Have you ever dreamed of a more relaxed commute, where your car takes care of the mundane aspects of driving, allowing you to enjoy the journey more? With your Tesla Model 3's advanced cruise control capabilities, that dream is well within reach! Tesla's Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) isn't your average cruise control; it's a sophisticated system that adapts to traffic flow, making highway driving, and even stop-and-go situations, significantly less stressful. Let's dive into how you can master this incredible feature.
Step 1: Understanding Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of activation, let's understand what TACC is and how it differs from traditional cruise control.
What is Traffic-Aware Cruise Control?
Imagine traditional cruise control, but with a brain! TACC not only maintains a set speed but also uses your Model 3's cameras and sensors to monitor the vehicles ahead of you. This means it will automatically slow down if the car in front does, and then accelerate back to your set speed once the path is clear. It's designed to make your driving experience smoother and safer, reducing the need for constant manual intervention.
TACC vs. Traditional Cruise Control: The Key Difference
The biggest distinction lies in their intelligence.
Traditional Cruise Control is "dumb" – it simply tries to maintain a set speed, regardless of traffic. You'd have to constantly brake and reset it if you encountered slower vehicles.
Tesla's TACC is "smart" – it actively manages your speed and following distance in relation to the vehicles around you. This is a game-changer for highway driving, especially in variable traffic conditions.
Step 2: Activating Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
Getting TACC up and running in your Model 3 is straightforward. The activation method can depend on your Autopilot Activation settings, which you can configure in your car's touchscreen.
Sub-heading: Via the Right Scroll Button (Common Method)
This is the most common way to engage TACC:
Ensure you're in Drive: TACC can only be engaged when your Model 3 is in motion.
Locate the Right Scroll Button: On your steering wheel, you'll find a right scroll button.
Press the Right Scroll Button Once: Give it a single, firm press.
Release the Accelerator Pedal: Once you press the button, release the accelerator pedal. Your Model 3 will then take over, maintaining your current speed. You'll hear a chime, and the cruising speed icon on your instrument panel will turn blue, indicating TACC is active.
Sub-heading: Via the Gear Selector Stalk (Older Models/Configuration Dependent)
Some Model 3s, or depending on your Autopilot Activation settings, might also allow activation via the gear selector stalk on the right side of the steering column:
Pull Down the Gear Selector Stalk Once: A quick, single pull down on the stalk (the same one you use to put the car into Drive).
Release the Accelerator Pedal: As with the scroll button method, release the accelerator. A chime will sound, and the icon will turn blue.
Important Note on Autopilot Activation Settings:
Tesla allows you to configure how Autopilot features (including TACC and Autosteer) are activated. You can find this under Controls > Autopilot > Autopilot Activation.
If set to "Single Pull", pulling the stalk once might activate both TACC and Autosteer.
If set to "Double Pull", a single pull will typically activate TACC only, while a double pull activates Autosteer. For independent TACC use, it's often recommended to set Autopilot Activation to "Double Pull."
Step 3: Adjusting Your Cruising Speed
Once TACC is active, you'll want to fine-tune your desired cruising speed. Your Model 3 offers intuitive ways to do this.
Sub-heading: Using the Right Scroll Wheel
This is the primary and most convenient way to adjust your speed:
Increase Speed: Roll the right scroll wheel UP on your steering wheel.
Decrease Speed: Roll the right scroll wheel DOWN on your steering wheel.
A quick roll will typically adjust the speed in 1 mph (or 1 km/h) increments. If you hold the scroll wheel up or down, the speed will change more rapidly.
Sub-heading: Engaging at Speed Limit or Current Speed
When you engage TACC, you can choose if it sets the speed to the currently detected speed limit or your current driving speed. This can be configured in your Controls > Autopilot settings.
If you pull the stalk towards you once, it can engage TACC at the currently detected speed limit.
If you move the stalk up or down once, it can engage TACC at your current driving speed.
Step 4: Managing Following Distance
One of the most powerful features of TACC is its ability to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead. You can adjust this distance to your preference.
Sub-heading: Adjusting the Gap with the Right Scroll Button
The right scroll button on your steering wheel isn't just for activation; it also controls your following distance:
Increase Following Distance: Press the right scroll button to the LEFT.
Decrease Following Distance: Press the right scroll button to the RIGHT.
Tesla's system uses a numerical scale, typically from 1 (closest) to 7 (longest). Each setting represents a time-based distance, meaning the actual physical gap will adjust based on your speed. Experiment with these settings to find what feels most comfortable and safe for you in various traffic conditions.
Step 5: Overriding and Canceling TACC
There will be times when you need to temporarily take manual control or disengage TACC completely. Tesla has designed these actions to be intuitive.
Sub-heading: Temporary Manual Override
You can always temporarily override TACC by simply pressing the accelerator pedal. Your Model 3 will accelerate as you direct, but once you release the pedal, TACC will resume its set speed and following distance. This is incredibly useful for quick overtakes or navigating around obstacles without completely disengaging the system.
