So, you've got your hands on a Tesla Model 3, and you're ready to experience the future of driving with Autopilot! It's a fantastic system designed to enhance your driving comfort and safety, but it's crucial to understand how it works and its limitations. Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to turning on and effectively using Autopilot in your Tesla Model 3.
Getting Started: The Foundation of Autopilot
Before you even think about engaging Autopilot, there are a few foundational elements to consider. Think of it as preparing your co-pilot for the journey!
Step 1: Get Familiar with Your Tesla
Understand Autopilot's Purpose: Autopilot is an advanced driver-assistance system, not a fully autonomous driving system. This means you remain the primary driver, responsible for monitoring the road and being ready to take over at any moment. Never assume your Tesla can drive itself without your supervision.
Read Your Owner's Manual: This is paramount. Your Tesla's owner's manual contains detailed, up-to-date information specific to your vehicle's software version. Take the time to review the sections on Autopilot, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, and Autosteer.
Clean Your Cameras: Tesla's Autopilot system relies heavily on its external cameras. Before every drive, ensure all cameras are clean and free of obstructions (dirt, snow, ice, etc.). Dirty cameras can significantly impair Autopilot performance.
Step 2: Accessing Autopilot Settings
Your Tesla Model 3 allows you to customize how Autopilot features engage. It's a good idea to check these settings before your first Autopilot experience.
On Your Touchscreen:
Touch Controls > Autopilot.
Here, you'll find various settings:
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 how much faster or slower than the speed limit Autopilot will drive.
Autopilot Activation: This is a crucial setting. You can choose between:
Single Click: Both Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer engage when you single-press the right scroll button.
Double Click: You must double-press the right scroll button to engage Autosteer. This setting is necessary if you want to use Traffic-Aware Cruise Control independently of Autosteer.
Engaging Autopilot Features: Your Co-Pilot in Action
Now that you're prepared, let's get into the specifics of engaging the core Autopilot features.
Step 3: Engaging Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC)
TACC is the foundation of Autopilot. It maintains your speed and an adjustable following distance from the vehicle in front of you.
How to Engage:
For Model 3 and Model Y: Pull down once on the gear selector stalk (the right stalk behind your steering wheel).
You will hear a chime, and a gray icon resembling a speedometer will appear on your display, indicating TACC is active.
Adjusting Speed and Following Distance:
To adjust speed: Roll the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel up to increase or down to decrease the set speed.
To adjust following distance: Push the right scroll wheel to the left or right. This will change the number of car lengths your Tesla maintains behind the vehicle ahead.
Step 4: Engaging Autosteer
Autosteer builds upon TACC by actively steering your Tesla to keep it within its lane. This is what most people think of when they say "Autopilot."
Prerequisites:
Autosteer is designed for use on highways with clearly marked lanes and a center divider. It should not be used on winding roads, roads with ambiguous lane markings, or in complex urban environments.
You must be driving within the supported speed range (typically between 18 mph / 30 km/h and 85 mph / 140 km/h, though it can activate at lower speeds if a vehicle is detected ahead).
How to Engage:
For Model 3 and Model Y: Pull down twice on the gear selector stalk in quick succession.
You will hear a chime, and the steering wheel icon on your display will turn blue, indicating Autosteer is engaged. The lane lines on your visualization will also turn blue.
Keeping Your Hands on the Wheel: Autosteer requires you to keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times. Tesla uses sensors to detect torque on the wheel. If insufficient torque is detected, you will receive escalating visual and audible warnings. Ignoring these warnings can lead to Autopilot being temporarily disabled for the remainder of your trip. The cabin camera (above the rearview mirror) also monitors driver attentiveness.
Step 5: Engaging Navigate on Autopilot (If Equipped)
Navigate on Autopilot is an advanced feature (part of Enhanced Autopilot or Full Self-Driving Capability) that guides your vehicle from on-ramp to off-ramp on highways, including suggesting and making lane changes, navigating interchanges, and taking exits.
Enabling Navigate on Autopilot:
Go to Controls > Autopilot > Navigate on Autopilot (Beta) and enable it.
You can also customize settings like "Enable at Start of Every Trip."
How to Engage:
Once enabled in settings, when you are on a highway and Autosteer is active, you can typically engage Navigate on Autopilot by pressing the NAVIGATE ON AUTOPILOT button in your Navigation Turn List on the touchscreen.
Alternatively, if "Enable at Start of Every Trip" is on, it will automatically activate when you engage Autopilot after entering a navigation route.
Lane Changes with Navigate on Autopilot: When Navigate on Autopilot suggests a lane change, you may need to confirm it by engaging the appropriate turn signal. Your Tesla will then execute the lane change if it's safe to do so.
Important Considerations and Best Practices
Autopilot is a powerful tool, but it requires responsible use.
Stay Attentive and Vigilant: Autopilot is a driver-assistance system. It is not a substitute for an attentive driver. Always be prepared to take immediate control.
Keep Your Hands on the Steering Wheel: This is a non-negotiable safety requirement. Apply slight torque to the wheel periodically to let the car know you're engaged.
Understand Limitations: Autopilot has limitations. It may not perform optimally in adverse weather (heavy rain, snow, fog), faded lane markings, construction zones, or complex traffic situations.
Be Ready to Disengage:
To disengage Autosteer (while keeping TACC active if Autopilot Activation is set to Double Click): Gently turn the steering wheel.
To disengage both Autosteer and Traffic-Aware Cruise Control: Press the brake pedal or push the gear selector stalk upward. You can also press the right scroll button on the steering wheel.
Software Updates: Ensure your Tesla's software is always up to date. Updates often bring improvements and new features to Autopilot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are 10 common questions about using Autopilot in your Tesla Model 3:
How to engage Autopilot on a Tesla Model 3? You engage Autopilot (specifically Autosteer, which includes Traffic-Aware Cruise Control) by pulling the gear selector stalk down twice in quick succession.
How to turn off Autopilot in a Tesla Model 3? You can disengage Autopilot by pressing the brake pedal, turning the steering wheel with slight force, or pushing the gear selector stalk upward.
How to adjust the speed while using Autopilot? While Autopilot is active, roll the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel up to increase the set speed or down to decrease it.
How to change the following distance on Autopilot? Push the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel to the left or right to adjust the following distance (number of car lengths) from the vehicle ahead.
How to know if Autopilot is engaged? When Autopilot (Autosteer) is engaged, the steering wheel icon on your Tesla's display will turn blue, and the lane lines on the driving visualization will also turn blue.
How to enable Navigate on Autopilot on my Model 3? First, ensure Autosteer is enabled in your settings (Controls > Autopilot > Autosteer). Then, enable Navigate on Autopilot in Controls > Autopilot > Navigate on Autopilot (Beta). You can then activate it through your navigation turn list on the touchscreen.
How to override Autopilot if needed? Simply take firm control of the steering wheel or press the brake pedal to immediately disengage Autopilot and regain full manual control.
How to tell if my Tesla Model 3 has Autopilot? All new Tesla Model 3 vehicles come standard with basic Autopilot features, including Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer. Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Capability are optional upgrades.
How to ensure my hands are detected on the steering wheel by Autopilot? Apply slight, consistent torque to the steering wheel. You don't need to fight the steering, just gently rest your hands and provide a minimal amount of pressure.
How to understand Autopilot warnings? Tesla's Autopilot provides escalating warnings (visual and audible) if it doesn't detect your hands on the wheel or if it requires your intervention. Always respond promptly to these alerts.
For a visual guide on how to engage Autopilot in your Model 3, you can watch this video:
