Tesla has reaffirmed its commitment to the current FSD (Supervised) operating model, confirming that the manual maximum speed limiter will not return to the platform. According to Teslarati, Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s lead for AI development, labeled the user-controlled speed limit setting as an "anti-pattern." This stance underscores the company's shift toward an automated behavior profile system.
Since the release of FSD v14 last year, Tesla replaced the granular max speed control with a set of five distinct Speed Profiles. These profiles dictate how the vehicle navigates traffic, performs lane changes, and manages acceleration. The available options range from "Sloth," designed for the most conservative driving behavior, to "Mad Max," intended for more spirited and aggressive performance.
| Profile Type | Characteristic | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Sloth | Most Conservative | Minimized aggression/passing |
| Mad Max | Most Aggressive | Spirited maneuvers/lane changes |
The removal of the ability to set a specific speed limit has sparked debate among Tesla owners. Previously, users could define the maximum velocity the vehicle would reach while using the semi-autonomous software, allowing for personal preference adjustments. Now, the driving profiles dictate speed automatically, leading to instances where users report inconsistent results. Complaints submitted to the manufacturer include cases where vehicles in "Mad Max" mode reportedly travel at speeds below the posted limit, such as 32 mph in a 35 mph zone, despite a clear road ahead.
Because the software is classified as FSD (Supervised), Tesla maintains that the operator remains fully liable for all traffic infractions and citations. The company’s position is that the burden of safety and speed compliance rests with the driver, who must manually override the system if the vehicle's speed choices do not align with road conditions.
Why It Matters
The move highlights a fundamental friction between algorithmic decision-making and human autonomy in semi-autonomous vehicle systems. By moving toward opaque, profile-based speed control, Tesla is limiting user customization to prioritize standardized machine-learning behavior patterns. This design philosophy places the manufacturer in a position of control over vehicle "personality," effectively reducing the driver's role to a supervisor of a rigid system. As automotive regulations evolve, this shift signals a transition where human intervention is becoming a secondary safety mechanism rather than a primary tool for operational preference.
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