NoA observations:
Warning...…..Warning...….Warning
Your Tesla will not drive and recommend the way you would drive.
I needed to get that out. I think folks expect the vehicle will respond similar to their personal decisions. Rather, the vehicle will make recommendations based on all sensor, location, map and traffic data.
Preface:
- Spacing set at 1 - I believe the vehicle uses this data input to make lane changes
- Set to Mad Max customization
- I accepted all lane change recommendations immediately with noted exceptions below
- I am located in Houston driving to and from Conroe and The Woodlands
- The highway has 4 lanes. I will number them from inward to outward 1 through 4 respectively. 4 being the fast lane.
- Traffic was heavy in all four lanes. Typical for Houston area.
Highlight:
I utilized NoA exclusively during my drive accepting all recommendations. It got me on the limited access highway. Changed lanes to maximize efficiency based on my speed setting. Got me off the limited access highway. All without any intervention.
It operated 100% without disengagement. I stayed vigilant at all times ensuring others and my safety.
One immediate improved experience was the blinker started and stopped with one stalk pull of acknowledgement. My observation was it was really conservative with the recommendations; i.e., slow to change lanes instead of overtake, moved to lane 1 two miles prior to exit, will not overtake slower traffic two miles from exit (maintains lane 1).
Detailed observations:
While entering the highway, I engaged NoA and AP while on the onramp. My X recommended merging into highway traffic. I acknowledged with a single pull on the stalk. My X engaged my left blinker and merged without any issues. The blinker then turned off after merge. I observed this behavior with all lane change recommendations.
While cruising, my X encountered slow lane traffic. My X made several left and right lane change recommendations to maximize or obtain my designated speed setting, 75mph. I acknowledged all recommendations followed by the actual change. I noticed and was vigilant to observe that it would not make a recommendation unless the lane adjacent was clear. Note: If I missed the recommendation and the lane became congested or not clear, it retained the recommendation. But, it did not initiate unless it was clear. To me this is important because if it was automated, it would have initiated immediately when clear. There were several times I purposely missed the recommendation to see what happens.
4 miles from exit, lanes 1 and 2 started pulsing. I was in lane 4. Lanes 1 and 2 showed a grey route line that pulsated once every second. At the same time. I received a message at the top of the navigation window that stated something like, Preparing for a lane change. I can't remember the exact wording. The prompt was highlighted with a blue box. The lane pulses and box warning engaged at the same time. My X made recommendations and changed to lane 2. The box warning and pulsing lanes went away.
2 miles from exit. I received the box notification again. My X recommended lane change to lane 1. I ignored the change. My X audibly initiated a tone with a warning at the bottom of the IC to change lanes for exit. Can't remember the exact wording. But, there was a steering wheel icon with it similar to the attention warning. I then acknowledged the lane change. Box warning went away when I was in lane 1. I personally would not have got in lane 1 two miles away. While in exit highway mode, it did not recommend changing lanes for speed efficiency.
When I reached the exit, my X recommended merging into the off ramp lane. I acknowledged the lane change. My X reached the end of the NoA. I was a bit confused on how to end it. It seemed to be comling to a stop. I had to take over even though TACC was still engaged. Can someone confirm. I tried it a few times and did not see how you can smoothly transition from NoA to TACC.
