diff --git a/selfdrive/hardware/base.py b/selfdrive/hardware/base.py
index 14a1a6f81..edfd02aad 100644
--- a/selfdrive/hardware/base.py
+++ b/selfdrive/hardware/base.py
@@ -105,3 +105,7 @@ class HardwareBase:
   @abstractmethod
   def set_screen_brightness(self, percentage):
     pass
+
+  @abstractmethod
+  def set_power_save(self, enabled):
+    pass
diff --git a/selfdrive/hardware/eon/hardware.py b/selfdrive/hardware/eon/hardware.py
index 2ef2a8f47..95fdd7cd7 100644
--- a/selfdrive/hardware/eon/hardware.py
+++ b/selfdrive/hardware/eon/hardware.py
@@ -352,3 +352,6 @@ class Android(HardwareBase):
   def set_screen_brightness(self, percentage):
     with open("/sys/class/leds/lcd-backlight/brightness", "w") as f:
       f.write(str(int(percentage * 2.55)))
+
+  def set_power_save(self, enabled):
+    pass
diff --git a/selfdrive/hardware/pc/hardware.py b/selfdrive/hardware/pc/hardware.py
index 7ee40bd6b..edbc4e07b 100644
--- a/selfdrive/hardware/pc/hardware.py
+++ b/selfdrive/hardware/pc/hardware.py
@@ -79,3 +79,6 @@ class Pc(HardwareBase):
 
   def set_screen_brightness(self, percentage):
     pass
+
+  def set_power_save(self, enabled):
+    pass
diff --git a/selfdrive/hardware/tici/hardware.py b/selfdrive/hardware/tici/hardware.py
index bdf2170c2..536ab4d15 100644
--- a/selfdrive/hardware/tici/hardware.py
+++ b/selfdrive/hardware/tici/hardware.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import os
 import subprocess
 from pathlib import Path
+from smbus2 import SMBus
 
 from cereal import log
 from selfdrive.hardware.base import HardwareBase, ThermalConfig
@@ -27,6 +28,14 @@ NetworkStrength = log.DeviceState.NetworkStrength
 MM_MODEM_ACCESS_TECHNOLOGY_UMTS = 1 << 5
 MM_MODEM_ACCESS_TECHNOLOGY_LTE = 1 << 14
 
+AMP_I2C_BUS = 0
+AMP_ADDRESS = 0x10
+
+def write_amplifier_reg(reg, val, offset, mask):
+  with SMBus(AMP_I2C_BUS) as bus:
+    v = bus.read_byte_data(AMP_ADDRESS, reg, force=True)
+    v = (v & (~mask)) | ((val << offset) & mask)
+    bus.write_byte_data(AMP_ADDRESS, reg, v, force=True)
 
 class Tici(HardwareBase):
   def __init__(self):
@@ -191,3 +200,12 @@ class Tici(HardwareBase):
         f.write(str(int(percentage * 10.23)))
     except Exception:
       pass
+
+  def set_power_save(self, enabled):
+    # amplifier, 100mW at idle
+    write_amplifier_reg(0x51, 0b0 if enabled else 0b1, 7, 0b10000000)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+  import sys
+  Tici().set_power_save(bool(int(sys.argv[1])))
diff --git a/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py b/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py
index 8881a0a0b..4d37b56a8 100755
--- a/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py
+++ b/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@ from selfdrive.version import get_git_branch, terms_version, training_version
 
 FW_SIGNATURE = get_expected_signature()
 
-DISABLE_LTE_ONROAD = os.path.exists("/persist/disable_lte_onroad") or TICI
-
 ThermalStatus = log.DeviceState.ThermalStatus
 NetworkType = log.DeviceState.NetworkType
 NetworkStrength = log.DeviceState.NetworkStrength
@@ -348,12 +346,14 @@ def thermald_thread():
 
     # Handle offroad/onroad transition
     should_start = all(startup_conditions.values())
-    if should_start:
-      if not should_start_prev:
-        params.delete("IsOffroad")
-        if TICI and DISABLE_LTE_ONROAD:
-          os.system("sudo systemctl stop --no-block lte")
+    if should_start != should_start_prev or (count == 0):
+      params.put_bool("IsOffroad", not should_start)
+      HARDWARE.set_power_save(not should_start)
+      if TICI:
+        fxn = "stop" if should_start else "start"
+        os.system(f"sudo systemctl {fxn} --no-block lte")
 
+    if should_start:
       off_ts = None
       if started_ts is None:
         started_ts = sec_since_boot()
@@ -362,11 +362,6 @@ def thermald_thread():
       if startup_conditions["ignition"] and (startup_conditions != startup_conditions_prev):
         cloudlog.event("Startup blocked", startup_conditions=startup_conditions)
 
-      if should_start_prev or (count == 0):
-        params.put_bool("IsOffroad", True)
-        if TICI and DISABLE_LTE_ONROAD:
-          os.system("sudo systemctl start --no-block lte")
-
       started_ts = None
       if off_ts is None:
         off_ts = sec_since_boot()