Get Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control Guide for Tesla Model-3 4 Door First Generation (2017-2023)

Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control

NOTE: Depending on market region, vehicle conﬁguration, options purchased, and software

version, your vehicle may not be equipped with Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control.

Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control is designed to recognize and respond to traﬃc lights and

stop signs, slowing Model 3 to a stop when using Traﬃc-Aware cruise control or Autosteer. This

feature uses the vehicle's forward-facing cameras, in addition to GPS data, and slows the car for

all detected traﬃc lights, including green, blinking yellow, and oﬀ lights in addition to stop signs

and some road markings. As Model 3 approaches an intersection, the touchscreen displays a

notiﬁcation indicating the intention to slow down. You must conﬁrm that you want to continue

or Model 3 stops at the red line displayed on the touchscreen's driving visualization.

NOTE: Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control is a BETA feature and works best on roads that are

frequently driven by Tesla vehicles. Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control attempts to stop at all

traﬃc lights, including green lights.

WARNING: NEVER make assumptions and predict when and where Traﬃc Light and

Stop Sign Control will stop or continue through an intersection or road marking. From a

driver's perspective, the behavior of Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control may appear

inconsistent. Always pay attention to the roadway and be prepared to take immediate

action. It is the driver's responsibility to determine whether to stop or continue through

an intersection. Never depend on Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control to determine when

it is safe and/or appropriate to stop or continue through an intersection.

Before Using

Before using Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control, you must:

• Ensure that forward-facing cameras are unobstructed (see Cleaning Cameras and Sensors

on page 108) and calibrated (see Drive to Calibrate Cameras on page 107). Traﬃc Light and

Stop Sign Control depends on the ability of the cameras to detect traﬃc lights, stop signs,

and road markings.

• Ensure that the latest version of maps has been downloaded to Model 3. Although Traﬃc

Light and Stop Sign Control primarily uses visual data received from the vehicle's cameras,

greater accuracy is achieved when using the most recent map data. To check which version

of maps is currently downloaded, touch Controls > Service > Additional vehicle information.

You must connect to a Wi-Fi network to receive updated maps (see Map Updates on page

171).

• Enable the feature. With the vehicle in Park, touch Controls > Autopilot > Traﬃc Light and

Stop Sign Control. Once enabled, Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control operates whenever

Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control or Autosteer is active.

How it Works

When Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control is enabled and you are using Autosteer or Traﬃc-

Aware Cruise Control, the touchscreen displays a popup message to inform you that an

upcoming traﬃc light, stop sign, or road marking has been detected. As it approaches the stop

location, even at an intersection where the traﬃc light is green, Model 3 slows down and

displays a red line to indicate where the vehicle will come to a complete stop. To continue

through the intersection—even if the traﬃc light is green —you must press down on the drive

stalk or brieﬂy press the accelerator pedal to give the vehicle permission to proceed. When

you've conﬁrmed that you want to proceed, the red stop line turns grey and Model 3 continues

through the intersection and resumes your set cruising speed.

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Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control

NOTE: If, after you press down on the drive stalk or press the accelerator pedal to conﬁrm that

you want to continue through the intersection, the traﬃc signal changes before you enter the

intersection (for example, the light changes from green to yellow or from yellow to red), Model 3

may determine that it is not appropriate to proceed. Therefore, Model 3 stops and you must

manually press the accelerator to proceed. At all times, it is your responsibility to ensure the

vehicle stops or accelerates appropriately and safely.

WARNING: Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control WILL NOT turn Model 3 through an

intersection. When in a turning lane, Model 3 stops at the red stop line. To proceed, press

down on the drive stalk or brieﬂy press the accelerator pedal—Model 3 will continue

straight through the intersection (even when in a turning lane), so you MUST manually

steer Model 3 through the intersection (which cancels Autosteer).

Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control is designed to operate as described only when the following

conditions are met:

• Autosteer or Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control is engaged.

• The cameras can detect an upcoming traﬃc light, stop sign or road marking (for example,

cameras are unobstructed and have a clear line-of-sight to the traﬃc light, stop sign, or road

marking).

• The touchscreen on Model 3 is displaying an upcoming traﬃc light in "bold" format. Model 3

does not acknowledge traﬃc lights that the touchscreen shows as faded. If a traﬃc light is

not directly ahead of the camera (for example, it is located at an angle of the camera's view,

or located in an adjacent lane) the touchscreen displays it as faded and Model 3 does not

slow down and stop for it.

WARNING: If the touchscreen is not displaying a red stop line at an upcoming

intersection, Model 3 does not slow down or stop. It is the driver's responsibility to pay

attention to upcoming intersections and monitor traﬃc conditions to determine when

and if the vehicle should stop and then to take appropriate action as needed.

WARNING: Never depend on Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control to determine whether

to stop at, or proceed through, an intersection. Drive attentively by watching the road

and paying attention to the roadway, upcoming intersections, traﬃc conditions,

crosswalks, and other road users. It is always the driver's responsibility to determine

whether to stop or proceed. Be prepared to take immediate action. Failure to do so can

result in injury or death.

WARNING: In some situations, Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control may inaccurately

detect a traﬃc light or stop sign, causing Model 3 to slow down unexpectedly. Be

prepared to take immediate action at all times.

WARNING: You must press down on the drive stalk or brieﬂy press the accelerator pedal

to conﬁrm that you want to proceed through an intersection, regardless of the status of

the traﬃc light. If you do not conﬁrm, Model 3 stops at the red stop line displayed on the

touchscreen, even if a stop may not be appropriate. Stopping at a green light may

confuse other drivers and may result in a collision, injury or death. Therefore, always pay

attention to upcoming intersections and be prepared to manually brake or accelerate in

response to surroundings.

WARNING: Never assume that your ability to see a traﬃc light, stop sign, or road

marking (especially at a complex intersection, or an intersection in which a traﬃc light or

sign is partially obstructed, etc.) means that Model 3 can also identify it and respond

appropriately.

WARNING: Even the most recent map data does not include all traﬃc lights and stop

signs. Therefore, Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control relies heavily on the ability of the

cameras to detect traﬃc lights, stop signs, road markings, etc. As a result, Model 3 may

ignore an intersection that is blocked from the camera's view (for example, obstructed

by a tree or a large vehicle or object, or located near a steep hill or sharp curve).

Autopilot

125

Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control

WARNING: Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control is not a substitute for attentive driving

and sound judgment.

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MODEL 3 OWNER'S MANUAL

Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control

Traﬃc Lights

When driving with Autosteer or Traﬃc-Aware Cruise Control engaged, and Traﬃc Light and

Stop Sign Control enabled, Model 3 is designed to respond as follows when approaching

intersections controlled by a traﬃc light:

Type of Traﬃc Light

Vehicle Intended Response

At a solid green traﬃc light, or at a traﬃc light that

is currently oﬀ (not illuminated), Model 3 slows

down.

You must conﬁrm that you want to continue through

the intersection by pressing down on the drive stalk

or brieﬂy pressing the accelerator pedal. If you don’t

conﬁrm, Model 3 stops at the red stop line shown on

the touchscreen.

NOTE: Model 3 resumes the set cruising speed when

it continues through the intersection, taking into

consideration the speed of a vehicle is in front of

you.

Model 3 slows down and comes to a complete stop

at the red stop line shown on the touchscreen. When

you want to continue through the intersection (for

example, after the light turns green again, or once

Model 3 has come to a complete stop), you must

press down on the drive stalk or brieﬂy press the

accelerator pedal.

Autopilot

127

Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control

Type of Traﬃc Light

Vehicle Intended Response

Model 3 slows down and comes to a complete stop

at the red stop line shown on the touchscreen. When

you want to proceed through the intersection (for

example, after the light turns green again), you must

press down on the drive stalk or brieﬂy press the

accelerator pedal.

NOTE: If the traﬃc light changes after you've

conﬁrmed that you want to proceed (for example, a

green traﬃc light turns yellow), Model 3 may stop

instead of continuing, especially if Model 3

determines that it can safely stop before entering

the intersection.

NOTE: Model 3 is not designed to proceed through

an intersection when the traﬃc light is red or if the

light turns yellow when there is adequate distance to

safely stop before the intersection.

NOTE: You can take over driving at any time by

manually braking to cancel Autosteer or Traﬃc-

aware Cruise Control.

Model 3 slows down. To proceed, you must press

down on the drive stalk or brieﬂy press the

accelerator pedal. If you don’t, Model 3 stops at the

red stop line shown on the touchscreen.

