Tesla open source Model S and Model X: what could actually be released

© A. Krivonosov

Tesla plans to open source the design and software of the Model S and Model X after ending their production. Elon Musk compared the future release to the disclosure of materials for the original Roadster, but for now it remains just a promise: the company has not named a timeline, a list of documents, or terms of use. For owners, the real benefit will depend on what files actually get released.

Component drawings, wiring diagrams, diagnostic procedures and descriptions of electronic control units could make life easier for independent shops and support parts production for aging cars — similar to one Model S repair story where a dealer quoted €15,000 while a DIY fix cost about €100. But Tesla has not separately promised firmware source code or CAD models of the body and battery. The Roadster precedent shows why the word “open” should be taken with caution.

Tesla’s official service portal already hosts manuals, catalogs, wiring diagrams and development-era documents. Tesla itself warns that some of these materials were created for research purposes and may not match production vehicles.

According to Electrek, the previous release did not include full CAD files, source code for core systems, or a standalone open license. On top of that, service manuals, parts catalogs and diagnostic information for Tesla are already available to independent repair shops through the existing portal. That means the new move will only matter if the company discloses more than a standard repair-documentation package. Model S and Model X have already ended production: Tesla has confirmed dismantling their lines at Fremont, where equipment for Optimus robots is now being installed. Tesla’s website also states that new units are no longer being built and only limited leftover inventory may remain.

Opening up technical materials could extend the life of both flagships, but it’s still unclear whether independent specialists will get access to what matters most — software code, detailed battery data and tools for reprogramming control units. Without that, Musk’s statement remains a direction of travel, not a finished repair revolution.

SPEEDME.RU previously reported that Tesla started testing FSD V15 on robotaxis.