Tesla Autopilot is an advanced driver-assistance system designed to enhance safety and convenience. It's important to understand that Autopilot, even with the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) package, does not make the vehicle autonomous. Drivers must remain fully attentive, with their hands on the wheel, and be prepared to take control at any moment.
Step 1: Getting Started - Are You Ready to Experience Autopilot?
So, you've got your Tesla, and you're curious about this "Autopilot" everyone's talking about. Are you ready to dive into the future of driving assistance? Before we even touch a button, let's ensure you're in the right mindset and your car is prepared.
 |
| How To Use Tesla Autopilot |
1.1 Understanding What Autopilot Is (and Isn't)
First and foremost, it's crucial to grasp that Tesla Autopilot is a Level 2 driver assistance system. This means it provides partial automation, assisting with steering, acceleration, and braking, but you remain the primary driver. It's a helping hand, not a replacement for your attention. Think of it as a highly sophisticated co-pilot, not an autopilot that allows you to read a book or take a nap.
1.2 Pre-Drive Checks: Setting the Stage for Success
Before every drive where you intend to use Autopilot, make sure of the following:
Clean Cameras: Tesla's Autopilot system relies heavily on its external cameras. Ensure all cameras are clean and free of obstructions (dirt, snow, ice, condensation). Dirty cameras can significantly impair Autopilot's performance.
Clear Road Conditions: Autopilot performs best on clearly marked highways with good visibility. Avoid using it in construction zones, areas with cyclists or pedestrians, or during adverse weather conditions like heavy rain, snow, or fog, as these can affect its ability to detect lane markings and objects.
Familiarize Yourself with Controls: Know where your scroll wheels and stalks are. You'll be using them to engage and disengage Autopilot features.
Step 2: Engaging Autopilot - Let Your Tesla Take the Wheel (Partially!)
Now that you're prepared, let's get into the exciting part: activating Autopilot! The exact method can vary slightly depending on your Tesla model and its hardware version.
2.1 Activating Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC)
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is the foundation of Autopilot. It maintains a set driving speed and adjusts it to keep a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you.
For Model 3/Y (with a stalk on the right): While driving, simply push the right gear stalk down once. You'll see a gray speed icon appear on your display, indicating TACC is active.
For Model S/X (with a cruise control stalk on the left): Pull the cruise control stalk down towards you once.
Tip: Rest your eyes, then continue.
2.2 Engaging Autosteer: Lane Keeping Assistance
Autosteer takes TACC a step further by actively steering your car to keep it centered within its lane.
For Model 3/Y: After TACC is active, push the right gear stalk down twice in quick succession.
For Model S/X: Pull the cruise control stalk down towards you twice in quick succession.
You'll hear a chime and see the steering wheel icon on your display turn blue, indicating Autosteer is active.
2.3 Adjusting Speed and Following Distance
Once Autopilot (or TACC) is engaged, you can customize your settings:
Adjusting Set Speed: Roll the right scroll wheel up to increase your set speed, or down to decrease it.
Adjusting Following Distance: Push the right scroll wheel left or right to increase or decrease the following distance from the vehicle ahead.
Remember: Even with Autosteer active, your hands must remain on the steering wheel. Tesla uses sensors to detect torque from your hands. If it doesn't detect your hands for a period, you'll receive visual and audible warnings to apply slight turning force. Repeatedly ignoring these warnings can lead to Autosteer being disabled for the remainder of your trip.
Step 3: Navigating with Enhanced Autopilot (If Equipped)
If your Tesla has Enhanced Autopilot or the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) package, you gain additional capabilities that further automate highway driving.
3.1 Auto Lane Change: Effortless Lane Shifts
When Autosteer is active and you want to change lanes:
Simply engage the turn signal in the direction you wish to move. Your Tesla will automatically check for a safe opening and perform the lane change. Always check your mirrors and blind spots as you normally would before and during a lane change. While the car assists, you are still responsible for ensuring the maneuver is safe.
3.2 Navigate on Autopilot: On-Ramp to Off-Ramp Automation
Navigate on Autopilot takes care of highway driving, including suggesting and executing lane changes, navigating interchanges, and taking the correct exits.
Reminder: Focus on key sentences in each paragraph.
