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

A Texas man faced arrest after police alleged he purposefully drove his Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake to test the vehicle’s ‘Wade Mode.’ This feature is said to temporarily raise the truck’s ride height and pressurize the battery system for navigating shallow water and rough terrain. Unfortunately, the truck soon became disabled and began taking on water. Officers responded to the scene at Katie’s Woods Park Boat Ramp after receiving reports of a partially submerged Cybertruck near the shoreline, as reported by the Grapevine Police Department.

The driver informed the officers that he intentionally entered the lake to use the feature. However, the situation rapidly deteriorated when the truck stopped functioning. Luckily, the driver and passengers managed to exit safely before the Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team assisted in recovering the vehicle. No injuries were reported.

Photos shared by police showed the stainless steel pickup partially submerged at the boat ramp while emergency crews worked to retrieve it. The driver’s identity remains undisclosed, yet he was arrested on charges including operating a vehicle in a closed park or lake area and multiple water safety equipment violations.

The Grapevine Police Department shared a reminder on Facebook, encouraging drivers to consider legal and safety issues, even if a vehicle can physically enter shallow freshwater areas, under Texas law. Grapevine Lake is a popular recreation spot in the Dallas-Fort Worth region known for boating and fishing. Tesla describes ‘Wade Mode’ as intended for shallow water crossings.

The incident coincides with the rising trend of Cybertruck owners sharing videos online testing the electric pickup’s resilience and off-road abilities in various terrains. Tesla emphasizes the rugged off-road features of the Cybertruck since its launch in late 2023 but advises against attempting water conditions beyond the vehicle’s capabilities.