Tesla Dyno Mode Transforms Any TSLA Vehicle into a Serious Drift Machine

Tesla has a "Dyno Mode" that can transform any of the EV maker's vehicles into a drift machine. Reports from the Tesla community indicate that the electric car maker has equipped its vehicles with a dedicated “Dyno Mode,” a setup that disables traction control in a Tesla vehicle. 

The setting allows drivers to tap into the full power of their Teslas without any restrictions, turning the vehicles into capable drift machines — crazy, potentially dangerous drift machines.

Dyno Mode Demonstration by a Chinese Model 3 owner pic.twitter.com/vvfrea8ELn

— Vincent (@vincent13031925) February 2, 2020

Tesla’s EPA filing for Dyno Test discusses the feature at length. 

Tesla, Inc. is currently completing the implementation of user interface (UI) features that enable access to our “Dyno Mode” for all users. This feature is required to be enabled to maintain representative driving controls while testing on a chassis dynamometer. Access to Dyno Mode will be introduced at the start of production on October 7th, 2019, and will be deployed to the entire Tesla fleet in version 2019.40 over the month of October 2019.

In order to preserve the proper driving functionality and behavior, Dyno Mode executes the following features:

 ‐ Disable Stability Control to ensure no false interaction with the dyno.

 ‐ Disable Traction Control to ensure no false interaction with the dyno.

 ‐ Disable Active Drive Line Damping to avoid inducing oscillations in the dyno.

 ‐ Force the torque split to be as it would be under normal straight‐line driving conditions

 ‐ Disable Brake Disk Wipe

When the Stability Control and Traction Control systems become faulted, as is the case on a dynamometer where driving is detected but movement is not, regenerative braking is disabled so that unintended braking torque does not lead to loss of traction or control on low friction surfaces. Disabling Stability Control and Traction Control prevents those systems from disrupting regenerative braking behavior, maintaining the most representative driving energy consumption.

Dyno Mode can be activated by the user, according to the following steps:

 1. Vehicle must be in Park.

 2. While holding down left (turn signal) stalk, press and hold the Tesla “T” logo at the top of the screen.

 3. Enter the Dyno Mode activation password, “dynotest.”

Dyno Mode can be deactivated by the user by pressing the “Power Off” button within the Safety & Security tab of the UI.

We are targeting completion of this Dyno Mode feature for installation in all new production vehicles by October 7th, 2019. Over the month of October, we will be rolling out this feature to our US fleet, enabling all Tesla vehicles to enter Dyno Mode.

A video from China has emerged featuring a Tesla Model 3 with Dyno Mode activated as surfaced, and it showed the all-electric sedan drifting through a closed circuit. Based on the short clip, it appears that Dyno Mode gives drivers even more untamed power than the company’s actual Track Mode, which was developed specifically for the track. 

Credit: Tesla/EPA

When Top Gear host Chris Harris tested the Tesla Model 3 Performance and its capability on the track, he noted that the vehicle, while crazy quick off the line, still doesn’t have as much of a fun factor as the best-handling internal combustion cars. Part of the reason for this is that Teslas are heavy vehicles due to their batteries, and they are loaded with a traction control system that is very difficult to override. 

Tesla has Track Mode for the Model 3 Performance, and it gives the all-electric sedan the unique capability to drift around a closed circuit. This mode, which was developed with the close help of veteran racecar driver Randy Pobst, allowed the Model 3 to win track battles against cars like the BMW M3 and even the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, both of which are noted for their handling. 

A Word of Caution: 

With Dyno Mode, a Tesla can be driven in its rawest form. Dyno Mode has the potential to be a lot of fun, but it’s important to note that this is also very dangerous. With their power and instant torque, Teslas with no traction control are frighteningly quick drift machines that are downright dangerous in the hands of an inexperienced driver. Please do not try this if you are not a professionally trained technical driver. Please do not engage this feature on public roads as well.

Featured Image Credit: Weibo