NOTE: To prevent Model 3 from stopping and to

minimize how much it slows down as it approaches,

you can conﬁrm that you want to proceed by

pressing down on the drive stalk or pressing the

accelerator pedal at any time after the touchscreen

displays the red stop line. Model 3 resumes your set

cruising speed immediately after you conﬁrm (taking

into consideration whether a vehicle is in front of

you).

WARNING: Approach attentively and be

prepared to press the brake pedal to slow

down or stop.

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MODEL 3 OWNER'S MANUAL

Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control

Type of Traﬃc Light

Vehicle Intended Response

Model 3 slows down and comes to a complete stop

at the red stop line shown on the touchscreen. When

you want to proceed through the intersection (for

example, traﬃc laws and conditions indicate it is safe

and legal to proceed), you must press down on the

drive stalk or brieﬂy press the accelerator pedal.

Autopilot

129

Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control

Stop Signs and Road Markings

When driving with Autosteer or Traﬃc-aware Cruise Control engaged, and Traﬃc Light and

Stop Sign Control enabled, Model 3 is designed to respond as follows when approaching

intersections controlled by stop signs, stop lines, or road markings:

Type of Intersection

Vehicle Intended Response

Model 3 assumes the right of way and continues straight

without slowing down or stopping.

No Traﬃc Control

Arm of T-junction

If the vehicle can detect a T-junction based on the map data,

Model 3 slows down and comes to a complete stop at the red

stop line shown on the touchscreen. When you want to

proceed, you must take over steering and acceleration.

WARNING: Model 3 may not stop at a T-junction that

does not have a stop sign or stop line, or if the map

data does not detect a T-junction. Drive attentively and

be prepared to stop the vehicle when needed.

End of T-junction

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MODEL 3 OWNER'S MANUAL

Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control

Type of Intersection

Vehicle Intended Response

Model 3 slows down and comes to a complete stop at the red

stop line shown on the touchscreen. When you want to

proceed through the intersection, you must press down on the

drive stalk or brieﬂy press the accelerator pedal.

NOTE: If you conﬁrm that you want to proceed through an

intersection controlled by a stop sign by pressing down on the

drive stalk or pressing the accelerator pedal before Model 3 has

stopped, your conﬁrmation is ignored. Model 3 is not designed

to proceed through a stop sign without stopping.

NOTE: Even when using Autosteer, and even if you have

engaged a turn signal, you must turn the steering wheel

yourself (which cancels Autosteer) to complete a turn at an

intersection.

Stop Sign

Stop Sign and Road Marking

Road Marking

WARNING: At crosswalks, Model 3 may slow down and may stop, depending on whether

the crosswalk is controlled by a traﬃc light and whether the cameras detect pedestrians,

bicyclists, etc. in the crosswalk. Pay particular attention at crosswalks and be prepared to

take over at any time. Failure to do so can result in injury or death.

Autopilot

131

Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control

Limitations

Depending on many diﬀerent circumstances and environmental conditions, Traﬃc Light and

Stop Sign Control may or may not stop at:

• Railroad crossings.

• Keep-out zones.

• Toll booths.

• Roundabouts.

• Crosswalk systems.

• Yield signs or temporary traﬃc lights and stop signs (such as at construction areas).

• Miscellaneous traﬃc U-turn lights, bicycle and pedestrian crossing lights, lane availability

lights, etc.

In addition, Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control is particularly unlikely to operate as intended,

can disengage, or may not operate, when one or more of the following conditions are present:

• Driving through consecutive light-controlled intersections that are very close to each other.

• Visibility is poor (heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.) or weather conditions are interfering with

camera or sensor operation.

• Bright light (such as direct sunlight) is interfering with the view of the camera(s).

• A camera is obstructed, covered, damaged, or not properly calibrated.

• Driving on a hill or on a road that has sharp curves on which the cameras are unable to see

upcoming traﬃc lights or stop signs.

• A traﬃc light, stop sign, or road marking is obstructed (for example, a tree, a large vehicle,

etc.).

• Model 3 is being driven very close to a vehicle in front of it, which is blocking the view of a

camera.

WARNING: The limitations listed above are not an exhaustive list of reasons why Model 3

may not operate as expected. Many unforeseen circumstances can adversely impact the

accurate operation of Traﬃc Light and Stop Sign Control. Using this feature does not

reduce or eliminate the need to drive attentively and responsibly. You must be prepared

to take appropriate and immediate action at all times.

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MODEL 3 OWNER'S MANUAL

Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control for Your Tesla Model-3 4 Door First Generation (2017-2023)

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