A set of tools dubbed Autopilot gives Tesla vehicles some self-driving or autonomous capabilities, but these should only be utilized by a driver who is fully focused on the road. Make a note of this guide if you plan on installing Autopilot in your Tesla vehicle or simply want to understand more about how the system works.
What is Tesla Autopilot?
Autopilot is an optional driver assistance system for Tesla vehicles that you must purchase separately. It’s packed with high-end security and convenience features. Autopilot is available in two packages: Autopilot and Full self-driving capability, both of which may be purchased directly through your Tesla Account.
Your Tesla vehicle can steer, accelerate, and brake autonomously and automatically inside its lane, among other features. Autopilot currently necessitates driver intervention and does not render your vehicle “completely” autonomous. However, because the self-driving aspects of Autopilot will grow over time, Tesla says your vehicle can be updated to future versions of Autopilot via over-the-air software updates.
Which vehicles have Autopilot?
Since 2016, all new Tesla vehicles have come equipped with the necessary hardware for Autopilot, such as eight 360-degree cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, forward-facing radar, vision processing tools, an onboard computer, and more. This device can look in every direction at the same time and is the brains behind Tesla’s self-driving technology. (Vehicles manufactured between September 2014 and October 2016 have only one camera, as well as antiquated radar and ultrasonic sensors.)
As previously stated, in order to utilize this technology and use Autopilot in your vehicle, you must purchase one of Tesla’s two Autopilot packages. From the touchscreen, you can verify the configuration of your vehicle: Press Additional Vehicle Information after selecting Controls > Software > Confirm Autopilot computer type.
How much is Autopilot?
Autopilot can be purchased either before or after your Tesla vehicle has been delivered. The following are the available bundles and their prices:
Autopilot
- Price: $2,000 in the US
Full self-driving capability
- Price: $10,000 in the US
We’ll update this guide with UK pricing as soon as possible.
Which to get: Autopilot or FSD?
The following are the key characteristics of each of the two Autopilot packages available for your Tesla:
Autopilot
- Traffic-Aware Cruise Control: Adjusts your Tesla’s speed to keep up with the flow of traffic.
- Autosteer: Assists with lane steering and employs traffic-aware cruise control.
Full self-driving capability
- Navigate on Autopilot (beta): Actively directs your Tesla vehicle from the on-ramp to the off-ramp of a highway, including recommending lane changes, negotiating interchanges, automatically engaging the turn signal, and exiting.
- Auto Lane Change: Assists in moving to an adjacent lane on the highway when Autosteer is engaged.
- Autopark: With a single touch, you may parallel or perpendicular park your Tesla vehicle.
- Summon: Using the app or a key, summons your Tesla vehicle into and out of a tight spot.
- Smart Summon: To find you in a parking lot, your Tesla vehicle will negotiate more difficult settings and parking spots, weaving around obstructions.
- Traffic and Stop Sign Control (Beta): Detects stop signs and traffic lights and, with your active supervision, slows your Tesla vehicle to a stop on approach.
How do you buy Tesla Autopilot?
You can buy Autopilot at any time through your Tesla account. The Autopilot software that your car needs will then be added to your car. Read also; 2022 Tesla Model 3 Review
How do you operate Autopilot?
For more information, we recommend reading your vehicle’s owner manual. However, we’ve described how to activate some of Autopilot’s most important functions below.
Enable Autopilot
Many Autopilot features are disabled by default, including Autosteer, Navigate on Autopilot, and Summon. To enable them, navigate to the Settings tab’s Autopilot Controls menu. You must agree to “always keep your hands on the steering wheel” and to “always maintain control and accountability.”
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
Pull down once on the cruise control stalk on the left side of the steering column to activate Traffic-Aware Cruise Control in the Model S and Model X. Pull down once on the gear selector stalk on the right side of the column in Model 3 and Model Y.
Autosteer
Pull toward you twice on the cruise control stalk on the steering column to activate Autosteer in the Model S and Model X. Pull down twice on the gear selector stalk on the right side of the steering column in the Model 3 and Model Y.
Note: A steering wheel icon will appear on your display when Autosteer is available. A blue steering wheel icon will appear when it is engaged.
Navigate on Autopilot
To use this feature, first turn on Autosteer (Controls > Autopilot > Autosteer), then turn on the Navigate on Autopilot option. The current version of Navigation maps must be downloaded through Wi-Fi, and camera calibration will be required. You can activate Navigate on Autopilot for each route by pressing the Navigate on Autopilot button in your Navigation Turn List. (At any point, you can turn on Navigate on Autopilot.)
By pushing the gear lever twice downward on the Model 3 and Model Y, Navigate on Autopilot may be employed on most highways. Navigate on Autopilot can be activated on most highways by drawing the cruise stalk toward you twice on the Model S and Model X.
Auto Lane Change
To make an automated lane change, go to the Autopilot Controls menu in the Settings tab and select Auto Lane Changes. The driver must then activate the turn signal while the vehicle is in Autosteer mode.
Autopark
A grey P icon will appear on your instrument panel if your automobile detects a parking spot. To utilize Autopark, depress the brake pedal, shift the gear selector to Reverse, and maintain your foot on the brake pedal. On your touchscreen, the words “Start Autopark” will show in blue letters. To activate the feature, press it, then release the brake and steering wheel. The vehicle will be controlled by Autopark. The automobile will let you know when Autopark is finished and shift into Park.
By taking control of the steering wheel, you can override Autopark at any time.
Summon
Open the Tesla app to utilize Summon.
Summon is pressed, then the forward or backward buttons are pressed. Owners of the Model S and Model X can utilize Summon with their key fob by holding the center of the fob for three seconds until the car’s hazard lights turn on, then pressing the fob’s frunk or trunk button to Summon forward and backward. Read more; Tesla Cybertruck 2023 Release Date Announced by Elon Musk
Smart Summon
Smart Summon is a feature that allows your automobile to drive to you or a certain destination. It’s only meant to be used in private driveways and parking lots.
To use Smart Summon, launch the Tesla app, press Summon, and then pick the Smart Summon symbol. Press and hold the Come to Me button to activate the feature. Alternatively, tap the target icon, then adjust the map to your desired target destination, then press and hold the Go to Target button.
Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control (Beta)
Stop Sign and Traffic Light Control detects stop signs and traffic lights and brings your vehicle to a halt. Put your car in Park and go to Controls > Autopilot > Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control to enable it (Beta). Then choose to Autosteer or Traffic-Aware Cruise Control.
Can you try Autopilot before purchasing?
Yes. At a Tesla store near you, you can take a test drive with Autopilot.
