Tesla Not Detecting Cars: What To Do?

Tesla cars are known for their advanced self-driving features, but some recent incidents have raised questions about their reliability and safety.

How can a Tesla not detect another car on the road and cause a collision?

What are the factors that affect the performance of Tesla’s sensors and cameras? And what can Tesla do to prevent such accidents from happening again?

In this article, we will explore these issues and try to understand the challenges and limitations of Tesla’s autonomous driving system.

#1. Problem: FSD Does Not Detect Other Road Users and Objects

One of the most alarming issues with FSD is that it sometimes does not detect other road users and objects, such as cyclists, dogs, garbage cans, traffic cones, speed bumps, poles, and road markings. This can lead to dangerous situations and collisions.

Possible Causes:

1. The FSD software is not updated to the latest version. Tesla is constantly working on improving the FSD software and releasing new versions that are more accurate and reliable.

You should always check if there is a new update available and install it as soon as possible.

2. The FSD software is not calibrated properly. The FSD software relies on cameras and neural networks to perceive the environment and make decisions.

Sometimes, the cameras may need to be calibrated to ensure that they are aligned and functioning correctly. You can calibrate the cameras by driving on well-marked roads for at least 50 miles.

3. The FSD software is affected by poor visibility or sensor failure. The FSD software may have difficulty detecting objects in low-light conditions, rain, fog, snow, or glare.

It may also fail if one or more of the cameras are blocked, damaged, or malfunctioning. You should always check the condition of the cameras before using FSD and avoid using them in bad weather or low visibility.

Possible Solutions:

1. Update the FSD software to the latest version. You can check for updates by tapping on the Software tab on the touchscreen.

If there is a new update available, you can download and install it by following the instructions on the screen. You may need to connect to a Wi-Fi network to download the update.

2. Calibrate the cameras by driving on well-marked roads for at least 50 miles.

You can check the calibration status by tapping on the Service tab on the touchscreen. If the calibration is complete, you will see a green check mark next to Camera Calibration.

If the calibration is in progress, you will see a yellow circle with a percentage. If the calibration is not started, you will see a gray circle with a dash.

3. Check the condition of the cameras before using FSD and avoid using them in bad weather or low visibility.

You can check the condition of the cameras by tapping on the Camera icon on the touchscreen. If there is a problem with one or more of the cameras, you will see a red X next to them.

You should contact Tesla service to fix any camera issues as soon as possible. You should also avoid using FSD in rain, fog, snow, or glare, as these conditions may impair the camera’s performance.

#2. Problem: FSD Does Not Show Visualizations of Other Road Users and Objects

Another issue with FSD is that it sometimes does not show visualizations of other road users and objects on the touchscreen or instrument cluster.

These visualizations are supposed to indicate what the FSD software is seeing and interacting with on the road.

Possible Causes:

1. The FSD software is not updated to the latest version. Tesla is constantly adding new features and details to the visualizations as part of its FSD updates. You should always check if there is a new update available and install it as soon as possible.

2. The Autopilot settings are not configured properly. The Autopilot settings allow you to customize how you want to use FSD and what information you want to see on the screen.

You can adjust these settings by tapping on the Controls icon on the touchscreen and then tapping on Autopilot.

3. The visualizations are limited by Tesla Vision. Tesla Vision is Tesla’s new approach to self-driving that relies only on cameras and neural networks, without using radar sensors.

Tesla Vision may not be able to show some of the visualizations that were previously available with radar sensors, such as distance indicators or object velocities.

Possible Solutions:

1 Update the FSD software to the latest version. You can check for updates by tapping on the Software tab on the touchscreen.

If there is a new update available, you can download and install it by following the instructions on the screen. You may need to connect to a Wi-Fi network to download the update.

2. Check and adjust your Autopilot settings by tapping on the Controls icon on the touchscreen and then tapping on Autopilot.

