Tesla Model 3: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control

To Use Traffic-Aware Cruise Control

To use Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, you must be driving at least 18 mph (30 km/h), unless a vehicle is detected ahead of you. If a vehicle is detected ahead of you, you can use Traffic- Aware Cruise Control at any speed, even when stationary, provided Model 3 is at least 5 feet (150 cm) behind the detected vehicle.

When Traffic-Aware Cruise
Control is available but is not actively cruising at a specified set speed, the touchscreen displays a gray speedometer icon below your current driving speed.

The number shown in gray is your current driving speed, or the speed limit that is being determined by Speed Assist. If you engage Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, this is the cruising speed that will be set.

Note: On roads where the map data determines that a conditional speed limit exists (for example, a speed limit based on time of day or weather conditions), a second speed limit displays below the first speed limit.

It is the driver's responsibility to determine whether the conditional speed limit is currently in effect and adjust the driving speed accordingly.

Set the Cruising Speed

To set the cruising speed, move the cruise control lever fully down once then release.

This sets the cruising speed to the detected speed limit (plus any offset you've specified using Speed Assist as described in Controlling Speed Assist  or your current driving speed, whichever is greater.

Release the accelerator pedal to allow Traffic- Aware Cruise Control to maintain your cruising speed.

When the cruising speed is
set, the speedometer icon on the touchscreen turns blue and displays the set cruising speed.

Note: Moving the gear level fully down twice in quick succession engages Autosteer and the set speed changes to either your current driving speed, or the current set speed (displayed in the icon), whichever is greater.

Note: The minimum speed you can set is 18 mph (30 km/h) and the maximum is 90 mph (150 km/h). It is the driver's responsibility to cruise at a safe speed based on road conditions and speed limits.

Warning: When cruising at the speed limit, the cruising speed does not change when the speed limit changes. If your driving speed is at or below the new speed limit, move the lever up to cancel Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, then move it back down again to re-initiate and cruise at the new speed limit. You can also manually adjust your cruising speed

Warning: Do not rely on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control or Speed Assist to determine an accurate or appropriate cruising speed. Always cruise at a safe speed based on road conditions and applicable speed limits.

Cruising at the Set Speed

Traffic-Aware Cruise Control maintains your set cruising speed whenever a vehicle is not detected in front of Model 3. When cruising behind a detected vehicle, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control accelerates and decelerates Model 3 as needed to maintain a chosen following distance up to the set speed.

Traffic-Aware Cruise Control also adjusts the cruising speed when entering and exiting curves.

You can manually accelerate at any time when cruising at a set speed, but when you release the accelerator, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control resumes cruising at the set speed.

Note: When Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is actively slowing down Model 3 to maintain the selected distance from the vehicle ahead, brake lights turn on to alert other road users that you are slowing down. You may notice slight movement of the brake pedal. However, when Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is accelerating Model 3, the accelerator pedal does not move

Warning: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control may occasionally cause Model 3 to brake when not required or when you are not expecting it. This can be caused by closely following a vehicle ahead, detecting vehicles or objects in adjacent lanes (especially on curves), etc.

Warning: Due to limitations inherent in the onboard GPS (Global Positioning System), you may experience situations in which Traffic-Aware Cruise Control slows down the vehicle, especially near highway exits where a curve is detected and/or you are actively navigating to a destination and not following the route.

Warning: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control cannot detect all objects and, especially in situations when you are driving over 50 mph (80 km/h), may not brake/ decelerate when a vehicle or object is only partially in the driving lane or when a vehicle you are following moves out of your driving path and a stationary or slow-moving vehicle or object is in front of you. Always pay attention to the road ahead and stay prepared to take immediate corrective action. Depending on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to avoid a collision can result in serious injury or death. In addition, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control may react to vehicles or objects that either do not exist or are not in the lane of travel, causing Model 3 to slow down unnecessarily or inappropriately.

Warning: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control may be unable to provide adequate speed control because of limited braking capability and hills. It can also misjudge the distance from a vehicle ahead. Driving downhill can increase driving speed, causing Model 3 to exceed your set speed (and potentially the road's speed limit).

Never depend on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to slow down the vehicle enough to prevent a collision. Always keep your eyes on the road when driving and be prepared to take corrective action as needed. Depending on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to slow the vehicle down enough to prevent a collision can result in serious injury or death.

