2021 Tesla Model 3 Autosteer
Operating Autosteer
Before you can operate Autosteer, you must enable it by touching
.Restricted Speed
On a controlled-access highway, the cruising speed reflects the speed limit, taking into consideration any offset you’ve specified using Speed Assist. However, if you choose to use Autosteer on residential roads, a road without a center divider, or a road where access is not limited, Autosteer may limit the maximum allowed cruising speed and the touchscreen displays a message indicating that speed is restricted. The restricted speed will be the speed limit of the road plus 5 mph (10 km/h). In situations where the speed limit cannot be detected when Autosteer is engaged, Autosteer reduces your driving speed and limits the set cruising speed to 45 mph (70 km/h). Although you can manually accelerate to exceed the limited speed, Model 3 may not brake for detected obstacles. Autosteer slows down to the limited speed when you release the accelerator pedal. When you leave the road, or disengage Autosteer by using the steering wheel, you can increase your set speed again, if desired.
Hold Steering Wheel
Autosteer determines how best to steer Model 3. When active, Autosteer requires you to hold the steering wheel. If it does not detect your hands on the steering wheel for a period of time, a flashing blue light appears at the top of the car status section of the touchscreen and the following message displays:
For the rest of the drive, you must steer manually. Autosteer is available again on your next drive (after you stop and shift Model 3 into Park).
Take Over Immediately
In situations where Autosteer is unable to steer Model 3, Autosteer sounds a warning chime and displays the following message on the touchscreen:
When you see this message, TAKE OVER STEERING IMMEDIATELY.
Canceling Autosteer
Autosteer cancels when:
- You press the brake pedal.
- You start steering manually.
- You exceed the maximum speed at which Autosteer operates – 90 mph (150 km/h).
- You move the drive stalk upwards.
- A door is opened.
- An Automatic Emergency Braking event occurs (see Collision-Avoidance Assist).
When Autosteer cancels, it sounds a chime and the Autosteer icon either turns gray to indicate that Autosteer is no longer active, or disappears to indicate that it is not currently available.
Auto Lane Change
When Autosteer is active, engage a turn signal to move Model 3 into an adjacent lane (moving the steering wheel would cancel Autosteer).
Operating Auto Lane Change
Auto Lane Change is available whenever Autosteer is active. To change lanes using Auto Lane Change:
- Perform visual checks to make sure it is safe and appropriate to move into the target lane.
- Engage the appropriate turn signal, keeping your hands on the steering wheel.
- If needed, cancel the turn signal once you are in the target lane.
Auto Lane Change moves Model 3 into the adjacent lane in the direction indicated by the turn signal, provided the following conditions are met:
- The turn signal is engaged.
- Model 3 does not detect a vehicle in its blind spot, or a vehicle or obstacle up to the center of the target lane.
- Lane markings indicate that a lane change is permitted.
- Midway through the lane change, Model 3 must detect the target lane’s outside lane marking. If this lane marking is not detected, the lane change is aborted and Model 3 returns to its original driving lane.
- The view of the camera(s) is not obstructed.
When an automatic lane change is in progress, Overtake Acceleration is activated, allowing Model 3 to accelerate closer to a vehicle in front (see Overtake Acceleration).
Adjacent Lane Speed
When moving significantly faster than vehicles in adjacent lanes, Model 3 automatically reduces the driving speed. This is especially helpful in heavy traffic situations or when vehicles are constantly merging into different lanes. When Model 3 detects other vehicles driving significantly slower, the touchscreen highlights the adjacent lanes with arrows and detected vehicles in gray, and Model 3 reduces the driving speed as appropriate. To temporarily override this feature, press the accelerator pedal.
Stop Light and Stop Sign Warning
Limitations
Autosteer and its associated functions are particularly unlikely to operate as intended when:
- Autosteer is unable to accurately determine lane markings. For example, lane markings are excessively worn, have visible previous markings, have been adjusted due to road construction, are changing quickly (lanes branching off, crossing over, or merging), objects or landscape features are casting strong shadows on the lane markings, or the road surface contains pavement seams or other high-contrast lines.
- Visibility is poor (heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.) or weather conditions are interfering with sensor operation.
- A camera(s) or sensor(s) is obstructed, covered, or damaged.
- Driving on hills.
- Approaching a toll booth.
- Driving on a road that has sharp curves or is excessively rough.
- Bright light (such as direct sunlight) is interfering with the view of the camera(s).
- The sensors (if equipped) are affected by other electrical equipment or devices that generate ultrasonic waves.
- A vehicle is detected in your blind spot when you engage the turn signal.
- Model 3 is being driven very close to a vehicle in front of it, which is blocking the view of the camera(s).