Ever dreamt of having your car take the wheel on long drives, making your commute or road trip that much more relaxing? Well, with a Tesla, that dream is a reality with its Autopilot features! While it might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, activating Autopilot is actually quite straightforward. However, it's crucial to remember that Autopilot is a driver-assist system and not a fully autonomous driving solution. You, the driver, are always responsible for staying alert and maintaining control of the vehicle.
Let's dive into the step-by-step guide on how to turn on Autopilot in your Tesla, ensuring a smoother and more confident driving experience.
Getting Started: The Essentials Before Engaging Autopilot
Before you even think about engaging Autopilot, there are a few fundamental things to understand and confirm. These steps are crucial for both safety and optimal performance of the system.
Step 1: Understand Your Tesla's Autopilot Capabilities
First things first, let's understand what "Autopilot" means for your specific Tesla. Tesla offers different levels of driver assistance:
Standard Autopilot: This includes Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer.
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC): This maintains your set speed and an adjustable following distance from the vehicle in front of you.
Autosteer: This keeps your Tesla centered in its lane, actively steering to follow lane markings.
Enhanced Autopilot (EAP): This builds upon standard Autopilot by adding features like Navigate on Autopilot, Auto Lane Change, Autopark, and Summon/Smart Summon.
Full Self-Driving (FSD) (Supervised): This is the most advanced package, designed to navigate city streets, stop at traffic lights and stop signs, and make turns, all while requiring active driver supervision.
Important Note: The exact features and their activation methods might vary slightly depending on your Tesla model and the software version you have. Always consult your owner's manual for the most precise details for your vehicle.
Step 2: Ensure Optimal Conditions for Autopilot
Autopilot relies heavily on your Tesla's cameras and sensors. For it to function correctly, the following conditions are necessary:
Clean Cameras: Before every drive, especially when you plan to use Autopilot, ensure all cameras (located around the vehicle) are clean and free of obstructions like dirt, mud, ice, or snow. A dirty camera can significantly impair Autopilot's performance.
Clear Lane Markings: Autopilot performs best on roads with clear, well-defined lane markings. Faded, ambiguous, or rapidly changing lane markings (e.g., due to road construction) can limit its functionality.
Good Visibility: Heavy rain, snow, fog, or extremely bright light (like direct sunlight) can interfere with sensor operation and may disable or limit Autopilot features.
Calibrated Cameras: If your vehicle's cameras have been replaced or if you've recently received a software update, camera calibration might be required. Your vehicle will typically guide you through this process.
Latest Software and Maps: Ensure your Tesla's software is up-to-date, and the latest navigation maps have been downloaded (preferably over Wi-Fi).
Activating Autopilot: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you're prepared, let's get to the activation! The method for engaging Autopilot varies slightly between Tesla models.
Step 3: Engaging Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC)
TACC is the foundational component of Autopilot. It allows your car to maintain a set speed and follow the vehicle in front, adjusting its speed as needed.
For Model 3 and Model Y:
While driving, pull the gear lever (the right stalk) down once.
You'll see a gray speedometer icon appear on your display, indicating that TACC is available. A blue icon means it's active.
For Model S and Model X (older models with a cruise stalk):
Pull the cruise control stalk (the left stalk) towards you once.
Once activated, your Tesla will maintain your current speed or the detected speed limit, adjusting for traffic. You can then modify your set speed using the right scroll wheel on the steering wheel (scroll up to increase, down to decrease). To adjust the following distance, typically, you would push the right scroll wheel left or right.
Step 4: Engaging Autosteer
Autosteer is what keeps your Tesla centered in its lane. It requires TACC to be active or to be engaged simultaneously.
For Model 3 and Model Y:
While TACC is active or immediately after engaging TACC, pull the gear lever (the right stalk) down twice in quick succession.
You'll hear a chime, and a blue steering wheel icon will appear on your display, next to the speedometer, confirming Autosteer is engaged.
For Model S and Model X (older models with a cruise stalk):
Pull the cruise control stalk (the left stalk) towards you twice in quick succession.
Crucial Reminder: Even with Autosteer active, you must keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times. Tesla vehicles use a system to detect torque on the steering wheel. If insufficient torque is detected, you'll receive escalating warnings to apply slight turning force. Repeatedly ignoring these warnings can lead to Autopilot being locked out for the remainder of your trip. The cabin camera also monitors driver attentiveness.
