2017-2023 Tesla Model-3 4 Door Traffic-Aware Cruise Control  User Manual
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Traffic-Aware Cruise Control for Your Tesla Model-3 4 Door First Generation (2017-2023)

Traffic-Aware Cruise Control  
NOTE: Depending on market region, vehicle  
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. 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.  
configuration, options purchased, and  
software version, your vehicle may not be  
equipped with Traffic-Aware Cruise Control. 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.  
NOTE: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is a BETA  
feature.  
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (if equipped)  
uses the forward looking cameras and the  
radar sensor to determine when there is a  
vehicle in front of you in the same lane. If the  
area in front of Model 3 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 3 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.  
WARNING: Do not use Traffic-Aware  
Cruise Control on city streets or on  
roads where traffic conditions are  
constantly changing.  
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.  
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is primarily  
intended for driving on dry, straight roads,  
such as highways and freeways. It should not  
be used on city streets.  
To Use Traffic-Aware Cruise  
Control  
To use Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, you must  
be driving at least 18 mph (30 km/h), unless a  
vehicle is detected ahead of you. If a vehicle  
is detected ahead of you, you can use Traffic-  
Aware Cruise Control at any speed, even  
when stationary, provided Model 3 is at least  
5 feet (150 cm) behind the detected vehicle.  
CAUTION: Ensure all cameras and  
sensors are clean before each drive.  
Unclean 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  
When Traffic-Aware Cruise  
Control is available but is  
not actively cruising at a  
specified set speed, the  
touchscreen displays a  
gray speedometer icon  
below your current driving  
speed. The number shown  
in gray is your current  
driving speed, or the  
speed limit that is being  
determined by Speed  
Assist (see Controlling  
Speed Assist on page  
150), whichever is  
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.  
greater. If you engage  
Traffic-Aware Cruise  
Control, this is the cruising  
speed that will be set.  
Autopilot  
109  
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control  
NOTE: On roads where the map data  
NOTE: The minimum speed you can set is  
18 mph (30 km/h) and the maximum 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.  
determines that a conditional speed limit  
exists (for example, a speed limit based on  
time of day or weather conditions), a second  
speed limit displays below the first speed  
limit. It is the driver's responsibility to  
determine whether the conditional speed  
limit is currently in effect and adjust the  
driving speed accordingly.  
WARNING: When cruising at the  
speed limit, the cruising speed does  
not change when the speed limit  
changes. If your driving speed is at or  
below the new speed limit, move the  
drive stalk up to cancel Traffic-Aware  
Cruise Control, then move it back  
down again to re-initiate and cruise at  
the new speed limit. You can also  
manually adjust your cruising speed  
(see Changing the Set Speed on page  
111).  
Set the Cruising Speed  
To set the cruising speed, move the drive  
stalk fully down once then release. This sets  
the cruising speed to the detected speed limit  
(plus any offset you've specified using Speed  
Assist as described in Controlling Speed  
Assist on page 150) or your current driving  
speed, whichever is greater.  
WARNING: Do not rely on Traffic-  
Aware Cruise Control or Speed Assist  
to determine an accurate or  
appropriate cruising speed. Always  
cruise at a safe speed based on road  
conditions and applicable speed limits.  
Cruising at the Set Speed  
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control maintains your  
set cruising speed whenever a vehicle is not  
detected in front of Model 3. When cruising  
behind a detected vehicle, Traffic-Aware  
Cruise Control accelerates and decelerates  
Model 3 as needed to maintain a chosen  
following distance (see Adjust the Following  
Distance on page 113), up to the set speed.  
Release the accelerator pedal to allow Traffic-  
Aware Cruise Control to maintain your  
cruising speed.  
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control also adjusts the  
cruising speed when entering and exiting  
curves.  
When the cruising speed  
is set, the speedometer  
icon on the touchscreen  
turns blue and displays  
the set cruising speed.  
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: When Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is  
actively slowing down Model 3 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 3, the accelerator pedal  
does not move.  
