See The Tesla Cybertruck’s AWD System Try Its Best On Rollers

Here’s how the Cybertruck’s traction control system works when just one wheel has traction.

Tesla Cybertruck on rollers

Photo by: 4x4 / AWD slip tests on rollers

Iulian Dnistran

By: Iulian Dnistran

Jan 31, 2025 at 4:16am ET

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A dual-motor Tesla Cybertruck was put on rollers.
The test is meant to simulate driving scenarios where some wheels don't have traction.

When deliveries of the Tesla Cybertruck began at the end of 2023, it wasn’t exactly ready for prime time. The so-called Full Self-Driving advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) didn’t work, and neither did the mechanical differential lockers.

As a result, the controversial electric pickup struggled off-road, relying on just the traction control system to get it out of sticky terrain. However, the truck’s off-road abilities improved dramatically after Tesla pushed a software update that included something called Off-Road Mode last summer.

One of the headlining features was the ability to finally lock the mechanical differentials that were fitted from the factory but couldn’t be activated until the update. The dual-motor Cybertruck has two diff locks—one at the front and one at the rear—while the tri-motor Cyberbeast has just one mechanical locker on the front axle and a virtual lock at the back.

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Several owner videos have already shown the big improvements in traction after Off-Road Mode was beamed to all the Cybertrucks, but the ultimate test is to put the car on rollers and see how the electronics try to figure everything out. That’s exactly what the video below shows.

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With two wheels touching the asphalt and the EV in the Comfort setting, it had no issues moving forward. The harder test, however, is with three wheels on rollers and just one wheel with traction. Even then, the angular pickup had little trouble driving off the rollers. In Comfort mode—with none of the diff locks engaged—it took a few seconds before the car figured out where power needed to be sent. In Off-Road Mode with both lockers engaged, the truck drove away without hesitation.

That’s the magic of locking differentials. When engaged, both wheels on an axle move at the same speed. Even if one wheel is in the air, the other will pull the car forward. Lockers have been around for decades, helping off-road-focused vehicles get unstuck from all sorts of sticky scenarios. It’s good to see that manufacturers haven’t turned their back on this trusted solution as they transition to EVs. The Tesla Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning and GMC Hummer EV have mechanical differential locks, so if you’re into electric off-roading, you have a few cars to choose from.

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