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There have been many headlines about Tesla’s new “Mad Max” mode, however lots of these writing in regards to the “harmful” and “controversial” mode have in all probability by no means used it.

As a author, I write about subjects I should not have firsthand expertise with, however the job requires me to take a good stance and report what is thought. The issue is the character of driving and driving modes, particularly, is subjective.

Some folks would possibly see “Mad Max” as an extension of their each day driving.

For me, I didn’t see it that means. I noticed it as a great tool for sure conditions, nevertheless it was actually not one thing I may examine to my private driving model.

However that doesn’t imply that it’s incorrect.

NHTSA Probes Tesla Over “Mad Max”

Final weekthe NHTSA launched a little bit of a probe into Mad Max mode, requesting extra data on the Velocity Profile and reiterating that the motive force of the automotive remains to be required to be in final management.

Tesla ‘Mad Max’ will get its first little bit of regulatory consideration

It’s necessary to maintain the latter portion of that sentence in thoughts for the true thesis of this piece.

Now, it’s no shock to me that Mad Max garnered consideration from regulatory businesses, as it’s positively a extra spirited driving profile than the others.

Is Mad Max That Huge of a Deal?

Regulatory businesses are answerable for conserving folks secure, and you will need to word that their management is considerably mandatory. Nevertheless, this kind of drive mode is non-compulsory, requires the motive force’s consideration, and must be used responsibly for secure journey.

Taking part in Satan’s Advocate, how is Mad Max any completely different than the efficiency modes that some sports activities vehicles have? As a result of they require the motive force to function totally, and they don’t seem to be semi-autonomous like Tesla can supply with Mad Max in Full Self-Driving (Supervised), are they safer?

The argument right here actually comes down as to if FSD is getting used responsibly and accurately; any accelerated drive mode turns into extra of a danger if the automobile operator shouldn’t be paying consideration. This is applicable to any automotive firm or drive mode they select to make use of on their vehicles.

My Private Expertise with Mad Max

I’ve used Mad Max in all probability ten occasions because it rolled out to Early Entry Program (EAP) members a number of weeks in the past.

I’ll admit: it did numerous issues I’d by no means do driving a automotive manually. It handed folks on the best. It was the quickest automobile on the interstate, no less than till I crossed into Maryland. Then, it gave the impression to be simply one other automotive on the highway.

? Tesla “Mad Max” testing on FSD v14.1.2

It drives like a human being! Constant lane modifications, retains up with faster visitors, very refined

Properly performed Tesla Workforce pic.twitter.com/wzTucDhczA

— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) October 19, 2025

It drove rapidly, and never so quick that I felt involved for my security, which I by no means feared for, however quick sufficient that, at sure factors, I used to be involved {that a} cop would pull me over. I by no means encountered that state of affairs, however I wouldn’t be stunned if it resulted in some tickets.

With that being mentioned, I don’t significantly suppose I’d use Mad Max in additional than a handful of purposes: driving the Baltimore Beltway can be one occasion, navigating visitors in Baltimore, Philadelphia, or Pittsburgh throughout heavy visitors, or cruising on I-95, the place vehicles routinely are going 100 MPH, a lot quicker than Mad Max would ever journey.

Is it too fast for me in residential settings? For me, sure. Is it quicker than each human driving on these roads? Completely not. In my expertise, it’s faster than some, slower than others, similar to every other Velocity Mode Tesla presents, even Sloth, which refuses to go over the posted pace restrict.

I believe it’s incorrect to take a seat right here and act as if Mad Max is a few extremely harmful and life-threatening hazard. If a driver is uncomfortable with the maneuvers or pace, they don’t have to make use of it. Nevertheless, it’s no completely different from what number of different vehicles journey on the highway; it’s removed from an anomaly.

Tesla FSD’s new Mad Max mode is getting rave critiques from customers

With that being mentioned, will probably be fascinating to see if the NHTSA does something about Mad Max, whether or not it’ll require Tesla to “nerf” the Velocity Profile, or take away it altogether. It’s additionally necessary to notice that that is my private expertise with Mad Max, and what I’ve skilled would possibly differ from others’.

I’d love to listen to your ideas on how Mad Max has pushed for you, or your impressions of it.