Right Foot on Autopilot

[Smoofv]

Hi all,

What do you do with your right foot when autopilot engaged? I've only had my Model 3 LR AWD for a little over a month, but I find that when I engage the autopilot, I keep my foot tensed and hovering over the pedals, which creates more strain than actually driving the car. Just curious what others do with that foot!

Oops. Sorry, I put this in the X forum. My bad.

 

[Big Earl]

it depends on the situation. If I think Autopilot is going to get confused or do phantom braking, I'll hover my foot over the accelerator. If I'm on the open road and there is little opportunity for it to get confused, I relax and put my feet on the floor.

 

[ewoodrick]

What did you do with cruise control?

 

[outie]

What did you do with cruise control?

Most people don’t even use cruise control ever.

 

[Smoofv]

What did you do with cruise control?

I rarely used Cruise Control in my ICE cars. I suppose when I did it was on wide-open roads and I probably put my foot down. I have mostly been using AP commuting in the Chicagoland area, so traffic flow is usually busy both ways.

 

[trmmcd]

This is an interesting question. I now have the pleasure of driving a Model 3 in addition to my X. The X give you lots of options - plenty of room - but the Model 3 has a funny floor profile (like a hump) which leaves no room for your foot off the pedal. So when I drive the 3 on a road trip - I ended up with my foot resting lightly on the accelerator rather than hovering. It doesn’t unecessarily trigger acceleration and it is mostly a natural driving position so is likely the safest way to go. I have considered doing this on my X as well - but old habits die hard.

 

[Big Earl]

Most people don’t even use cruise control ever.

I use cruise control all the time and don't hover my feet over the pedals. Autopilot and radar cruise are a little different due to phantom braking.

 

[Az_Rael]

This is an interesting question. I now have the pleasure of driving a Model 3 in addition to my X. The X give you lots of options - plenty of room - but the Model 3 has a funny floor profile (like a hump) which leaves no room for your foot off the pedal. So when I drive the 3 on a road trip - I ended up with my foot resting lightly on the accelerator rather than hovering. It doesn’t unecessarily trigger acceleration and it is mostly a natural driving position so is likely the safest way to go. I have considered doing this on my X as well - but old habits die hard.

That disables TACC braking in my experience.

 

[Uncle Paul]

Just put my foot flat on the floor.

I have gotten to understand when the autopilot is going to have issues, and get ready to take over. In areas where I know it will be challenged, I proactively switch to manual control. Really reduces autopilot anxiety.

I have found, over the last year or so, that the autopilot has become much more capable and reliable. Has become a valuable co-pilot for stop and go traffic or long boring distances on the highway.