Get Autopilot -> Traffic-Aware Cruise Control Guide for Tesla Model-Y SUV 2023

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control

NOTE: Depending on market region, vehicle

detected ahead of you, you can initiate Traﬃc-Aware

conﬁguration, options purchased, and software version,

your vehicle may not be equipped with Traﬃc-Aware

Cruise Control, or the feature may not operate exactly as

described. If your vehicle is not equipped, refer to the

owner's manual on your vehicle's touchscreen for

instructions on how to use Cruise Control.

Cruise Control at any speed, even when stationary,

provided Model Y is at least 5 feet (1.5 m) behind the

detected vehicle and certain vehicle and environmental

conditions are met.

NOTE: The maximum cruising speed is 90 mph (150

km/h). It is the driver's responsibility to cruise at a safe

speed based on road conditions and speed limits.

NOTE: Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is a BETA feature.

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control determines when there is a

vehicle in front of you in the same lane. If the area in

front of Model Y is clear, Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control

maintains a set driving speed. When a vehicle is

detected, Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is designed to

slow down Model Y as needed to maintain a selected

time-based distance from the vehicle in front, up to the

set speed. Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control does not

eliminate the need to watch the road in front of you and

to manually apply the brakes when needed.

When Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is

available but not engaged, the touchscreen

displays the cruising speed in gray. The

number shown represents the cruising

speed that will be set when you engage

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control.

When Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is

actively cruising at a set cruising speed,

the cruising speed is highlighted with blue

text.

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is primarily intended for

driving on dry, straight roads, such as highways.

1. You can choose whether Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control

engages at the currently detected speed limit or your

current driving speed. Touch Controls > Autopilot >

Set Speed and choose either Speed Limit or Current

Speed. If you choose to engage Traﬃc-Aware Cruise

Control at the currently detected speed limit, you can

specify an oﬀset. Touch Set Speed Oﬀset. You can

choose a Fixed oﬀset, in which the cruising speed

adjusts by a speciﬁc number of mph (km/h) on all

roads, or a Percentage oﬀset, in which the cruising

speed is adjusted as a percentage of the road's

detected speed limit.

CAUTION: Ensure all cameras and sensors (if

equipped) are clean before each drive. Dirty

cameras and sensors, as well as environmental

conditions such as rain and faded lane markings,

can aﬀect Autopilot performance.

WARNING: Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is

designed for your driving comfort and

convenience and is not a collision warning or

avoidance system. It is your responsibility to stay

alert, drive safely, and be in control of the vehicle

at all times. Never depend on Traﬃc-Aware Cruise

Control to adequately slow down Model Y. 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: When cruising at the speed limit,

there may be situations where the cruising

speed may not change when the speed limit

changes.

WARNING: Although Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control

is capable of detecting pedestrians and cyclists,

never depend on Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control to

adequately slow Model Y down for them. 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: Do not rely on Traﬃc-Aware Cruise

Control or Speed Assist to determine an

accurate or appropriate cruising speed. It is the

driver's responsibility to cruise at a safe speed

based on road conditions and applicable speed

limits.

WARNING: 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. Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control does not

adapt driving speed based on road and driving

conditions.

2. To engage Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control when it is

available (the car status area of the touchscreen

displays the gray cruising speed icon), move the drive

stalk down once, then release the accelerator pedal

to allow Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control to maintain the

cruising speed.

NOTE: Moving the drive stalk down twice in quick

succession engages Autosteer (assuming it has been

enabled), which includes Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control

functionality, as described in Autosteer on page 96).

To Use Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control

3. To change your speed while using Traﬃc-Aware

Cruise Control, you can roll the right scroll wheel on

the steering wheel up or down. You can also change

the cruising speed to the current speed limit

To initiate Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control when no vehicle

is detected ahead of you, you must be driving at least

18 mph (30 km/h), unless certain vehicle and

environmental conditions are met, in which case, you

may be able to initiate it at lower speeds. If a vehicle is

(including any oﬀset you've speciﬁed), by either long

Autopilot

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Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control

pressing the drive stalk down, or touching the speed

limit sign on the touchscreen. For more details, see

Changing the Cruising Speed on page 92.

Cruising at the Set Speed

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control maintains your set cruising

speed whenever a vehicle is not detected in front of

Model Y. When cruising behind a detected vehicle,

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control accelerates and decelerates

Model Y as needed to maintain a chosen following

distance (see Adjust the Following Distance on page

93), up to the set speed.

4. To cancel Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control, push the drive

stalk up once or press the brake pedal. See Canceling

and Resuming on page 94 for more information.

Set Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control

Chime

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control also adjusts the cruising

speed when entering and exiting curves.

If you want a chime to sound when you engage or

cancel Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control, touch Controls >

Autopilot > Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control Chime.