Step 5: Activating Advanced Autopilot Features (If Equipped)
If you have Enhanced Autopilot or Full Self-Driving (Supervised), you can engage additional features:
Navigate on Autopilot:
First, enable Autosteer.
Then, on the touchscreen, go to Controls > Autopilot > Navigate on Autopilot (Beta) and enable it.
You can then customize its behavior (e.g., "Enable at Start of Every Trip," "Speed Based Lane Changes").
When Navigate on Autopilot is active, the driving lane will appear as a single blue line on your touchscreen, and turn-by-turn directions will show the Autosteer icon next to maneuvers.
This feature helps your Tesla navigate highway on-ramps to off-ramps, including suggesting and making lane changes and handling interchanges.
Auto Lane Change:
With Autosteer active, simply engage the turn signal stalk in the direction you want to change lanes.
Your Tesla will automatically change lanes when it determines it's safe and clear, with your supervision.
Full Self-Driving (Supervised) on City Streets:
This feature requires careful reading and understanding of the pop-up window when you enable it in Controls > Autopilot > Full Self-Driving (Supervised).
It attempts to drive to your destination by following road curves, stopping at intersections and stop signs, and making turns. Again, active driver supervision is paramount.
Disengaging Autopilot
Disengaging Autopilot is just as important as engaging it. You can do so in several ways:
Lightly press the brake pedal. This will typically disengage both Autosteer and Traffic-Aware Cruise Control.
Push the gear lever (right stalk on Model 3/Y) up once.
Push the cruise stalk (left stalk on older Model S/X) forward once.
Apply significant turning force to the steering wheel. This will disengage Autosteer while leaving Traffic-Aware Cruise Control active. To fully disengage both, you might need to press the brake or use the stalk again.
Important Safety Considerations and Limitations
While Autopilot is incredibly advanced, it has limitations and is not a substitute for an attentive driver.
Always Be Attentive: You are the driver. Your hands must be on the wheel, and your eyes on the road.
Environmental Factors: Autopilot's performance can be affected by weather, poor lane markings, or obstructed cameras/sensors.
Road Conditions: It's designed for highways with clear lane markings and center dividers. Do not use it on roads with very sharp turns, construction zones, or in complex urban environments without constant vigilance.
Emergency Situations: Autopilot may not always react to unexpected obstacles, sudden braking by other vehicles, or pedestrians appearing suddenly. Be prepared to take over immediately.
Phantom Braking: Occasionally, Teslas may experience "phantom braking" where the car suddenly slows down for no apparent reason. Be ready to accelerate if this occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to enable Autopilot on a Tesla Model 3?
To enable Autopilot (Autosteer and Traffic-Aware Cruise Control) on a Tesla Model 3, pull the right-hand gear lever down twice in quick succession while driving.
How to turn off Autopilot in a Tesla?
You can turn off Autopilot by lightly pressing the brake pedal, pushing the right-hand gear lever up once (Model 3/Y), or applying significant turning force to the steering wheel.
How to adjust Autopilot speed in a Tesla?
Adjust the Autopilot set speed by rolling the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel up (to increase) or down (to decrease).
How to change following distance with Tesla Autopilot?
While Autopilot is active, push the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel to the right or left to adjust the following distance from the vehicle in front.
How to use Auto Lane Change with Tesla Autopilot?
With Autosteer active, engage the turn signal stalk in the direction you wish to change lanes. The car will execute the lane change when safe.
How to activate Navigate on Autopilot?
First, enable Autosteer. Then, go to Controls > Autopilot > Navigate on Autopilot (Beta) on your touchscreen and enable the feature. You can then select it from your navigation turn list.
How to troubleshoot Autopilot not working?
Check if your cameras are clean and unobstructed, if there are clear lane markings, and if weather conditions are suitable. If the issue persists, a service appointment might be needed.
How to update Tesla Autopilot software?
Tesla software updates are typically pushed over-the-air (OTA). Connect your car to Wi-Fi to ensure it receives and downloads the latest updates. You will be prompted to install them.
How to know if my Tesla has Enhanced Autopilot or FSD?
You can check your Tesla's software features in the "Software" section of your touchscreen or by logging into your Tesla account online.
How to maintain vigilance while using Tesla Autopilot?
Always keep your hands on the steering wheel, and your eyes on the road, ready to take over at any moment. Respond promptly to any steering wheel alerts.
For a visual guide on how to activate Autopilot features, check out this video:
