Ready to unlock a new level of driving convenience in your Tesla Model 3? Autopilot can transform your highway commutes, making them more relaxing and less fatiguing. But remember, it's an assistance system, not a fully autonomous one. You are always the driver, and active supervision is paramount. Let's dive into how to engage and effectively use Autopilot in your Model 3.
Step 1: Understanding Autopilot and Your Role ♀️
Before we even touch a button, it's crucial to understand what Tesla's Autopilot offers and, more importantly, your responsibility as the driver. Imagine Autopilot as a highly skilled co-pilot, not a replacement for you. It's designed to assist with steering, acceleration, and braking within its operational limits.
What is Autopilot?
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC): This feature automatically adjusts your car's speed to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead. It's like regular cruise control, but smarter!
Autosteer: This helps keep your Model 3 centered within a clearly marked lane. It uses cameras to detect lane lines and makes subtle steering adjustments.
Your Responsibilities:
Hands on the wheel, eyes on the road! Autopilot requires continuous driver supervision. You must keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times and be ready to take over.
Be aware of surroundings: While Autopilot sees the road, it might not always detect all hazards or unexpected situations. Always monitor traffic, road conditions, and other road users (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.).
Understand limitations: Autopilot performs best on well-marked highways in good weather conditions. It may struggle in heavy rain, snow, fog, or on winding roads with sharp curves.
Don't become complacent: It's easy to get comfortable, but never let your guard down. Autopilot is an aid, not a solution to driver inattention.
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| How To Do Autopilot On Tesla Model 3 |
Step 2: Preparing Your Model 3 for Autopilot Engagement ️
Before you engage Autopilot, a few quick checks can ensure optimal performance and safety.
2.1 Cleanliness is Key
Camera Cleanliness: Your Tesla relies heavily on its cameras for Autopilot to function correctly. Ensure all cameras (located around the vehicle, especially the windshield camera) are clean and free from dirt, ice, snow, or obstructions. A dirty camera can significantly impair Autopilot's ability to "see" the road.
2.2 System Settings Check ⚙️
Navigate to Autopilot Settings: On your Tesla's touchscreen, go to Controls > Autopilot.
Autosteer (Beta) Activation: Ensure that "Autosteer (Beta)" is enabled. You may need to read and acknowledge a pop-up window regarding its beta status and your responsibilities.
Autopilot Activation Preference:
Single Click: If set to "Single Click," both Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer will engage with a single press of the right scroll button on your steering wheel.
Double Click: If set to "Double Click," you'll need to double-press the right scroll button to engage Autosteer (allowing you to use Traffic-Aware Cruise Control independently with a single press).
Step 3: Engaging Autopilot on the Road
Now that your Model 3 is prepped and you understand your role, let's engage Autopilot.
QuickTip: Use posts like this as quick references.
3.1 Initiating Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC)
Single Press: If your "Autopilot Activation" setting is set to "Single Click," a single downward press on the right stalk (the one controlling gear selection) will engage both TACC and Autosteer.
Single Press (Double Click Setting): If your "Autopilot Activation" setting is set to "Double Click," a single downward press on the right stalk will engage only Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC). You'll see the speedometer outline turn blue, indicating TACC is active. Your car will now maintain a set speed and a safe following distance from the car ahead.
3.2 Engaging Autosteer (Lane Keeping) ️
Double Press (if "Double Click" setting): If your "Autopilot Activation" setting is set to "Double Click," after engaging TACC with a single press, you'll need to double-press the right stalk downwards to activate Autosteer.
Visual Confirmation: When Autosteer is successfully engaged, you'll hear a chime, and the driving lane lines on your touchscreen display will turn blue, indicating that the car is actively steering within the lane.
3.3 Adjusting Speed and Following Distance ↔️
Adjusting Speed: While Autopilot is active, you can adjust your set speed by rolling the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel up to increase the speed and down to decrease it.
Adjusting Following Distance: You can also adjust the following distance to the car in front by tilting the right scroll wheel left to increase the distance or right to decrease it.
3.4 Navigate on Autopilot (If Equipped and Enabled) ️
If your Model 3 has the Enhanced Autopilot or Full Self-Driving (Supervised) package, you can utilize Navigate on Autopilot, which builds upon the standard Autopilot features for highway driving.
Enable in Settings: Go to Controls > Autopilot > Navigate on Autopilot (Beta) and enable it. You can also customize settings like "Enable at Start of Every Trip."
Engagement: Once Navigate on Autopilot is enabled and Autosteer is active, when you are navigating to a destination on a controlled-access highway, Navigate on Autopilot will engage. The driving lane on the touchscreen will display as a single blue line.
Functionality: Navigate on Autopilot will suggest and perform lane changes, navigate interchanges, and take off-ramps automatically, all while you remain supervised. It will revert to standard Autosteer upon exiting a controlled-access highway.
Step 4: Disengaging Autopilot and Best Practices
Knowing how to disengage Autopilot quickly and safely is just as important as engaging it.
Tip: The middle often holds the main point.
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4.1 Disengaging Autopilot ⚡
There are several ways to disengage Autopilot:
Apply the brakes: A gentle press on the brake pedal will immediately disengage Autopilot.
Apply steering wheel torque: If you apply significant torque to the steering wheel (turn it firmly), Autopilot will disengage.
Push the right stalk up: Pushing the right stalk upwards will also disengage Autopilot.
Take control: Simply taking full control of the steering, acceleration, or braking will override Autopilot.
4.2 Best Practices for Safe Autopilot Use
Stay attentive: This cannot be stressed enough. Treat Autopilot as an assistance feature, not a self-driving car.
Keep hands on the wheel: Tesla's system will issue visual and audible warnings if it doesn't detect your hands on the wheel. Ignoring these warnings can lead to Autopilot being unavailable for the rest of your drive.
Be ready to intervene: Always anticipate that you might need to take over at any moment. Road conditions, sudden changes in traffic, or unexpected obstacles can require immediate human intervention.
Use it on appropriate roads: Autopilot is primarily designed for highway use. While it can function on some divided roads, its performance on city streets or complex intersections is limited unless you have Full Self-Driving (Supervised) engaged.
Maintain clean sensors and cameras: As mentioned, clear visibility for the vehicle's "eyes" is crucial.
Avoid distractions: Cell phone use or other distractions are even more dangerous when relying on driver assistance systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to distinguish between Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised)?
Autopilot, which comes standard, includes Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer for basic highway driving. Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is an optional, paid upgrade that adds features like Navigate on Autopilot (on/off-ramp navigation), Auto Lane Change, Autopark, Summon, and Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control.
How to know if Autopilot is engaged?
You'll hear a chime, and the lane lines on your touchscreen will turn blue (for Autosteer) or a single blue line (for Navigate on Autopilot). The steering wheel icon on the screen will also change.
Tip: Don’t just scroll — pause and absorb.
How to adjust the speed while using Autopilot?
Roll the right scroll wheel on the steering wheel up or down to increase or decrease the set speed.
How to adjust the following distance in Traffic-Aware Cruise Control?
Tilt the right scroll wheel left (to increase distance) or right (to decrease distance).
How to disengage Autopilot quickly?
Gently press the brake pedal, apply firm steering wheel torque, or push the right stalk upwards.
How to activate Navigate on Autopilot?
First, enable it in Controls > Autopilot. Then, when navigating to a destination on a controlled-access highway, it will engage once Autosteer is active.
How to ensure my Tesla's cameras are clean for Autopilot?
QuickTip: Keep a notepad handy.
Visually inspect the cameras around your vehicle, especially the one at the top of the windshield, and wipe them clean with a soft cloth if necessary.
How to react to Autopilot warnings about hands on the wheel?
Gently apply slight torque to the steering wheel or hold it more firmly to let the car know you are attentive.
How to use Autopilot safely in adverse weather?
It's generally recommended to avoid using Autopilot in heavy rain, snow, or fog, as reduced visibility can impair its performance. Always be prepared to take manual control.
How to prevent complacency when using Autopilot?
Actively monitor the road, keep your hands on the wheel, and treat it as a driving aid, not a fully autonomous system.
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