Have you ever dreamt of a future where your car handles the mundane aspects of driving, allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey? With Tesla's Navigate on Autopilot, that future is closer than you think. While it's not a fully autonomous system, it significantly enhances your driving experience on highways, making long trips and even daily commutes far less strenuous. Let's dive into how to unlock and effectively use this impressive feature.
Step 1: Understanding the Basics and Prerequisites ♀️
Before you even think about engaging Navigate on Autopilot, it's crucial to understand what it is and what it isn't. Navigate on Autopilot does not make driving autonomous. It's a sophisticated driver-assistance system that works under your constant supervision. You must always remain attentive, keep your hands on the steering wheel, and be prepared to take immediate control. Think of it as a highly skilled co-pilot, not a replacement for you.
What You Need:
A Tesla Vehicle: This feature is exclusive to Tesla vehicles equipped with the necessary hardware.
Navigate on Autopilot Feature: This is part of the "Enhanced Autopilot" or "Full Self-Driving (FSD) Capability" packages. While base Autopilot includes Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer, Navigate on Autopilot takes it a step further.
Clear Cameras: Tesla's system relies heavily on its cameras. Ensure all cameras are clean and free of obstructions (dirt, snow, ice, etc.) before each drive.
Up-to-Date Software and Maps: Tesla regularly releases over-the-air updates. Keeping your car's software and navigation maps current ensures optimal performance and access to the latest features.
Step 2: Enabling and Customizing Navigate on Autopilot ⚙️
This is where you set the stage for your assisted driving experience. You'll access these settings through your Tesla's touchscreen.
2.1 Accessing the Autopilot Settings
From your main display, touch Controls.
Then, navigate to Autopilot.
You'll see an option for Navigate on Autopilot (Beta). Tap to enable it.
2.2 Customizing Your Navigate on Autopilot Experience
Once enabled, you can fine-tune how Navigate on Autopilot behaves to suit your preferences. Tap Customize Navigate on Autopilot to access these options:
Enable At Start Of Every Trip:
If enabled: Navigate on Autopilot will automatically be selected at the beginning of every navigation route that includes a controlled-access highway. This is convenient for frequent highway drivers.
If disabled: You'll need to manually activate Navigate on Autopilot for each trip.
Speed Based Lane Changes: This setting dictates how aggressively Navigate on Autopilot will change lanes to maintain your set cruising speed.
Mild: More conservative, fewer lane changes, potentially longer travel time.
Mad Max: Designed to get you to your destination fastest, with more aggressive (but safe) lane changes. Use with caution and always be prepared to intervene.
Exit Passing Lane: Choose whether your Tesla will automatically maneuver out of a passing lane when it's no longer actively passing other vehicles. This encourages safer driving habits.
Require Lane Change Confirmation:
By default, this is on: Navigate on Autopilot will require your confirmation (by engaging the turn signal or pulling the Autopilot stalk) before performing a lane change.
If turned off: Navigate on Autopilot will change lanes without your explicit confirmation, though it will still notify you. This setting requires a high level of vigilance from the driver. You can choose how you want to be notified (Chime, Vibrate, or Both).
Step 3: Activating Navigate on Autopilot for Your Journey ✨
Once you've set up your preferences, it's time to put Navigate on Autopilot to work.
3.1 Inputting Your Destination
Just like any other trip, enter your destination into your Tesla's navigation system. Navigate on Autopilot is primarily designed for controlled-access highways. The system will indicate which segments of your trip are eligible for Navigate on Autopilot by displaying a small steering wheel icon next to the turn-by-turn directions.
3.2 Engaging Autopilot and Navigate on Autopilot
To engage Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer (standard Autopilot):
For Model 3/Y: Push the gear lever down twice.
For Model S/X: Pull the cruise control lever towards you twice.
You'll hear a chime and see the steering wheel icon on your display turn blue, indicating Autosteer is active.
To engage Navigate on Autopilot:
Once a navigation route is active and includes a controlled-access highway, a Navigate on Autopilot button will appear on the map's turn-by-turn direction list.
If "Enable At Start Of Every Trip" is on, this button will already be blue.
If "Enable At Start Of Every Trip" is off, you'll need to tap this button to activate Navigate on Autopilot for that specific trip. The icon will turn blue when active.
