The Tesla Model Y, like all Tesla vehicles, offers a suite of advanced driver-assistance features collectively known as Autopilot. These systems are designed to enhance your driving experience by reducing driver fatigue and increasing safety, but it's crucial to understand that they require your active supervision at all times. Tesla's Autopilot features are not a substitute for an attentive driver.
Ready to embark on a journey of understanding how to leverage the innovative technology in your Tesla Model Y? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Get Acquainted with Your Tesla Model Y's Autopilot Features
Before you even think about engaging Autopilot, it's essential to understand what features your specific Model Y has and how they work. Tesla offers different levels of driver assistance, and knowing the capabilities (and limitations!) of each is paramount for safe operation.
Sub-heading 1.1: Understanding the Basics
Your Tesla Model Y comes standard with Autopilot, which includes two core functionalities:
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC): This feature matches the speed of your vehicle to that of the surrounding traffic. It maintains a set following distance from the car in front of you. Think of it as a smarter cruise control that adapts to traffic flow.
Autosteer: This works in conjunction with TACC to assist in steering within a clearly marked lane. It intelligently keeps your Model Y centered in its lane while maintaining your set speed and distance from a leading vehicle.
Sub-heading 1.2: Exploring Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised)
Depending on your purchase, your Model Y might have additional capabilities through Enhanced Autopilot or Full Self-Driving (Supervised). These packages offer more advanced features:
Auto Lane Change: When Autosteer is active, engaging your turn signal will prompt your Model Y to move into an adjacent lane when it determines it's safe to do so.
Navigate on Autopilot: This feature actively guides your Model Y from a highway's on-ramp to off-ramp. It includes suggesting lane changes, navigating interchanges, automatically engaging the turn signal, and taking the correct exit.
Autopark: Your Model Y can automatically detect and maneuver into parallel or perpendicular parking spots for you.
Summon (Basic and Smart):
Basic Summon: Allows you to move your Model Y forward or backward a short distance using the mobile app or key fob, useful for tight parking spaces.
Smart Summon: Your Model Y will navigate more complex environments and parking spaces, maneuvering around obstacles to come find you or go to a predetermined target.
Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control (FSD Supervised): This feature identifies stop signs and traffic lights and automatically slows your vehicle to a stop upon approach, with your active supervision.
Full Self-Driving (Supervised) on City Streets: This is the most advanced feature, attempting to drive to your destination by following curves in the road, stopping at and negotiating intersections, making turns, and navigating roundabouts.
Crucial Note: Regardless of the package, Tesla explicitly states that all Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features require active driver supervision. You are responsible for the vehicle at all times.
 |
| How To Autopilot Tesla Model Y |
Step 2: Prepare Your Tesla Model Y for Autopilot Engagement
Before you hit the road and engage Autopilot, a few preparatory steps are essential for optimal performance and safety.
Sub-heading 2.1: Camera Calibration and Cleanliness
QuickTip: Return to sections that felt unclear.
Calibration: After receiving your new Model Y or after some service visits, your cameras will need to calibrate. This usually involves driving a short distance. Your touchscreen will indicate when calibration is complete.
Clean Cameras: Autopilot relies heavily on its cameras. Ensure all cameras (front, rear, left, and right sides) are clean and free of obstructions (dirt, snow, ice, mud, etc.) before every drive. A dirty camera can severely affect Autopilot performance and may even prevent it from engaging.
Sub-heading 2.2: Customize Autopilot Settings
You can personalize how Autopilot features behave:
Touch Controls > Autopilot on your touchscreen.
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 (fixed amount or percentage) for the cruising speed.
Green Traffic Light Chime: Enable this to receive an audible alert when the traffic light turns green while you're waiting at a red light.
Enable Autosteer (Beta): You'll need to explicitly enable Autosteer by touching Controls > Autopilot > Autosteer (Beta) and agreeing to the pop-up warning, acknowledging your responsibility. The same applies to Navigate on Autopilot (Beta) and Full Self-Driving (Supervised) if you have those packages.
Step 3: Engaging Basic Autopilot (Traffic-Aware Cruise Control & Autosteer)
Now that you're prepared, let's get to the driving!
Sub-heading 3.1: Conditions for Engagement
Autopilot has specific operating conditions:
You are typically driving between 18 mph (30 km/h) and 85 mph (140 km/h). Lower speeds are possible if a vehicle is detected ahead.
Clear lane markings are present.
Your headlights are set to On or Auto.
The road is a controlled-access highway (for optimal Autosteer performance).
Sub-heading 3.2: How to Engage
In your Model Y:
To engage Traffic-Aware Cruise Control: Pull down the gear selector stalk on the right of the steering column once. You'll see a gray speedometer icon on your touchscreen when it's available and a blue one when engaged.
To engage Autosteer: Pull down the gear selector stalk on the right of the steering column twice in quick succession. A gray steering wheel icon will appear on your display when available, turning blue when engaged.
Sub-heading 3.3: While Using Autopilot
Keep Your Hands on the Wheel: Tesla's Autopilot is a hands-on feature. You must keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times. The car monitors torque on the wheel and your attentiveness via the cabin camera. If insufficient torque is applied or you're not paying attention, you'll receive escalating visual and audible warnings. Repeatedly ignoring these warnings can lead to Autopilot being locked out for the remainder of your trip.
Monitor the Road: Always be ready to take over. Autopilot is an assistance system, not fully autonomous.
