Autosteer
Autosteer builds upon Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (see Traffic-Aware Cruise Control), intelligently keeping Model S in its driving lane when cruising at a set speed. Autosteer also allows you to use the turn signals to move Model S into an adjacent lane (see Auto Lane Change). Autosteer detects lane markings and the presence of vehicles and objects to steerModel S.
Operating Autosteer
Before you can operate Autosteer, you must enable it by touching .
To initiate Autosteer, pull the Autopilot stalk toward you twice in quick succession.
Autosteer briefly displays a message on the instrument panel reminding you to pay attention to the road and be ready to take over at any time.
The speed at which you can initiate Autosteer can vary depending on various conditions and whether or not a vehicle is detected ahead of you. When no vehicle is detected ahead of you, you must be driving at least 30 km/h, unless certain vehicle and environmental conditions are met, in which case, you may be able to initiate it at lower speeds. When a vehicle is detected ahead of you, you can initiate Autosteer at any speed, even when stationary, provided Model S is at least 150 cm behind the detected vehicle.
In situations where Autosteer is temporarily unavailable, the Autosteer icon disappears. For example, your driving speed is not within the speed required for Autosteer to operate. Autosteer may also be unavailable if it is not receiving adequate data from the camera(s).
If unable to detect lane markings, Autosteer may determine the driving lane based on a vehicle you are following.
In most cases, Autosteer attempts to center Model S in the driving lane. However, there may be situations in which Autosteer may steer Model S in a driving path that is offset from the center of the lane (for example, detection of guard rails).
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 instrument panel displays a message indicating that speed is restricted. The restricted speed will be the speed limit of the road plus 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 70 km/h. Although you can manually accelerate to exceed the limited speed, Model S 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 S. 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 light appears along the top of the instrument panel and the following message displays:
Autosteer detects your hands by recognizing slight resistance as the steering wheel turns, or from you manually turning the steering wheel very lightly (without enough force to take over steering). Autosteer also qualifies your hands as being detected if you engage a turn signal use the Autopilot stalk, or use a button or scroll wheel on the steering wheel.
Autosteer requires that you pay attention to your surroundings and remain prepared to take control at any time. If Autosteer still does not detect your hands on the steering wheel, the flashing light on the instrument panel increases in frequency and a chime sounds.
If you repeatedly ignore Autosteer's prompts to apply slight force to the steering wheel, Autosteer disables for the rest of the drive and displays the following message requesting you to drive manually. If you don't resume manual steering, Autosteer sounds a continuous chime, turns on the warning flashers, and slows the vehicle to a complete stop.
For the rest of the drive, you must steer manually. Autosteer is available again on your next drive (after you stop and shift Model S into Park).
Autopilot Suspension
Use of Autopilot features will be suspended if improper usage is detected.
Use of Autosteer is suspended for a week when you or another driver of your vehicle receives three Autopilot "strikeouts." A strikeout is when the Autopilot 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 Autopilot access is suspended by touching .
A strikeout is forgiven after 7 days, as long as you don't receive another strikeout in that time.
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.
Take Over Immediately
In situations where Autosteer is unable to steer Model S, Autosteer sounds a warning chime and displays the following message on the instrument panel:
When you see this message, TAKE OVER STEERING IMMEDIATELY.
Canceling Autosteer
Autosteer cancels when:
- You press the brake pedal.
- You start steering manually.NoteIf Autopilot Activation is set to Double Pull and Autosteer cancels because you started steering manually, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control remains active. If Autopilot Activation is set to Single Pull and Autosteer cancels because you started steering manually, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control also cancels.
- You push the Autopilot stalk away from you.
- You exceed the maximum speed at which Autosteer operates – 150 km/h.
- You shift.
- 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.
To disable Autosteer so it is no longer available, touch .
Auto Lane Change
When Autosteer is active, engage a turn signal to move Model S 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 S into the adjacent lane in the direction indicated by the turn signal, provided the following conditions are met:
- The turn signal is engaged.
- Model S 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 S must detect the target lane's outside lane marking. If this lane marking is not detected, the lane change is aborted and Model S 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 S to accelerate closer to a vehicle in front (see Overtake Acceleration).
When using Auto Lane Change, it is important to monitor its performance by watching the driving path in front of you and the surrounding area. Stay prepared to take over steering at any time. As you are crossing over into the adjacent lane, the instrument panel displays the location in the lane that Model S is moving into.
In situations where Auto Lane Change is unable to operate at optimal performance, or cannot operate due to inadequate data, the instrument panel displays a series of warnings. Therefore, when using Auto Lane Change, always pay attention to the instrument panel and be prepared to manually steer Model S.
Adjacent Lane Speed
When moving significantly faster than vehicles in adjacent lanes, Model S automatically reduces the driving speed. This is especially helpful in heavy traffic situations or when vehicles are constantly merging into different lanes. When Model S detects other vehicles driving significantly slower, the instrument panel highlights the adjacent lanes with arrows and detected vehicles in gray, and Model S reduces the driving speed as appropriate. To temporarily override this feature, press the accelerator pedal.
Stop Light and Stop Sign Warning
While Autosteer is in use, Model S displays a warning on the instrument panel and sounds a chime if it detects that you are likely to run through a red stop light or stop sign. If this happens, TAKE IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION!
The visual and audible warnings cancel after a few seconds, or when you press the brake pedal, whichever comes first.
Stop Light and Stop Sign Warning provides warnings only. It does not slow down or stop Model S at red traffic lights, stop signs, road markings, etc. If equipped with Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control, you can enable this feature to automatically stop Model S at traffic lights and stop signs (see Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control).
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 S is being driven very close to a vehicle in front of it, which is blocking the view of the camera(s).