I mean you can, but you'd be wrong
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2016/INCLA-PE16007-7876.PDF
That's the NHTSA report from the first (of now two) times an idiot in Florida who didn't read the manual used AP where the manual tells him not to and died as a result of ignoring the numerous warnings Tesla gave him.
It cites the wording in the manual and later concludes:
So it doesn't appear the agency in charge of highway safety was confused by the wording from Tesla that they clearly meant marked, divided, limited access highways.
It goes on in the conclusion to state-
Thanks for the link.
Yet, there's still this to reconcile. It sounds like NHSTA is "taking Tesla's word for it when it says in the NHSTA report, it says 'according to Tesla' and then use
words not in the manual ... where did they get
these words? From Tesla in an email, on the website? Where?
"According to Tesla, Autosteer is designed for use on highways that have a center divider and clear lane markings. The system does not prevent operation on any road types. The driver is responsible for deciding when the road type and other conditions are appropriate for system activation"
According to Tesla's manual, it is for "
highways and limited-access roads".
They are using
different words. Why? Why not say "have a center divider and clear lane markings" in the manual if that's what they intend?
From an article, it appears the words come from Tesla in an email, which they say is in a dialogue box:
In an emailed statement, a Tesla spokesperson said:
“When using Autopilot, drivers are continuously reminded of their responsibility to keep their hands on the wheel and maintain control of the vehicle at all times. Tesla has always been clear that Autopilot doesn’t make the car impervious to all accidents, and before a driver can use Autopilot, they must accept a dialogue box which states that ‘Autopilot is designed for use on highways that have a center divider and clear lane markings.’”
Is that the actual wording of the dialogue box, or the spokesperson's interpretation of it? If it is the actual wording, why not repeat the same CLEAR wording in the manual? Does anyone have a picture of the dialogue box? Reddit does ... of course:
Please refer to the manual for "more detailed information" but that actually uses less descriptive warnings about where not to use it and doesn't repeat the language about a center divider.
It seems to me that many people dismiss pop-ups without reading them, and even those who read them may forget their contents, and decide to consult the manual for clarification ... yet the manual doesn't repeat the same warnings as the pop-up.
That's not ideal.
I did find one place with 'divider' mentioned in the manual, but the phrasing is still not consistent with the warning in the dialogue:
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.
Anyways, it's clear to me that it's not intended to be used where there's no dividers, but they don't stop you, so if you choose to use it you do so at your own risk (which you are always choosing to do so anyways). People not paying attention get in accidents.
The manual could be more consistent with the dialogue warning IMO.