Thinking about getting a new Tesla or wondering what hardware your current one has? Understanding whether your Tesla is equipped with Hardware 4 (HW4), also sometimes referred to as AI4, is important because it dictates the capabilities of your vehicle's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) features. HW4 is the latest iteration of Tesla's self-driving computer and sensor suite, offering significant upgrades over its predecessors.
Here's a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help you determine if your Tesla has Hardware 4.
Step 1: Engage with Your Tesla's Software
Ever wondered what secrets your Tesla's touchscreen holds? Let's dive in! This is arguably the simplest and most definitive way to check your hardware version.
Accessing Vehicle Information on Your Center Screen
Your Tesla's infotainment system is a treasure trove of information. Follow these easy steps:
Tap the Car Icon: On your Tesla's main screen, locate and tap the car icon in the bottom left corner. This will open up your vehicle's controls.
Navigate to Software: From the controls menu, scroll down and select the "Software" tab.
Find "Additional Vehicle Information": Within the Software section, you'll see details about your current software version. Look for a link or button labeled "Additional Vehicle Information" or similar, usually located below the VIN. Tap this.
Identify Your Hardware: A new screen will appear, displaying detailed information about your vehicle. Here, you should see a clear indication of your Autopilot computer type, often stated as "HW3" or "HW4" (or "AI4").
If it says "HW4" or "AI4", congratulations! Your Tesla is equipped with the latest hardware.
If it states "HW3" or an older version like HW2/HW2.5, your car has an earlier iteration.
Step 2: Visual Inspection of Your Tesla's Cameras
Can you tell the difference just by looking? Yes, you often can! Tesla's Hardware 4 introduces some subtle but noticeable physical changes to the vehicle's cameras.
Examining the Camera Lenses
Hardware 4 cameras are designed to provide better resolution and performance, particularly in low-light conditions.
Look for a Reddish Tint: One of the most distinctive visual cues for HW4 cameras is a slight reddish or orange reflection on the lenses. This is due to a special coating designed to improve color rendition in various lighting conditions. While HW3 cameras have a black appearance, HW4 cameras will have this characteristic reddish tint. This is most easily spotted on the front-facing cameras.
Observe Camera Size: HW4 cameras are also generally larger overall compared to their HW3 counterparts.
Check Side Repeater Indicators: The side repeater cameras (located on the side fenders) on HW4 vehicles often have a shorter indicator strip compared to those on HW3 vehicles.
If you see reddish-tinted, slightly larger cameras with a shorter indicator strip on the side repeaters, it's a strong indicator of HW4.
Step 3: Considering Your Vehicle's Production Date and Model ️
When was your Tesla born? The manufacturing date and specific model can provide strong clues about its hardware.
Understanding Hardware Rollout Timelines
Tesla gradually introduced Hardware 4 across its different models.
Model S and Model X: If you purchased a Model S or Model X after March 2023, it's highly likely to have HW4.
Model Y: For Model Y vehicles, HW4 began rolling out after late May 2023 for cars made in the United States. If you have a 2025+ Model Y (Juniper), it will definitely have HW4.
Model 3: The 2024+ Model 3 (Highland) comes equipped with HW4. Older Model 3 vehicles (2017-2023) will have HW3.
While not a foolproof method on its own, a newer production date, especially for certain models, significantly increases the probability of having HW4. You can find your car's production date on the label inside the driver's door or in the Tesla app under "Vehicle Details."
Step 4: Investigating the Radar Reintroduction (for some models)
Did Tesla bring radar back? For certain HW4 vehicles, yes!
The Return of Radar
Tesla initially moved to a vision-only system, phasing out radar from new vehicles in 2021. However, with Hardware 4, Tesla reintroduced a new, high-definition radar (often referred to as "Phoenix radar") in some models.
This sophisticated new radar significantly enhances the vehicle's situational awareness, especially in adverse weather conditions like heavy rain, fog, or snow, and for detecting objects at a greater distance.
While not all HW4 vehicles are guaranteed to have this radar (especially early HW4 Model Y units), its presence indicates HW4. However, confirming the radar's presence usually requires more in-depth diagnostics or consulting specific vehicle build information, as it's not externally visible.
Step 5: Understanding the "Why" – Benefits of Hardware 4
Why does HW4 matter? It's all about advanced capabilities and future-proofing.
Key Enhancements with Hardware 4
HW4 isn't just a minor upgrade; it's a foundational shift for Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions.
Improved FSD Computer: The HW4 computer boasts significantly more processing power. Its CPU core count has increased, and the neural network accelerator delivers higher performance (up to 50 TOPS compared to 36 TOPS in HW3). This translates to faster and more robust data processing for self-driving features.
Higher Resolution Cameras: The cameras in HW4 vehicles are upgraded from approximately 1.2 megapixels in HW3 to 5 megapixels. This higher resolution provides a much clearer and more detailed view of the vehicle's surroundings, which is crucial for object recognition and understanding the environment.
Wider Field of View: HW4 cameras generally offer a wider field of view, allowing the vehicle to perceive more of its surroundings, including objects closer to the car.
Enhanced Low-Light Performance: The reddish tint on the HW4 camera lenses is part of a design to improve performance in challenging lighting conditions.
Potential for Future Features: With its increased processing power and improved sensor suite, HW4 is better positioned to handle future advancements in Tesla's FSD software, potentially leading to more advanced and reliable autonomous driving capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tesla Hardware 4
How to check my Tesla's hardware version through the touchscreen?
Go to Controls > Software, then tap on "Additional Vehicle Information" to see your Autopilot computer type (HW3, HW4/AI4).
How to tell Hardware 4 cameras apart from Hardware 3?
Hardware 4 cameras often have a reddish or orange tint on their lenses and are generally slightly larger than HW3 cameras.
How to know if my specific Tesla model has Hardware 4?
Generally, newer production Model S and X (after March 2023), Model Y (after late May 2023 for US-made, and 2025+ Juniper models), and 2024+ Model 3 (Highland) are equipped with HW4.
How to identify Hardware 4 by production date?
Check the label on your driver's side door or the Tesla app's "Vehicle Details" for your car's production date. Generally, cars produced in mid-2023 onwards are more likely to have HW4, with specific model variations.
How to determine if my Tesla has the new radar with Hardware 4?
While HW4 can include a new radar, it's not visually obvious. You may need to consult your vehicle's specifications or diagnostics tools, as Tesla has re-introduced the "Phoenix" radar in some HW4 vehicles.
How to get a Hardware 4 upgrade for my Tesla?
Currently, Tesla does not offer paid hardware upgrades from HW3 to HW4. However, Tesla has historically committed to upgrading the FSD computer for owners who purchased the Full Self-Driving package, if their vehicle requires it for future FSD capabilities.
How to distinguish the internal computer for Hardware 4?
While not externally visible, the HW4 computer has a different form factor and features a more powerful CPU and neural network accelerator compared to HW3.
How to see the visual differences in the user interface with Hardware 4?
HW4 allows for more detailed visualizations on the display, such as traffic lights, cones, and turn arrows painted on the roadway, due to improved processing power and camera data.
How to know if Hardware 4 offers better Full Self-Driving capabilities?
HW4 provides a more capable platform with higher resolution cameras and greater processing power, which is expected to enable more advanced and reliable FSD features as the software continues to develop.
How to confirm if a used Tesla has Hardware 4 before buying?
Always check the "Additional Vehicle Information" section on the center screen as described in Step 1. You can also visually inspect the cameras for the reddish tint.
For a visual guide on distinguishing between HW3 and HW4 cameras, check out this video:
