Reddit Buzz · This week
Tesla Automatic Collision Evasion: What It Does and Who Gets It
Your Tesla can now take the wheel to dodge a crash, even while you drive. Here's how Automatic Collision Evasion works and who gets it.
Quick answer
Automatic Collision Evasion is a new Tesla safety feature that can switch on Full Self-Driving (Supervised) while you are driving manually. Per Tesla's release notes, it steps in to keep the car safe, then keeps driving, when a frontal crash looks unavoidable by braking alone, or when the cabin camera decides you are not paying attention.
It only works on HW4 (AI4) cars with a paid FSD purchase or subscription, Automatic Emergency Braking turned on, and FSD (Supervised) enabled in settings. HW3 cars do not get it. To take back control, steer firmly; the accelerator is muted during the maneuver.
This week a short dashcam clip did what a month of release notes could not: it made every Tesla owner ask, "Wait, my car can just take over?"
Automatic Collision Evasion (owners already call it ACE) first reached early-access drivers with update 2026.27.6 and FSD (Supervised) v14.3.9 in early September. It is now spreading wider in update 2026.27.11 with FSD v14.3.10, which began rolling out on September 23. Real-world videos posted on Reddit and X over the past few days pushed it to the top of owner discussions. Here is what it does, who gets it, and what to expect the first time it kicks in.
What owners are saying
Owners on Reddit
One owner shared a clip where they turned off FSD to change lanes by hand, and in less than a second the car switched FSD back on as a nearby SUV tapped its brakes. They had to counter-steer on purpose to finish their own lane change, and found it funny that drivers now talk about FSD "taking over" from them.
Owner on X
An owner posted one of the first real-world activations and said the system worked flawlessly, steering him away from a curb when it judged he was not watching the road, then carrying on under FSD.
Owners on forums
The loudest complaint is the paywall. Owners argue a feature Tesla pitches as life-saving should not require an FSD subscription, and HW3 owners are frustrated that they are left out entirely. Others point out that rival automakers already ship crash-avoidance steering.
What is Tesla Automatic Collision Evasion?
It is a safety layer that lets the car hand itself to FSD (Supervised) for a moment when you are the one driving. Normal Automatic Emergency Braking can only brake in a straight line. ACE can also steer, so if the lane next to you or the shoulder is clear, the car can move around a hazard instead of just braking into it.
Once the danger has passed, FSD keeps driving rather than dropping control back on you mid-maneuver. Teslarati reports the car chimes when the danger has passed, and you can take over again.
When does Automatic Collision Evasion activate?
Tesla's release notes describe two triggers. Coverage from Not a Tesla App and Drive Tesla adds the operating limits:
- An imminent frontal collision. On controlled-access highways at under 85 mph, if braking alone may not avoid hitting another vehicle and there is a clear path, the car can steer into an open lane or onto the shoulder.
- An inattentive driver or an accidental disengagement. Between 22.5 and 85 mph, if the cabin camera sees you are not watching the road (Tesla's own example is reaching toward the back seat), or the system thinks FSD was switched off by accident, it re-engages FSD to keep the car in its lane.
It will not activate while FSD is already driving, while cruise control is on, or in Reverse.
Which Teslas get Automatic Collision Evasion?
Right now, only cars with the HW4 (AI4) computer. When Tesla shipped update 2026.27.6, HW3 cars received FSD (Supervised) v14.2 Lite instead, and ACE was left out. The same split appears in 2026.27.11: HW4 cars get FSD v14.3.10 with ACE, HW3 cars get v14.2 Lite.
On top of the hardware, you need all of the following:
- An active FSD (Supervised) purchase or subscription
- Automatic Emergency Braking enabled
- FSD (Supervised) enabled in the vehicle settings
- A software version that includes the feature (2026.27.6 or later with FSD v14.3.9+, rolled out in stages)
Not sure which computer your car has? Go to Controls > Software and tap "Additional Vehicle Information."
