FAQ
Buyer questions
Hardware estimates, FSD branches, and Supercharging codes. Confirm everything on the car before you pay.
Can I upgrade a HW3 Tesla to HW4?+
Tesla has not announced a HW3 → HW4 retrofit. Do not price a used HW3 car as if an upgrade is coming. Ask Tesla about that specific VIN if a seller claims otherwise.
Will HW3 get FSD updates?+
Yes, but not the same stack. HW3 Model 3 and Model Y now get the v14 Lite branch (wide release July 2026). It is a distilled v14 — parking, unparking, and some city behavior — not the full HW4 v14 planner. Tesla has not promised HW3 every future feature.
Does HW4 change range?+
No meaningful amount. Battery, wheels, tires, weather, and how you drive matter more than the Autopilot computer.
How do I confirm hardware on the car?+
Controls → Software → Additional Vehicle Information. Look for Autopilot computer 3 or 4 (Tesla may say Full Self-Driving Computer or AI4). That line beats this site.
Is the VIN estimate 100% accurate?+
No. Tesla changed hardware mid-year by factory. Serial ranges overlap. Always confirm cameras and the software screen before you wire money.
What if I don’t have a VIN?+
Walk the front camera cluster. HW4 often has a red/magenta lens tint. Then open the software screen. The window sticker will not say HW3 or HW4.
Which cars can have SC01 free Supercharging?+
Almost only Model S and Model X ordered before 15 January 2017. Model 3, Y, and Cybertruck never got transferable SC01. Tesla CPO or buyback can strip it even when the year looks right.
Does purchased FSD stay with the car?+
Paid-in-full FSD usually stays on that VIN in a private sale. A subscription does not. Tesla often removes FSD from CPO / buyback cars. Tesla ended new paid-in-full FSD sales in 2026 — new cars are subscription.
Do Shanghai and Berlin VINs work?+
Yes. Prefixes LRW (Shanghai) and XP7 (Berlin) decode. Cutover dates there are less public than Fremont and Austin, so confidence is lower. Confirm on the car.