Tesla Model 3 Overtakes a Slower Vehicle, Mimics Its Speed, and Results in a Middle Finger Gesture; Driver Now Prepared to Terminate FSD Subscription

In the ever-evolving world of electric vehicles, Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature has been a topic of both excitement and frustration for many owners. Let's delve into some experiences shared by Tesla Model 3 owners, as reported by Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter with over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry.

Denis' latest report highlights the story of Lowell Wurster, a Tesla Model 3 owner who has experienced frustration with the FSD feature. Lowell shared an instance where his Model 3 slowed down after passing a slower vehicle, causing the following vehicle to speed up and pass his vehicle. To potentially improve his Model 3's FSD behavior, Lowell can clean all cameras, check FSD settings, set speed, adjust offset, and enable 'Hurry' mode (if available in his FSD version).

Eric Oler, another Model 3 owner, uses the 'Hurry' mode for his daily commute and appreciates the technology's performance. In fact, he expressed a desire to program his Model 3 to park in a preferred parking spot. However, not all Model 3 owners have had such positive experiences. Chris Jellema, for instance, has cited near-misses and unexpected slowdowns as his reasons for frustration with FSD.

The behaviour of FSD can sometimes be affected by software glitches or updates. In such cases, gentle pressing of the accelerator pedal can prompt FSD to resume the desired speed without disengaging the system. However, it's worth noting that caution should be exercised in heavy traffic or adverse weather conditions.

Camera obstructions or calibration issues can significantly affect FSD performance. Recalibrating cameras can be done through Service Mode and is typically done on a clear, straight road with good visibility. A deep reset can be performed by going to Controls > Safety > Power Off and waiting a few minutes before pressing the brake pedal to restart the car. A soft reset can be performed by holding down both scroll wheels on the steering wheel until the touchscreen goes black and the Tesla logo appears.

FSD's Cautious Nature might cause it to slow down after a maneuver if it perceives any uncertainty, a change in road conditions, or needs to re-evaluate the traffic flow. It's also worth mentioning 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.

In conclusion, while Tesla's Full Self-Driving feature offers significant advancements in autonomous driving, it's not without its challenges. It's essential for owners to understand the system's limitations and to schedule a service appointment with Tesla if the issue persists, especially if it's a new behavior after a recent software update. As always, safety should remain the top priority when using any advanced driver assistance system.