible through the vehicle's software.
1.1 Navigating the Touchscreen Menu
Turn on your Tesla. Make sure the infotainment system is fully booted up.
Tap on 'Controls'. This is usually the car icon at the bottom left of your main screen.
Select 'Software'. It's typically one of the options in the left-hand menu.
Look for 'Additional Vehicle Information'. This might be a small text link or an option to tap within the Software menu.
Find 'Autopilot computer'. Under this heading, you should see the version of your FSD computer. It will likely say "Version 2.5", "Version 3", or "Version 4". If it says "Version 4", congratulations, you have HW4!
Step 2: A Closer Look – Visual Cues of HW4
If for some reason you can't access the car's software or want a quick visual confirmation, there are some physical differences to look for, particularly in the cameras.
2.1 The Tell-Tale Red Camera Lenses
Examine the Cameras: HW4 cameras often have a subtle red tint to their lenses. This is most noticeable on the front-facing cameras, located at the top of the windshield.
Front-Facing Camera Array: On HW3, you'll typically see three front-facing cameras. With HW4, Tesla has reduced this to two main front cameras due to their higher resolution and improved capabilities. Look for two red-tinted lenses and potentially one black (fake) lens in the central camera housing.
Repeater Cameras: Also check the cameras on the side pillars (often referred to as "repeater cameras"). HW4 repeater cameras might also have this red tint and a slightly different design, often appearing smaller and narrower with a smaller turn indicator.
2.2 Other Subtle External Differences
While less obvious than the camera tints, some production models with HW4 might have:
Bumper Camera: Some newer HW4 models, like the Cybertruck prototypes, are expected to include a bumper camera, which is a new addition. While not universally present on all HW4 vehicles, it's a potential indicator.
Updated Wiring and Connectors: Internally, HW4 uses a 16V electrical system compared to HW3's 12V system, and there are changes in internal wiring and connectors, though these aren't visible without disassembling parts of the vehicle.
Step 3: The Production Date Clue (General Guideline)
While not a definitive method, the production date of your Tesla can offer a strong indication of whether it's equipped with HW4. Tesla began shipping HW4 in January 2023.
3.1 Model-Specific Rollout
Model S and X: If you purchased a Model S or X after March 2023, it's highly likely to have HW4.
Model Y: For Model Y vehicles made in the United States, if purchased after late May 2023, they generally come with HW4.
Model 3: The updated 2024 Model 3 ("Highland") comes with HW4. Earlier Model 3 vehicles (2017-2023) will typically have HW3.
It's important to remember that these are general guidelines, and there can be variations based on factory, region, and specific production batches. The software check (Step 1) remains the most accurate.
Step 4: Decoding the VIN (For the Detail-Oriented)
While a VIN decoder won't explicitly state "HW4," it can provide information about the model year and plant of manufacture, which, when combined with the production date guidelines, can help narrow down the possibilities.
4.1 Locating Your VIN
Your Tesla's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) can be found in several places:
Tesla App: Scroll to the bottom of the screen for your car in the app.
Windshield: Look through the windshield, low down near where the wipers sit, on the driver's side.
Vehicle Touchscreen: Go to
Controls>Software.Driver's Door Jamb.
4.2 Using a VIN Decoder (External Tool)
You can use online VIN decoder tools to interpret the digits. While no digit directly corresponds to HW4, the 10th digit often indicates the model year, and the 11th digit indicates the plant of manufacture. This information, when cross-referenced with the HW4 rollout timeline, can be helpful.
Step 5: Understanding the "Why" – Benefits of HW4
Why is HW4 such a big deal? It represents a significant leap forward in Tesla's autonomous driving capabilities.
5.1 Enhanced Computing Power
Faster FSD Computer: HW4's Full Self-Driving (FSD) computer is estimated to be 3-5 times faster than HW3. It boasts 20 CPU cores compared to HW3's 12, and an improved neural network accelerator. This translates to more complex and efficient autonomous driving computations.
Improved Redundancy: HW4 reintroduces redundancy features that were removed in HW3, aiming for greater system reliability.
5.2 Superior Sensor Suite
Higher Resolution Cameras: HW4 features 5-megapixel cameras, a substantial upgrade from HW3's 1.2-megapixel units. This provides sharper, more detailed imagery for better object detection and navigation, especially in low-light conditions due to the red-tinted lenses.
Potential Reintroduction of Radar: While Tesla shifted to a vision-only system, rumors suggest HW4 might reintroduce a high-definition radar (Phoenix radar) on some models, further enhancing situational awareness, particularly in adverse weather.
5.3 Real-World Performance Improvements
While the software is constantly evolving, HW4 generally offers a smoother and more human-like driving experience. Users have reported improvements in:
Speed Control: Better consistency in maintaining chosen speeds.
Stoplight Behaviors: Improved handling of complex intersections and traffic lights.
Traffic Circles: More fluid navigation through roundabouts.
Overall Comfort: The car feels more natural in its acceleration, braking, and turning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check if my Tesla has HW4 through the car's software?
Go to Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Information on your Tesla's touchscreen. Under "Autopilot computer", it will state the hardware version.
How to identify HW4 by looking at the cameras?
HW4 cameras, especially the front-facing and repeater cameras, often have a subtle red tint to their lenses. HW4 also typically uses two main front-facing cameras instead of three.
How to know if my Tesla's production date suggests it has HW4?
Tesla began installing HW4 in new vehicles starting in January 2023. Later production dates, particularly after March-May 2023 for certain models, are strong indicators.
How to upgrade my Tesla to HW4?
For most existing HW3 vehicles, a hardware upgrade to HW4 is not widely available as a paid option, though Tesla has made promises for a complimentary upgrade for FSD package owners if needed for future FSD capabilities. Some older vehicles (HW2.0/2.5) may have paid upgrade options. Check your Tesla app for eligibility and pricing, typically around $1,500 - $2,000 for those eligible.
How to tell if HW4 is worth the premium in a new Tesla?
HW4 offers significantly improved computing power and higher-resolution cameras, which are crucial for the ongoing development of Full Self-Driving (FSD). While current FSD software might perform similarly on HW3 and HW4 in many scenarios, HW4 provides a future-proof platform for more advanced autonomous features.
How to identify visual differences between HW3 and HW4 repeater cameras?
HW4 repeater cameras can also have the red tint and may appear slightly smaller and narrower with a different turn indicator design compared to HW3.
How to verify if my VIN indicates HW4?
While the VIN doesn't directly state "HW4," you can use an online VIN decoder to determine your car's model year and production plant. This information, combined with the general HW4 rollout dates for specific models, can help you deduce if it's likely equipped with HW4.
How to know if a used Tesla has HW4?
The most reliable method is to check the software in the car's touchscreen as described in Step 1. If not possible, look for the red-tinted cameras (Step 2) and consider the vehicle's production date (Step 3).
How to discern the performance differences between HW3 and HW4?
HW4 generally provides a smoother, more human-like FSD experience with better handling of tricky situations, speed control, and lane selection, thanks to its more powerful computer and higher-resolution cameras.
How to confirm if my specific Tesla model (e.g., Model Y) has HW4?
For Model Y, if manufactured in the US and delivered after late May 2023, it's very likely to have HW4. Always verify through the car's software for definitive confirmation.
For a visual comparison of Tesla HW3 and HW4 cameras, you might find this video helpful:
