Tesla Assisted Driving

Note
Depending on market region, vehicle configuration, options purchased, Assisted Driving hardware, and software version, your vehicle may not be equipped with Tesla Assisted Driving , or the feature may not operate exactly as described.

When Tesla Assisted Driving is engaged, Model Y attempts to drive to your destination by following curves in the road, stopping at and negotiating intersections, making left and right turns, navigating roundabouts, and entering/exiting highways.

Unlike Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, Autosteer , and Navigate on Autosteer , which are intended for use on multi-lane roadways with clear lane markings, Tesla Assisted Driving is meant to work in a variety of driving scenarios. You can use Tesla Assisted Driving on most roadways, including residential and city streets.

Warning
Driver intervention may be required in certain situations, such as on narrow roads with oncoming cars, in construction zones, or while going through complex intersections. For more examples of scenarios in which driver intervention might be required, see Tesla Assisted Driving Limitations.
Tesla Assisted Driving uses inputs from cameras mounted at the front, rear, left, and right of Model Y to build a model of the area surrounding Model Y (see Cameras). The AI computer installed in Model Y is designed to use this input, rapidly process neural networks, and make decisions to guide you to your destination.
Note
As Tesla’s Tesla Assisted Driving capabilities evolve, Model Y is upgraded through over-the-air software updates. Download updates as soon as they become available.

Tesla Assisted Driving requires a fully attentive driver and will display a series of escalating warnings requiring driver response. You must remain attentive and be ready to take over at all times while Tesla Assisted Driving is engaged. While Tesla Assisted Driving is engaged, the cabin camera monitors driver attentiveness (see Driver Attentiveness).

Warning
Tesla Assisted Driving requires you to pay attention to the road and be ready to take over at all times. Remain attentive, be mindful of road conditions and surrounding traffic, pay attention to pedestrians and cyclists, and always be prepared to take immediate action (especially around blind corners, crossing intersections, and in narrow driving situations). Failure to follow these instructions could cause damage, serious injury or death. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the limitations of Tesla Assisted Driving and the situations in which it may not work as expected. For more information, see Tesla Assisted Driving Limitations.
CAUTION
Use of Tesla Assisted Driving will be suspended if improper usage is detected. For more information, see Assisted Driving Suspension.
CAUTION
As Tesla Assisted Driving deployment expands to additional countries, it is essential for drivers using Tesla Assisted Driving in newly eligible countries to be extra attentive and overly cautious. Every country contains unique infrastructure, driving behaviors, and traffic patterns that Tesla Assisted Driving must adapt to over time. You must be ready to take over safely at any time.

Before Using Tesla Assisted Driving

  1. Enable Tesla Assisted Driving . While Model Y is in Park, touch Controls > Assisted Driving > Tesla Assisted Driving and then, after carefully reading and understanding the popup window, touch I Understand.
  2. Review the tutorial. While Model Y is in Park, touch Controls > Assisted Driving > Tesla Assisted Driving Tutorial and watch the video. Once you've watched the video, you will be prompted to complete a short quiz. If you answer a question incorrectly, you will be prompted to retake the quiz. You cannot use Tesla Assisted Driving until you have watched the video and successfully completed the quiz.
  3. (Optional) Customize Tesla Assisted Driving settings.
    • Max Speed Offset: Set the max speed setting to a fixed percentage offset above the currently detected speed limit. See Changing the Max Speed.
      Warning
      You are responsible for the speed of the vehicle at all times, whether Tesla Assisted Driving is engaged or not.
    • Contextual Max Speed: Allows Tesla Assisted Driving to adjust the max speed setting dynamically based on visual queues in the driving scene.
      Note
      Contextual Max Speed is automatically disabled when Max Speed Offset is set to 0%.
    • Start Tesla Assisted Driving from Park : Allows you to engage Tesla Assisted Driving while Model Y is in Park. Start Tesla Assisted Driving from Park is enabled by default.
    • Brake Confirm: When Brake Confirm is enabled, you will need to briefly press the brake pedal to confirm each time you start Tesla Assisted Driving from Park.
  4. Ensure that the cameras on Model Y are unobstructed and calibrated (see Cameras). Tesla Assisted Driving depends on the ability of the cameras to detect traffic lights, stop signs, and road markings.
    Warning
    Do not use Tesla Assisted Driving if anything, such as a ball hitch, bike rack, or trailer, is attached to the rear of your vehicle. If Model Y detects that a camera is blocked (for example, by a rear-mounted bike rack), the touchscreen displays an alert and Tesla Assisted Driving performance may be degraded or, in some cases, the feature is unavailable.
  5. Ensure that the latest version of maps has been downloaded to Model Y (see Map Updates). Although Tesla Assisted Driving primarily uses visual data received from the vehicle's cameras, greater accuracy is achieved when using the most recent map data.

Starting Tesla Assisted Driving

As long as Tesla Assisted Driving is enabled and available, you can activate it at any speed less than 140 km/h, or the maximum allowed speed limit in the country of operation, (including when Model Y is at a standstill) by pressing the right scroll button.
Note
To engage Tesla Assisted Driving , headlights must be set to On or Auto. Although Tesla Assisted Driving is available both during the day and in low light conditions (dusk or dark), it aborts or is unavailable if headlights are set to Off. When Tesla Assisted Driving is engaged, Adaptive Headlights (or, on some vehicles, Auto High Beam) is automatically enabled (see High Beam Headlights) and wipers are set to Auto.

If you do not choose a destination, Model Y chooses the most probable driving path or suggests a destination based on your driving.

To indicate that Tesla Assisted Driving is available but not engaged, the top corner of the touchscreen displays a gray steering wheel icon next to the driving gear.
When Tesla Assisted Driving is engaged and actively controlling Model Y, the steering wheel icon is blue.
In situations where Tesla Assisted Driving is temporarily unavailable (for example, if your driving speed is not within the operating range), a gray indicator displays in the status bar at the top of the touchscreen.
Note
You can override Tesla Assisted Driving at any time if you are uncomfortable or uncertain about the system’s intended course of action. You are driving Model Y at all times. To learn more about overriding (canceling) Tesla Assisted Driving , see Canceling Tesla Assisted Driving .

Starting Tesla Assisted Driving from Park

You can also activate Tesla Assisted Driving when Model Y is in Park.
  1. First, confirm that Start Tesla Assisted Driving from Park is enabled by touching Controls > Assisted Driving and then touching Start Tesla Assisted Driving from Park .
  2. (Optional) Enter a destination. If you do not choose a destination, Model Y chooses the most probable driving path or suggests a destination based on your driving.
  3. Touch Start Assisted Driving on the touchscreen and, if prompted, press the brake pedal to continue. Model Y shifts into Drive or Reverse as necessary, pulls out of the parking space, and begins navigating to your destination.
To cancel Tesla Assisted Driving once Model Y has begun the trip, tap the brake pedal or use any of the methods listed in Canceling Tesla Assisted Driving .
CAUTION
Start Tesla Assisted Driving from Park is available as long as Tesla Assisted Driving is enabled and available and Model Y detects that a suitable driver is present. Start Tesla Assisted Driving from Park may be unavailable for a number of reasons, including (but not limited to):
  • Model Y detects that there is no suitable driver in the driver's seat.
  • Model Y detects that the driver's seat belt is not buckled.
  • A door, the trunk, or the frunk is open.
  • A charge cable is connected to the vehicle.
  • Model Y is in Valet Mode, Track Mode, or any other mode that restricts Assisted Driving usage.
CAUTION
The use of devices designed to circumvent occupancy detection is a violation of the terms of use for Tesla Assisted Driving and may result in the feature being permanently disabled on your vehicle and a ban on future use of the feature.

While Using Tesla Assisted Driving

Tesla Assisted Driving changes lanes, makes left and right turns, follows on- and off-ramps, and takes forks in the road as necessary to reach the destination.

Warning
NEVER make assumptions and predict when and where Tesla Assisted Driving will stop or continue through an intersection or road marking. Always pay attention to the roadway and be prepared to take immediate action. It is the driver's responsibility to determine whether to stop or continue through an intersection. Never depend on Tesla Assisted Driving to determine when it is safe and/or appropriate to stop or continue through an intersection.
The touchscreen displays a visualization of the environment surrounding Model Y, including the roadway and detected objects such as vehicles, pedestrians, curbs, bicyclists, and more. Objects that are highlighted on the visualization represent priorities that Tesla Assisted Driving is actively controlling for at a given time.
Note
The Tesla Assisted Driving visualization may not be a holistic representation of the objects, road markings, road signals, and other variables that Tesla Assisted Driving takes into account as it attempts to drive to your destination. While Tesla Assisted Driving is engaged, it uses data from the cameras on Model Y that may not be represented in the visualization (see Cameras).
Note
You can widen the visualization area to fullscreen. Enable the setting by touching Controls > Assisted Driving and then touching Expanded Tesla Assisted Driving Visualization . Then on the touchscreen, swipe the visualization window handle to fill the entire screen.

Tesla Assisted Driving maintains your speed and following distance from the vehicle ahead of Model Y, if there is one. Tesla Assisted Driving also slows down and stops at traffic lights and stop signs as necessary, and reacts to pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles on the road.

For example, if you are driving on a residential street and another vehicle backs out of a driveway ahead of Model Y, Tesla Assisted Driving slows down or stops as appropriate. If the other vehicle stops backing out while partially blocking the driving lane, Tesla Assisted Driving slows down and maneuvers around the other vehicle if the width of the lane allows it.

When the traffic in front of you is slowing down, Tesla Assisted Driving shows blue arrows in the driving lane and slows down to maintain an appropriate following distance from the vehicle ahead of you.

Warning
In rare cases, Tesla Assisted Driving may not appropriately slow down, come to a stop, or resume control for a stop sign or traffic light. You may assist the system by lightly applying the accelerator, or can override Tesla Assisted Driving at any time.

Changing the Max Speed

The touchscreen displays the max speed. Roll the right scroll button up to increase, or down to decrease, the max speed.

When Tesla Assisted Driving is enabled, sets the max speed based on the currently detected speed limit and your settings related to speed controls (see Before Using Tesla Assisted Driving ).

Note
The Max Speed Offset resets to 0% the first time you engage Tesla Assisted Driving on each drive. Contextual Max Speed is automatically disabled when Max Speed Offset is set to 0%.

The max speed limits how fast Model Y drives while Tesla Assisted Driving is active, but does not determine how quickly Tesla Assisted Driving drives your vehicle.

To manually increase the speed of Model Y, press the accelerator pedal.

Warning

Manually overriding the acceleration control while Tesla Assisted Driving is actively controlling Model Y may compromise the system’s ability to maintain a safe following distance, perform safe maneuvers, or react appropriately to certain situations.

Examples of risks associated with pressing the accelerator pedal while Tesla Assisted Driving is active include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • System may not brake for obstacles.
  • System may not maintain lane position in curves or turns.
  • Traffic controls and road signs may be ignored.
  • Yielding priority with road users and pedestrians may be ignored.
  • Excessive speeding.

Always remain fully attentive and ready to take immediate control of the vehicle.

Changing Lanes

Tesla Assisted Driving initiates its own lane changes and turns based on the driving environment. Unlike Navigate on Autosteer , Tesla Assisted Driving does not require confirmation before a lane change. You can also indicate your preference to make a lane change or turn by using the right or left turn signal, respectively.

Warning
When a lane change or turn is in progress, turn signal inputs may not cancel the maneuver. To cancel a lane change or turn, intervene with the steering wheel or other vehicle controls (see Canceling Tesla Assisted Driving ).

Take Over Immediately

In situations where Assisted Driving is unable to steer Model Y, a warning chime sounds and the touchscreen displays the following message.

Assisted Driving is Aborting

When you see this message, take over steering immediately.

Arriving at Your Destination

If a suitable parking space is detected, Tesla Assisted Driving parks Model Y once you reach your destination. Otherwise, Tesla Assisted Driving stops Model Y and displays a message indicating that navigation is complete.

To cancel or correct a parking maneuver, intervene with the steering wheel or other vehicle controls (see Canceling Tesla Assisted Driving ).

Canceling Tesla Assisted Driving

To disengage Tesla Assisted Driving , do any of the following:

  • Press the brake pedal.
  • Press the right scroll button on the steering wheel.
  • Apply turning force to the steering wheel.

In addition, Tesla Assisted Driving will disengage if any of the following occurs:

  • You shift out of Drive.
  • A door or the trunk is opened.
  • There is an Automatic Emergency Braking event (see Collision Avoidance Assist).
  • The driver's seat belt is released, and/or the driver gets out of their seat.
  • You do not respond to repeated reminders to pay attention and subsequent messages on the touchscreen.
  • Tesla Assisted Driving becomes unavailable. This can happen for a number of reasons (for example, if a camera becomes obscured). If Tesla Assisted Driving disengages, an alert will appear on the touchscreen to notify you and a chime will sound. If this happens, take control of steering immediately.

When driver intervention is required, it is best to safely disengage as soon as possible. It is recommended to practice disengaging from Tesla Assisted Driving in a safe environment without other road users so you may become familiar with the process.

Driver Attentiveness

Tesla Assisted Driving requires that the driver pay attention to the road, their surroundings, and other road users.

The cabin camera monitors continued driver attentiveness when Tesla Assisted Driving is engaged. Driver attentiveness includes visual engagement (the driver's eyes are on the road) and availability of the driver's hands to take over control.

When the cabin camera is actively monitoring driver attentiveness and hands-free operation is enabled for Tesla Assisted Driving , a green indicator appears in the status bar at the top of the touchscreen. While hands-free operation is enabled, the driver's hands must be unoccupied. If the driver's hands are occupied, a message appears on the touchscreen.

Assisted Driving hands-ready mode on

This system cannot be disabled. The cabin camera does not require full visibility of the driver's eyes in order to monitor attentiveness. The system is still active, for example, if the driver is wearing sunglasses.

If the driver repeatedly looks away from the road, the touchscreen displays a warning. The warning is dismissed once the driver begins paying attention to the road again.

Please pay attention to the road

If the cabin camera does not have clear visibility of the driver's hand and arm locations, the touchscreen periodically displays a message reminding the driver to apply slight force to the steering wheel.

Apply slight turning force to steering wheel

If the driver repeatedly ignore prompts to apply slight force to the steering wheel or to pay attention, Tesla Assisted Driving displays a series of escalating warnings and, if those warnings are ignored, disables for the rest of the drive and displays the following message.

Assisted Driving unavailable . Hold steering wheel to drive manually

If the driver does not resume manual steering, Model Y sounds a continuous chime, turns on the warning flashers, and slows to a complete stop.

Warning
Do not use handheld devices while using Tesla Assisted Driving is engaged. If the cabin camera detects that the driver does not have at least one hand ready to take over while Tesla Assisted Driving is engaged, the touchscreen displays a message reminding the driver to pay attention.
Warning
The use of devices designed to circumvent driver attentiveness is a violation of the terms of use for Tesla Assisted Driving and may result in the feature being permanently disabled on your vehicle and a ban on future use of the feature.

Assisted Driving Suspension

Use of Assisted Driving features will be suspended if improper usage is detected.

Use of Autosteer (if equipped) and Tesla Assisted Driving is suspended for a week when you or another driver of your vehicle receives five "strikeouts." A strikeout is when the Assisted Driving system disengages for the remainder of a trip after the driver receives several audio and visual warnings for inattentiveness.

You can see how many strikeouts are remaining before Assisted Driving access is suspended by touching Controls > Assisted Driving .

A strikeout is forgiven after half a week (3.5 days), as long as you don't receive another strikeout in that time.

Note
If your access to Autosteer (if equipped) and Tesla Assisted Driving is suspended, you can still use Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and all active safety features are still enabled.

There may be occasions where driver intervention is required and you must take over immediately to maintain safe driving. Driver-initiated disengagements do not count as improper usage and are expected from the driver.