You can enable or disable various features and options related to FSD, such as Full Self-Driving Visualization Preview, Navigating on Autopilot, Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control, and Speed Limit Warning.

You can also adjust the Autosteer speed, the following distance, and the lane change mode.

3. Understand the limitations of Tesla Vision and do not rely on visualizations for driving decisions.

Tesla Vision is still in development and may not be able to show some of the visualizations that were previously available with radar sensors.

You should always pay attention to the road and be ready to take over at any time. The visualizations are for informational purposes only and do not represent the actual state of the environment.

#3. Problem: FSD Does Not Start or Unlock the Vehicle

Another issue with FSD is that it sometimes does not start or unlock the vehicle when you use the Tesla app on your smartphone.

The Tesla app is supposed to act as a key that allows you to access and control your vehicle remotely.

Possible Causes:

1. The Tesla app is not updated to the latest version. Tesla is constantly updating its app to improve its functionality and compatibility with FSD. You should always check if there is a new update available and install it as soon as possible.

2. The Tesla app is not connected to the internet or the vehicle. The Tesla app requires an internet connection to communicate with your vehicle and perform various actions, such as unlocking, starting, or summoning.

If your smartphone does not have a cellular or Wi-Fi signal, or if your vehicle does not have a cellular or Wi-Fi signal, the app may not be able to connect to your vehicle.

3. The Tesla app is affected by an outage or a bug.

The Tesla app may sometimes experience an outage or a bug that prevents it from working properly. This may happen due to server issues, network issues, or software issues.

Possible Solutions:

1 Update the Tesla app to the latest version. You can check for updates by opening the App Store or Google Play Store on your smartphone and searching for Tesla.

If there is a new update available, you can download and install it by following the instructions on the screen.

2. Check your internet connection and your vehicle’s connection by opening the Tesla app on your smartphone and looking at the status bar at the top of the screen.

If you see a green dot next to your vehicle’s name, it means that your smartphone and your vehicle are both connected to the internet and that you can use the app to control your vehicle.

If you see a gray dot next to your vehicle’s name, it means that either your smartphone or your vehicle is not connected to the internet and that you may not be able to use some of the app features.

If you see a red dot next to your vehicle’s name, it means that there is an error with the app or the vehicle and that you should contact Tesla support for assistance.

3. Check if there is an outage or a bug affecting the Tesla app by visiting tesla.com/support or tesla.com/status on your smartphone or computer

. You can also follow @TeslaSupport on Twitter for updates on any issues affecting the app or FSD.

If there is an outage or a bug, you may have to wait until it is resolved before you can use the app again.

Tips for Using FSD Safely and Effectively

FSD is a beta software that is still in development and testing. It is not a fully autonomous system that can drive without human input or supervision. It is important to follow these tips when using FSD:

1 Always keep your hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road. FSD may not detect some objects, situations, or hazards that require human intervention. You are responsible for your safety and the safety of others on the road.

2. Always follow local traffic laws and regulations. FSD may not recognize some traffic signs, signals, or rules that apply to your location. You are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations.

3. Always be prepared to take over at any time. FSD may disengage or request your intervention at any time due to various reasons, such as poor visibility, sensor failure, software error, or unexpected situation. You should always be ready to resume manual control of your vehicle.

4. Always use FSD only on compatible roads and conditions. FSD is designed to work only on highways and limited-access roads that have clear lane markings and no cross traffic. You should not use FSD on city streets, rural roads, off-road terrain, or in bad weather or low visibility.

5. Always check for updates and calibrate your cameras regularly. FSD is constantly being improved and updated by Tesla. You should always check if there is a new update available and install it as soon as possible. You should also calibrate your cameras by driving on well-marked roads for at least 50 miles.

6. Always have a backup key with you in case of an app outage or failure. FSD relies on the Tesla app to unlock and start your vehicle remotely. If there is an outage or a failure affecting the app, you may not be able to access or control your vehicle. You should always have a backup key with you in case of