NOTE: Moving the gear level fully down twice  
in quick succession engages Autosteer  
(assuming it has been enabled as described in  
Autosteer on page 116) and the set speed  
changes to either your current driving speed,  
or the current set speed (displayed in the  
icon), whichever is greater.  
110  
MODEL 3 OWNER'S MANUAL  
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control  
WARNING: Traffic-Aware Cruise  
Passing Vehicles in Non-Passing  
Lanes  
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.  
If traveling 50 mph (80 km/h) or faster,  
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control requires that you  
be in a passing lane in order to pass a vehicle.  
If you are in a non-passing lane (to the right  
of a vehicle in right-hand traffic, or to the left  
of a vehicle in left-hand traffic), Traffic-Aware  
Cruise Control prevents you from passing  
other vehicles. Instead, Model 3 slows down  
to match the vehicle’s speed as if it were in  
the same lane as your vehicle. If you press the  
accelerator pedal to pass the vehicle, Traffic-  
Aware Cruise Control allows you to pass  
vehicles in the non-passing lane until you  
either change lanes or cancel and resume  
cruising (it then prevents you from passing  
vehicles in a non-passing lane again).  
WARNING: Due to limitations inherent  
in the onboard GPS (Global  
Positioning System), you may  
experience situations in which Traffic-  
Aware Cruise Control slows down the  
vehicle, especially near highway exits  
where a curve is detected and/or you  
are actively navigating to a destination  
and not following the route.  
WARNING: Traffic-Aware Cruise  
Control cannot detect all objects and,  
especially in situations when you are  
driving 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  
NOTE: You are responsible for complying with  
all local laws regarding passing other road  
users and the utilization of non-passing lanes.  
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 the lane of  
travel, causing Model 3 to slow down  
unnecessarily or inappropriately.  
Changing the Set Speed  
To change the set speed while using Traffic-  
Aware Cruise Control, roll the right scroll  
wheel up (to increase) or down (to decrease)  
the set speed until your desired set speed is  
displayed. 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.  
WARNING: 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).  
Never depend on Traffic-Aware Cruise  
Control to slow down the vehicle  
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 slow the vehicle down  
enough to prevent a collision can  
result in serious injury or death.  
Autopilot  
111  
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control  
You can also use the touchscreen to change  
Cruising Near or On Freeway  
Exits  
the set speed by touching the plus (+) or  
minus (-) next to the displayed set speed. A  
quick tap changes the set speed by 1 mph (1  
km/h) and a press and hold changes the set  
speed to the closest 5 mph (5 km/h)  
increment. To increase/decrease to the next  
increment, you must release the plus (+) or  
minus (-) then press it again.  
When cruising near an exit on a controlled  
access road (such as a highway or freeway)  
and engaging the turn signal toward the exit,  
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control assumes you are  
exiting and begins to slow down the vehicle. If  
you do not drive onto the exit, 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.  
When the touchscreen is displaying the  
currently detected speed limit, you can touch  
this speed limit to set the cruising speed to  
the speed limit (plus any offset you've  
specified using Speed Assist).  
When cruising onto an on-ramp to a  
controlled access road (such as a highway or  
freeway), Traffic-Aware Cruise Control  
automatically adjusts the set cruising speed  
to the speed limit of the highway, plus any  
offset you have specified (see Speed Assist  
on page 150).  
NOTE: It may take a few seconds for Model 3  
to reach the new cruising speed, assuming  
Model 3 does not detect a vehicle ahead  
driving slower than your set speed.  
NOTE: The onboard 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 3.  
HOLD State  
When following a vehicle, Traffic-Aware  
Cruise Control remains active at low speeds,  
even when Model 3 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:  
When enabled while on a highway  
interchange or off-ramp in certain regions,  
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 or touch the plus (+) or minus (-)  
button on the touchscreen. 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  
speed reverts back to the set speed that was  
in use before driving on the interchange.  
• Model 3 has been at a standstill for 5  
minutes.  
• Model 3 detects a pedestrian (the HOLD  
state may clear when the pedestrian is no  
longer detected).  
• Model 3 suddenly loses visibility of the  
vehicle in front of you.  
