Ready to experience the future of driving? Tesla's Autopilot system is an advanced driver-assistance feature designed to enhance your driving comfort and convenience. While it doesn't make your car fully autonomous, it significantly reduces the burden of highway driving by assisting with steering, accelerating, and braking. Let's dive into how you can effectively use Autopilot in your Tesla!
Step 1: Understand What Autopilot Is (and Isn't!)
Before you engage Autopilot, it's crucial to understand its capabilities and, more importantly, its limitations. Think of Autopilot as a highly sophisticated co-pilot, not a fully autonomous driver. You, the human driver, remain responsible for operating the vehicle safely at all times.
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| How To Do Autopilot In Tesla |
Autopilot vs. Full Self-Driving (FSD) (Supervised)
Many people confuse Autopilot with Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) package. Here's a quick breakdown:
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Standard Autopilot: This comes standard on every new Tesla. It includes Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC), which matches your speed to surrounding traffic, and Autosteer, which assists in steering within a clearly marked lane. It's primarily for highway driving.
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Full Self-Driving (Supervised): This is an optional upgrade that adds more advanced features, such as:
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Navigate on Autopilot: Actively guides your car from highway on-ramp to off-ramp, including lane changes and navigating interchanges.
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Auto Lane Change: Assists in moving to an adjacent lane on the highway when Autosteer is engaged.
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Autopark: Automatically parks your vehicle.
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Summon/Smart Summon: Moves your car in and out of tight spaces, or even navigates a parking lot to find you.
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Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control: Identifies and responds to traffic lights and stop signs.
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Key Takeaway: Regardless of the package, both Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised) require your active supervision and for your hands to remain on the steering wheel. Tesla explicitly states these features do not make the vehicle autonomous.
Step 2: Ensure Your Tesla is Ready
For Autopilot to function optimally, a few conditions need to be met.
Check Your Cameras
Your Tesla's Autopilot system relies heavily on its external cameras.
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Cleanliness is key: Before every drive, ensure all cameras (usually located around the vehicle, including on the B-pillars and behind the rearview mirror) are clean and free of obstructions like dirt, mud, ice, or snow. A dirty camera can significantly impair Autopilot's performance.
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Calibration: If you've recently had service or replaced your windshield, your cameras might need calibration. Your Tesla will usually notify you if this is required, and it happens automatically by driving a certain distance under specific conditions.
Software Updates
Tesla continuously improves its Autopilot features through over-the-air software updates.
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Stay updated: Always ensure your vehicle has the latest software version. Connect your Tesla to Wi-Fi to receive these updates quickly. You can check for updates via the "Software" tab on your touchscreen.
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Advanced vs. Standard: In your settings, you can choose between "ADVANCED" or "STANDARD" software update preferences. "ADVANCED" will give you updates as soon as they're available for your configuration and region.
Step 3: Activating Autopilot
Tip: Train your eye to catch repeated ideas.
Once you're on a suitable road, activating Autopilot is straightforward.
Getting on the Road ️
Autopilot (specifically Autosteer) is primarily designed for use on controlled-access highways with clearly marked lanes. While Traffic-Aware Cruise Control can work at lower speeds and in more varied conditions, Autosteer has specific speed limitations and environmental requirements.
Engaging Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC)
TACC is the foundational element of Autopilot. It maintains a set speed while keeping a safe following distance from the vehicle in front.
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Stalk-equipped Teslas (Older Models): Pull the right stalk down once.
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Stalk-less Teslas (Newer Models): Press the right scroll wheel on the steering wheel once.
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Adjusting Speed: Roll the right scroll wheel up to increase or down to decrease your set speed.
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Adjusting Following Distance: Push the right scroll wheel left or right to adjust the distance your Tesla maintains from the car ahead.
Engaging Autosteer
Autosteer works in conjunction with TACC to keep your vehicle centered in its lane.
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Stalk-equipped Teslas (Older Models): Pull the right stalk down twice in quick succession.
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Stalk-less Teslas (Newer Models): If your "Autopilot Activation" setting is set to "Double Click," you'll need to double-press the right scroll button to engage Autosteer. If set to "Single Click," a single press will engage both TACC and Autosteer. You can change this setting under
Controls > Autopilot.
Visual Confirmation ✨
When Autopilot (or Autosteer) is engaged, you'll see a blue steering wheel icon on your Tesla's display, along with blue lane lines, indicating that the system is actively assisting with steering. The set speed will also be displayed in blue.
Step 4: Staying Engaged and Safe ⚠️
This is perhaps the most critical step. Autopilot is a driver-assistance system, not a self-driving car.
Hands on the Wheel, Eyes on the Road
QuickTip: Skim fast, then return for detail.
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Constant Supervision: You must keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times and remain attentive to road conditions, surrounding traffic, and other road users (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.).
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Steering Wheel Reminders: Tesla uses a cabin camera and steering wheel torque sensors to ensure you're engaged. If the system doesn't detect your hands on the wheel for a period, you'll receive escalating visual and audible warnings. A subtle turning force on the wheel is usually enough to confirm engagement.
