Limiting Speed on Your Tesla: A Comprehensive Guide
Hello there, fellow Tesla enthusiast! Are you looking to ensure a safer ride, manage driving habits, or simply adhere to posted speed limits with greater ease in your cutting-edge Tesla? You've come to the right place. Tesla vehicles are renowned for their incredible performance, but they also offer a suite of sophisticated features to help you control and limit speed, ensuring a more responsible and relaxed driving experience. Let's dive into how you can effectively manage your Tesla's speed.
Step 1: Understanding Tesla's Speed Control Features
Before we get into the "how-to," it's essential to understand the different ways your Tesla can help you manage speed. Tesla offers several integrated systems, each with unique functionalities:
1.1 Speed Limit Mode (for General Speed Restriction)
This feature is designed for overall speed management, perfect for when you want to set a hard limit for any driver of the vehicle, like a new driver or even for yourself to encourage more conservative driving. It acts as a safety measure, preventing the car from exceeding a specified maximum speed.
1.2 Speed Assist (for Speed Limit Warnings)
Speed Assist is your Tesla's way of keeping you informed about the current speed limit and warning you if you exceed it. It uses cameras and map data to detect speed limit signs and display them on your touchscreen. You can customize how it alerts you.
1.3 Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) and Autosteer (for Automated Speed Management)
These are part of Tesla's Autopilot system and are designed for convenient, automated cruising.
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC): This system maintains a set speed, similar to traditional cruise control, but with the added intelligence of adjusting your speed to keep a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you.
Autosteer: This feature works in conjunction with TACC, assisting with steering within a clearly marked lane while also maintaining a set speed or following distance.
Step 2: Activating Speed Limit Mode
This is the most direct way to limit your Tesla's maximum speed. It's particularly useful if you want to set a cap for another driver.
2.1 Navigating to the Settings
On your Tesla's large touchscreen display, touch the "Controls" icon. This is typically located at the bottom left of the screen or on the main menu.
Next, tap on "Safety". This section houses many of the vehicle's security and safety features.
2.2 Engaging Speed Limit Mode
Within the "Safety" menu, locate and touch "Speed Limit Mode".
You will then be prompted to select your desired maximum driving speed. You can adjust this using a slider or numerical input on the screen.
Once you've chosen the speed, drag the slider to the "On" position.
To secure this setting and prevent unauthorized changes, you'll be asked to enter a 4-digit PIN. Choose a memorable but secure PIN, as this will be required to enable or disable Speed Limit Mode in the future.
Remember: This mode sets a hard limit on the vehicle's speed, regardless of how much the accelerator pedal is pressed.
Step 3: Utilizing Speed Assist for Warnings
Speed Assist doesn't limit your speed, but it's a fantastic tool for awareness and preventing unintentional speeding.
3.1 Understanding Speed Assist Display
Your Tesla's touchscreen will display the detected speed limit on the screen.
If you exceed this limit, the speed limit sign on the display may increase in size or be outlined in blue to alert you. In some regions, an audible chime will also sound.
3.2 Customizing Speed Assist Warnings
To adjust the Speed Limit Warning settings, go to "Controls" > "Autopilot" on your touchscreen.
Look for "Speed Limit Warning" and choose your preferred option:
Off: No speed limit warnings will be displayed or sounded.
Display: Speed limit signs will be shown, and the sign will increase in size if you exceed the limit.
Chime: In addition to the visual display, an audible chime will sound when you exceed the determined speed limit.
3.3 Setting Speed Limit Offsets
Within the Speed Assist settings, you can also specify how the speed limit is determined:
Relative: This allows you to set a positive or negative offset from the detected speed limit. For example, if you set an offset of "+10 mph," you'll only be warned when you exceed the speed limit by 10 mph.
Absolute: This allows you to manually specify any speed limit between a certain range (e.g., 20 and 140 mph or 30 and 240 km/h), regardless of the detected road speed limit.
Note: Speed Assist relies on camera and map data, which can sometimes be inaccurate due to poor visibility, obscured signs, or outdated map information. Always drive at a safe speed based on current road and traffic conditions.
Step 4: Managing Speed with Autopilot Features ️
Tesla's Autopilot features offer advanced speed management, especially on highways.
4.1 Activating Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC)
For Model 3 and Model Y, pull down once on the right scroll button (gear selector stalk) on the steering column.
For Model S and Model X, pull down once on the cruise control stalk on the left of the steering column.