• The ultrasonic sensors detect an obstacle  
in front of Model 3.  
112  
MODEL 3 OWNER'S MANUAL  
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control  
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.  
NOTE: Your setting is retained until you  
manually change it.  
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.  
Adjust the Following Distance  
WARNING: Never depend on Traffic-  
Aware Cruise Control to adequately  
slow down Model 3 to avoid a  
collision. Always watch the road in  
front of you and stay prepared to take  
immediate corrective action.  
To adjust the following distance you want to  
maintain between Model 3 and a vehicle  
traveling ahead of you, press the steering  
wheel's right scroll button to the left or right  
to choose a setting from 1 (the closest  
following distance) to 7 (the longest following  
distance). Each setting corresponds to a time-  
based distance that represents how long it  
takes for Model 3, from its current location, to  
reach the location of the rear bumper of the  
vehicle ahead of you.  
Overtake Acceleration  
When following a vehicle with Traffic-Aware  
Cruise Control active, briefly engaging the  
turn signal (to indicate a move into the  
passing lane) accelerates Model 3 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:  
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 3 is traveling below the set speed,  
but over 45 mph (72 km/h).  
You can also display and adjust the setting for  
the following distance on the touchscreen at  
any time, even when Traffic-Aware Cruise  
Control is not active. Touch Controls >  
Autopilot > Cruise Follow Distance, then  
adjust the following distance by touching plus  
(+) or minus (-).  
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.  
As you adjust the following distance, the  
touchscreen displays the current setting.  
• Model 3 gets too close to the vehicle  
ahead.  
Autopilot  
113  
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control  
OR  
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 3 stops  
accelerating (in the same way as when you  
release the accelerator pedal) and resumes  
the set speed.  
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.  
To re-enable cruising at the current driving  
speed, move the drive stalk fully down once  
then release.  
WARNING: 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.  
NOTE: When Traffic-Aware Cruise Control  
cancels, Model 3 does not coast. Instead,  
regenerative braking slows down Model 3 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 76).  
Canceling and Resuming  
To manually cancel Traffic-Aware Cruise  
Control, move the drive stalk up and release  
or press the brake pedal. The speedometer  
icon on the touchscreen turns gray to indicate  
that Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is no longer  
active.  
WARNING: Traffic-Aware Cruise  
Control cancels, or may not be  
available, in the following situations:  
You press the brake pedal.  
WARNING: Do not hold the drive stalk  
up for more than one second. Doing  
so cancels Traffic-Aware Cruise  
Control and shifts Model 3 into  
Neutral.  
Your driving speed exceeds the maximum  
cruising speed of 90 mph (150 km/h).  
You shift Model 3 into a different gear.  
• A door is opened.  
• The view from the radar sensor or  
camera(s) 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.  
114  
MODEL 3 OWNER'S MANUAL  
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control  
• The wheels are spinning while at a  
standstill.  
• Visibility is poor (due to heavy rain, snow,  
fog, etc.).  
• The Traffic-Aware Cruise Control system  
is failing or requires service.  
• Bright light (such as from oncoming  
headlights or direct sunlight) is interfering  
with the view of the camera(s).  
When Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is  
unavailable or cancels, Model 3 no longer  
drives consistently at a set speed and no  
longer maintains a specified distance from  
the vehicle ahead.  
• The radar sensor is obstructed (dirty,  
covered, etc.).  
• The windshield is obstructing the view of  
the camera(s) (fogged over, dirty, covered  
by a sticker, etc.).  
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 3 at all times.  
WARNING: The list above does not  
represent an exhaustive list of  
situations that may interfere with  
proper operation of Traffic-Aware  
Cruise Control.  
Summary of Cruise Indicators  
Traffic-Aware Cruise  
Control is available but is  
not actively controlling  
your speed until you  
activate it. The number  
shown in gray is  
determined by Speed  
Assist (see Controlling  
Speed Assist on page  
150).  
Traffic-Aware Cruise  
Control is operating 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 3 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:  
• The road has sharp curves.  
Autopilot  
115  

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