2021 Tesla Model S Speed Assist
How Speed Assist Works
Model S displays a speed limit on the instrument panel and you can choose if and how you are warned when you exceed the speed limit. Also, instead of using the detected speed limit, you can base warnings on an arbitrary speed limit that you enter manually In situations where Model S is unable to determine a speed limit, or if Speed Assist is uncertain that an acquired speed limit is accurate, the instrument panel may not display a speed limit sign and warnings do not take effect.
Note
Speed limit warnings go away after ten seconds, or when Model S slows down below the specified limit.
Warning
Do not rely on Speed Assist to determine the appropriate speed limit or driving speed. Always drive at a safe speed based on traffic and road conditions.
Controlling Speed Assist
To adjust the Speed Limit Warning setting, touch , then choose one of these options:
- Off-Speed limit warnings do not display and chimes are not sounded.
- Display – Speed limit signs display on the instrument panel and the significant increases in size when you exceed the determined limit.
- Chime – In addition to the visual display, a chime is sounded when you exceed the determined speed limit.
You can also specify how the speed limit is determined:
- Relative – You can set a speed limit offset (+ or –) if you want to be alerted only when you exceed the offset speed limit by a specified amount. For example, you can increase the offset to +10 mph (10 km/h) if you only want to be warned when you exceed the speed limit by 10 mph (10 km/h).
NoteThe offset from the speed limit also affects the number shown in the gray speed icon on the instrument panel.
- Absolute – Manually specify any speed limit between 20 and 140 mph (30 and 240 km/h).
Note
Speed Assist is not always accurate. In some situations, the location of a road can be miscalculated and Speed Assist can display a speed for a directly adjacent road that may have a different speed limit. For example, Speed Assist can assume Model S is on a controlled-access highway when it is actually on a nearby surface street and vice versa. Your chosen setting is retained until you manually change it.
Limitations and Inaccuracies
Speed Assist may not be fully functional or may provide inaccurate information in these situations:
- Visibility is poor and speed limit signs are not clearly visible (due to heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.).
- Bright light (such as from oncoming headlights or direct sunlight) is interfering with the view of the camera(s).
- Model S is being driven very close to a vehicle in front of it which is blocking the view of the camera(s).
- The windshield is obstructing the view of the camera(s) (fogged over, dirty, covered by a sticker, etc.).
- Speed limit signs are concealed by objects.
- The speed limits stored in the map database are incorrect or outdated.
- Model S is being driven in an area where GPS or map data is not available or where speed limit signs can not be detected.
- Traffic signs do not conform to standard recognizable formats.
- A road or a speed limit has recently changed.
Warning
The list above does not represent an exhaustive list of situations that may interfere with the proper operation of Speed Assist. Speed Assist may fail to provide warnings for many other reasons.