Some Tesla owners have seen a message on the screen saying “Driving visualization temporarily degraded. The feature may be restored on the next drive.”
When this happens, the driving visualization disappears or becomes distorted, and some Autopilot functions stop working.
For example, the adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, automatic lane change, and auto wipers may not function properly. The backup camera and side cameras may also be affected.
By reading this article, you will learn how to troubleshoot and resolve this problem, and how to prevent or avoid it in the future.
How To Fix Driving Visualization Temporarily Degraded Issue?
#1. Reboot the vehicle
Some Tesla owners have tried rebooting the vehicle by holding down the two scroll buttons on the steering wheel for a few seconds.
This may reset the software and restore the driving visualization and Autopilot features.
However, this may not always work, especially if the problem is caused by a disconnection from the neural network.
#2. Clean the cameras or sensors
To clean the cameras or sensors, you can use a soft cloth or a microfiber towel to gently wipe them.
You can also use compressed air to blow away any dust or debris. You should avoid using any chemicals or liquids that could damage the cameras or sensors.
You should also make sure that the cameras or sensors are dry before driving.
#3. Turn off the Full Self-Driving Visualization Preview option
To turn off this option, you can go to Settings > Autopilot > Full Self-Driving Visualization Preview and toggle it off.
This may solve the problem and restore the normal driving visualization and Autopilot features.
#4. Check the software version of your Tesla vehicle
You can do this by touching the Tesla “T” at the top center of the touchscreen. The software version is displayed in the bottom right corner of the pop-up window.
If your software version is outdated, you may not have the latest features and improvements for driving visualization and Autopilot.
You can update your software by connecting to a Wi-Fi network and following the instructions on the touchscreen. See Software Updates for more information.
#5. Check the status of the Autopilot components
You can do this by touching Controls > Service > Quick Controls > Autopilot Camera Calibration.
This will show you if any of the cameras or sensors are blocked, misaligned, or damaged.
If any of them are, you should contact Tesla service and schedule an appointment for repair or replacement. See Autopilot Components for more information.
#6. Check the settings of the Autopilot features
You can do this by touching Controls > Autopilot. Make sure that the features you want to use are enabled and configured correctly.
For example, you can adjust the following settings:
#1. Traffic-Aware Cruise Control Follow Distance
This determines how closely you follow a vehicle in front of you when using Traffic-Aware Cruise Control or Autosteer.
You can choose a setting from 1 (the closest) to 7 (the farthest).
#2. Autosteer Speed Limit
This determines the maximum speed at which Autosteer can operate.
You can choose a setting from OFF (no limit) to +10 mph (+16 km/h) above the detected speed limit.
#3. Speed Limit Warning
This determines how Model 3 alerts you when you exceed the speed limit.
You can choose a setting from OFF (no warning) to CHIME (audible warning).
#4. Forward Collision Warning
This determines how Model 3 warns you of a potential collision with a vehicle or obstacle in front of you.
You can choose a setting from OFF (no warning) to LATE (least sensitive).
#5. Lane Departure Warning
This determines how Model 3 warns you when you drift out of your lane without a turn signal.
You can choose a setting from OFF (no warning) to VIBRATE (steering wheel vibration).
#6. Lane Departure Avoidance
This determines how Model 3 assists you in staying in your lane by applying corrective steering when you drift out of your lane without a turn signal.
You can choose a setting from OFF (no assistance) to ASSIST (mild steering correction).
#7. Blind Spot Collision Warning Chime
This determines whether Model 3 plays a chime when you attempt to change lanes and a vehicle is detected in your blind spot.
#8. Automatic Emergency Braking
This determines whether Model 3 automatically applies the brakes to reduce the impact of an unavoidable frontal collision.
#9. Obstacle-Aware Acceleration
This determines whether Model 3 automatically reduces acceleration when an obstacle is detected in front of your vehicle while driving at low speeds. See Autopilot Features for more information.