Changing the Set Speed

To change the set speed while using Traffic- Aware Cruise Control, roll the right scroll wheel up (to increase) or down (to decrease) the set speed until your desired set speed is displayed. Slowly rolling the scroll wheel changes the set speed in 1 mph (1 km/h) increments and quickly rolling the scroll wheel changes the set speed to the closest 5 mph (5 km/h) increment.

You can also use the touchscreen to change the set speed by touching the plus (+) or minus (-) next to the displayed set speed. A quick tap changes the set speed by 1 mph (1 km/h) and a press and hold changes the set speed to the closest 5 mph (5 km/h) increment. To increase/decrease to the next increment, you must release the plus (+) or minus (-) then press it again.

Note: It may take a few seconds for Model 3 to reach the new cruising speed, assuming Model 3 does not detect a vehicle ahead driving slower than your set speed.

If the touchscreen is displaying a speed limit sign, you can touch this sign to set the cruising speed to the current speed limit (plus any offset you've specified using Speed Assist).

HOLD State

When following a vehicle, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control remains active at low speeds, even when Model 3 comes to a full stop. When the vehicle is moving again, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control resumes operating at the set speed.

However, under the following circumstances, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control goes into a HOLD state, in which case, you need to briefly press the accelerator pedal to resume cruising.

When the HOLD status is active, the touchscreen displays the HOLD icon and a message that indicates that you need to resume cruise control. The following circumstances can cause Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to go into the HOLD state:

• Model 3 has been at a standstill for 5 minutes.
• Model 3 detects a pedestrian (the HOLD state may clear when the pedestrian is no longer detected).
• Model 3 suddenly loses visibility of the vehicle in front of you.
• The ultrasonic sensors detect an obstacle in front of Model 3.

Cruising Near or On Freeway Exits

When cruising near an exit on a controlled access road (such as a highway or freeway) and engaging the turn signal toward the exit, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control assumes you are exiting and begins to slow down the vehicle. If you do not drive onto the exit, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control resumes cruising at the set speed. In a region with right hand traffic, this occurs only when you engage the right turn signal when driving in the right-most lane within 164 feet (50 meters) of an exit. Likewise in regions with left hand traffic; when engaging the left turn signal when driving in the left-most lane within 164 feet (50 meters) of an exit.

Note: The onboard Global Positioning System (GPS) determines if you are driving in a region with right or left hand traffic. In situations where GPS data is unavailable (for example, if there is inadequate signal), engaging the turn signal near an exit does not cause Traffic- Aware Cruise Control to slow down Model 3.

When enabled while on a highway interchange or off-ramp, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control may reduce your set speed in 5 mph (5 km/h) increments - to as slow as 25 mph (40 km/h) - to better match the reported speeds of other Tesla vehicles that have driven at that specific location. To override this and continue cruising at your set speed, tap the accelerator pedal or touch the plus (+) or minus (-) button on the touchscreen. The new set speed is maintained for the duration of the interchange or off-ramp (unless you override it or cancel Traffic-Aware Cruise Control). After the interchange or off-ramp, the set speed may revert or change as necessary based on the new location. For example, if you merged onto a different highway, the set speed reverts back to the set speed that was in use before driving on the interchange.

Warning: In some cases (such as having insufficient data), Traffic-Aware Cruise Control may not automatically reduce the set speed on the highway interchange or off-ramp. Do not rely on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to determine an appropriate driving speed. Tesla recommends driving at a speed that is safe for road conditions and within posted speed limits.

Adjust the Following Distance

To adjust the following distance you want to maintain between Model 3 and a vehicle traveling ahead of you, press the steering wheel's right scroll button to the left or right to choose a setting from 1 (the closest following distance) to 7 (the longest following distance). Each setting corresponds to a timebased distance that represents how long it takes for Model 3, from its current location, to reach the location of the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead of you.

You can also display and adjust the setting for the following distance on the touchscreen at any time, even when Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is not active. Touch Controls > Autopilot > Cruise Follow Distance, then adjust the following distance by touching plus (+) or minus (-).

As you adjust the following distance, the touchscreen displays the current setting.

Note: Your setting is retained until you manually change it.

