Ah, the dream of effortless driving! Ready to unlock the semi-autonomous capabilities of your Tesla Model 3? While it's not truly "autopilot" in the sense of a fully self-driving car (that's where Full Self-Driving (FSD) comes in, and even that requires driver supervision!), Tesla's Autopilot offers a fantastic suite of features designed to enhance your driving comfort and convenience. Let's dive in and learn how to make the most of it.
Understanding Tesla Autopilot: More Than Just Cruise Control
Before we get into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand what Autopilot is and, more importantly, what it isn't. Tesla Autopilot is a Level 2 autonomous system. This means it provides partial automation, requiring you, the driver, to remain fully attentive with your hands on the steering wheel at all times. It's a driving assistance system, not a replacement for your focus.
Think of it as a highly sophisticated co-pilot that helps with certain aspects of driving, but you're still the captain of the ship!
Step 1: Getting Started – Pre-Drive Checks and Settings
So, you're in your Model 3, ready to experience the magic of Autopilot. But before you engage, there are a few vital things to check and settings to consider.
Sub-heading 1.1: Ensuring Optimal Performance
Clean Cameras: Your Tesla Model 3 relies heavily on its external cameras to perceive its surroundings. Before every drive, especially if you plan to use Autopilot, ensure all cameras are clean and free of obstructions. Dirt, ice, snow, or even excessive paint can hinder their performance. A message will appear on your touchscreen if a camera is obstructed.
Clear Visibility: Autopilot performs best in clear visibility and with clearly visible lane markings. Heavy rain, snow, fog, or faded road markings can significantly impact its ability to function correctly.
Driver Attentiveness: Remember, Autopilot is a hands-on feature. The car's cabin camera monitors driver attentiveness. If you don't respond to escalating warnings to keep your hands on the wheel, Autopilot will disengage for the remainder of your drive.
Sub-heading 1.2: Customizing Autopilot Settings
You can tailor some Autopilot settings to your preferences via the touchscreen:
Navigate to Controls > Autopilot.
Set Speed: Choose whether Autopilot engages at the currently detected speed limit or your current driving speed.
Offset: If you choose "Speed Limit," you can specify an offset (e.g., 5 mph over the limit).
Autopilot Activation: Decide how you want to activate Autopilot. You can choose between:
Single Click: Both Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer engage with a single press of the right scroll button.
Double Click: You'll need to double-press the right scroll button to engage Autosteer. This allows you to use Traffic-Aware Cruise Control independently.
Step 2: Engaging Autopilot – Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer
Now that you've completed your pre-drive checks, let's get into the core functionality of Autopilot: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) and Autosteer.
Sub-heading 2.1: Activating Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC)
TACC is like traditional cruise control, but smarter. It not only maintains a set speed but also automatically adjusts your speed to keep a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you.
Press the right scroll button once on your steering wheel.
Release the accelerator pedal. You'll hear a chime, and the cruising speed will appear in blue text on your touchscreen, indicating TACC is active.
To change the set speed, roll the right scroll wheel up to increase or down to decrease.
To adjust the following distance, use the right scroll wheel (push left/right) to cycle through the distance settings. You'll see bars on your screen representing the distance.
To cancel TACC, either press the right scroll button again or press the brake pedal.
Important Note: TACC is designed for your comfort, not as a collision avoidance system. Always be ready to take over and brake if necessary.
Sub-heading 2.2: Engaging Autosteer
Autosteer works in conjunction with TACC to provide active steering assistance, keeping your Model 3 centered in its lane. This feature is primarily designed for use on highways with clear lane markings.
First, ensure you've enabled Autosteer in your settings (Controls > Autopilot > Autosteer (Beta)) and acknowledged the popup warning.
While driving, move the gear lever down twice in quick succession (for Model 3 and Model Y). On older Model S and Model X, you'd pull the cruise stalk towards you twice.
You'll hear a chime, and the steering wheel icon on your touchscreen will turn blue, indicating Autosteer is active. The lane lines on your visualization will also appear blue.
To cancel Autosteer, either press the right scroll button, press the brake pedal, or apply steering input that overrides the system.
Remember: Autosteer is a BETA feature and requires your constant supervision. Keep your hands on the wheel and be prepared to take over at any moment. Exceeding 85 mph (140 km/h) will also cancel Autosteer.
Step 3: Advanced Autopilot Features (Enhanced Autopilot/Full Self-Driving)
While standard Autopilot includes TACC and Autosteer, Tesla offers enhanced features as part of its Enhanced Autopilot (EAP) or Full Self-Driving (FSD) (Supervised) packages. These are optional paid upgrades.
Sub-heading 3.1: Navigate on Autopilot
This feature actively guides your Model 3 from a highway's on-ramp to off-ramp, including performing automatic lane changes, navigating interchanges, and taking the correct exit.
To enable: Navigate to Controls > Autopilot > Navigate on Autopilot.
It can be engaged on most highways by moving the gear lever down twice (Model 3/Y).
Key benefit: It makes long highway drives significantly more relaxing by handling many of the navigation complexities.
Important: While Navigate on Autopilot can suggest and even initiate lane changes, you'll often need to confirm the lane change by engaging the turn signal. Always visually check your surroundings before allowing the car to change lanes.
Sub-heading 3.2: Auto Lane Change
When Autosteer is active, Auto Lane Change allows your Model 3 to move into an adjacent lane in the direction you indicate by engaging the turn signal.
Simply engage the turn signal in the direction you wish to change lanes.
The car will assess if the lane change is safe (checking for vehicles in blind spots, clear lane markings) and then execute the maneuver.
If the lane change isn't completed within 5 seconds, it will cancel. Always be ready to manually complete the lane change if needed.
