Ah, the open road beckons, and your Tesla is ready to make the journey even more effortless! Setting cruise control in a Tesla isn't just about maintaining a constant speed; it's about engaging with an advanced system designed to enhance your driving comfort and safety. Let's dive into how to master this fantastic feature.
Step 1: Understand the Basics of Tesla's "Cruise Control"
Before we get into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand that Tesla's cruise control isn't just your ordinary system. It's called Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC), and it's a core component of Tesla's Autopilot suite.
What is Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC)?
TACC goes beyond traditional cruise control by actively monitoring the traffic in front of your vehicle. If the road ahead is clear, it maintains your set speed. However, if it detects a vehicle in your lane, it will automatically adjust your speed to maintain a chosen following distance, slowing down or accelerating as needed. This makes for a much more relaxed driving experience, especially in variable traffic conditions.
Key Considerations Before Engaging:
Driver Responsibility Remains Key: While TACC is incredibly helpful, you are always responsible for driving safely and being in control of your vehicle. It's a driver-assist feature, not a self-driving system. Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
Minimum Speed Thresholds: TACC typically requires you to be driving at a certain speed (e.g., 18 mph or 30 km/h) to activate, though it can engage at lower speeds or even from a standstill if a vehicle is detected ahead.
Clear Vision: Ensure your Tesla's cameras are clean and unobstructed, as TACC relies heavily on them to "see" the road and traffic.
Step 2: Activating Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC)
The method for activating TACC depends slightly on your Tesla model.
For Model 3 and Model Y:
On these models, the activation is primarily done through the right scroll button on your steering wheel.
A. Single Press for TACC: While driving, press the right scroll button once. You will hear a chime, and the touchscreen will display the set cruising speed, usually in gray when available and then turning blue when active. Release the accelerator pedal to allow TACC to take over.
B. Setting Speed Offset: You can customize how TACC sets its speed. Go to Controls > Autopilot on your touchscreen. Here you can choose whether TACC engages at the currently detected speed limit or your current driving speed.
If you choose "Speed Limit," you can also set an "Offset." This allows TACC to cruise at a fixed amount above or below the speed limit, or a percentage of it. For example, if the limit is 60 mph and you set a +5 mph offset, it will cruise at 65 mph.
Note: If you pull the Autopilot stalk (on older Model S/X) or press the right scroll wheel (on Model 3/Y) while already driving faster than the speed limit, the set speed will adjust to your current speed rather than the limit.
For Model S and Model X (Pre-2021 Refresh):
These models often utilize a dedicated cruise control stalk on the left side of the steering column.
A. Pull Stalk Towards You: To engage TACC, pull the cruise control stalk towards you once. A chime will sound, and an icon representing cruise control will appear on your instrument cluster.
B. Setting Speed: The speed at which you engage TACC will become your set cruising speed. You can also adjust it later (see Step 3).
Step 3: Adjusting Your Cruising Speed and Following Distance
Once TACC is active, you'll want to fine-tune it.
A. Changing the Set Speed:
Using the Scroll Wheel (Model 3/Y, and newer S/X): Roll the right scroll wheel up to increase the set speed or down to decrease it.
A light nudge typically adjusts the speed by 1 mph (or 1 km/h) increments.
A firmer roll or quickly spinning the scroll wheel will change the set speed in 5 mph (or 5 km/h) increments.
Using the Stalk (Older Model S/X): Nudge the cruise stalk up or down.
A lighter nudge will typically increase or decrease the speed by 1 MPH.
A firmer push will change the speed by 5 MPH.
Using the Touchscreen: You may also be able to adjust the set speed by touching the plus (+) or minus (-) icons next to the displayed speed on your touchscreen. A short tap increases by 1 mph/km/h, while a push and hold increases by 5 mph/km/h.
B. Adjusting the Following Distance:
This is where TACC truly shines, allowing you to choose how far your Tesla follows the vehicle in front.
Using the Scroll Wheel (Model 3/Y, and newer S/X): There isn't a direct scroll wheel control for following distance. This is typically adjusted via the touchscreen.
Using the Stalk (Older Model S/X): On some older models, you might be able to push the stalk left or right to cycle through the different following distance settings.
Via the Touchscreen: Go to Controls > Autopilot on your touchscreen. You'll find an option to adjust the following distance, often represented by a number of car lengths or a time-based distance. A higher number generally means a greater following distance.
Step 4: Understanding Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) (Supervised)
TACC is the foundation, but Teslas offer even more advanced features as part of their Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) (Supervised) packages.
A. Autosteer:
What it does: Autosteer works in conjunction with TACC to actively keep your Tesla centered within its lane. It maintains your speed and distance from a leading vehicle while also intelligently steering.
Activation:
Model 3/Y, and newer S/X: If your "Autopilot Activation" setting is set to "Single Click," pressing the right scroll button once will engage both TACC and Autosteer. If set to "Double Click," you'll need to double-press the right scroll button to activate Autosteer (TACC will activate with a single press).
Older Model S/X: Pull the cruise stalk towards you twice in quick succession to engage Autosteer.
