Texas Man Arrested After Driving Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake to Use 'Wade Mode'

A man in north Texas has been arrested following an incident where he drove his Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake. Police reports indicate the driver intentionally entered the water to utilise the vehicle's 'wade mode', a feature advertised by Tesla for navigating shallow bodies of water up to 81.5 cm (32 inches) deep.

Officers from the Grapevine Police Department were dispatched to the lake on Monday after the vehicle, partially submerged, was abandoned by its occupants. The Cybertruck became disabled and took on water, necessitating assistance from the Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team for its recovery from near the shoreline.

The driver now faces charges, including operating a vehicle in a closed section of the lake and multiple water safety equipment violations. Police emphasised that while a vehicle may technically be able to enter shallow freshwater, such actions can lead to both legal and safety issues under Texas law.

Tesla's owner's manual for the Cybertruck stipulates that drivers are responsible for assessing water depth, and importantly, 'damage or water ingress to Cybertruck as a result of driving in water is not covered by the warranty'. The manual also cautions against driving in deep or fast-flowing water.