Adjusting Speed: Roll the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel up to increase or down to decrease the set speed.
Canceling Autopilot: You can cancel Autopilot by:
Pressing the brake pedal.
Pushing the gear selector stalk up once.
Applying significant rotational force to the steering wheel.
Step 4: Utilizing Advanced Autopilot Features (If Equipped)
Tip: Pause if your attention drifts.
If you have Enhanced Autopilot or Full Self-Driving (Supervised), here's how to use some of the key features:
Sub-heading 4.1: Auto Lane Change
 |
While Autosteer is active, engage the turn signal in the direction you wish to change lanes.
Your Model Y will assess if the lane change is safe and, if so, will smoothly move into the adjacent lane.
Always perform visual checks to confirm it's safe before and during the lane change.
Sub-heading 4.2: Navigate on Autopilot
Enable this feature in Controls > Autopilot > Navigate on Autopilot (Beta). You can choose to "Enable at Start of Every Trip" or enable it manually.
Once a navigation route is active on your touchscreen, when you engage Autosteer on a highway, Navigate on Autopilot will become active.
It will suggest lane changes to optimize your route and automatically prepare for exits. You may be prompted to confirm lane changes by engaging the turn signal.
Sub-heading 4.3: Autopark
Drive slowly past a potential parking space.
If Model Y detects a suitable space, a "P" icon will appear on your touchscreen.
Shift into reverse, then touch and hold "Start" on the Autopark pop-up on your touchscreen.
Your Model Y will then maneuver itself into the parking spot. Remain alert and ready to brake or take over at any time.
Step 5: Understanding Limitations and Driver Responsibility
It's absolutely paramount to reiterate the limitations of Tesla's Autopilot system.
Sub-heading 5.1: Key Limitations
Weather and Visibility: Heavy rain, snow, fog, or bright sunlight can impede camera and sensor performance, limiting or disabling Autopilot features.
Faded Lane Markings: Autosteer relies on clear lane markings. Faded, ambiguous, or quickly changing markings (e.g., construction zones) can cause the system to struggle or disengage.
Road Conditions: Autopilot is best suited for highways with clear dividers and should not be used on winding roads with sharp curves, icy or slippery roads, or in complex urban environments without constant driver supervision.
Obstacle Detection: While Autopilot assists, it will not always stop for all objects partially or completely blocking the driving lane. Always be prepared to take immediate action.
Driver Monitoring: The system monitors your attentiveness, and if it detects you're not paying attention or have your hands off the wheel for too long, it will issue warnings and eventually disengage.
Sub-heading 5.2: Your Unwavering Responsibility
You are the driver. Autopilot is a driver-assistance system, not a self-driving car.
Maintain Control: Always keep your hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road.
Be Prepared to Take Over: You must be ready to take immediate control of the vehicle at any moment.
Understand Warnings: Familiarize yourself with all Autopilot warnings and respond to them promptly.
By following these steps and always prioritizing safe driving practices, you can confidently and responsibly utilize the impressive Autopilot features in your Tesla Model Y, making your journeys more relaxed and efficient.
QuickTip: A quick skim can reveal the main idea fast.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to enable Autosteer in my Tesla Model Y?
To enable Autosteer, go to Controls > Autopilot > Autosteer (Beta) on your touchscreen and confirm. To engage while driving, pull the gear selector stalk down twice in quick succession.
How to adjust the following distance with Traffic-Aware Cruise Control?
You can typically adjust the following distance by rolling the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel when Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is active. Check your owner's manual for specific instructions.
How to confirm a lane change when using Navigate on Autopilot?
When Navigate on Autopilot suggests a lane change, you typically confirm it by engaging the appropriate turn signal.
How to park my Tesla Model Y using Autopark?
Drive slowly past a potential parking space, wait for the "P" icon to appear, shift into reverse, and then touch and hold "Start" on the Autopark prompt on your touchscreen.
How to know if Autopilot is engaged?
When Autopilot (Autosteer) is engaged, a blue steering wheel icon will appear next to the driving gear on your touchscreen, and the lane lines will be blue.
Tip: Focus on one point at a time.
How to cancel Autopilot in my Tesla Model Y?
You can cancel Autopilot by pressing the brake pedal, pushing the gear selector stalk up once, or applying significant rotational force to the steering wheel.
How to ensure my Tesla Model Y cameras are clean for Autopilot?
Visually inspect all cameras (located around the vehicle) before each drive and wipe them clean with a soft cloth if any dirt or obstructions are present.
How to react if Autopilot gives me a warning?
If Autopilot issues a warning (audible or visual), immediately place your hands firmly on the steering wheel, focus on the road, and be prepared to take manual control.
How to use Summon features in my Tesla Model Y?
Summon features are typically activated through the Tesla mobile app. Basic Summon allows forward/backward movement, while Smart Summon enables the car to navigate through parking lots to you.
How to differentiate between Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised)?
Autopilot typically includes Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer for basic highway driving. Full Self-Driving (Supervised) adds features like Navigate on Autopilot, Auto Lane Change, Autopark, Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control, and the ability to drive on city streets under supervision.
Understanding the difference between the standard Autopilot and the more advanced Full Self-Driving capabilities is crucial for getting the most out of your Tesla Model Y. This video provides a good overview of the differences:
 |
This page may contain affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
💡 Breath fresh Air with this Air Purifier with washable filter.