3.3 Monitoring and Intervening
Always pay attention: Your Tesla will handle steering, acceleration, and braking, including navigating interchanges and off-ramps. However, you are still the driver and must be ready to take over at any moment.
Hands on the wheel: Tesla will periodically remind you to keep your hands on the steering wheel. Failure to do so will result in visual and audible warnings, and ultimately, disengagement of Autopilot.
Lane Changes: If "Require Lane Change Confirmation" is on, you'll see a prompt on your screen when a lane change is recommended. Engage your turn signal in the direction of the suggested lane change or pull the Autopilot stalk towards you to confirm. If you don't confirm within a few seconds, a chime will remind you.
Off-Ramps and Interchanges: Navigate on Autopilot will engage the appropriate turn signal and maneuver your Tesla onto the off-ramp or through interchanges. Never solely depend on the system to determine the correct lane for an off-ramp. Always visually confirm.
Step 4: Disengaging Navigate on Autopilot
You can disengage Navigate on Autopilot at any time.
Manual Steering: Simply apply manual steering input.
Brake Pedal: Press the brake pedal.
Autopilot Stalk/Gear Lever: For Model S/X, push the cruise control stalk away from you. For Model 3/Y, push the gear lever up once.
Touchscreen: Tap the blue Navigate on Autopilot icon on the touchscreen.
Exiting Highways: Navigate on Autopilot will automatically disengage with a chime when you exit a controlled-access highway.
Important Considerations and Limitations
While Navigate on Autopilot is a powerful feature, it's essential to be aware of its limitations:
Not Fully Autonomous: This bears repeating: it is not a self-driving car. You are responsible for safe operation.
Environmental Factors: Poor visibility (heavy rain, snow, fog), faded lane markings, bright sunlight, or obstructed cameras can significantly affect performance.
Road Conditions: Navigate on Autopilot may struggle on sharp curves, excessively rough roads, or in areas with rapidly changing lane configurations.
Unforeseen Obstacles: The system may not always detect and react to objects partially or completely blocking the driving lane.
City Streets: Navigate on Autopilot is primarily designed for highways and controlled-access roads. While Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is expanding to city streets, Navigate on Autopilot itself has limitations in urban environments.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Enable Navigate on Autopilot?
To enable Navigate on Autopilot, go to Controls > Autopilot > Navigate on Autopilot (Beta) on your Tesla's touchscreen.
How to Customize Lane Changes in Navigate on Autopilot?
You can customize lane changes by going to Controls > Autopilot > Customize Navigate on Autopilot and adjusting "Speed Based Lane Changes" and "Require Lane Change Confirmation."
How to Confirm a Lane Change with Navigate on Autopilot?
When prompted, either engage the appropriate turn signal or pull the Autopilot stalk towards you to confirm a lane change.
How to Disengage Navigate on Autopilot?
You can disengage by manually steering, pressing the brake pedal, pushing the Autopilot stalk/gear lever, or tapping the blue icon on the touchscreen.
How to Know if Navigate on Autopilot is Active?
The Navigate on Autopilot icon on the map's turn-by-turn direction list will appear blue when active.
How to Ensure Optimal Performance of Navigate on Autopilot?
Keep all cameras clean and ensure your vehicle's software and maps are up to date.
How to Use Navigate on Autopilot for Long Trips?
Engage Navigate on Autopilot on controlled-access highways, and the system will assist with steering, speed, and lane changes, reducing driver fatigue.
How to Differentiate Between Autopilot and Navigate on Autopilot?
Autopilot includes Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer (lane keeping). Navigate on Autopilot builds upon this by adding automatic navigation from on-ramp to off-ramp, including interchanges and automatic lane changes.
How to Handle Off-Ramps with Navigate on Autopilot?
Navigate on Autopilot will engage the turn signal and guide the vehicle onto the off-ramp, but the driver must always supervise and be ready to take control.
How to React if Navigate on Autopilot Issues a Warning?
Always be prepared to take immediate manual control of the vehicle when Navigate on Autopilot issues a warning or if you feel uncomfortable with its actions.
You can watch this video to see Navigate on Autopilot in action:
