Intelligent Assist Steer

Note

Depending on market region, vehicle configuration, options purchased, and software version, your vehicle may not be equipped with Intelligent Assist Steer , or the feature may not operate exactly as described.

Intelligent Assist Steer builds upon Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (see Traffic-Aware Cruise Control), intelligently keeping Model S in its driving lane when cruising at a set speed. Intelligent Assist Steer also allows you to use the turn signals to move Model S into an adjacent lane (see Intelligent Assist Lane Change). Intelligent Assist Steer detects lane markings and the presence of vehicles and objects to steerModel S.

CAUTION

Ensure all cameras and sensors (if equipped) are clean. Dirty cameras and sensors, as well as environmental conditions such as rain and faded lane markings, affect performance.

Warning

Intelligent Assist Steer is a hands-on feature. You must keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times.

Warning

Intelligent Assist Steer is intended for use on controlled-access highways with a fully attentive driver. When using Intelligent Assist Steer , hold the steering wheel and be mindful of road conditions and surrounding traffic. Do not use Intelligent Assist Steer in construction zones, or in areas where bicyclists or pedestrians may be present. Never depend on Intelligent Assist Steer to determine an appropriate driving path. Always be prepared to take immediate action. Failure to follow these instructions could cause damage, serious injury or death.

Operating Intelligent Assist Steer

Before you can operate Intelligent Assist Steer , you must enable it by touching Controls > Assisted Driving > Intelligent Assist Steer .

To indicate that Intelligent Assist Steer is available (but not actively steering Model S), the instrument panel displays a gray Intelligent Assist Steer icon.

To initiate Intelligent Assist Steer , pull the Assisted Driving stalk toward you twice in quick succession.

Image of the Assisted Driving stalk with an arrow going towards the driver.

Note

If the setting for Assisted Driving Activation is set to Single Pull (touch Controls > Assisted Driving > Assisted Driving Activation ), Intelligent Assist Steer engages when you pull the Assisted Driving stalk toward you once. If set to Double Pull, you must pull the Assisted Driving stalk toward you twice in quick succession to engage Intelligent Assist Steer .

To indicate that Intelligent Assist Steer is now actively steering Model S, the instrument panel displays the Intelligent Assist Steer icon in blue. When Intelligent Assist Steer is able to detect lane markings, it also displays the driving lane in blue.

Intelligent Assist Steer briefly displays a message on the instrument panel reminding you to pay attention to the road and be ready to take over at any time.

The speed at which you can initiate Intelligent Assist Steer can vary depending on various conditions and whether or not a vehicle is detected ahead of you. When no vehicle is detected ahead of you, you must be driving at least 30 km/h, unless certain vehicle and environmental conditions are met, in which case, you may be able to initiate it at lower speeds. When a vehicle is detected ahead of you, you can initiate Intelligent Assist Steer at any speed, even when stationary, provided Model S is at least 150 cm behind the detected vehicle.

Note

When Intelligent Assist Steer is engaged, Auto High Beam is automatically enabled and the maximum cruising speed is 140 km/h.

Warning

Never depend on Assisted Driving features to determine the presence of emergency vehicles. Model S may not detect lights from emergency vehicles. Keep your eyes on your driving path and always be prepared to take immediate action.

In situations where Intelligent Assist Steer is temporarily unavailable, the Intelligent Assist Steer icon disappears. For example, your driving speed is not within the speed required for Intelligent Assist Steer to operate. Intelligent Assist Steer may also be unavailable if it is not receiving adequate data from the camera(s).

Note

In low light conditions (dusk or dark), Intelligent Assist Steer aborts or is unavailable if headlights are set to Off. For best results, set headlights to Auto.

If unable to detect lane markings, Intelligent Assist Steer may determine the driving lane based on a vehicle you are following.

In most cases, Intelligent Assist Steer attempts to center Model S in the driving lane. However, there may be situations in which Intelligent Assist Steer may steer Model S in a driving path that is offset from the center of the lane (for example, detection of guard rails).

Warning

Intelligent Assist Steer is not designed to, and will not, steer Model S 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 S at all times.

Restricted Speed

On a controlled-access highway, the cruising speed reflects the speed limit, taking into consideration any offset you've specified using Speed Assist. However, if you choose to use Intelligent Assist Steer on residential roads, a road without a center divider, or a road where access is not limited, Intelligent Assist Steer may limit the maximum allowed cruising speed and the instrument panel displays a message indicating that speed is restricted. The restricted speed will be the speed limit of the road plus 10 km/h.

In situations where the speed limit cannot be detected when Intelligent Assist Steer is engaged, Intelligent Assist Steer reduces your driving speed and limits the set cruising speed to 70 km/h. Although you can manually accelerate to exceed the limited speed, Model S may not brake for detected obstacles. Intelligent Assist Steer slows down to the limited speed when you release the accelerator pedal. When you leave the road, or disengage Intelligent Assist Steer by using the steering wheel, you can increase your set speed again, if desired.

Hold Steering Wheel

Intelligent Assist Steer determines how best to steer Model S. When active, Intelligent Assist Steer 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 light appears along the top of the instrument panel and the following message displays:

Apply slight turning force to steering wheel

Intelligent Assist Steer detects your hands by recognizing slight resistance as the steering wheel turns, or from you manually turning the steering wheel very lightly (without enough force to take over steering). Intelligent Assist Steer also qualifies your hands as being detected if you engage a turn signal use the Assisted Driving stalk, or use a button or scroll wheel on the steering wheel.

Note

When your hands are detected, the message disappears and Intelligent Assist Steer resumes normal operation.

Intelligent Assist Steer requires that you pay attention to your surroundings and remain prepared to take control at any time. If Intelligent Assist Steer still does not detect your hands on the steering wheel, the flashing light on the instrument panel increases in frequency and a chime sounds.

If you repeatedly ignore Intelligent Assist Steer 's prompts to apply slight force to the steering wheel, Intelligent Assist Steer disables for the rest of the drive and displays the following message requesting you to drive manually. If you don't resume manual steering, Intelligent Assist Steer sounds a continuous chime, turns on the warning flashers, and slows the vehicle to a complete stop.

Assisted Driving unavailable for current drive. Assisted Driving Strikeout - Attention warnings ignored.

For the rest of the drive, you must steer manually. Intelligent Assist Steer is available again on your next drive (after you stop and shift Model S into Park).

Assisted Driving Suspension

Use of Assisted Driving features will be suspended if improper usage is detected.

Use of Intelligent Assist Steer is suspended for a week when you or another driver of your vehicle receives three Assisted Driving "strikeouts." A strikeout is when the Assisted Driving system disengages for the remainder of a trip after the driver receives several audio and visual warnings for inattentiveness.

You can see how many strikeouts are remaining before Assisted Driving access is suspended by touching Controls > Assisted Driving .

A strikeout is forgiven after half a week (3.5 days), as long as you don't receive another strikeout in that time.

Note

If your access to Intelligent Assist Steer is suspended, you can still use Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and all active safety features are still enabled.

There may be occasions where driver intervention is required and you must take over immediately to maintain safe driving. Driver-initiated disengagements do not count as improper usage and are expected from the driver.

Take Over Immediately

In situations where Intelligent Assist Steer is unable to steer Model S, Intelligent Assist Steer sounds a warning chime and displays the following message on the instrument panel:

Take over immediately

When you see this message, TAKE OVER STEERING IMMEDIATELY.

Canceling Intelligent Assist Steer

Intelligent Assist Steer cancels when:

You press the brake pedal.
You start steering manually.
Note
If Assisted Driving Activation is set to Double Pull and Intelligent Assist Steer cancels because you started steering manually, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control remains active. If Assisted Driving Activation is set to Single Pull and Intelligent Assist Steer cancels because you started steering manually, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control also cancels.
You push the Assisted Driving stalk away from you.
You exceed the maximum speed at which Intelligent Assist Steer operates – 150 km/h.
You shift.
A door is opened.
An Automatic Emergency Braking event occurs (see Collision Avoidance Assist).

When Intelligent Assist Steer cancels, it sounds a chime and the Intelligent Assist Steer icon either turns gray to indicate that Intelligent Assist Steer is no longer active, or disappears to indicate that it is not currently available.

Note

If Intelligent Assist Steer cancels because you started steering manually, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control remains active. Disengage Traffic-Aware Cruise Control as you normally would, by pressing the brake pedal or briefly pushing the Assisted Driving stalk away from you.

To disable Intelligent Assist Steer so it is no longer available, touch Controls > Assisted Driving > Intelligent Assist Steer .

Intelligent Assist Lane Change

Note

Depending on market region, vehicle configuration, options purchased, and software version, your vehicle may not be equipped with Intelligent Assist Lane Change , or the feature may not operate exactly as described.

When Intelligent Assist Steer is active, engage a turn signal to move Model S into an adjacent lane (moving the steering wheel would cancel Intelligent Assist Steer ).

Warning

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.

Warning

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 instrument panel for warnings. Always be prepared to take immediate action.

Warning

Do not use Auto Lane Change on roads where traffic conditions are constantly changing and where bicycles and pedestrians are present.

Warning

The performance of Auto Lane Change depends on the ability of the camera(s) to recognize lane markings.

Warning

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).

Warning

Failure to follow all warnings and instructions can result in property damage, serious injury or death.

Operating Intelligent Assist Lane Change

Intelligent Assist Lane Change is available whenever Intelligent Assist Steer is active.

To change lanes using Intelligent Assist Lane Change :

Perform visual checks to make sure it is safe and appropriate to move into the target lane.
Engage the appropriate turn signal, keeping your hands on the steering wheel.
If needed, cancel the turn signal once you are in the target lane.

Note

The minimum speed at which Intelligent Assist Lane Change operates may vary depending on region, adjacent lane speeds, and other factors. Always be ready to manually steer and change lanes as necessary.

Intelligent Assist Lane Change moves Model S into the adjacent lane in the direction indicated by the turn signal, provided the following conditions are met:

The turn signal is engaged.
Model S does not detect a vehicle in its blind spot, or a vehicle or obstacle up to the center of the target lane.
Lane markings indicate that a lane change is permitted.
Midway through the lane change, Model S must detect the target lane's outside lane marking. If this lane marking is not detected, the lane change is aborted and Model S returns to its original driving lane.
The view of the camera(s) is not obstructed.

When an automatic lane change is in progress, Overtake Acceleration is activated, allowing Model S to accelerate closer to a vehicle in front (see Overtake Acceleration).

Note

Intelligent Assist Lane Change moves Model S one lane at a time. Moving into an additional lane requires you to engage the turn signal a second time after the first lane change is complete.

When using Intelligent Assist Lane Change , it is important to monitor its performance by watching the driving path in front of you and the surrounding area. Stay prepared to take over steering at any time. As you are crossing over into the adjacent lane, the instrument panel displays the location in the lane that Model S is moving into.

In situations where Intelligent Assist Lane Change is unable to operate at optimal performance, or cannot operate due to inadequate data, the instrument panel displays a series of warnings. Therefore, when using Intelligent Assist Lane Change , always pay attention to the instrument panel and be prepared to manually steer Model S.

Adjacent Lane Speed

Note

Depending on market region, vehicle configuration, options purchased, and software version, your vehicle may not be equipped with Adjacent Lane Speed, or the feature may not operate exactly as described.

When moving significantly faster than vehicles in adjacent lanes, Model S automatically reduces the driving speed. This is especially helpful in heavy traffic situations or when vehicles are constantly merging into different lanes. When Model S detects other vehicles driving significantly slower, the instrument panel highlights the adjacent lanes with arrows and detected vehicles in gray, and Model S reduces the driving speed as appropriate. To temporarily override this feature, press the accelerator pedal.

Warning

Never depend on Assisted Driving to determine a safe driving speed; you are responsible for driving safely and according to traffic laws in your market region.

Limitations

Intelligent Assist Steer and its associated functions are particularly unlikely to operate as intended when:

Intelligent Assist Steer 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 S 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 Intelligent Assist Steer . Always keep this in mind and remember that as a result, Intelligent Assist Steer may not steer Model S appropriately. Always drive attentively and be prepared to take immediate action.