Tesla Cybertruck Wade Mode Could Allow Driving Through Water

Now that Tesla has started to deliver Cybertrucks to shoppers, more of the truck’s features are being discovered. Tesla was coy about the Cybertruck’s specifications and features, but owners have been quick to get on X to share some unknown features about their truck. X user Nice Cruz Patane took to the social media platform to share the Cybertruck’s “Wade Mode” which could allow the truck to drive through water.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk loves to brag about his vehicle’s features and capabilities on his social media site, so it’s interesting to see that the first time we’re hearing about “Wade Mode” is coming from an owner. Either way, Patane posted a photo of the Cybetruck’s central screen in the off-road vehicle settings menu. Among the different settings that include “Off-Road Mode,” “Handling Balance,” and “Stability Assist” is “Wade Mode.”



The description for “Wade Mode” claims that the mode “raises ride height and pressurizes battery when driving through water.” Beyond this brief description of the mode, we don’t have any other information on what it does, what it allows the Cybertruck to do, or any other official specifications.

Pickup trucks, especially ones that are engineered with off-roading in mind, are capable of getting through a lot of water. The Rivian R1T, for instance, can wade through three feet of water. Rivian doesn’t include any kind of information on whether the pickup truck’s batteries are pressurized when going through water. Since EV batteries are sealed to keep water out, we’re not quite sure what Tesla means when it describes “Wade Mode” as pressuring the truck’s battery.



Last year, Musk claimed that the Cybertruck would be able to float on water and act as a boat that’s capable of getting across “rivers, lakes & even seas that aren’t too choppy.” Musk also stated that the Cybertruck needed to “be able to get from Starbase to South Padre Island, which requires crossing the channel.” Since then, we haven’t received any info on the truck’s water fording ability, not even at Tesla’s official event for the Cybertruck.

“Wade Mode” is certainly a surprising feature and the fact that we don’t know anything about it makes it even more interesting. Beyond “Wade Mode,” this is the first time we’re seeing anything about the truck’s “Handling Balance” feature and we still don’t know what “Overland” and “Baja” mode do. Maybe Musk or other Tesla owners will chime in to provide some more information on “Wade Mode,” but it certainly sounds like Tesla is at least attempting to keep Musk’s promise on the Cybertruck being able to get through a large body of water.