To enable this, touch Controls > Autopilot > Navigate on Autopilot (Beta) on your touchscreen. You can also customize its behavior, such as enabling it at the start of every navigation route.
When a navigation route is active, Navigate on Autopilot will provide visual cues on your display, indicating upcoming lane changes and exits.
Step 4: Disengaging Autopilot - Taking Back Control
It's equally important to know how to quickly and safely disengage Autopilot when needed. There are several ways to do this:
Apply the Brakes: This is the most intuitive way. Gently press the brake pedal. Autopilot will immediately disengage, and you'll regain full manual control.
Take Over Steering: Apply a firm turning force to the steering wheel. A slight, continuous pressure is what Autopilot expects, but a strong, deliberate turn will disengage it.
For Model 3/Y: Push the right gear stalk up once.
For Model S/X: Push the left cruise control stalk away from you once.
Upon disengagement, you'll hear a chime, and the steering wheel icon on your display will turn gray, signifying that Autopilot is no longer active.
Step 5: Safety First - The Golden Rules of Autopilot Usage ️
While Autopilot is incredibly advanced, it's not foolproof. Adhering to these safety guidelines is paramount:
5.1 Constant Driver Supervision: Your Eyes on the Road
Never rely solely on Autopilot. Always keep your hands on the steering wheel and your attention on the road and surrounding traffic. Be ready to take over at any moment.
The system can be limited by environmental conditions (e.g., heavy rain, snow, fog, faded lane markings) or sudden, unexpected events (e.g., a pedestrian darting out, construction zones with confusing markings).
5.2 Understanding Limitations
Autopilot may not detect all objects, especially stationary ones at higher speeds.
It might not react perfectly to all traffic situations, such as sudden braking by a vehicle that quickly moves out of your lane to reveal a stationary object.
Avoid using Autopilot in complex urban environments with frequent intersections, traffic lights, and pedestrians unless you have Full Self-Driving (Supervised) and are actively monitoring its performance.
5.3 Keep Cameras Clean
As mentioned earlier, regularly inspect and clean all cameras on your Tesla. They are vital for Autopilot's perception.
FAQ: Your Autopilot Questions Answered!
Tip: Look for examples to make points easier to grasp.
How to activate Tesla Autopilot?
To activate Autopilot, typically engage Traffic-Aware Cruise Control first by pushing the right stalk down once (Model 3/Y) or pulling the left stalk once (Model S/X), then double-press the same stalk to enable Autosteer.
How to disengage Tesla Autopilot?
You can disengage Autopilot by pressing the brake pedal, applying a firm turning force to the steering wheel, or pushing the right stalk up (Model 3/Y) or pushing the left stalk away (Model S/X).
How to adjust speed on Autopilot?
Once Autopilot is engaged, roll the right scroll wheel up or down to adjust your set speed.
How to change following distance on Autopilot?
While Autopilot is active, push the right scroll wheel left or right to adjust the following distance to the car in front.
How to use Auto Lane Change?
With Autosteer active (part of Enhanced Autopilot/FSD), engage the turn signal in the desired direction, and the car will attempt to change lanes automatically once safe. Remember to always check your blind spots.
How to know if Autopilot is engaged?
Tip: Highlight sentences that answer your questions.
You'll hear a chime, and the steering wheel icon on your Tesla's display will turn blue when Autosteer is active. If only Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is on, you'll see a gray speed icon.
How to get Full Self-Driving (Supervised) features?
Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is a paid upgrade that adds more advanced features like Navigate on Autopilot and Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control. It can be purchased through your Tesla app or Tesla account.
How to ensure safety while using Autopilot?
Always keep your hands on the steering wheel, remain attentive to the road, and be prepared to take over at any moment. Do not use Autopilot in complex or unsafe driving conditions.
How to clean Tesla Autopilot cameras?
Locate the cameras around your Tesla (windshield, B-pillars, fender repeaters) and gently clean them with a soft cloth and non-abrasive cleaner.
How to update Tesla Autopilot software?
Tesla vehicles receive over-the-air software updates automatically. Ensure your car is connected to Wi-Fi to receive the latest updates, which often include improvements to Autopilot features.
To see an owner demonstrating how to engage Autopilot in a Tesla, you can watch this video:
 |
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.
