5 Possible Reasons Your Tesla is Not Showing Traffic!

Tesla vehicles have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their advanced technology and eco-friendly features.

For instance, in model 3, with premium connectivity,  you can view maps and check traffic. 

However, you discover that your Tesla isn’t displaying traffic information on the display, which can be incredibly frustrating. 

This issue can disrupt your plans if you rely on real-time traffic information to plan your routes. So what are the possible reasons your Tesla isn’t showing traffic information?

There are a couple of reasons your Tesla is not displaying the traffic: subscription, network, obstructed camera, software glitch issues, etc. It can also be because of weather or the system needing to update the latest traffic data. Whatever the reason, rest assured you can rectify it quickly; you need to identify the cause.

In this article, you will understand about Tesla showing traffic, which model does. You’ll also understand why it doesn’t sometimes, the possible causes, and how to rectify it.

By the end, you will better understand Tesla’s live traffic visualization, what to do when it goes off, and how to restore it.

How To Turn on Live Traffic in Tesla?

Tesla has a great feature of live traffic visualization, which is helpful to drivers who need to avoid traffic or plan their routes accordingly. 

If your Tesla is not showing traffic, you might not have turned on the live traffic feature. 

Here’s how you can do it:

• Firstly, ensure you have Tesla’s Premium Connectivity subscription to access this feature, ensuring you have a stable internet connection.
• Start your Tesla and go to the menu bar from your display by swiping down your screen.
• From the menu bar, search for Controls, then click on it.
• Select Navigation and search for Stop Light Symbol, then click on it.
• You can now see the traffic data in real-time on your Tesla’s navigation screen.

It’s important to note that live traffic visualization is unavailable in all regions and countries.

So if you live in an area where the feature is not supported, you won’t be able to use it.

If you have turned on the live traffic feature but are still waiting to see traffic data, there might be a connectivity issue. 

After getting the live traffic, you should understand the colors in the routes to decode the traffic.

The Green lines show the route is traffic-free, and the Orange line shows the route has little traffic. The Red line shows moderate traffic, and the Pink shows heavy traffic.

You should avoid the Pink route. However, with Tesla’s live traffic visualization, you can get an alternative route to pass and save time. 

Ensure your Tesla is connected to a reliable network to receive live traffic updates.

Why Is My Tesla Not Showing Traffic?

If your Tesla is not showing traffic, there can be several reasons why this is happening.

Here are possible reasons your Tesla isn’t displaying traffic. 

#1. Expired Premium Connectivity Subscription

To have access to view live traffic, you must have premium connectivity.

If your subscription has expired, you might discover that your Tesla isn’t displaying traffic as usual.

It might also be because of your region, as premium connectivity is limited, i.e., it is only available in some regions.

#2. Network Issues

Another reason your Tesla isn’t showing traffic might be the network. You don’t see live traffic if there are network issues and it can’t get a stable internet connection.

It might not be something severe but just a network glitch. 

For instance, if there is a service outage with your network provider, you’ll be disconnected from the internet, and live traffic doesn’t show.

So, in cases like this, always check your network. It could also be possible that you turned off the feature by mistake.

#3. System Glitch

Sometimes it’s not your fault your Tesla isn’t showing traffic, but because of a system glitch. When this happens, it might disrupt your live traffic and not show on your display.

It could be a software issue. Tesla cars rely on the car’s software and the connectivity to the Tesla server for live traffic visualization.

It can also be because of a software update you need to or just made. If you have recently updated your Tesla software or had any connectivity issues, your Tesla might not show traffic. 

#4. Traffic Data Not Updated

Another reason your Tesla isn’t showing traffic is that the data needs to be updated, possibly because the traffic is still new, and Tesla still needs to update it.

You may have to wait while the system does so before you can view the traffic data from your navigation display.

Tesla facilitates live traffic visualization using a combination of sensors, GPS data, and real-time traffic information provided by third-party data providers. 

#5. Availability

Another possible reason for the traffic visualization not appearing is that it may not be available in your region. 

Although Tesla’s live traffic feature is available in many regions globally, there are certain areas where it is unavailable due to data unavailability or other reasons. 

How To Restore Tesla’s Live Traffic Visualization?

If your Tesla is not displaying live traffic data, don’t panic. 

Here are the steps you can take to restore it.

#1. Check your Internet Connection

Connect your Tesla to the internet via Wi-Fi or cellular data. Your Tesla can only display live traffic data with a strong internet connection.

You can also reset your network connection. Please navigate to the settings menu, access the network connection to reset it, and follow the instructions to resolve this issue.

#2. Check Your Map Settings

Open your Tesla’s Navigation and go to the map settings. Ensure that you toggle on the “Live Traffic” option. If it’s turned off, your Tesla will not display live traffic data.

#3. Restart Your Tesla

Sometimes, restarting/ rebooting your Tesla can restore live traffic visualization. 

Hold down the brake pedal and the two steering wheel buttons for 10 seconds until the Tesla logo appears on the screen.

#4. Software Update

Check if your Tesla software version is the latest. Check for software updates on the support page and download the updates there to restore the system glitch.

#5. Contact Tesla Support.

If none of the above steps work, it may be an issue with your Tesla’s hardware. Contact Tesla Support for assistance.

Restoring your Tesla’s live traffic visualization is crucial to ensure that you receive real-time updates on traffic conditions, accidents, and road closures. 

Following these steps, you can quickly restore this important feature on your Tesla’s navigation system.

How Does Tesla Facilitate Live Traffic Visualization?

Tesla vehicles come equipped with a built-in navigation system that allows drivers to get real-time traffic updates while on the road. 

Tesla’s navigation system uses data from various sources, including satellite imaging and crowdsourcing, to create accurate traffic maps. 

Tesla uses eight cameras, radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors that provide data for the autopilot system, and other features like live traffic visualization.

It checks the surroundings for other vehicles, pedestrians, traffic flow, etc. 

The data collated from these sources goes to Tesla’s onboard computer, which analyzes it to create a real-time route map.

That means drivers can view traffic conditions on their route in real-time, allowing them to adjust their route and travel time accordingly. 

The data analyzed based on the results can suggest a new route.

Tesla vehicles also feature a color-coded system to show traffic congestion levels, with red indicating heavy traffic and green indicating light traffic.

The great thing is that since the map is live, it updates automatically, and you get real-time traffic updates.

However, you should note that older Tesla models may not have this live traffic visualization feature. 

Despite this limitation, Tesla’s live traffic visualization is still a valuable feature for drivers. 

With real-time traffic updates, drivers can save time on their commutes, avoid traffic congestion, and make safer driving decisions on the road. 

Overall, Tesla’s commitment to providing innovative technology features to its customers continues to make them a leader in the automotive industry.

Which Tesla Model Does Not Show Traffic?

Despite the advanced technology and cutting-edge features of Tesla cars, not all models provide live traffic visualization.

The table below shows different Tesla models and whether or not they have live traffic navigation.

Tesla Model	Live Traffic Navigation
Model 3	Yes
Model S	Yes
Model X	Yes
Model Y	Yes
Tesla Roadster	No

Although all Tesla models show live traffic updates, the ones that do not show are the older models. 

For instance, Tesla Roadsters produced from 2008 – 2012 don’t have this feature, like the older Telsa model S produced before 2016.

This omission is because these are the older models, and this feature became standard in all their vehicles in 2016. However, all models produced now have this feature available.

While Tesla vehicles without traffic visualization can still provide directions, they may not always account for congestion, resulting in less efficient routing and longer drive times.

Also, updates are available to these older models that will improve their features and functionality.