How is it different from Automatic Emergency Braking?
| Feature | Automatic Emergency Braking | Automatic Collision Evasion |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Automatic Emergency Braking: Brakes to reduce or avoid a frontal impact | Automatic Collision Evasion: Steers and brakes through FSD, then keeps driving |
| Who gets it | Automatic Emergency Braking: Standard active safety feature | Automatic Collision Evasion: HW4 cars with paid FSD only |
| Speed range | Automatic Emergency Braking: See your owner's manual | Automatic Collision Evasion: Under 85 mph; 22.5 mph minimum for the inattention trigger |
| Override | Automatic Emergency Braking: Brake or steer as usual | Automatic Collision Evasion: Firm steering input; accelerator is muted |
How do I take back control if ACE kicks in?
Steer firmly. During an evasive maneuver the accelerator pedal is muted, and the car is designed to resist accidental cancellation, so a light touch on the wheel will not do it. According to Not a Tesla App, pressing the brake slows the car without canceling the evasive path.
That is exactly what happened in the Reddit clip: the driver had to apply deliberate counter-steering to finish a lane change they had started on purpose. If you drive with FSD on and off a lot, expect a surprise or two while you learn where the edges are.
Can you turn off Automatic Collision Evasion?
Not on its own. Autoevolution reports there is no setting to deactivate it. Because it relies on FSD (Supervised) and Automatic Emergency Braking being enabled, turning either of those off would also remove ACE, but that means giving up much more than one feature. We do not recommend disabling Automatic Emergency Braking.
Why is ACE controversial?
Three reasons come up again and again in owner threads:
- The paywall. A crash-avoidance feature that requires a paid FSD purchase or subscription strikes many owners as the wrong place to draw the line.
- HW3 left out. Owners who paid for FSD on older hardware get v14.2 Lite without ACE.
- Control. Some drivers are uneasy about a car that can take the wheel without being asked, and about who is responsible if it gets a situation wrong.
Supporters see it the other way: if the car can see a crash coming and you cannot, they would rather it act. Tesla AI lead Ashok Elluswamy called it "a guardian angel always looking out for you."
What should Tesla owners do right now?
- Check your hardware (HW3 or HW4) under Controls > Software.
- Install the latest update when it reaches your car, and read the release notes on screen.
- Leave Automatic Emergency Braking on.
- Know the override before you need it: a firm, deliberate turn of the wheel, not a light touch.
- Keep your eyes on the road. ACE is a backup, not a reason to look away.
That last point is easy to say and harder to live. Tesla's own example of an inattentive driver is someone reaching toward the back seat. Keeping water, charging cables, and snacks where you can grab them without turning around is a small habit that keeps your attention forward.
Teslahubs pick
CCS1 and J1772. One adapter.
The OmniVolt 2-in-1 adapter connects your Tesla to CCS1 DC fast chargers and J1772 Level 2 stations, rated up to 500V and 300A for DC charging. $139. Check that your Tesla supports CCS charging before you buy.
Also buzzing this week
- Roadster reveal pushed to October 15. Tesla delayed the outdoor Roadster demo by two weeks, citing severe weather.
- EU FSD vote slips to December. A Europe-wide vote on FSD (Supervised) will not come before December, while Tesla pursues country-by-country approvals.
- Grok reaches more countries. Update 2026.32.7 expands the in-car Grok assistant to new markets, including Israel and the UAE.
- Supercharger site maps in the Tesla app. The app now shows a map of the Supercharger site before you arrive, and Tesla says the maps will improve over time.
FAQ
What is Tesla Automatic Collision Evasion?
Does my Tesla have Automatic Collision Evasion?
Which software update adds Automatic Collision Evasion?
How do I override Automatic Collision Evasion?
Can I turn off Automatic Collision Evasion?
Does Automatic Collision Evasion work on city streets?
Sources: Drive Tesla: release notes · Drive Tesla: AI4 early access · Not a Tesla App: HW4 only · Not a Tesla App: video · 2026.27.11 release notes · Tesla Oracle · Teslarati · Autoevolution · Electrek: Roadster · Electrek: EU vote · Not a Tesla App: Grok · Not a Tesla App: Supercharger maps
Teslahubs is an independent aftermarket brand. Not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Tesla, Inc. Tesla, Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Cybertruck, Autopilot and Full Self-Driving are trademarks of Tesla, Inc. Owner comments are paraphrased from public posts as reported by the linked sources.
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