Tesla S Owner's Manual page 91

Autosteer
If Autosteer is unable to detect lane markings,
the driving lane is determined based on the
vehicle you are following.
In most cases, Autosteer attempts to center
Model S in the driving lane. However, if the
sensors detect the presence of an obstacle
(such as a vehicle or guard rail), Autosteer
may steer Model S in a driving path that is
offset from the center of the lane.
Warning: Autosteer is not designed to,
and will not, steer Model S around objects
partially or completely in the driving lane.
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 S at all times.
Restricted Speed
Autosteer is intended for use only by a fully
attentive driver on freeways and highways
where access is limited by entry and exit
ramps. If you choose to use Autosteer on
residential roads, a road without a center
divider, or a road where access is not limited,
Autosteer may limit the maximum allowed
cruising speed. The maximum allowed cruising
speed on such roads is calculated based on
the detected speed limit including a Speed
Assist offset of up to +5 mph (10 km/h). Any
Speed Assist offset above +5 mph (10 km/h) is
rounded down to +5 mph (10 km/h). However,
you can select a more restrictive cruising
speed by reducing the speed limit offset (see
Controlling Speed Assist
adjusting the cruise control lever.
In situations where the speed limit cannot be
detected when Autosteer is engaged,
Autosteer reduces your driving speed and
limits the set speed to 45 mph (70 km/h).
Although you can manually accelerate to
exceed the limited speed, Model S may not
brake for detected obstacles. Autosteer will
slow down to the limited speed when you
release the accelerator pedal. When you leave
the road, or disengage Autosteer by using the
steering wheel, you can increase your set
speed again, if desired.
Hold Steering Wheel
Autosteer uses data from the camera(s),
sensors, and GPS to determine how best to
steer Model S. When active, Autosteer requires
you to hold the steering wheel. If it does not
detect your hands on the steering wheel for a
period of time, a flashing white light appears
along the top of the instrument panel and the
following message displays:
90
on page 106) or by
Autosteer detects your hands by recognizing
light resistance as the steering wheel turns, or
from you manually turning the steering wheel
very lightly (without enough force to retake
control). Autosteer also qualifies your hands
as being detected if you engage a turn signal,
use the cruise control lever to adjust the
cruising speed or following distance, or use a
button or scroll wheel on the steering wheel.
Note: When your hands are detected, the
message disappears and Autosteer resumes
normal operation.
Note: Autosteer may also sound a chime at
the same time that the message is initially
displayed.
Autosteer requires that you pay attention to
your surroundings and remain prepared to
take control at any time. If Autosteer still does
not detect your hands on the steering wheel,
the request escalates by sounding chimes that
increase in frequency.
If you repeatedly ignore Autosteer's prompts
for having your hands on the steering wheel,
Autosteer disables for the rest of the drive and
displays the following message. If you don't
resume manual steering, Autosteer sounds a
continuous chime, turns on the warning
flashers, and slows the vehicle to a complete
stop.
For the rest of the drive, you must steer
manually. Autosteer is available again on your
next drive (after you stop and shift Model S
into Park).
Take Over Immediately
In situations where Autosteer is unable to
steer Model S, Autosteer sounds a warning
chime and displays the following message on
the instrument panel:
When you see this message, TAKE OVER
STEERING IMMEDIATELY.
Model S Owner's Manual