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Disengagement: If you repeatedly ignore these warnings, Autopilot will disengage for the remainder of your drive as a safety measure.
Be Prepared to Take Over
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Intervention Ready: Always be prepared to take immediate control of the vehicle. This means being ready to brake, accelerate, or steer at any moment.
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Environmental Limitations: Autopilot's performance can be affected by poor visibility (heavy rain, snow, fog), faded lane markings, construction zones, or complex road conditions. In such scenarios, be extra vigilant and prepared to take over.
Step 5: Disengaging Autopilot
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Disengaging Autopilot is as simple as engaging it.
Methods of Disengagement
You can disengage Autopilot in several ways:
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Brake Pedal: Gently press the brake pedal. This is the most common and immediate way to disengage.
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Steering Wheel (Manual Override): Apply a significant turning force to the steering wheel. For stalk-less vehicles, you can also press the right scroll wheel.
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Stalk-equipped Teslas: Push the drive stalk up (for older models with a stalk).
What Happens After Disengagement?
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If you disengage Autosteer by manually steering, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control might remain active (depending on your "Autopilot Activation" setting).
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If you press the brake pedal, both Autosteer and Traffic-Aware Cruise Control will disengage.
Step 6: Advanced Autopilot Features (if equipped) ✨
If you have the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) package, you can explore these advanced features:
Navigate on Autopilot (NoA) ️
NoA takes Autopilot a step further by actively guiding your Tesla from a highway's on-ramp to off-ramp.
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Activation: Once Autosteer is engaged and you have a destination set in navigation, a "Navigate on Autopilot" option will appear on your touchscreen. Tap it to activate.
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Suggestions: NoA will suggest lane changes to optimize your route or to pass slower traffic. You'll typically confirm these changes with the turn signal stalk.
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Exits: It will also guide you to the correct exit.
Auto Lane Change ➡️
Tip: Check back if you skimmed too fast.
This feature allows your Tesla to move to an adjacent lane when Autosteer is engaged.
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Initiation: Simply engage the turn signal in the direction you want to change lanes. The car will evaluate if the lane change is safe and then execute it.
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Confirmation: Always check your mirrors and blind spots before and during an Auto Lane Change.
Autopark and Summon/Smart Summon ️
These features are for parking assistance.
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Autopark: When driving slowly in a parking area, your Tesla will detect suitable parallel or perpendicular parking spaces and display a "P" icon on the screen. Tapping this will initiate automatic parking.
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Summon/Smart Summon: These features, controlled via the Tesla mobile app, allow your car to move in and out of tight parking spots (Summon) or navigate more complex environments to come to you (Smart Summon).
FAQ: How to Use Tesla Autopilot Safely and Effectively
How to Check if My Tesla Has Autopilot?
Every new Tesla vehicle comes with Standard Autopilot as a standard feature. You can verify your vehicle's Autopilot configuration on your touchscreen by going to Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Information or in the Tesla app under Vehicle > Specs & Warranty.
How to Calibrate Tesla Autopilot Cameras?
Camera calibration usually happens automatically. You just need to drive for a certain distance (often hundreds of kilometers) in good visibility conditions. Your car's display will show the calibration progress. If an alert persists, contact Tesla service.
How to Know When Autopilot is Engaged?
When Autopilot (specifically Autosteer) is active, you'll see a blue steering wheel icon on your display, and the lane lines will also appear in blue. The set speed will also be highlighted in blue.
How to Adjust Speed While on Autopilot?
Roll the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel up to increase the set speed or down to decrease it.
Tip: Reread the opening if you feel lost.
How to Change Following Distance on Autopilot?
Push the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel left to increase the following distance or right to decrease it.
How to Disengage Autopilot Quickly?
The quickest way to disengage Autopilot is to press the brake pedal. Alternatively, you can apply significant steering wheel torque or (for stalk-equipped models) push the drive stalk up.
How to Handle Autopilot Warnings?
If Autopilot warns you to apply steering torque or pay attention, simply apply a slight turning force to the steering wheel. Do not ignore these warnings, or Autopilot will eventually disengage.
How to Update Tesla Autopilot Software?
Connect your Tesla to a strong Wi-Fi signal. Your vehicle will typically download updates automatically. You can also manually check for updates in the "Software" tab on your touchscreen.
How to Use Autopilot in City Driving?
Standard Autopilot (Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer) is primarily designed for highways. While TACC can work in city traffic, Autosteer has limitations and is not intended for complex city street driving. Full Self-Driving (Supervised) offers more capabilities for city streets, but still requires constant driver supervision.
How to Troubleshoot Autopilot Issues?
If you experience Autopilot issues, first ensure your cameras are clean and unobstructed. Check for any error messages on your touchscreen. Often, issues are temporary due to environmental factors. If the problem persists across multiple drives, it's advisable to schedule a service appointment with Tesla.
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