If you’ve ever found yourself gripping the wheel a little tighter during those awkward lane shifts with Tesla’s old Full-Self Driving (FSD) version, you’re not alone. Bradford’s latest Cybertruck test with FSD 12.5.5 will have you exhaling a sigh of relief—finally, some real progress. Let’s just say, if you’ve been holding out for the magic moment when Tesla’s FSD feels truly smooth, this might be it.
First Impressions: Smoother Than Butter
You know how some things just work, like opening a jar on the first try? That’s the best way to describe the highway experience with FSD 12.5.5. Bradford immediately noticed how it absolutely nailed one of the biggest pain points from previous versions—awkwardness near semi-trucks. In the past, if a semi got a little too cozy with the lane line, FSD would freak out and hit the brakes, making you wonder if it secretly had a fear of big rigs. Not anymore. This version glides right by, as cool as a cucumber, without slowing down or getting nervous. And Bradford drove past three of them on his first drive, just to make sure.
Highway Stack: Frustrations? What Frustrations?
Let’s face it, highway driving was always FSD’s Achilles' heel. During the Rebellionaire Road Rally Bradford had some weirdness on city streets, but most of the issues he encountered were on the highway, on the old stack. With 12.5.5, though, it’s like the system finally graduated from driving school. Bradford’s verdict? The new highway stack is a total game changer—90% of those little annoyances from version 11 are history. The new end-to-end model is, again, so smooth.
Bradford even mentioned that he’s so comfortable with this new FSD on the highway, he found himself crossing his legs in the driver’s seat. “I’m literally so comfortable,” he laughed, “that I’ve got my legs crossed and just watching FSD do its thing.” That’s the kind of ease we’re talking about—a total shift from gripping the wheel to trusting the system to take the wheel (well, almost).
And let’s talk about exits. With FSD 12.5.5, the days of the car jerking over into the exit lane like it’s desperate to escape are gone. Bradford noticed it no longer feels like you’re being yanked off the highway, or worse, heading toward a ditch. Instead, the system gracefully guides the car into the exit lane, making it feel like a natural extension of your drive. It's smoother—so much smoother—and Bradford was genuinely shocked that the Cybertruck got this upgrade first.
Getting on the interstate? Just as smooth. No more clunky merges or awkward accelerations. Bradford loved how effortlessly the Cybertruck handled these transitions, gliding onto the interstate without missing a beat.
FSD and Your Phone: You’re Being Watched
Now, for those of you multitaskers out there (you know who you are), here’s something to note. FSD 12.5.5 is paying attention to what you’re doing, and it’s not shy about telling you off if you’re holding your phone. It seems to have developed a bit of an attitude in that regard. But interestingly enough, Bradford found that if your phone is mounted, or if you’re sneaking glances at the far-right side of the screen, FSD doesn’t care. So, if you’ve got that phone mount ready, you’re in the clear. For now.
Lane Selection: The Good, The Chill, and The Speeders
Let’s get into lane selection. With 12.5.5, the system’s default mode is to go with the flow of the traffic of whatever lane you're in. This sounds fantastic until you’re that person who likes to weave through traffic like a NASCAR driver trying to shave a few minutes off their commute. Bradford pointed out that while most drivers won’t mind the laid-back vibe of this system, the speed demons out there might find it a bit frustrating. If you’re okay with just cruising, no problem. But if you’ve got a need for speed, you might find yourself manually intervening, giving the 'ol truck a nudge into another lane via the turn signal.
Auto-Speed: It’s Like Cruise Control, But Smarter
FSD now jumps up the speed when the lane is clear, which wasn’t a thing before. Bradford loved how it effortlessly handled construction zones, where speed limits can be as unpredictable as the weather. No more guessing if you should slow down or speed up—the new FSD follows the flow of traffic. Empty construction zone with no workers? We know you stay at speed, and now FSD does too. One cool trick: Bradford noticed that when moving into the left lane to pass an NHTSA SUV, the system automatically increased the speed. It’s like FSD just knows when to flex. But don’t worry, it won’t go more than a safe amount over the limit—because, you know, laws and all.
City Streets and Subdivisions: So Close, But Still Some Quirks
FSD’s city driving is solid, but it’s not perfect. Bradford observed a little shortcutting during left turns at stop signs when no other cars were around, like FSD is trying to impress you with its efficiency. While it’s harmless, it’s one of those quirks that make you go, “Okay, nice try, but maybe chill a bit.” Roundabouts, though, are still a work in progress. FSD takes a two-step approach—starting the turn, pausing like it’s second-guessing itself, then jerking through to finish. Not ideal, but hey, roundabouts confuse a lot of humans too, so we’ll cut FSD some slack here.
Where it really shines is on the pedestrian walkways. Have you ever seen those? The raised, super-sized, speed bumps forcing any vehicle to slam on the brakes and slow down? They're all over Carmel. And guess what the Cybertruck does? IT RAISES THE SUSPENSION SO YOUR RIDE STAYS SMOOTH! Sorry, didn't mean to shout, couldn't quite contain the excitement. Having been a passenger on the last FSD test we did in Carmel I can attest that flying over those speed bumps hurts. It hurts a lot. So this raised suspension trick is the bees knees.
Roundabout Woes: A Soft Curb Incident
Speaking of roundabouts, Bradford had one disengagement where FSD hopped over a soft curb. No major damage done, but it counted as a disengagement, and you know Tesla loves to track those stats. It wasn’t safety-critical, but it’s something to watch for if you live in a roundabout-heavy area. And although Bradford hasn’t dealt with stop-and-go traffic yet, apparently Chuck Cook’s found the braking can get a bit rough in that scenario. So, it’s not flawless, but we’re getting there.
The Cybertruck: Your New Road Trip MVP?
Here’s the kicker—Bradford is thinking about swapping his Model X Plaid for the Cybertruck on family road trips. Bold, right? But once you hear why, it kind of makes sense. The suspension is so good that it turns pothole-ridden highways into a comfortable cruise. Add in rear-wheel steering during autopilot mode (according to DirtyTesla), and the Cybertruck practically floats over the road. Oh, and did I mention he’s installed a Starlink mini? Now, no matter where he takes the family, they’re always connected. Goodbye, road trip Wi-Fi dead zones.
Final Thoughts: Cybertruck's FSD 12.5.5 is The Future
So, what’s the verdict? Bradford’s convinced that FSD 12.5.5 is the breakthrough we’ve all been waiting for. It’s not perfect—yet—but for highway driving, it’s a total game changer. The smoother transitions, auto-speed feature, and general “it just works” feeling make this version stand out. If you’ve been hesitant about trusting FSD with your next road trip, it might be time to take the plunge.
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