---
title: "Tesla Adds “Chill” Acceleration Mode to Calm Your Nervous or Carsick Passengers"
description: "But isn't snapping their necks half the fun?"
date: "2017-11-09"
modified: "2017-11-10"
authors:
  - name: "Kyle Cheromcha"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kyle-cheromcha"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/15936/tesla-adds-chill-acceleration-mode-to-calm-your-nervous-or-carsick-passengers"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Electric Vehicles"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Tesla News"
tags:
  - "100D"
  - "acceleration"
  - "chill mode"
  - "Electric Cars"
  - "Electric Vehicle"
  - "ludicrous mode"
  - "model s"
  - "model x"
  - "P100D"
  - "Tesla"
  - "torque"
---

# Tesla Adds “Chill” Acceleration Mode to Calm Your Nervous or Carsick Passengers

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/11/chill-3.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

For all the hubbub surrounding Tesla's [future product plans](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/15838/the-truth-behind-doug-demuros-tesla-model-3-review>) and [economic viability,](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/14458/teslas-stock-will-plunge-27-within-the-next-year-analyst-says>) no one denies that their cars are [seriously quick off the line.](<https://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/10254/tempers-flare-after-tesla-model-s-p100d-dominates-eighth-mile-drag-race-showdown>) With its famed Ludicrous Mode activated (not to mention Ludicrous+), the Tesla Model S P100D gets from 0 to 60 mph in an eye-watering 2.4 seconds. Fun for the driver—not always fun for the passengers. With that in mind, Tesla's rolled out a new feature in its latest software update to please the nervous and carsick everywhere. Welcome to "Chill Mode."

[As *Electrek* reports,](<https://electrek.co/2017/11/05/tesla-new-software-update-chill-feature-to-soften-crazy-acceleration/>) the 2017.44 update release notes describe Chill Mode as "\[making\] acceleration more gradual—ideal for smoother driving and a gentler ride for your passengers." If you can't stop [marveling at all that instant torque](<https://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/12641/teslas-are-quick-but-stripped-out-teslas-are-ludicrous>) and your family is getting sick of it, this new update could be just the ticket to remove the temptation and proactively prevent the little ones from vomiting in the back seat.

The information from Tesla is a little light on details, and independent tests have shown they often underrate their cars anyway, so the [*DragTimes* YouTube channel](<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWeLPNowZvdzXwnCDxVyNEg>) grabbed a Tesla Model S 100D to check out the update for themselves (skip ahead to 7:35 for the actual tests). The company's official numbers say it should accelerate from 0-60 in 4.1 seconds, but *DragTimes* discovered the real-world time is 3.7 seconds, about 11 percent quicker.

https://youtube.com/embed/KV3pIZRAwhQ

However, with the new Chill mode activated, the Model S 100D gets to 60 mph in a glacial 7.2 seconds. For reference, that's slower than the [2017 Chevrolet Suburban.](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/15836/2018-chevrolet-suburban-lt-review-the-original-canyonero-is-a-little-long-in-the-tooth>) The difference off the line is especially noticeable, with the torque severely dampened. *DragTimes* seems disinclined to chill, calling it "ridiculously slow" and asking "What is even the point?"

We understand the utility of a feature like this, but at the same time, *7.2 seconds*? We have a feeling Musk and Co. will tweak this latest acceleration mode and make it a hair quicker, but getting it to, say, 5 seconds would kind of defeat the point. It may be a far cry from the [neck-snapping performance](<https://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/12717/watch-a-liter-bike-get-spanked-by-two-teslas>) that Tesla has become known for, but your passengers will thank you.

## Author
Overseeing an expert staff of writers and editors from his lair in Los Angeles, Kyle shapes The Drive’s singular approach to covering the automotive industry and car culture. He’s been with the site as a writer since 2017, taking over as editor in 2019. On a daily basis, Kyle is responsible for directing The Drive's editorial news and car review content strategies, setting special coverage priorities, managing complex reporting projects, and ensuring what you read on the page meets our high internal standards for quality and trustworthiness. He is also the executive producer of The Drive's YouTube channel, which was relaunched in February 2024 to great acclaim and has accumulated over 14M new views in its first year back on the scene. He hosts a biweekly series on the channel where he breaks down fascinating and complicated stories from the automotive world.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/kylecheromcha.bsky.social>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/kylecheromcha>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-cheromcha-1550248a/>)