Tesla Model 3 overtakes a slower vehicle, aligns ahead of it, and subsequently slows down. The overtaken car passes the Model 3, giving it the middle finger. As a result, the owner is now contemplating terminating their Full Self-Driving (FSD) service.
Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, designed to provide autonomous driving capabilities, has been a subject of both praise and frustration for many Tesla owners. One such owner, Lowell Wurster, recently shared his experience of frustration with the FSD feature.
During a highway drive in his Tesla Model 3, Lowell encountered a situation where his car slowed down after passing another vehicle. This unexpected slowdown caused the other driver to speed up and pass him, leaving Lowell feeling frustrated. Many other Tesla Model 3 owners have shared similar grievances about the FSD feature.
The primary cause of this behavior appears to be the system's cautious and indecisive nature in certain driving situations. FSD attempts to maneuver around vehicles or obstacles but can show hesitation, such as swerving toward adjacent lanes then quickly correcting, causing the car to lose smooth momentum. This hesitation results in slower speeds or abrupt braking as the system weighs safe space and potential hazards.
FSD's safety algorithms prioritize avoiding collisions, which can lead it to slow down more than a human driver might, especially if it cannot safely change lanes or fully assess clearance after passing another car. The system’s decision-making, although faster in theory than human thinking, often exhibits this cautious or conservative behavior, sometimes causing the vehicle to slow unexpectedly after overtaking.
No explicit mention of other causes like driver-related system suspensions or software restrictions in the search results relate directly to this behavior. However, it's worth noting that FSD relies on reading speed limit signs and GPS data to recognize speed limits. If the system misreads a sign or the map data is incorrect for a particular stretch of road, it might adjust the speed unexpectedly.
To address this issue, Lowell and other Tesla owners can take several steps. First, they can enable 'Hurry' mode (if available in their FSD version) within the FSD settings to encourage the car to maintain higher speeds and be more assertive when passing slower vehicles. Lowell can also adjust the "Offset" to be slightly above the speed limit, which might encourage the car to maintain a faster speed.
In case of camera obstructions or calibration issues, it's advisable to clean all cameras on the Tesla Model 3 to ensure they are free of dirt, bugs, or condensation. If a camera issue is suspected, try recalibrating it. This is typically done through Service Mode, and specific steps can vary slightly by model year and software version.
If the issue persists despite these steps, especially if it's a new behavior after a recent software update, it's worth scheduling a service appointment with Tesla. They can run diagnostics and identify underlying issues or escalate it to their software team.
It's important to remember that FSD is constantly evolving with over-the-air (OTA) software updates. Sometimes, new updates can introduce temporary bugs or change behavior in unexpected ways.
Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012, specializes in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date.
For some Tesla owners like Eric Oler, a 2024 Model Y owner, the FSD technology is appreciated, often using the Hurry mode for commuting and finding it more considerate than their own driving.
In conclusion, while Tesla's FSD system has its challenges, it's a testament to the ongoing advancements in autonomous driving technology. With regular updates and user-friendly solutions, Tesla continues to refine its FSD system to provide a safer and more efficient driving experience for its users.
The Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, despite its praiseworthy autonomous driving capabilities, can exhibit a cautious and indecisive nature in certain driving situations, manifesting as unexpected slowdowns, swerving, and abrupt braking.
This cautious behavior is primarily due to FSD's safety algorithms prioritizing avoiding collisions, which can lead to it slowing down more than a human driver might, especially after passing another car.
%20service.){kind=link}