You can manually accelerate at any time when cruising

at a set speed, but when you release the accelerator,

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control resumes cruising at the set

speed.

NOTE: Model Y must be in Park.

Changing the Cruising Speed

NOTE: When Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is actively

slowing down Model Y to maintain the selected distance

from the vehicle ahead, brake lights turn on to alert

other road users that you are slowing down. You may

notice slight movement of the brake pedal. However,

when Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is accelerating Model

Y, the accelerator pedal does not move.

Roll the right scroll wheel up to increase, or down to

decrease, the set speed. Slowly rolling the scroll wheel

changes the set speed in 1 mph (1 km/h) increments and

quickly rolling the scroll wheel changes the set speed to

the closest 5 mph (5 km/h) increment. For example, if

you are traveling at 57 mph and quickly roll the scroll

wheel, the speed increases to 60 mph.

WARNING: Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control may

occasionally cause Model Y 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.

WARNING: Due to limitations inherent in the

onboard GPS (Global Positioning System), you

may experience situations in which Model Y 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.

WARNING: Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control may not

detect all objects and, especially when cruising

over 50 mph (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.

Always pay attention to the road ahead and stay

prepared to take immediate corrective action.

Depending on Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control to

avoid a collision can result in serious injury or

death. In addition, 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 Y to slow down unnecessarily or

With Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control engaged and cruising

at a set speed, you can also change the cruising speed

to the current speed limit (including any oﬀset you've

speciﬁed), by either pushing the drive stalk downward

and brieﬂy holding, or touching and brieﬂy holding the

speed limit sign on the touchscreen, until you see the

cruising speed change.

inappropriately.

NOTE: It may take a few seconds for Model Y to reach

the new cruising speed, assuming Model Y is not

cruising behind a vehicle that is driving slower than your

set speed.

MODEL Y Owner's Manual

OwnersManuals2.com

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control

WARNING: Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control may be

NOTE: The on-board Global Positioning System (GPS)

determines if you are driving in a region with right or left

hand traﬃc. In situations where GPS data is unavailable

(for example, if there is inadequate signal), engaging the

turn signal near an exit does not cause Traﬃc-Aware

Cruise Control to slow down Model Y.

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 Y to exceed your set speed (and

potentially the road's speed limit). Never depend

on Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control to slow down

Model Y enough to prevent a collision. Always

keep your eyes on the road when driving and be

prepared to take corrective action as needed.

Depending on Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control to

reduce your driving speed enough to prevent a

collision can result in serious injury or death.

When enabled while on a highway interchange or oﬀ-

ramp, Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control may reduce your set

speed in 5 mph (5 km/h) increments – to as slow as

25 mph (40 km/h) – to better match the reported

speeds of other Tesla vehicles that have driven at that

speciﬁc location. To override this and continue cruising

at your set speed, tap the accelerator pedal. The new set

speed is maintained for the duration of the interchange

or oﬀ-ramp (unless you override it or cancel Traﬃc-

Aware Cruise Control). After the interchange or oﬀ-

ramp, the set speed may revert or change as necessary

based on the new location. For example, if you merged

onto a diﬀerent highway, the set cruising speed reverts

back to what it was before driving on the interchange.

HOLD State

When following a vehicle, Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control

remains active at low speeds, even when Model Y comes

to a full stop. When the vehicle is moving again, Traﬃc-

Aware Cruise Control resumes operating at the set

speed. However, under the following circumstances,

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control goes into a HOLD state, in

which case, you need to brieﬂy press the accelerator

pedal to resume cruising. When the HOLD status is

active, the touchscreen displays the HOLD icon and a

message that indicates that you need to resume cruise

control. The following circumstances can cause Traﬃc-

Aware Cruise Control to go into the HOLD state:

WARNING: 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. Do not rely on

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control to determine an

appropriate driving speed. Tesla recommends

driving at a speed that is safe for road conditions

and within posted speed limits.

• Model Y has been at a standstill for 5 minutes.

Adjust the Following Distance

• Model Y detects a pedestrian (the HOLD state may

clear when the pedestrian is no longer detected).

To adjust the following distance you want to maintain

between Model Y and a vehicle traveling ahead of you,

press the steering wheel's right scroll button to the left

or right. Each setting corresponds to a time-based

distance that represents how long it takes for Model Y,

from its current location, to reach the location of the

rear bumper of the vehicle ahead of you. Your setting is

retained until you manually change it.

• Model Y suddenly loses visibility of the vehicle in

front of you.

• An obstacle is detected in front of Model Y.

Cruising Near or On Exits

When cruising near an exit on a controlled-access

highway and engaging the turn signal toward the oﬀ-

ramp, Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control assumes you are

exiting and begins to slow down Model Y. If you do not

drive onto the oﬀ-ramp, Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control

resumes cruising at the set speed. In a region with right

hand traﬃc, this occurs only when you engage the right

turn signal when driving in the right-most lane within

164 feet (50 meters) of an exit. Likewise in regions with

left hand traﬃc; when engaging the left turn signal when

driving in the left-most lane within 164 feet (50 meters)

of an exit.

The closest following distance is 2.

When cruising onto an on-ramp to a controlled-access

highway, Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control automatically

adjusts the set cruising speed to the speed limit of the

highway, plus any oﬀset you have speciﬁed.

Autopilot

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Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control

Overtake Acceleration is intended as an aid when

passing a vehicle ahead of you. When the turn signal is

engaged, Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control continues to

maintain distance from the vehicle ahead, but allows you

to drive slightly closer than your selected distance.

Acceleration cancels when one of the conditions

happen:

• You reach your set cruising speed.

• Changing lanes takes too long.

• Model Y gets too close to the vehicle ahead.

• You disengage the turn signal.

NOTE: Overtake Acceleration occurs when you hold the

turn signal in the momentary position (partially

engaged). When you release the turn signal, Model Y

stops accelerating (in the same way as when you release

the accelerator pedal) and resumes the set speed.

As you adjust the following distance, the touchscreen

displays the current setting.

WARNING: 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.

WARNING: Overtake Acceleration increases your

driving speed whenever the appropriate turn

signal is engaged, and accelerates Model Y 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.

WARNING: It is the driver's responsibility to

determine and maintain a safe following distance

at all times. Do not rely on Traﬃc-Aware Cruise

Control to maintain an accurate or appropriate

following distance.

WARNING: Never depend on Traﬃc-Aware Cruise

Control to adequately slow down Model Y to avoid

a collision. Always watch the road in front of you

and stay prepared to take immediate corrective

action.

Canceling and Resuming

Overtake Acceleration

To manually cancel Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control, press

the brake pedal or brieﬂy move the drive stalk up once.

The cruising speed icon on the touchscreen turns gray

to indicate that Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is no longer

active.

When following a vehicle with Traﬃc-Aware Cruise

Control active, engaging the turn signal (to indicate a

move into the passing lane) accelerates Model Y towards

the vehicle ahead. By momentarily holding the turn

signal stalk up or down, you can quickly accelerate up to

your set speed without having to press the accelerator

pedal. The turn signal causes acceleration only when all

of the following conditions are met:

WARNING: Do not hold the drive stalk up for more

than one second. Doing so cancels Traﬃc-Aware

Cruise Control and shifts Model Y into Neutral.

• Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is operating and detects

a vehicle in front of you.

• No obstacles or vehicles are detected in the target

lane.

• Model Y is traveling below the set speed, but over

45 mph (72 km/h).

MODEL Y Owner's Manual

OwnersManuals2.com

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control

When Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is unavailable or

cancels, Model Y no longer drives consistently at a set

speed and no longer maintains a speciﬁed distance from

the vehicle ahead.

WARNING: 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 Y at

all times.

Summary of Cruise Indicators

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is available

but is not actively controlling your speed

To resume cruising, move the drive stalk fully down once

then release.

until you activate it. The number shown in

gray is the cruising speed that will be set

when you engage Traﬃc-Aware Cruise

Control.

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is actively

cruising and is either maintaining the set

speed (no vehicle in front) or is

maintaining a chosen following distance

from a vehicle ahead (up to the set speed).

Model Y has fully stopped but is in a HOLD

state. If safe, press the accelerator pedal to

resume cruising at the set speed.

Limitations

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is particularly unlikely to

operate as intended in the following types of situations:

NOTE: When Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control cancels,

Model Y does not coast. Instead, regenerative braking

slows down Model Y in the same way as when you move

your foot oﬀ the accelerator when driving without

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control (see Regenerative Braking

on page 66).

• The road has sharp curves.

• Visibility is poor (due to heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.).

• Bright light (such as from oncoming headlights or

direct sunlight) is interfering with the view of the

camera(s).

WARNING: Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control cancels,

or may not be available, in the following situations:

• A camera or sensor (if equipped) is obstructed

(fogged over, dirty, covered by a sticker, etc.).

• You press the brake pedal.

• Your driving speed exceeds the maximum cruising

speed of 90 mph (150 km/h).

WARNING: The list above does not represent an

exhaustive list of situations that may interfere with

proper operation of Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control.

• You shift Model Y.

• A door is opened.

• A camera or sensor (if equipped) is obstructed. This

could be caused by dirt, mud, ice, snow, fog, etc.

• The traction control setting is manually disabled or is

repeatedly engaging to prevent wheels from slipping.

• The wheels are spinning while at a standstill.

• The Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control system is failing or

requires service.

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Autopilot -> Traffic-Aware Cruise Control for Your Tesla Model-Y SUV 2023

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