Sub-heading: Canceling Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
There are a couple of ways to cancel TACC:
Press the Brake Pedal: The most natural way to disengage any cruise control.
Push the Gear Selector Stalk Away: Push the stalk on the right side of the steering column away from you once.
Press the Right Scroll Button: Some configurations allow a single press of the right scroll button to cancel TACC.
When TACC is canceled, you'll hear a chime, and the cruising speed icon on your instrument panel will turn gray.
Step 6: Understanding TACC Behavior and Limitations
While TACC is a marvel of engineering, it's crucial to understand its behavior and inherent limitations. It's a driver-assist feature, not a fully autonomous system.
Sub-heading: Adapting to Curves and On-Ramps
TACC is smart enough to adjust its speed when entering and exiting curves and even when cruising onto an on-ramp to a controlled-access highway. It will aim to match the highway's speed limit, plus any offset you've specified.
Sub-heading: "Phantom Braking"
Occasionally, your Tesla might "phantom brake" – meaning it brakes unexpectedly without an obvious reason. This can happen due to:
Shadows or changes in road color being misinterpreted as obstacles.
Vehicles in adjacent lanes briefly appearing in the car's path.
Sudden changes in light conditions. While Tesla continually improves its software, it's something to be aware of and always be prepared to take over.
Sub-heading: Driver Responsibility
Always keep your hands on the steering wheel and be attentive to road conditions, surrounding traffic, and other road users. TACC is designed for your driving comfort and convenience, not as a substitute for active driving. You are ultimately responsible for safe operation of your vehicle.
Step 7: Advanced TACC Settings and Tips
Beyond the basics, there are a few advanced settings and tips that can enhance your TACC experience.
Sub-heading: Speed Offset
You can specify a speed offset when TACC engages at the detected speed limit. This means you can set it to always drive, for example, 5 mph over the detected speed limit.
Go to
Controls > Autopilot > Set Speed Offset.Choose between a Fixed offset (a specific number of mph/km/h) or a Percentage offset (a percentage of the detected speed limit).
Sub-heading: Smoothness in Stop-and-Go Traffic
While TACC handles stop-and-go traffic, some users find its acceleration/deceleration a bit abrupt. You can influence this by:
Adjusting the Following Distance: A longer following distance (e.g., 5-7) might lead to smoother acceleration from a standstill.
Acceleration Modes: In
Controls > Dynamics > Acceleration, you can choose between "Chill," "Standard," or "Insane" (for Performance models). "Chill" mode will result in a much gentler acceleration when TACC is resuming speed.
Sub-heading: Don't Be Afraid to Override
As mentioned, a light touch on the accelerator will not disengage TACC. If you feel the car is being too slow to accelerate after a stop, or you want to briefly speed up to merge, don't hesitate to give it some gas. TACC will seamlessly re-engage at your set speed once you release the pedal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to turn on cruise control in Tesla Model 3?
You can turn on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) by pressing the right scroll button on your steering wheel once, then releasing the accelerator pedal. Alternatively, depending on your Autopilot settings, you might pull the gear selector stalk down once.
How to change the speed when using Tesla Model 3 cruise control?
To change the set speed, roll the right scroll wheel up to increase the speed, or down to decrease it.
How to adjust the following distance on Tesla Model 3 cruise control?
Adjust the following distance by pressing the right scroll button to the left (to increase the gap) or to the right (to decrease the gap). The settings range from 1 (closest) to 7 (longest).
How to cancel cruise control in Tesla Model 3?
You can cancel TACC by pressing the brake pedal, pushing the gear selector stalk away from you once, or sometimes by pressing the right scroll button again.
How to resume cruise control after canceling it in a Tesla Model 3?
Tesla's TACC typically does not have a "resume" function like traditional cruise control. You would re-engage it by pressing the right scroll button or pulling the stalk.
How to set a speed offset for cruise control in Tesla Model 3?
To set a speed offset, go to Controls > Autopilot > Set Speed Offset on your touchscreen. You can then choose a fixed or percentage offset.
How to handle "phantom braking" with Tesla Model 3 cruise control?
While you can't entirely prevent "phantom braking," being aware of it allows you to be prepared to take over by either applying the accelerator or manually braking. Tesla continually releases software updates to improve this.
How to use cruise control in stop-and-go traffic with a Tesla Model 3?
TACC is designed to work in stop-and-go traffic, automatically slowing down and accelerating with the flow. Adjusting your following distance to a higher setting (e.g., 5-7) and using "Chill" acceleration mode can make the experience smoother.
How to know if Tesla Model 3 cruise control is active?
When TACC is active, the cruising speed icon on your instrument panel will turn blue and display your set speed. When it's available but not engaged, it will be gray.
How to configure Autopilot activation for cruise control only in Tesla Model 3?
To use TACC independently of Autosteer, ensure your Controls > Autopilot > Autopilot Activation setting is set to "Double Pull". This typically allows a single pull of the stalk or a single press of the scroll button to activate only TACC.
Learn more about Tesla's adaptive cruise control features here:
