Have you ever wanted your Tesla Model 3 to handle the mundane aspects of highway driving, like maintaining a consistent speed and distance from other cars? You're in luck! Your Tesla Model 3 comes equipped with Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC), a sophisticated system that goes beyond traditional cruise control by actively adjusting your speed to match surrounding traffic. Let's dive into how to master this incredible feature.
Step 1: Understanding Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC)
Before we start, it's crucial to understand that the Tesla Model 3 doesn't have a "basic" cruise control in the traditional sense. Instead, it offers Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) as a standard feature. TACC uses cameras and radar sensors to detect vehicles in front of you and automatically adjust your speed to maintain a set following distance. This is a game-changer for highway driving, as it significantly reduces driver fatigue.
What's the Difference from Traditional Cruise Control?
Traditional Cruise Control: You set a speed, and the car maintains it. If you approach a slower vehicle, you need to manually brake and then resume.
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC): You set a speed, and the car maintains it. If a slower vehicle is detected ahead, the car automatically slows down to maintain your set following distance. When the path is clear, it accelerates back to your set speed. This means less braking and accelerating for you!
Step 2: Preparing Your Tesla Model 3
Before you engage TACC, ensure your car's system is ready.
Checking Autopilot Settings
Navigate to Controls: On your Tesla's touchscreen, tap the car icon to access the "Controls" menu.
Select Autopilot: Within the "Controls" menu, find and tap on "Autopilot."
Review "Autopilot Activation": This setting determines how you engage TACC and Autosteer.
If set to "Single Pull": A single pull on the right stalk will engage both TACC and Autosteer (lane keeping).
If set to "Double Pull": You'll need to double-pull the stalk to engage Autosteer, allowing a single pull to engage TACC independently.
Recommendation: For independent TACC use, set "Autopilot Activation" to "Double Pull." This gives you more control over when Autosteer is activated.
Understanding Display Indicators
When TACC is available but not active, you'll typically see a gray speedometer icon on your touchscreen display, often showing your current speed or the detected speed limit. Once TACC is active, this icon will turn blue and display your set cruising speed.
Step 3: Engaging Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
Now, for the main event! Engaging TACC is straightforward once you know the specific action.
Method 1: Engaging at Current Driving Speed
Drive to your desired speed: Get your Model 3 to the speed you want to maintain.
Single Pull Down on the Right Stalk: On the right side of your steering column, you'll find the gear selector stalk. Pull this stalk down once and release it.
Confirmation: You'll hear a chime, and the speedometer icon on your touchscreen will turn blue, indicating that TACC is now active at your current speed. You can now release the accelerator pedal.
Method 2: Engaging at Detected Speed Limit
Single Pull Towards You on the Autopilot Stalk (older models) OR Single Pull Down on Right Stalk (newer models with 'Double Pull' Autopilot Activation): Depending on your Model 3's production year and your Autopilot settings, this might vary.
For newer models with "Autopilot Activation" set to "Double Pull," a single pull down on the right stalk will engage TACC at your current speed (as in Method 1). To set it to the detected speed limit, you might need to adjust the setting in Controls > Autopilot > Set Speed.
For older models with a dedicated Autopilot stalk, pull the Autopilot stalk (usually on the left of the steering column) towards you once.
Confirmation: A chime will sound, and the blue speedometer icon will appear, indicating TACC is active at the detected speed limit.
Adjusting Speed Offset (if engaging at speed limit)
If you've chosen to engage TACC at the detected speed limit, you can also specify an offset:
Go to
Controls>Autopilot>Set Speed Offset.Choose either a Fixed offset (adjusts by a specific mph/km/h) or a Percentage offset (adjusts as a percentage of the detected speed limit).
Step 4: Adjusting Cruising Speed and Following Distance
Once TACC is engaged, you'll want to fine-tune your settings for a comfortable and safe drive.
Changing the Cruising Speed
Using the Right Scroll Wheel:
Increase Speed: Roll the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel up.
Decrease Speed: Roll the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel down.
Slow roll: Adjusts speed in 1 mph/km/h increments.
Quick roll/spin: Adjusts speed to the closest 5 mph/km/h increment.
Using the Stalk (less common for adjustment, primarily for initial set): While TACC is active, briefly moving the right stalk up or down and releasing it can also change the set speed.
