Limitations and Warnings

This topic includes warnings, cautions, and limitations pertaining to the following Autopilot features.

Note

Depending on market region, vehicle configuration, options purchased, and software version, your vehicle may not be equipped with all features listed above, or a feature may not operate as described.

Warning

Read the following warnings and limitations carefully before using Autopilot. Failure to follow all warnings and instructions can result in property damage, serious injury, or death.

Note

Ensure all cameras are clean and free of obstructions before each drive and before using Autopilot features (see Cleaning a Camera). Dirty cameras and sensors (if equipped), as well as environmental conditions such as rain and faded lane markings, can affect Autopilot performance. If a camera is obstructed or blinded, Model 3 displays a message on the touchscreen and Autopilot features may not be available.

Traffic-Aware Cruise Control

While using Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, it is the driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive safely, and be in control of the vehicle at all times. Always keep your eyes on the road when driving and be prepared to take corrective action as needed.

In addition, it is the driver’s responsibility to cruise at a safe speed and maintain a safe following distance based on road conditions and applicable speed limits. Be aware of the following limitations while Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is active.

There may be situations where the cruising speed may not change when the speed limit changes.
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control does not adapt driving speed based on road and driving conditions. Do not use Traffic-Aware Cruise Control on winding roads with sharp curves, on icy or slippery road surfaces, or when weather conditions (such as heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.) make it inappropriate to drive at a consistent speed.
Do not rely on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to maintain an accurate or appropriate following distance.
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).
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.
Due to limitations inherent in the onboard GPS (Global Positioning System), you may experience situations in which Model 3 slows down, especially near exits or off-ramps where a curve is detected and/or you are navigating to a destination and not following the route.
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.
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control may not detect all objects and, especially when cruising over 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.
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control may react to vehicles or objects that either do not exist, or are not in your lane of travel, causing Model 3 to slow down unnecessarily or inappropriately.

Warning

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

The road has sharp curves or significant changes in elevation.
Road signs and signals are unclear, ambiguous, or poorly maintained.
Visibility is poor (due to heavy rain, snow, hail, etc. or poorly lit roadways at night)
You are driving in a tunnel or next to a highway divider that interferes with the view of the camera(s)
Bright light (such as from oncoming headlights or direct sunlight) interferes with the view of the camera(s).

Warning

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

Warning

Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is designed for your driving comfort and convenience and is not a collision warning or avoidance system. Never depend on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to adequately slow down Model 3. Always watch the road in front of you and be prepared to take corrective action at all times. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or death.

Warning

Although Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is capable of detecting pedestrians and cyclists, never depend on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to adequately slow Model 3 down for them. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or death.

Autosteer

Warning

Autosteer is a hands-on feature. Keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times, be mindful of road conditions and surrounding traffic, and always be prepared to take immediate action. Failure to follow these instructions could cause damage, serious injury or death.

Warning

Autosteer is intended for use on controlled-access highways with a fully attentive driver. Do not use Autosteer in construction zones, or in areas where bicyclists or pedestrians may be present.

Warning

Never depend on Autosteer to determine an appropriate driving path.

CAUTION

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 3 is being driven very close to a vehicle in front of it, which is blocking the view of the camera(s).

Warning

Many unforeseen circumstances can impair the operation of Autosteer. Always keep this in mind and remember that as a result, Autosteer may not steer Model 3 appropriately. Always drive attentively and be prepared to take immediate action.

Warning

Autosteer is not designed to, and will not, steer Model 3 around objects partially in a driving lane and in some cases, may not stop for objects that are completely blocking the driving lane. Always watch the road in front of you and stay prepared to take immediate action. It is the driver's responsibility to be in control of Model 3 at all times.

Auto Lane Change

CAUTION

When changing lanes using Auto Lane Change, It is the driver's responsibility to determine whether a lane change is safe and appropriate. Therefore, before initiating a lane change, always check blind spots, lane markings, and the surrounding roadway to confirm it is safe and appropriate to move into the target lane.

CAUTION

Be aware of the following limitations while using Auto Lane Change.

Never depend on Auto Lane Change to determine an appropriate driving path. Drive attentively by watching the road and traffic ahead of you, checking the surrounding area, and monitoring the touchscreen for warnings. Always be prepared to take immediate action.
Do not use Auto Lane Change on roads where traffic conditions are constantly changing and where bicycles and pedestrians are present.
The performance of Auto Lane Change depends on the ability of the camera(s) to recognize lane markings.
Do not use Auto Lane Change on winding roads with sharp curves, on icy or slippery roads, or when weather conditions (such as heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.) may be obstructing the view from the camera(s) or sensors (if equipped).
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.
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.

Stop Light and Stop Sign Warning

Warning

Stop Light and Stop Sign Warning requires on-board maps to know that a particular stop light or stop sign exists at a location. In some cases, map data is inaccurate or outdated and may not include all stop lights or stop signs. Therefore, Stop Light and Stop Sign Warning may not detect all stop lights and stop signs.

Warning

The Stop Light and Stop Sign Warning feature does not apply the brakes or decelerate Model 3 and may not detect all stop lights and stop signs. Stop Light and Stop Sign Warning is designed for guidance purposes only and is not a substitute for attentive driving and sound judgment. Keep your eyes on the road when driving and never depend on Stop Light and Stop Sign Warning to warn you of a stop light or stop sign.

Warning

Stop Light and Stop Sign Warning is designed to warn you only when approaching a visible red stop sign, solid red or later portion of a yellow traffic light. It may not warn you of intersections with flashing lights and it does not warn you of yield signs or temporary stop and yield signs (such as those used in construction areas). Additionally, Stop Light and Stop Sign Warning does not warn you of approaching stop lights or stop signs when you are pressing the accelerator pedal or brake pedal (which disables Autosteer).

Navigate on Autopilot

Warning

Never depend on Navigate on Autopilot to determine an appropriate lane at an off-ramp. Stay alert and perform visual checks to ensure that the driving lane is safe and appropriate.

Warning

If you turn off Require Lane Change Confirmation, Navigate on Autopilot notifies you of upcoming lane changes and off-ramps, but it remains your responsibility to monitor the environment and maintain control of Model 3 at all times. Lane changes can occur quickly and suddenly. Always keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the driving path in front of you.

Warning

Navigate on Autopilot does not make driving autonomous. You must pay attention to the road, keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times, and remain aware of your navigation route.

Warning

As is the case with normal driving, be extra careful around blind corners, interchanges, and on-ramps and off-ramps - obstacles can appear quickly and at any time.

Warning

Navigate on Autopilot may not recognize or detect oncoming vehicles, stationary objects, and special-use lanes such as those used exclusively for bikes, carpools, emergency vehicles, etc. Remain alert at all times and be prepared to take immediate action. Failure to do so can cause damage, injury or death.

Autopark

CAUTION

Autopark's performance depends on the ability of the cameras and sensors (if equipped) to determine the vehicle's proximity to curbs, objects, and other vehicles. Be aware of the following warnings before and while using Autopark:

Do not use Autopark if anything, such as a ball hitch, bike rack, or trailer, is attached to the tow hitch. Autopark may not stop for hitches when parking between or in front of other vehicles.
Never depend on Autopark to find a parking space that is legal, suitable, and safe. Autopark may not always detect objects in the parking space. Always perform visual checks to confirm that a parking space is appropriate and safe.
When Autopark is actively steering Model 3, the steering wheel moves in accordance with Autopark's adjustments. Do not interfere with the movement of the steering wheel. Doing so cancels Autopark.
During the parking sequence, continually check your surroundings. Be prepared to apply the brakes to avoid vehicles, pedestrians, or objects.
When Autopark is active, monitor the touchscreen to ensure that you are aware of the instructions that Autopark is providing.

CAUTION

Autopark is particularly unlikely to operate as intended in these situations:

The road is sloped. Autopark is designed to operate on flat roads only.
Visibility is poor (due to heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.).
The curb is constructed of material other than stone, or the curb cannot be detected.
The target parking space is directly adjacent to a wall or pillar (for example, the last parking space of a row in an underground parking structure).
One or more of the sensors (if equipped) or cameras is damaged, dirty, or obstructed (such as by mud, ice, or snow, or by a vehicle bra, excessive paint, or adhesive products such as wraps, stickers, rubber coating, etc.).
Weather conditions (heavy rain, snow, fog, or extremely hot or cold temperatures) are interfering with sensor (if equipped) operation.
The sensors (if equipped) are affected by other electrical equipment or electrical interference.

Warning

Many unforeseen circumstances can impair Autopark's ability to park Model 3. Keep this in mind and remember that as a result, Autopark may not steer Model 3 appropriately. Pay attention when parking Model 3 and stay prepared to immediately take control.