Blind Spot Monitoring: Is It Available In Tesla Model S?

Blind spots are a key cause of vehicle accidents, with nearly 1 in 10 accidents caused by vehicles changing lanes. Blind spot detection or monitoring is, therefore, an important safety feature. Many automakers have turned blind spot detection into a standard feature, and while Teslas do have blind spot detection, it operates differently from other manufacturers.

How does Tesla's blind spot detection work?

Teslas do have blind spot detection, but it works differently from other manufacturers. While most cars have blind spot warnings that show up on the side mirrors, possibly coupled with an audible warning, Teslas take a different approach.

As you drive a Tesla, the main touchscreen will show cars in red that are currently in your blind spot. If you want to change lanes and turn your signal on, there will be an audible warning to let you know of cars in your blind spot as well.

Additionally, in the 2021 holiday update, Tesla introduced the Blind Spot Camera feature available on all Tesla models. Now, when you indicate a lane change, a small box appears on your main touchscreen, showing a camera angle of your vehicle's blind spot. It also knows to show the right side or the left, depending on your signal choice.

In the latest 2022.24 software release, you can now change the location of the Blind Spot Camera feed on your main screen, as drivers complained that the steering wheel was getting in the way. However, the downside to Tesla's blind spot detection is that even when you can choose the location of the additional camera, it and all the other indicators and images take place on the main touchscreen, rather than on the side-view mirrors.

Here's a breakdown of how the blind spot detection works in a Tesla:

• Cars in your blind spot will appear in red on your touchscreen.
• There will be an audio warning chime if you move the car into the lane next to you, and there's a car in your blind spot.
• This is only available when Autopilot is not engaged.
• If you have Enhanced Autopilot, you can engage it for Auto Lane Change, and Autosteer will move your vehicle into the next lane for you.

To enable Tesla Blind Spot Detection:

• From the Tesla icon, open up your Controls.
• Select Autopilot from the menu.
• Toggle on the Automatic Blind Spot Camera.
• This is also where you can turn on/off the warning chime for potential collisions.
• If you want to adjust the placement of your camera, this can be done through a tutorial video on how to move it around on your touchscreen.

How does it compare to other car brands?

Blind spot monitoring systems are becoming increasingly common in cars, with many automakers turning it into a standard feature. While some cars have indicators on the side mirrors, others use a combination of audio and visual warnings.

Tesla's Approach to Blind Spot Monitoring

Teslas do have blind spot detection, but it operates differently from other car brands. When driving a Tesla, the main touchscreen will show cars in red that are in your blind spot. If you turn on the signal to change lanes, there is also an audible warning. Additionally, the "Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance" feature will automatically steer the car back into the original lane to avoid a collision.

Other Car Brands

Other car brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, Ford, Chevrolet, Kia, Audi, and Genesis have their own versions of blind spot monitoring systems. Some of these systems use sensors to detect objects in the blind spot and then illuminate a light in the side-view mirror or inside the car. Others sound a chime or use assistive features to steer the car back into its lane. Blind spot camera systems, offered by Honda, Hyundai, and Kia, display a live feed of the blind spot on the infotainment screen or instrument cluster.

Comparison

While Tesla's blind spot detection system provides an audible warning and a visual representation on the touchscreen, it differs from other car brands by not placing any indicators on the side-view mirrors. This means that drivers must look at the touchscreen instead of the road to check for blind spots. On the other hand, Tesla's "Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance" feature is a unique safety feature that automatically prevents lane changes when a car is in the blind spot.

Overall, while Tesla's blind spot monitoring system has its unique features, other car brands offer a wider range of options, including side-view mirror indicators, chimes, and blind spot camera systems.

What are the downsides of Tesla's blind spot detection?

The main downside of Tesla's blind spot detection is that it requires drivers to look at the main touchscreen to see if there are any cars in their blind spot, rather than having a warning or indicator on the side-view mirrors like most other cars. This means that drivers have to look away from the road to check if it is safe to change lanes, which can be annoying and potentially dangerous. While the location of the camera feed on the screen can be adjusted, it is still not in the driver's direct line of sight when making a lane change.

Some users have questioned why Tesla did not include side-view mirror indicators, which are a standard feature on many other vehicles. Tesla has argued that their vehicles will eventually all run on Autopilot, which includes automatic lane changes, so they may not have felt that side-view mirror warnings were necessary. However, this does not help drivers who are not using Autopilot and have to manually change lanes.

Another potential downside of Tesla's blind spot detection system is that it may not provide a warning if a car is approaching from behind in the next lane over, rather than directly alongside the vehicle. One user reported that the system only gave a warning after they had already initiated the lane change, rather than when they put on their turn signal. This could be a dangerous situation if the approaching car is travelling at high speed.

While Tesla's blind spot detection does provide an extra level of security and can help reduce lane-changing collisions, it is not a perfect system and should not be solely relied upon. It is important for drivers to remain alert and aware of their surroundings, using the blind spot technology as a supplementary safety net rather than a replacement for proper driving techniques.

Can you adjust the location of the blind spot camera?

Yes, you can adjust the location of the blind spot camera on a Tesla Model S.

In 2021, Tesla introduced the Blind Spot Camera feature, which lets you display your vehicle's fender camera feed directly on the screen when you activate your turn signal. This is the same camera view that can be displayed when you put your car into reverse.

In the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, the blind spot camera feed normally appears in the bottom left corner of the screen. While this keeps it close to the driver, it can be obscured by your hand or the steering wheel.

In response to this issue, Tesla released an update in 2022 that allows drivers to choose the location of the blind spot camera feed. You can select from three different positions: the bottom corner closest to the steering wheel, the top corner closest to the steering wheel, or the top corner of the maps area, closer to the driver. To choose your preferred position, simply drag the blind spot camera feed, and the three selectable areas will be highlighted. Then, drag the feed to your preferred location.

It is important to note that the blind spot camera does not eliminate the need to drive attentively and manually perform shoulder checks when changing lanes.

How do you enable the blind spot camera?

The Blind Spot Camera feature was introduced by Tesla in the 2021 Holiday Update. This feature allows you to view your vehicle's fender camera feed directly on the screen when you activate your turn signal.

To enable the Blind Spot Camera, go to Controls > Autopilot in the menu and toggle on the Automatic Blind Spot Camera. You can also turn it on/off by going to Controls > Autopilot > Automatic Blind Spot Camera on the touchscreen.

You can also turn on the blind spot camera feed by tapping the blinking turn signal icon on the center touchscreen of your Tesla Model S, 3, X, or Y. Opening the blind spot camera video while turning your vehicle with a single tap on the turn signal (indicator) icon enables the feature temporarily. As soon as the blinker turns off, the camera feed disappears from the screen.

You can also adjust the placement of your camera. To do this, hold the image on the touchscreen until you see a shaded area, then drag and drop the image to the new location.

Frequently asked questions