Why Driving Visualization Temporarily Degraded?
Here are seven possible reasons for the problem of driving visualization temporarily degraded and their explanations:
#1. Software update
Sometimes, a software update may cause some issues with the driving visualization and Autopilot features.
This could be because the update is not compatible with the current hardware or software configuration of the vehicle, or because the update has some bugs or errors that affect the performance of the features.
In this case, the problem may be resolved by waiting for a new update that fixes the issues, or by contacting Tesla service and requesting a rollback to a previous software version.
#2. Hardware failure
Another possible reason for this problem is a hardware failure of the cameras or sensors that provide the data for the driving visualization and Autopilot features.
This could be because the cameras or sensors are damaged, malfunctioning, or disconnected from the vehicle’s system.
In this case, the problem may be resolved by contacting Tesla service and scheduling an appointment for repair or replacement of the faulty hardware.
#3. Camera or sensor obstruction
Weather conditions such as rain, snow, fog, or glare may also affect the driving visualization and Autopilot features.
This is because these conditions may reduce the visibility and accuracy of the cameras and sensors, or cause them to misinterpret the data.
In this case, the problem may be resolved by adjusting the settings of the features, such as reducing the speed or increasing the follow distance, or by turning off the features and driving manually until the weather conditions improve.
#4. Full Self-Driving Visualization Preview option
Some Tesla owners have reported that turning on the Full Self-Driving Visualization Preview option in the Autopilot menu has caused this problem.
This option allows drivers to see additional information on the driving visualization, such as traffic lights, stop signs, road markings, and other vehicles’ intentions.
However, this option may also cause some bugs or glitches in the software that affect the driving visualization and Autopilot features.
#5. Interference from other devices
Interference from other devices such as radio transmitters, cell phones, or radar detectors may also affect the driving visualization and Autopilot features.
This is because these devices may emit signals that interfere with the signals from the cameras and sensors, or cause them to malfunction.
In this case, the problem may be resolved by turning off or removing any devices that may cause interference, or by moving away from any sources of interference.
#6. Calibration error
Calibration error is another possible reason for this problem. Calibration is a process that aligns and adjusts the cameras and sensors to ensure they are functioning properly.
Sometimes, calibration may fail or become inaccurate due to various factors such as software updates, hardware changes, or environmental changes.
In this case, the problem may be resolved by recalibrating the cameras and sensors using the instructions on the touchscreen.
#7. User error
User error is also a possible reason for this problem. User error refers to any mistakes or misunderstandings that users may make when using the driving visualization and Autopilot features.
For example, users may not follow the instructions or warnings on the touchscreen, or they may not pay attention to the road and their surroundings.
In this case, the problem may be resolved by reading and following the instructions and warnings on the touchscreen, or by paying attention to the road and their surroundings.
How common and serious is this problem?
According to some online forums, this problem has been reported by several Tesla owners since 2020.
It seems to affect different models and versions of Tesla vehicles. It also seems to occur randomly and unpredictably.
Some Tesla owners have experienced it only once or twice, while others have experienced it more frequently.
This problem can be annoying and inconvenient for Tesla drivers who rely on driving visualization and Autopilot features for safety and comfort.
It can also be dangerous if it happens while driving at high speeds or in complex traffic situations.
Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the road and drive carefully when this problem occurs. It is also advisable to report this problem to Tesla’s service as soon as possible and seek professional help.
Conclusion
Driving visualization temporarily degraded is a problem that affects some Tesla vehicles. It causes the driving visualization and Autopilot features to stop working or malfunction.
It could be caused by a software glitch, a camera or sensor obstruction, or a Full Self-Driving Visualization Preview option. It can be fixed by rebooting the vehicle, contacting Tesla service, cleaning the cameras or sensors, or turning off the Full Self-Driving Visualization Preview option.
It is not a very common problem, but it can be annoying and dangerous for Tesla drivers. Therefore, it is important to be aware of this problem and take appropriate actions to prevent or resolve it.