How to activate autopilot in Model 3?
4 Answers
To activate autopilot in Model 3, follow these main steps: 1. First, meet three conditions: vehicle speed must exceed 30 KM/H, gray lane lines must be displayed on the instrument panel LCD screen, and both hands must be on the steering wheel. 2. Push the cruise control lever once to activate "Traffic-Aware Cruise Control". 3. Push the cruise control lever twice consecutively to enable the autopilot function. Here is some additional information: After activating autopilot, the cruise control icon and autopilot icon on the screen will turn blue, and the gray lane lines will also light up in the same blue color. At this point, the vehicle will begin autonomous driving. Once autopilot is engaged, the vehicle will automatically drive on the current road, adjusting cruise control speed and following distance based on actual road conditions to ensure safe driving.
Using the Autopilot feature in the Model 3 is actually very smooth, and I use this function for my daily commute. First, make sure the Autosteer option is enabled in the car's system. Once on the road, as long as the conditions are met—such as clear lane markings and a speed above 30km/h—quickly push the right gear lever down twice. You'll hear a prompt sound and see the steering wheel icon turn blue. At this point, the car takes over steering and speed control automatically. It will brake if the car in front slows down and steer itself around curves, but you must keep your hands lightly on the wheel and give it a slight nudge every few seconds to show you're not asleep. This is especially helpful for long highway drives, but don't rely on it during rain or on roads with unclear markings.
Using Model 3's Autopilot involves three main steps: First, while driving, pull the right stalk downward once to activate basic cruise control, where the car automatically adjusts speed based on the vehicle ahead. Then, quickly pull the same stalk twice in succession until the blue steering wheel icon appears on the screen, indicating full self-driving is engaged. Note that system activation requires strong GPS signals, clear camera visibility, etc. I've experienced situations where the system automatically disengaged during heavy rain on cloudy days. The steering wheel's torque sensor is extremely sensitive—alarms trigger if hands are off for over 30 seconds. Once, when I bent down to pick up my phone, the feature was forcibly deactivated. Remember, never drink or use phones while using Autopilot—safety always comes first.
Tesla's autopilot activation is very intuitive: just quickly pull the gear lever twice after the car starts moving. Unlike my old car, which required pressing a button on the steering wheel first, making it more cumbersome. Once the function is activated, the lane-keeping is remarkably stable, even automatically adjusting the steering angle during continuous turns on the highway. During a long-distance drive, I deliberately tested it, and the system suddenly slowed down to 80km/h in a tunnel. Later, I found out from the manual that the visual system was interfered with by strong light. It's recommended for beginners to practice in open areas first to get a feel for the changes in brake and accelerator pressure. Remember, when the blue steering wheel icon on the screen disappears, it means you need to take over immediately, especially when encountering construction cones or sharp turns.
