diff --git a/common/params.cc b/common/params.cc
index b05b46b..1f4908a 100755
--- a/common/params.cc
+++ b/common/params.cc
@@ -201,6 +201,7 @@ std::unordered_map<std::string, uint32_t> keys = {
     {"TelemetryEnabled", PERSISTENT},
     {"Timezone", PERSISTENT},
     {"TrainingVersion", PERSISTENT},
+    {"LatRequested", PERSISTENT},
     {"ModelFps", PERSISTENT},
     {"ModelStandby", PERSISTENT},
     {"ModelStandbyTs", PERSISTENT},
diff --git a/selfdrive/clearpilot/dashcamd b/selfdrive/clearpilot/dashcamd
index 828d6f5..8b1d7ef 100755
Binary files a/selfdrive/clearpilot/dashcamd and b/selfdrive/clearpilot/dashcamd differ
diff --git a/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py b/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py
index 22bb698..09fe5d3 100755
--- a/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py
+++ b/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py
@@ -172,6 +172,8 @@ class Controls:
     self.not_running_prev = None
     self.last_lat_engage_ts = 0  # CLEARPILOT: timestamp of most recent lat engage transition
     self.prev_lat_active = False
+    self.lat_requested_ts = 0  # CLEARPILOT: timestamp when lat was first requested (for ramp-up delay)
+    self.prev_lat_requested = False
     self.steer_limited = False
     self.desired_curvature = 0.0
     self.experimental_mode = False
@@ -695,8 +697,17 @@ class Controls:
 
     # Check which actuators can be enabled
     standstill = CS.vEgo <= max(self.CP.minSteerSpeed, MIN_LATERAL_CONTROL_SPEED) or CS.standstill
-    CC.latActive = (self.active or self.FPCC.alwaysOnLateral) and self.speed_check and not CS.steerFaultTemporary and not CS.steerFaultPermanent and \
-                   (not standstill or self.joystick_mode)
+    lat_requested = (self.active or self.FPCC.alwaysOnLateral) and self.speed_check and not CS.steerFaultTemporary and not CS.steerFaultPermanent and \
+                    (not standstill or self.joystick_mode)
+
+    # CLEARPILOT: tell modeld early so it can ramp to 20fps, then delay latActive by
+    # 250ms (5 frames at 20fps) so downstream services stabilize before steering engages.
+    self.params_memory.put_bool("LatRequested", lat_requested)
+    now_ts = time.monotonic()
+    if lat_requested and not self.prev_lat_requested:
+      self.lat_requested_ts = now_ts
+    self.prev_lat_requested = lat_requested
+    CC.latActive = lat_requested and (now_ts - self.lat_requested_ts) >= 0.25
     CC.longActive = self.enabled and not self.events.contains(ET.OVERRIDE_LONGITUDINAL) and self.CP.openpilotLongitudinalControl
 
     actuators = CC.actuators
diff --git a/selfdrive/manager/manager.py b/selfdrive/manager/manager.py
index dd6b810..953acea 100755
--- a/selfdrive/manager/manager.py
+++ b/selfdrive/manager/manager.py
@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@ def manager_init(frogpilot_functions) -> None:
   params_memory.put("VpnEnabled", "1")
   params_memory.put("DashcamFrames", "0")
   params_memory.put("DashcamState", "stopped")
+  params_memory.put("LatRequested", "0")
   params_memory.put("ModelFps", "20")
   params_memory.put("ModelStandby", "0")
   params_memory.put("ShutdownTouchReset", "0")
diff --git a/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py b/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py
index 10fc514..fd9c790 100755
--- a/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py
+++ b/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py
@@ -242,10 +242,12 @@ def main(demo=False):
     sm.update(0)
 
     # CLEARPILOT: power saving — three modes based on driving state
-    #   Full 20fps: lat active or lane changing
-    #   Reduced 4fps: not lat active, not standstill (driving without cruise)
+    #   Full 20fps: lat requested or lane changing
+    #   Reduced 4fps: not lat requested, not standstill (driving without cruise)
     #   Standby 0fps: standstill
-    lat_active = sm['carControl'].latActive
+    # Uses LatRequested (not carControl.latActive) so modeld ramps to 20fps BEFORE
+    # controlsd actually engages steering — gives downstream services time to stabilize.
+    lat_active = params_memory.get_bool("LatRequested")
     lane_changing = params_memory.get_bool("no_lat_lane_change")
     standstill = sm['carState'].standstill
     calibrating = sm['liveCalibration'].calStatus != log.LiveCalibrationData.Status.calibrated
diff --git a/selfdrive/ui/qt/spinner b/selfdrive/ui/qt/spinner
index 0f2b116..53b0b3e 100755
Binary files a/selfdrive/ui/qt/spinner and b/selfdrive/ui/qt/spinner differ