As Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems continue to improve, new updates will often add or modify features, and a recent feature change allows drivers to follow cars a little more closely than before.
In Tesla’s software update 2021.4.21.3, one Model 3 owner reported expanded Autopilot and Tesla Vision following distance limitations in the electric vehicle.
Tesla Vision (or Pure Vision Autopilot) vehicles rely only on cameras for Autopilot, instead of radar. When Tesla introduced ‘Pure Vision’, it set limitations on Autopilot such as minimum following distance and speed. But now we’re seeing the following distance relaxed somewhat.
Following Distance can be set from 1 to 7, from closest to farthest away and adjusted using the right scroll button on the steering wheel.
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According to Tesla, each follow distance setting corresponds directly to a time-based distance representing the time it takes the Model 3 from its current location to the location for the car in front of the driver.
For cars manufactured after April 27, 2021, Tesla set a minimum follow distance of 3 or greater. But with the 2021.4.21.3 update, this number has been reduced to 2, bringing Autopilot ‘Pure Vision’ close to parity with its previous radar-based counterpart.
In June, Tesla brought back Lane Departure and the 80mph cap to Pure Vision Autopilot.
So far, Tesla Vision Autopilot has performed as well as the company’s previous radar-based version on older vehicles, according to tests seen on YouTube. With time, the system will continue to get better as Tesla continues to collect data and feedback from owners.