Sub-heading 3.3: Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control
This feature, part of FSD (Supervised), allows your Model 3 to slow down and stop for traffic lights and stop signs while Autosteer is active.
When approaching an intersection, the car will indicate its intent to stop. You often need to confirm the action by lightly pressing the accelerator pedal or pulling the gear stalk.
This feature is designed for city streets and divided highways, but like all Autopilot features, it requires your full attention.
Sub-heading 3.4: Autopark
Autopark helps you automatically park your Model 3 in parallel or perpendicular parking spaces.
When driving slowly near a potential parking spot, the car will detect suitable spaces.
A "P" icon will appear on your touchscreen. Tap the "P" icon to initiate Autopark.
Follow the instructions on the screen, which typically involve confirming the direction and letting the car handle the steering, acceleration, and braking.
Caution: Autopark may not detect all objects and has limitations. Always visually confirm the parking space is clear and be ready to intervene.
Sub-heading 3.5: Summon
Summon allows you to move your Model 3 forward and backward a short distance using the Tesla mobile app while you are outside the vehicle. Smart Summon (part of FSD) can even navigate your car to your location in a parking lot.
Enable Summon: Controls > Autopilot > Summon (or ASS for Actually Smart Summon).
To use: Open the Tesla mobile app, select Summon, and hold down the forward or reverse button. For Smart Summon, you can set a target on the map.
Usage: Primarily intended for tight parking spots where opening doors might be difficult.
Limitations: Works within a limited range and requires your phone to be connected to the car. Summon is designed for private property like parking lots and driveways.
Step 4: Safety Considerations and Limitations
While Autopilot is incredibly convenient, understanding its limitations and adhering to safety guidelines is paramount. Never become complacent.
Sub-heading 4.1: Driver Responsibility is Key
Hands on the Wheel: You must keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times. Tesla's system will issue escalating warnings if it doesn't detect your hands. Ignoring these can lead to Autopilot disengaging.
Constant Vigilance: Always monitor road conditions, surrounding traffic, pedestrians, and obstacles. Be prepared to take immediate control of the vehicle.
Environmental Factors: Autopilot's performance can be degraded by:
Poor weather: Heavy rain, snow, fog, bright sunlight.
Obscured sensors/cameras: Dirt, mud, ice, or even stickers can block the cameras.
Faded or unclear lane markings.
Complex road conditions: Construction zones, sharp curves, sudden changes in traffic.
Sub-heading 4.2: Known Behaviors and Warnings
Phantom Braking: On rare occasions, your Tesla might unexpectedly brake, even when there's no apparent obstacle. This can be startling, but it's often due to the cameras misinterpreting an object (e.g., shadows, glare).
Object Detection: Autopilot may not detect all objects, especially low objects (like curbs), thin objects (sign posts), or objects outside its direct line of sight.
Not a Collision Avoidance System: While Autopilot has collision avoidance assist features, it's not a substitute for safe driving. Always be ready to brake or steer to avoid a collision.
Speed Limitations: Autosteer and Navigate on Autopilot have speed limitations and may restrict your speed in certain conditions (e.g., residential roads without dividers).
Step 5: Practice and Familiarization
Like any new technology, becoming proficient with Autopilot takes practice.
Sub-heading 5.1: Start Slowly and Build Confidence
Begin using Autopilot on familiar, clear highways with light traffic.
Gradually increase your use of the features as you become more comfortable with how the car responds.
Pay close attention to the visualizations on your touchscreen, which show what the car is "seeing."
Sub-heading 5.2: Read Your Owner's Manual
The Tesla Model 3 owner's manual provides detailed information on all Autopilot features, including specific limitations and warnings. It's a valuable resource for in-depth understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to turn on Autopilot in Tesla Model 3?
To turn on Autopilot (Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer) in your Model 3, move the gear lever down twice in quick succession while in Drive.
How to adjust the following distance in Tesla Autopilot?
You can adjust the following distance by rolling the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel left or right. You'll see the distance bars change on your touchscreen.
How to make Tesla Model 3 change lanes automatically?
To make your Model 3 change lanes automatically while Autosteer is active (requires Enhanced Autopilot or FSD), engage the turn signal in the direction you want to move. The car will assess safety and initiate the lane change.
How to use Autopark in Tesla Model 3?
Drive slowly near a parking spot, and if a suitable space is detected, a "P" icon will appear on your touchscreen. Tap the "P" and follow the on-screen prompts to activate Autopark.
How to use Summon feature on Tesla Model 3?
To use Summon, open the Tesla mobile app, select Summon, and then hold down the forward or reverse button. For Smart Summon, you can set a target location.
How to calibrate Tesla Model 3 cameras for Autopilot?
Camera calibration usually happens automatically when you start using Autopilot features. However, if there are persistent issues, a service appointment might be necessary. There are also user-guided calibration processes described in some resources.
How to disengage Autopilot in Tesla Model 3?
You can disengage Autopilot by pressing the brake pedal, applying significant steering input, or pressing the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel.
How to know if Autopilot is engaged in my Tesla Model 3?
When Autopilot is engaged, the steering wheel icon on your touchscreen will turn blue, and the lane lines on the visualization will also appear blue.
How to set the speed for Autopilot in Tesla Model 3?
You can set the speed for Autopilot using the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel. Roll it up to increase the speed or down to decrease it.
How to update Tesla Autopilot software?
Tesla Autopilot software updates are delivered over-the-air (OTA). Your car will notify you when an update is available, and you can initiate the download and installation through the touchscreen.
This video can guide you through the process of calibrating your Tesla's cameras for optimal Autopilot performance:
