Which level of Tesla is autonomous driving?
3 Answers
Tesla's Level 5 is autonomous driving. The working principle of autonomous driving is that the vehicle uses artificial intelligence, visual computing, radar, monitoring devices, and the global positioning system to work together, allowing the computer to operate the motor vehicle automatically and safely without active human operation. Taking the 2021 all-wheel-drive Tesla as an example, its body dimensions are: 4750mm in length, 1921mm in width, and 1624mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2890mm and a curb weight of 1997kg. The 2021 all-wheel-drive Tesla has a front suspension of double-wishbone independent suspension and a rear suspension of multi-link independent suspension. It is equipped with a front induction asynchronous motor, with a maximum power of 180kw and a maximum torque of 326nm.
I've been driving a Tesla Model 3 for almost two years now. Their autonomous driving currently has two levels: Autopilot and Full Self-Driving. Autopilot is the basic version, helping you stay centered in the lane and with adaptive cruise control, which is equivalent to Level 2 autonomy—you must always keep your eyes on the road. FSD is more advanced, capable of automatic lane changes and even parking, but don't be fooled—it's still an assist system, not true driverless tech. If something goes wrong, you're responsible. Tesla continuously improves it through software updates. Since using the 2019 version, I've found it really convenient on highways, saving energy, but it often makes mistakes in the city, like misjudging intersections. Every time I hit the road, I remind myself not to get distracted—real-world crashes happen too often, and the system relies too heavily on sensors. To enable it, you need to turn it on in settings. I recommend beginners practice in an open area first—don't trust the ads right away. Long-term, Tesla aims for Level 5, but both the tech and regulations have a long way to go. In this regard, it's less mature than systems from Audi or BMW.
I've always emphasized driving safety. Tesla's so-called autonomous driving only reaches Level 2 and requires human supervision. This isn't like in sci-fi movies. Autopilot can assist with steering and acceleration, but even after FSD upgrades, it's far from fully autonomous. I've seen friends rely too much on it and almost rear-end others because it can't predict all road conditions, like suddenly appearing pedestrians or worsening weather. The U.S. Department of Transportation has warned about higher accident rates related to this and requires drivers to stay alert. Every time I drive, I put my phone away and keep both hands on the wheel because the system might malfunction and misjudge situations. Tesla's official website states this is an enhanced safety feature, but it requires your full attention. In the long run, EU and Chinese regulations only approve partial functions, advising users to thoroughly read the owner's manual and not be lazy—this is crucial for any car owner.
