The Full Self-Driving (FSD) package offered by Tesla is in continuous development, and the new addition, the new Mad Max mode in FSD (Supervised) V14.1.2, is already buzzing throughout the Tesla community. Although the mode has an aggressive-sounding name, the mode is not about reckless driving. Rather, it tries to find that optimum balance between aggression and security and allows highway commuting to seem more comfortable and normal in heavy, high traffic.
Mad Max mode, according to the official release notes of Tesla, will have increased speeds and more lane changing than Hurry does. Although this statement might not appear aggressive, according to the users’ reports and actual test video posts placed online, it could be one of the biggest steps forward that FSD has ever taken.
A Late-Night Sneak Preview with Tremendous Impressions
Tesla drivers did not have to wait long before they could test Mad Max mode on the road, soon after the update was released. Due to the late release time of the software, initial testing was done at night – but despite low visibility, initial feedback was immense.
FSD v14.1.2 Mad Max mode is amazing and I love it.
Perfect for LA traffic 🤣 pic.twitter.com/FtHTF1SC1b
— Zack (@BLKMDL3) October 16, 2025
FSD tester and longtime Tesla owner, @BLKMDL3, posted that the new mode was amazing and felt perfect in LA traffic, and that it combined assertiveness and caution. The new behavior had made the vehicle feel active and calm in situations that required a split-second lane change, which are common in congested situations.
Following several drives, @BLKMDL3 reported that FSD (Supervised) V14.1.2 is a more refined, responsive, and aware version than any previous release. The system now seems to be able to deal with delicate road scenarios – like entering into narrow lanes or keeping up with fast-moving traffic – much more confidently and without hesitation.
Assertive Yet Safe
Other influencers of Tesla presented the same view. According to Sawyer Merritt, the owner of the Model Y, Mad Max mode was quick, confident, and less bumpy than expected. It is also stated that with the help of an accelerator, the car becomes more decisive to keep the pace of the traffic, but does not lose safety distance, and performs transitions between lanes more smoothly.
Here is my first drive on Tesla FSD V14.1.2 with the new Mad Max speed profile.
Mad Max mode drives very quickly and confidently. It accelerates MUCH quicker off the line (love that) and maxes out at 85mph on the highway. If you like to drive fast, you're going to love this new… pic.twitter.com/LknoPNg0m3
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) October 16, 2025
In the meantime, a long-time FSD tester noted the mode appears to be specifically geared towards heavy, aggressive traffic where one needs to make assertive moves to keep up. The update by him enables the car to integrate and navigate with human-like instincts, a feature lacking in the previous versions that were usually on the side of extreme caution.
Built for Real-World Chaos
Recently, Tesla AI head Ashok Elluswamy told the story of how Mad Max mode was created to address the problem of congestion in the daytime the most irritating part of everyday life. Conventional FSD behavior may seem too shy when there is stop-and-go traffic and may bring delays or disorientation to other vehicles.
Mad Max mode attempts to solve this problem with a more assertive form of decision-making. It switches lanes more easily, drives at optimal speed to merge effectively, and predicts traffic flow more effectively, with the explanation of Tesla, the neural network-based vision stack. This translates to a lighter and stress-free ride in a congested city such as Los Angeles, New York, or Mumbai.
A Step Toward True Autonomy
Although Tesla continues to refer to the system as “Supervised, where the driver is required to be attentive and capable of intervening, most of the owners think the FSD V14.1.2 is a great step toward full autopilot vehicles. The fact that the system could strike the right balance between speed, accuracy, and safety suggests the level of advancement of Tesla’s software that uses AI.
With the user reviews coming at an unrelenting stream, it is apparent that the general opinion on Mad Max mode is that it provides what many FSD testers have been craving since the beginning: it is a system that acts less like a safe robot and more like a seasoned driver.
