Texas Driver Arrested for Testing Tesla Cybertruck’s ‘Wade Mode’ in Lake

A Texas driver found himself in trouble with the law after intentionally driving his Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake. The man wanted to test the Cybertruck’s ‘Wade Mode’ feature, which is designed to temporarily raise the truck’s height and fortify its battery system to handle shallow water and tough terrain. However, the test went awry when the truck became inoperable and began taking on water.

Grapevine Police Department received a call on Monday about a partially submerged Cybertruck near the shoreline at Katie’s Woods Park Boat Ramp. Responding officers learned from the driver that he had driven the vehicle into the lake with the intention of assessing its off-road capabilities.

The driver and his passengers managed to escape from the vehicle without harm, thanks to the efforts of the Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team, which assisted in removing the truck from the lake. Photos released by authorities depicted the stainless steel pickup partially submerged while emergency crews worked on its recovery.

The driver, who has not been publicly identified, faced arrest at the scene. He was charged with operating a vehicle in a restricted area of a park or lake, along with several violations concerning water safety equipment.

The Grapevine Police Department shared on social media a reminder to drivers about the legal and safety issues related to driving vehicles into freshwater areas in Texas, even if the vehicle appears to be capable of such actions.

Grapevine Lake, located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is well-known for boating and fishing. Tesla has promoted the Cybertruck’s off-road prowess since its launch in late 2023, emphasizing features like ‘Wade Mode’ for shallow water traversal. However, Tesla advises owners to steer clear of water conditions beyond the vehicle’s design limits.

Recently, some Cybertruck owners have been sharing online videos of the truck’s performance in challenging conditions such as mud, sand, and water crossings. Tesla stresses that while ‘Wade Mode’ is an advanced feature, it is vital to remain within the specified limits to avoid incidents.

For more inquiries, Brittany Miller, a Breaking News Writer for Fox News Digital, can be contacted at [email protected].