Basic vs Enhanced Autopilot – Is Tesla Using Different Road Models

[PAD]

On a recent 500 km trip through Sweden with my new 2025 Model Y (basic Autopilot), I encountered numerous issues — noticeably more frequent and varied than with my previous Tesla just a year ago.

• Sudden and inexplicable braking, even on empty roads.

• Unexpected acceleration when entering roundabouts, changing lanes in roadwork zones, or overtaking left lanes if the right lane clears.

• When driving with navigation active on a brand-new motorway (clearly not yet in the navigation database), Autopilot kept trying to override my steering — as it often does when I diverge from the suggested route (which is frequently inaccurate). It obviously tried to follow the underlying old road !!

• Even after cancelling navigation entirely, the interference continued. Only after disengaging Autopilot and re-engaging it, did it stop.



This makes me wonder:

Does basic Autopilot use the same road interpretation and behavior model as Enhanced Autopilot or FSD?

If not — and I really hope it doesn’t — is Tesla fully aware of the discrepancies?

And if they are aware, is it truly responsible to expose drivers to this kind of behavior in the standard Autopilot system ? - even with the standard Tesla disclaimer ?

 

[Procal]

Your experience is definitely something that I believe Tesla is aware of. I am almost certain that current Autopilot is still running on the old manually written code style that they used to use before they switched to an AI based model with the newer versions of FSD. Autopilot does indeed perform significantly worse than enhanced Autopilot or FSD, and I do myself wonder when and if Tesla plan on having a more limited version of FSD replace basic Autopilot. But for now, you are correct in your assumption, and I would highly recommend only using basic autopilot as a normal cruise control/lane keep assist system and treating it as such. Meaning if you are going to continue using it, make sure you are constantly paying attention and ready to take over as it will certainly make mistakes, and have a ton of issues. I typically only use basic autopilot on highways, or roadways with long straightaways, and avoid using it when I know that there are difficult road layouts or construction.

 

[PAD]

Thanks, Procal — appreciate you taking the time.

I’ve been using Autopilot mostly as a lane assist, but I’ve ended up getting more than I bargained for — including dangerous situations, erratic behavior toward other drivers, and some very nervous passengers.

Honestly, if Tesla isn’t willing to give basic Autopilot full access to proper road and traffic interpretation, they should stop offering it altogether and just deliver a classic lane assist.

As it stands, it feels irresponsible.

I’ll be quitting the ‘beta’ and going back to plain cruise control.

Though I’m probably still in for some surprise brake slams…

That’s all for now.