Adjusting Following Distance
Your Tesla's TACC allows you to set the distance it maintains from the car in front of you. This is crucial for comfort and safety.
Using the Right Scroll Wheel (left/right press):
Increase Distance: Press the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel to the right.
Decrease Distance: Press the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel to the left.
The touchscreen will show bars representing the following distance (usually 1 to 7 bars, with 7 being the longest distance).
Step 5: Disengaging and Resuming Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
Knowing how to disengage and resume TACC is just as important as knowing how to engage it.
Disengaging TACC
You have a few options to cancel TACC:
Press the Brake Pedal: This is the most intuitive and common way to disengage TACC, similar to traditional cruise control.
Push the Right Stalk Up (away from you) Once: Push the gear selector stalk up once and release it.
Press the Right Scroll Button: If your Tesla has the older scroll button activation for TACC, pressing it once will cancel TACC.
Note: When TACC cancels, your Model 3 will slow down using regenerative braking, just as if you lifted your foot off the accelerator.
Resuming TACC
Pull the Right Stalk Up or Down Once: After TACC has been canceled, a quick pull of the right stalk up or down will resume cruising at your previous set speed. If you were driving faster than the previous set speed, it will resume at your current driving speed.
Important Considerations and Safety Reminders
Hands on the Wheel: Even with TACC active, always keep your hands on the steering wheel and remain attentive to the road. Tesla's TACC is a driver assistance feature, not an autonomous driving system.
Environmental Conditions: TACC performance can be affected by factors like heavy rain, snow, fog, bright sunlight, or dirty cameras/sensors. Be prepared to take over manually if conditions are poor.
Phantom Braking: While less common than in the past, some users have reported instances of "phantom braking" where the car unexpectedly brakes with no clear obstacle. Stay vigilant and be ready to intervene.
Speed Limits: TACC does not always adapt to changing speed limits automatically, especially if you are cruising at the speed limit. It is your responsibility to ensure you are driving at a safe and legal speed.
Not for City Streets: TACC is primarily designed for dry, straight roads like highways and freeways. It is generally not recommended for use on city streets with complex intersections, pedestrians, or frequent stop-and-go traffic.
Mastering TACC in your Tesla Model 3 significantly enhances the driving experience, making long journeys more relaxing and efficient. Enjoy the ride!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to turn on cruise control in Tesla Model 3?
To turn on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) in a Tesla Model 3, push the right stalk (gear selector) down once. The car will engage TACC at your current speed or the detected speed limit, depending on your settings.
How to adjust speed in Tesla Model 3 cruise control?
You can adjust the speed while using TACC by rolling the right scroll wheel on the steering wheel up to increase or down to decrease the set cruising speed.
How to adjust the following distance in Tesla Model 3 cruise control?
To adjust the following distance, press the right scroll wheel on the steering wheel left to decrease the distance or right to increase it. The touchscreen will show the number of bars indicating the set distance.
How to cancel cruise control in Tesla Model 3?
You can cancel TACC by either pressing the brake pedal or pushing the right stalk on the steering column up (away from you) once.
How to resume cruise control in Tesla Model 3?
To resume TACC after it has been canceled, pull the right stalk (gear selector) up or down once. The car will resume at the previously set speed or your current speed if it's higher.
How to tell if cruise control is active in Tesla Model 3?
When Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is active, the speedometer icon on your touchscreen will turn blue and display the set cruising speed.
How to differentiate between basic cruise control and Autopilot in Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 doesn't have "basic" cruise control. It only has Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC), which is an adaptive system. Autopilot is a broader suite of features that includes TACC and adds Autosteer (lane keeping).
How to set Autopilot Activation for TACC only?
To use TACC independently of Autosteer, go to Controls > Autopilot > Autopilot Activation and select "Double Pull." This ensures a single pull on the right stalk activates TACC, while a double pull activates Autosteer.
How to use cruise control in stop-and-go traffic in Tesla Model 3?
TACC is designed to handle stop-and-go traffic by automatically slowing down and accelerating to maintain the set following distance from the vehicle ahead, even coming to a complete stop and then resuming.
How to handle "phantom braking" when using Tesla Model 3 cruise control?
While Tesla continuously improves its system, if you experience "phantom braking," be prepared to take manual control by lightly pressing the accelerator to override the braking or by pressing the brake pedal to disengage TACC.
Learn more about enabling Traffic-Aware Cruise Control on your Tesla Model 3:
