Tesla cruise control uses radar and cameras to maintain your speed and distance from the car ahead
Tesla's cruise control system comes in two versions: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (standard on all models) and Autosteer (part of the Full Self-Driving or Enhanced Autopilot package). Traffic-Aware Cruise Control holds a set speed and automatically slows down if a car ahead gets too close, then speeds back up when the road clears. Autosteer does the same thing but also keeps your car centered in its lane. Both systems use the cameras and radar built into your Tesla — you do not need any extra hardware installed.
The basic controls are the same across all Tesla models. You engage cruise control by pulling the stalk toward you (a single pull for Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, or two pulls for Autosteer if you have it). Once active, the system displays your set speed and the distance to the car ahead on your center screen. You adjust speed by rolling the scroll wheel on the stalk up or down, or by using the plus and minus buttons on the steering wheel if your model has them.
Key Takeaways
- Pull the cruise control stalk toward you once to turn on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, or twice for Autosteer if your Tesla has that package.
- Set your desired speed by rolling the scroll wheel up or down on the stalk, or use the steering wheel buttons; the system will not engage until you confirm a speed.
- Traffic-Aware Cruise Control automatically slows your car if traffic ahead gets too close and speeds back up when the road clears.
- You can adjust the following distance (how far back your Tesla stays from the car ahead) using the left scroll wheel on the steering wheel, with settings ranging from one to seven car lengths.
- Pressing the brake pedal, turning the steering wheel, or pulling the stalk toward you again will disengage cruise control when ready.
How to turn on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
Start by pulling the cruise control stalk toward you one time. The stalk is located on the right side of the steering column, below the turn signal lever. When you pull it, the cruise control icon appears on your center screen, and the system enters standby mode — it is ready to go but not yet active.
Next, set your desired speed. Roll the scroll wheel on the stalk upward to increase the speed or downward to decrease it. You will see the speed change on the screen in 1 mph increments. Once you reach the speed you want, release the scroll wheel. Your Tesla will now accelerate or decelerate to match that speed and hold it steady. If there is a car ahead, the system will automatically slow down to maintain a safe distance, then speed back up when that car moves away.
To turn off cruise control, press the brake pedal, turn the steering wheel, or pull the stalk toward you again. Any of these actions will disengage the system when ready, and you will regain full manual control of the car.
How to turn on Autosteer (if you have it)
Autosteer is available only if your Tesla has the Enhanced Autopilot or Full Self-Driving package. To turn it on, pull the cruise control stalk toward you twice in quick succession. The first pull engages Traffic-Aware Cruise Control; the second pull activates Autosteer. Your center screen will show a steering wheel icon to confirm that Autosteer is active.
Once Autosteer is on, your Tesla will maintain your set speed, adjust for traffic ahead, and keep your car centered in its lane. You still control the speed with the scroll wheel on the stalk, just as you do with Traffic-Aware Cruise Control. The system will follow lane markings on highways and well-marked roads, but it requires your hands to remain on the steering wheel — if you let go for too long, the system will alert you and then disengage.
Autosteer disengages the same way as Traffic-Aware Cruise Control: press the brake, turn the wheel, or pull the stalk toward you. On some models, you can also press the cancel button on the steering wheel to turn off Autosteer while keeping Traffic-Aware Cruise Control active.
Adjusting following distance and speed while cruise control is active
Once cruise control is running, you can change your speed at any time by rolling the scroll wheel on the stalk up or down. Each roll changes the speed by 1 mph. If you want to make larger adjustments, hold the scroll wheel in place for a second or two and the speed will jump in 5 mph increments.
To adjust how far back your Tesla stays from the car ahead, use the left scroll wheel on the steering wheel (the one below the turn signal). Roll it up to increase the following distance or down to decrease it. The system offers seven distance settings, ranging from one car length (very close) to seven car lengths (very far). Your chosen distance setting stays in memory, so your Tesla will use the same following distance the next time you turn on cruise control.
If you want to temporarily speed up without changing your set speed — for example, to pass another car — press the accelerator pedal. Your Tesla will speed up, and when you release the pedal, it will return to your set speed. This is useful on highways when you need to move around traffic but do not want to reset your cruise control.
What to do if cruise control will not turn on
Cruise control requires certain conditions to work. Your Tesla must be on a road with clear lane markings (for Autosteer) or straightforward moving forward (for Traffic-Aware Cruise Control). The system will not engage if you are parked, in Neutral, or driving below 18 mph. If you try to pull the stalk and nothing happens, check that your car is in Drive and moving at least 18 mph.
If your center screen shows a message like "Cruise control unavailable" or "Autosteer unavailable," the system has detected a condition that prevents it from working safely. Common reasons include dirty or obstructed cameras, heavy rain or snow, very faded lane markings, or a software update in progress. In most cases, the system will become available again once the condition clears — for example, after you wipe the cameras clean or the weather improves.
If cruise control remains unavailable after checking these things, restart your Tesla by shifting into Neutral, pressing and holding both scroll wheels on the steering wheel for 10 seconds, and waiting for the screen to go black and come back on. This soft reset often clears temporary glitches. If the problem persists, contact Tesla Service through your Tesla app or visit a service center.
Safety reminders for cruise control
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer are driver information tools, not self-driving systems. You must stay alert, keep your hands on the wheel (especially with Autosteer), and be ready to take over at any moment. The system can miss obstacles, misread lane markings in poor visibility, or react differently than you would in an emergency.
Do not use cruise control in heavy traffic, on winding roads, in bad weather, or on roads without clear markings. These conditions make it harder for the cameras and radar to work correctly. Always assume you are responsible for the car, even when cruise control is active. If you feel unsafe at any point, press the brake pedal when ready to regain full control.
Autosteer requires both hands on the wheel. If the system detects that you have let go for more than a few seconds, it will alert you with a chime and a message on the screen. If you do not put your hands back on the wheel, Autosteer will disengage. This is a safety feature — the system is designed to keep you engaged and ready to steer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use cruise control on city streets or only on highways?
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control works on any road where you can maintain a steady speed — city streets, highways, or rural roads. Autosteer works best on highways and well-marked roads but can be used on city streets if the lane markings are clear. In heavy traffic or on roads with poor markings, it is safer to drive manually.
What happens if the car ahead stops suddenly while cruise control is on?
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control will slow your Tesla automatically to match the car ahead's speed, including slowing to a stop if needed. However, the system is designed to maintain a safe following distance, not to prevent all collisions. You should always be ready to brake manually if the car ahead stops unexpectedly or if you need to stop faster than the system can.
Does cruise control work in reverse?
No. Cruise control only works when your Tesla is in Drive. You cannot use it while backing up or driving in Reverse.
Will cruise control remember my speed and following distance settings?
Your Tesla remembers your following distance setting and will use it the next time you turn on cruise control. However, the speed setting is not saved — you will need to set your desired speed each time you engage cruise control.
What should I do if Autosteer keeps disengaging?
Autosteer disengages if you take your hands off the wheel, if the lane markings are unclear, or if the system detects an unsafe condition. If it keeps disengaging on roads where it normally works, check that your cameras are clean and that your software is up to date. If the problem continues, contact Tesla Service.