Warning: It is the driver's responsibility to determine and maintain a safe following distance at all times. Do not rely on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to maintain an accurate or appropriate following distance.

Warning: Never depend on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to adequately slow down Model 3 to avoid a collision. Always watch the road in front of you and stay prepared to take immediate corrective action.

Overtake Acceleration

When following a vehicle with Traffic-Aware Cruise Control active, briefly engaging the turn signal (to indicate a move into the passing lane) accelerates Model 3 towards the vehicle ahead. By momentarily holding the turn signal lever up or down, you can quickly accelerate up to your set speed without having to press the accelerator pedal. The turn signal causes acceleration only when all of the following conditions are met:

• Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is operating and detects a vehicle in front of you.
• No obstacles or vehicles are detected in the target lane.
• Model 3 is traveling below the set speed, but over 45 mph (72 km/h).

Overtake Acceleration is intended as an aid when passing a vehicle ahead of you. When the turn signal is engaged, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control continues to maintain distance from the vehicle ahead, but allows you to drive slightly closer than your selected distance.

Acceleration cancels when one of the conditions happen:

• You reach your set cruising speed.
• Changing lanes takes too long.
• Model 3 gets too close to the vehicle ahead.

OR

• You disengage the turn signal.

Note: Overtake Acceleration occurs when you hold the turn signal in the momentary position (partially engaged). When you release the turn signal, Model 3 stops accelerating (in the same way as when you release the accelerator pedal) and resumes the set speed.

Warning: Overtake Acceleration can cancel for many unforeseen reasons in addition to those listed above (for example, lack of GPS data). Stay alert and never depend on Overtake Acceleration to increase your driving speed.

Warning: Overtake Acceleration increases your driving speed whenever the appropriate turn signal is engaged, and accelerates Model 3 closer to the vehicle ahead. Although Traffic-Aware Cruise Control continues to maintain distance from the vehicle ahead, it is important to be aware that your selected following distance is reduced when Overtake Acceleration is active, particularly in cases where it may not be your intention to overtake the vehicle you are following.

Canceling and Resuming

To manually cancel Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, move the gear lever up and release or press the brake pedal. The speedometer icon on the touchscreen turns gray to indicate that Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is no longer active.

Warning: Do not hold the gear lever up for more than one second. Doing so cancels Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and shifts Model 3 into Neutral.

To re-enable cruising at the current driving speed, move the gear lever fully down once then release.

Note: When Traffic-Aware Cruise Control cancels, Model 3 does not coast. Instead, regenerative braking slows down Model 3 in the same way as when you move your foot off the accelerator when driving without Traffic-Aware Cruise Control

Warning: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control cancels, or may not be available, in the following situations:

• You press the brake pedal.
• Your driving speed exceeds the maximum cruising speed of 90 mph (150 km/h).
•  You shift Model 3 into a different gear.
• A door is opened.
• The view from the radar sensor or camera(s) is obstructed. This could be caused by dirt, mud, ice, snow, fog, etc.
• The traction control setting is manually disabled or is repeatedly engaging to prevent wheels from slipping.
• The wheels are spinning while at a standstill.
• The Traffic-Aware Cruise Control system is failing or requires service.

When Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is unavailable or cancels, Model 3 no longer drives consistently at a set speed and no longer maintains a specified distance from the vehicle ahead.

Warning: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control can cancel unexpectedly at any time for unforeseen reasons. Always watch the road in front of you and stay prepared to take appropriate action. It is the driver's responsibility to be in control of Model 3 at all times.

Summary of Cruise Indicators

Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is
available but is not actively controlling your speed until you activate it. The number shown in gray is determined by Speed Assist

Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is
operating and is either maintaining the set speed (no vehicle in front) or is maintaining a chosen following distance from a vehicle ahead (up to the set speed).

Model 3 has fully stopped but is
in a HOLD state. If safe, press the accelerator pedal to resume cruising at the set speed.

Limitations

Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is particularly unlikely to operate as intended in the following types of situations:

• The road has sharp curves.
• Visibility is poor (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).
• The radar sensor is obstructed (dirty, covered, etc.).
• The windshield is obstructing the view of the camera(s) (fogged over, dirty, covered by a sticker, etc.).

Warning: The list above does not represent an exhaustive list of situations that may interfere with proper operation of Traffic-Aware Cruise Control.