I Tried Tesla FSD

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Tesla’s latest “Full Self Driving” (FSD) trial is provoking sharply mixed reactions, from drivers who find it transformative and safer than many humans to others who experience it as unpredictable, stressful, and nowhere near the marketing promise implied by its name. Commenters argue over whether today’s FSD is just advanced driver assistance (SAE Level 2) or a meaningful step toward true autonomy, and whether regulators should demand stricter standards, objective safety data, and less misleading terminology. Beyond Tesla itself, many question whether self‑driving cars are the right answer to transportation and safety problems at all, pointing instead to trains, buses, and better urban planning.

Overall Sentiment

  • Thread is sharply divided: some find current FSD “magic” and use it daily; others find it terrifying, unreliable, or not worth the cost.
  • Many agree it’s an impressive technical achievement but still far from true autonomy or something they fully trust.

Safety, Behavior, and Everyday Use

  • Positive reports:
    • Long highway trips described as dramatically less tiring; FSD seen as “train on rails” on interstates.
    • In unfamiliar cities, some feel FSD handles navigation and traffic better than they would.
    • Users highlight it as over‑cautious rather than reckless; main issues are hesitancy, slow merges, and timid four‑way stops.
  • Negative reports:
    • Accounts of phantom braking, random lane changes, poor path planning, confusing signaling, and mishandled four‑way stops.
    • Complaints that it ignores nuanced rules (school zones, school buses, complex intersections) and sometimes drifts in turn lanes.
    • Several commenters stopped using the free trial because supervising it is too stressful, likening it to riding with a very poor student driver.
  • Disagreement on standards:
    • Some argue anything on public roads must be “100% perfect.”
    • Others counter that human drivers are far from perfect and FSD only needs to be significantly safer to be worthwhile.

Autonomy Levels, Naming, and Regulation

  • Broad consensus that Tesla’s system is SAE Level 2 driver assistance, not true “full self‑driving.”
  • Many criticize the “Full Self Driving” name as misleading or bordering on false advertising; others dismiss this as normal marketing exaggeration.
  • Mention that only some other manufacturers have certified Level 3 systems; Tesla’s is supervised Level 2 and avoids some stricter bans (e.g., policies targeting Levels 3–5).
  • Strong calls for:
    • Standardized, independent tests and benchmarks for all vendors.
    • Open or at least regulator‑accessible safety data.
    • Clearer certification gates for Levels 3–5.

Versioning, Hype, and Influencers

  • v12.3.x is described by fans as a big leap from earlier versions, turning FSD from “liability” into a genuinely useful product.
  • Others say each major release has been heralded as “the one,” so they’re skeptical; some report v12 as a regression in their own driving.
  • Suspicion that YouTube “random” videos are heavily biased toward Tesla‑friendly influencers and curated routes.

Cost, Economics, and Alternatives

  • Debate over the value of paying thousands (or subscriptions) for FSD:
    • Enthusiasts say it justifies the price, especially for heavy drivers and road‑trippers.
    • Critics see it as an expensive beta; some regret earlier purchases that didn’t deliver.
  • Separate discussion on car depreciation and Tesla’s unpredictable price cuts hurting resale values.
  • Several commenters argue that even perfect FSD won’t fix congestion or sprawl; better public transit, trains, and density are seen as more fundamental solutions.
  • Some see FSD and future robotaxis as a potential step toward reducing private car ownership; others think individual car culture will remain dominant.