Visual Confirmation: When Autosteer is active, the steering wheel icon on your display will turn blue, and the lane lines will also appear blue.
Driver Monitoring: Remember, Autosteer requires you to keep your hands on the wheel and apply slight torque periodically. Your Tesla will remind you if it detects you're not paying attention.
B. Full Self-Driving (FSD) (Supervised):
What it does: FSD (Supervised) builds upon Autopilot by adding capabilities like navigating on autopilot from on-ramp to off-ramp, automatic lane changes, taking turns at intersections, and stopping at traffic lights and stop signs.
Activation: This is a separate, often optional, software package. Once enabled in your vehicle's settings (Controls > Autopilot > Full Self-Driving (Supervised)), you can typically activate it at any speed (even from a standstill) by pressing the right scroll button once (for Model 3/Y/new S/X) or pulling the cruise stalk towards you twice (for older S/X).
Constant Supervision: The "Supervised" in FSD (Supervised) is critical. You must remain attentive and be ready to take over at all times. It is not a fully autonomous system.
Step 5: Deactivating Cruise Control
It's just as important to know how to disengage these features safely.
A. Press the Brake Pedal:
This is the most common and intuitive way to cancel any active Autopilot feature. A light tap on the brake pedal will immediately disengage TACC, Autosteer, or FSD (Supervised).
B. Press the Scroll Button/Stalk:
Model 3/Y, and newer S/X: Pressing the right scroll button once will typically cancel TACC or Autosteer.
Older Model S/X: Pushing the cruise stalk away from you once will cancel cruise control. Be aware that this can lead to sudden regenerative braking and a jarring stop if you're not prepared. A better technique might be to apply some gentle acceleration before pushing the stalk forward to offset the regenerative braking.
C. Take Manual Control:
Steering: If Autosteer or FSD (Supervised) is active, applying sufficient turning force to the steering wheel will disengage the steering assist, leaving TACC active.
Accelerator: While TACC is active, you can press the accelerator pedal to temporarily override the set speed. When you release the pedal, TACC will resume its set speed.
Step 6: Important Tips and Best Practices
Always be prepared to take over manual control. These systems are driver-assistance features, not replacements for attentive driving.
Understand your specific Tesla model's controls. While the general principles are similar, there might be slight variations in stalk or button functionality. Refer to your car's owner's manual for precise details.
Keep your cameras clean. Dirt, snow, or ice can impair the system's ability to "see" the road.
Be mindful of weather conditions. Heavy rain, snow, or fog can limit the effectiveness of the cameras and sensors, potentially causing the system to disengage or behave unexpectedly.
Stay updated on software. Tesla frequently releases over-the-air (OTA) updates that improve Autopilot features and add new functionalities. Ensure your car's software is current.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to set cruise control speed in a Tesla?
You can adjust the speed by rolling the right scroll wheel on your steering wheel (Model 3/Y) or by nudging the cruise control stalk up/down (older Model S/X). A light movement changes by 1 mph/km/h, a firmer movement by 5 mph/km/h.
How to activate Autopilot on Tesla Model 3?
To activate Autopilot (which includes Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer), double-press the right scroll button on your steering wheel, provided the "Autopilot Activation" setting is set to "Double Click." If set to "Single Click," a single press activates both.
How to turn off cruise control on Tesla?
The easiest way is to lightly press the brake pedal. You can also press the right scroll button (Model 3/Y) or push the cruise stalk away from you (older Model S/X).
How to change the following distance on Tesla cruise control?
You adjust the following distance via the touchscreen. Go to Controls > Autopilot and look for the option to set the distance, usually represented by a number indicating car lengths or time.
How to activate Traffic-Aware Cruise Control only?
On Model 3/Y and newer S/X, ensure your "Autopilot Activation" setting is set to "Double Click" (Controls > Autopilot). Then, a single press of the right scroll button will activate only TACC. For older Model S/X, a single pull of the cruise stalk towards you activates TACC.
How to resume a set cruise control speed in Tesla?
If TACC was recently disengaged (e.g., by braking) but not fully turned off, you can typically resume by pulling the right scroll button towards you (Model 3/Y) or pulling the cruise stalk towards you (older Model S/X).
How to tell if Autopilot or cruise control is active in my Tesla?
When TACC is active, the set speed on your display will typically turn blue. If Autosteer is also active, the steering wheel icon and lane lines on your display will appear blue.
How to override cruise control temporarily?
Simply press the accelerator pedal. Your Tesla will accelerate past the set speed. Once you release the pedal, TACC will resume its set speed.
How to set speed offset for cruise control?
On your touchscreen, go to Controls > Autopilot > Set Speed Offset. Here you can choose a fixed offset (e.g., +5 mph) or a percentage offset relative to the detected speed limit.
How to use cruise control in heavy traffic?
Tesla's Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) is specifically designed for heavy traffic. It will automatically slow down, stop, and then resume as traffic moves, maintaining your set following distance.
Learn more about Tesla's Autopilot features, including Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, in this