A chime will sound, indicating TACC is active. Your Tesla will maintain your current speed and adjust to traffic.
4.2 Adjusting TACC Set Speed
Once TACC is active, you can roll the right scroll wheel up to increase the set speed or down to decrease it.
You can also temporarily override the set speed by pressing the accelerator pedal.
4.3 Engaging Autosteer (for combined speed and steering assistance)
If your Autopilot Activation setting is set to "Double Click," you'll need to double-press the right scroll button (or cruise control stalk) to engage Autosteer. If it's set to "Single Click," a single press will engage both TACC and Autosteer.
Autosteer will help keep your vehicle centered in the lane while maintaining your set speed or following distance.
To change the set speed while Autosteer is active, roll the right scroll wheel up or down.
4.4 Autopilot Speed Settings and Offsets
To customize how Autopilot sets speed, touch "Controls" > "Autopilot".
Under "Set Speed," choose whether Autopilot engages at the currently detected speed limit or your current driving speed.
If you choose "Speed Limit," you can further specify an "Offset" by touching "Set Speed Offset." You can choose:
Fixed: The cruising speed adjusts by a specific amount on all roads (e.g., always 5 mph over the limit).
Percentage: The cruising speed is adjusted as a percentage of the road's detected speed limit (e.g., 5% over the limit).
Important Safety Note: While these features are incredibly helpful, Autopilot is a driver-assistance system and not a fully autonomous driving system. You must remain attentive, keep your hands on the steering wheel, and be prepared to take control at all times.
Step 5: Understanding "Chill" Acceleration Mode
While not a speed limiter in the strict sense, "Chill" mode significantly reduces acceleration, which can help in managing overall speed and making the driving experience smoother, especially for new drivers or in adverse conditions.
5.1 Activating Chill Mode
On your touchscreen, touch "Controls" > "Pedals & Steering" > "Acceleration".
Select "Chill".
You'll see "Chill" displayed on the instrument panel above your driving speed, indicating it's active.
Benefit: Chill mode makes the car feel less "eager" to accelerate, which can indirectly lead to more conservative speeds and improve energy efficiency, especially in colder weather.
Step 6: Regular Software Updates
Tesla vehicles are continuously improved through over-the-air (OTA) software updates. These updates often include enhancements to existing safety features, including speed management systems, and may introduce new functionalities.
6.1 Checking for Updates
Periodically check for software updates by going to "Controls" > "Software" on your touchscreen.
Ensure your Tesla is connected to Wi-Fi for faster and more reliable downloads.
Always install updates as soon as they become available to benefit from the latest improvements and safety features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to set a maximum speed for a new driver in a Tesla?
To set a maximum speed, activate Speed Limit Mode via Controls > Safety > Speed Limit Mode, select the desired speed, enable it, and set a 4-digit PIN.
How to disable Speed Limit Mode in my Tesla?
Navigate to Controls > Safety > Speed Limit Mode, then drag the slider to the "Off" position and enter your 4-digit PIN to disable it.
How to get speed limit warnings in my Tesla?
Enable Speed Assist warnings by going to Controls > Autopilot > Speed Limit Warning and choosing "Display" or "Chime."
How to adjust the speed offset for Autopilot in a Tesla?
Go to Controls > Autopilot > Set Speed Offset and choose either "Fixed" or "Percentage" to adjust how Autopilot sets its cruising speed relative to the detected limit.
How to use Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to manage speed?
Pull down once on the right scroll button (or cruise control stalk, depending on your model) to engage Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, which will maintain a set speed and adjust for traffic.
How to make my Tesla accelerate more gently?
Select "Chill" acceleration mode by going to Controls > Pedals & Steering > Acceleration. This limits the vehicle's acceleration for a smoother ride.
How to know if Speed Assist is active in my Tesla?
A speed limit sign will be displayed on your touchscreen, indicating the detected speed limit. It may highlight or increase in size if you exceed it.
How to temporarily override the set speed in Autopilot?
You can temporarily override the set cruising speed in Autopilot by pressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle will return to the set speed when you release the pedal.
How to ensure my Tesla has the latest speed control features?
Regularly install over-the-air software updates by connecting your Tesla to Wi-Fi and checking Controls > Software.
How to turn off audible speed limit warnings in a Tesla?
You can short-press the speed limit sign on the touchscreen to mute the speeding chime for the rest of the current drive cycle. Note that they re-enable on the next drive.
This video provides an overview of how Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta adjusts speed, which is relevant to understanding how your Tesla manages speed.
