Testing adaptive cruise control…

The Thanksgiving Holiday gave me another chance to drive my Tesla some long distance and get even more confident with its driving potential and the brand’s recharging system. Recharging was fast and never a problem and the increased number of charging stalls on our itinerary were never more than 90% full! I now feel confident that I can drive my Tesla anywhere in Canada or the United States and totally enjoy the experience.

This year’s Thanksgiving was a record breaking travel day in the air and of course, on the roads. No exception for us, the traffic was intense and was what’s called, “accordion-style”, alternatively accelerating and slowing down, making it extremely difficult for drivers to maintain a safe distance in such a busy traffic. 

Without sufficient distance, there’s a constant need for braking instead of coasting. Same thing for the cars behind you, all along the chain, except that for each car the effect is magnified. So when you tap the brakes to slow down a bit, 200 cars behind you, the cars come to a dead stop! This is where Tesla's Autopilot, and specifically, its Traffic Aware Cruise Control (TACC), shines for its advanced features and smooth operation compared to other manufacturers' adaptive cruise control systems. 

Here are some key differences that contribute to its superiority: Tesla’s system is more integrated than many other systems. It uses a combination of cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the driving environment. This results in a smoother driving experience, with more gradual acceleration and braking. 

When the driver chooses to stay and keep the same lane, Tesla's Autopilot can automatically keep the car perfectly centered, reducing driver fatigue on long journeys like the one. The result of that experience going and returning was a relaxing, stress-less driving experience without any fatigue upon reaching the final destination! 

Sure, while Tesla's Autopilot is advanced, it's not fully autonomous and requires constant driver attention, but it’s also why it’s considered one of the most advanced systems on the market. That’s another great reason to love that car, not Elon Musk, of course!