Want to experience neck-snapping acceleration that pushes you back into your seat? If you're a proud owner of a compatible Tesla Model S or Model X, you might be able to unleash the exhilarating "Ludicrous Mode"! While Tesla has moved to "Plaid" for its latest high-performance models, Ludicrous Mode remains a legendary feature for many older performance vehicles. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to activate it and understand what makes it so special.
Step 1: Confirm Your Tesla's Ludicrous Capabilities - Is Your Ride Ludicrous Enough?
First things first, let's make sure your Tesla is even equipped with this legendary feature!
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| How To Get Ludicrous Mode On Tesla |
Sub-heading: Identifying Ludicrous-Capable Models
Ludicrous Mode debuted in 2016 and was available on specific Model S and Model X performance variants, generally those produced between 2016 and 2021. If you have a Model S P90D, P100D, or a Model X P90D, P100D, there's a good chance you have Ludicrous Mode. Newer models from 2022 onwards, like the Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid, have superseded Ludicrous with their "Plaid" performance. However, the 2024 Model 3 Performance has also been noted to feature a "Ludicrous Mode" badge and capabilities.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Car's Software
You can often confirm if your car has Ludicrous Mode by checking your vehicle's touchscreen. Navigate to Controls > Pedals & Steering > Acceleration. If "Ludicrous" or "Ludicrous+" is an option, you're in business! If you only see "Chill," "Sport," or "Insane," your vehicle might not have the Ludicrous upgrade, or it could be a newer "Plaid" model.
Step 2: Preparing for Launch - Getting Your Tesla Ready
Before you engage Ludicrous Mode, a little preparation goes a long way to ensure optimal performance and safety.
Sub-heading: Battery Charge Level
For Ludicrous Mode (and especially Ludicrous+), your battery needs to be sufficiently charged. Tesla recommends a charge level of 20% or higher to initiate these settings. If the charge drops below 20% during use, the mode will automatically cancel.
Tip: Read at your own pace, not too fast.
Sub-heading: Battery Temperature Optimization
This is crucial! To achieve the absolute maximum power, especially with Ludicrous+, the car needs to heat the battery to its ideal operating temperature.
Initial Warm-up: If your car has been sitting idle for a while, this process can take some time, sometimes an hour or more.
While Driving: If the car has been running, it might only take a few minutes.
The touchscreen will display a status message with an approximate wait time, letting you know when the additional power is available.
Sub-heading: Brake Warm-up (for Launch Mode)
For the most extreme acceleration, engaging Launch Mode requires your brakes to be slightly warm. Drive for a few minutes and use the brakes a few times to achieve this.
Step 3: Activating Ludicrous Mode - The Moment of Truth!
Once your Tesla is ready, it's time to unleash the beast!
Sub-heading: Selecting the Acceleration Mode
On your Tesla's touchscreen, touch Controls > Pedals & Steering > Acceleration.
Select "Ludicrous".
Sub-heading: Engaging Ludicrous+ (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with the Ludicrous+ setting (which maximizes speed by heating the battery to its optimum temperature), you can achieve even more extreme performance.
From the Acceleration menu, select "Ludicrous+".
Press and hold this setting for three seconds to activate it.
Wait for the battery preconditioning to complete, as indicated on your touchscreen. You'll see a status message and an approximate wait time.
Sub-heading: Activating Launch Mode (for optimal acceleration)
To get the full Ludicrous experience and achieve the quickest 0-60 mph times, you'll want to use Launch Mode.
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Ensure your Model S is shifted into Drive (D) and is at a complete stop with the steering wheel straight.
Firmly hold the brake pedal with your left foot.
Fully press the accelerator pedal with your right foot.
The instrument panel will indicate when the vehicle is "Peak Performance Ready" or "Ready to Launch." On some models, the front suspension will lower into a "cheetah stance."
As soon as it indicates "Ready to Launch", quickly release the brake pedal while keeping the accelerator fully depressed. Prepare for an intense push!
Step 4: Understanding the Performance and Considerations
Ludicrous Mode is an incredible feat of engineering, but it comes with some considerations.
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Sub-heading: The Insane Acceleration
Ludicrous Mode significantly boosts acceleration. For instance, a Tesla Model S in Ludicrous Mode can dash from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 2.5 seconds. With Ludicrous+, this can drop to as low as 2.3 seconds. The feeling is often described as "faster than falling" due to the intense G-forces.
Sub-heading: Impact on Battery and Components
While designed for it, using Ludicrous Mode, especially Ludicrous+, for extended periods or repeatedly can:
Increase energy consumption.
Accelerate wear on the battery, motors, and gearbox. Tesla itself warns that Ludicrous+ is designed for short-term acceleration and not intended for daily driving.
Sub-heading: Cooling and Power Fade
When using Ludicrous+ or under aggressive driving, the system strives to keep the battery within an optimal temperature range. You might see a "Cooling" status on your touchscreen for several minutes until temperatures fall, which can impact sustained peak performance.
Sub-heading: Feature Timeout
Ludicrous and Ludicrous+ modes typically stay active for three hours, even if you leave the vehicle. After this period, the feature times out to prevent unnecessary energy consumption.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to check if my Tesla has Ludicrous Mode?
You can check by going to Controls > Pedals & Steering > Acceleration on your Tesla's touchscreen. If "Ludicrous" or "Ludicrous+" is an option, your car has it.
How to turn on Ludicrous Mode on Tesla?
Access Controls > Pedals & Steering > Acceleration on your touchscreen and select "Ludicrous" or "Ludicrous+".
How to use Launch Mode with Ludicrous?
With the car in Drive and at a complete stop, firmly hold the brake pedal with your left foot and fully press the accelerator pedal with your right foot. When "Ready to Launch" appears, quickly release the brake.
How to know if my Tesla is a Ludicrous model?
Ludicrous Mode was primarily offered on performance variants of the Model S and Model X produced between 2016 and 2021 (e.g., P90D, P100D). Newer Model S/X use "Plaid." The 2024 Model 3 Performance also features Ludicrous.
How to precondition the battery for Ludicrous Mode?
The car automatically preconditions the battery when Ludicrous+ is selected. It will display a status message with the estimated waiting time for the battery to reach optimal temperature.
QuickTip: Don’t rush through examples.
How to get maximum acceleration in a Tesla?
To achieve maximum acceleration, ensure your battery is at a high state of charge, precondition the battery (especially for Ludicrous+), and then activate Launch Mode.
How to upgrade my Tesla to Ludicrous Mode?
For older P90D Model S vehicles, there was an option to upgrade to Ludicrous Mode for an additional cost ($10,000 USD). However, this was typically done at the time of purchase or as a retrofit for existing P90D owners. Availability for such upgrades for specific models can be checked via the Tesla app or by contacting Tesla service.
How to distinguish Ludicrous Mode from Plaid Mode?
Ludicrous Mode was the peak performance for older Model S and Model X vehicles (2016-2021). Plaid Mode is the current highest performance variant for the latest Model S and Model X (from 2022 onwards), offering even quicker acceleration than Ludicrous.
How to activate Ludicrous+ mode?
From the Acceleration menu, press and hold the "Ludicrous+" setting for three seconds. The car will then begin preconditioning the battery.
How to cancel Ludicrous Mode?
To cancel Ludicrous or Ludicrous+ at any time, simply change the acceleration level to another setting (e.g., "Chill" or "Sport") on the touchscreen.
Learn how to engage or activate Launch Mode in a Tesla Model S P90D with Ludicrous Mode here:
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