Borealis

Active member
First Name
Jude
Joined
Apr 2, 2021
Threads
2
Messages
38
Reaction score
85
Location
Potomac, MD
Vehicles
911, MYP & Cybertruck
Country flag
Driving Withdrawal: My Life After 48 Hours of Tesla Full Self Driving

It all started innocently enough: I activated Tesla’s Full Self Driving (FSD) mode for what I thought would be a quick test run. Fast forward 48 hours, and now I’m having what can only be described as driving withdrawal symptoms. Turns out, when you let the car do all the work, your brain forgets what it means to be a driver.

Day 1: The Honeymoon Phase

At first, it was glorious. No more steering wheel. No more brake or gas pedals. I kicked back, streamed some music, and watched in awe as my car handled every stop sign, traffic light, and lane change with the precision of a machine. I even started thinking, “This is it. I’ve transcended driving. I’m the future.”

Little did I know, the withdrawal symptoms were already creeping in.

Day 2: Strange Side Effects Begin

By the end of day two, things started getting weird. I found myself reaching for an imaginary steering wheel during Zoom calls. When walking to the kitchen, I slowed down at corners, waiting for a lane change signal that never came. I tried to parallel park in my own driveway—while on foot.

That evening, I walked past my neighbor’s car and reflexively yelled, “Autopilot, engage!” Spoiler: it did not.

The 48-Hour Mark: Full-Blown Withdrawal

The real kicker came at hour 48. I was riding as a passenger (naturally, because who drives anymore?) when I caught myself yelling at a pedestrian to “maintain lane discipline.” I couldn’t even blame traffic anymore, because the car was handling that like a pro. It was me that was out of sync.

Later, I found myself signaling to take a sharp left… out of bed.

How Did It Come to This?

You see, there’s something about giving up control of the car that changes you. At first, you revel in the freedom of it all: “Look, Ma! No hands!” But then, slowly, your inner driver starts itching. That muscle memory doesn’t just fade away. You crave the feel of a turn signal lever, the satisfaction of executing a perfect parallel park, the adrenaline of beating a yellow light (though Tesla doesn’t approve of that, apparently).

Without that, what are you? Just a passenger in life—or worse, a backseat driver to your own car.

What’s Next?

I’ve learned a lot in my 48 hours of self-driving zen. Mainly, I’ve learned that while I love the convenience, I may need a hobby to replace driving. Or, at the very least, I need to start signaling less when I get up from chairs.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. Tesla’s FSD is a marvel, and the future is bright. But next time, I’ll make sure to sprinkle in a little manual driving to avoid those awkward moments when you try to ‘autopilot’ your way through life.





Until then, if you see me on the sidewalk, please don’t ask why I’m giving my blender turn-by-turn directions.
Sponsored

 

CyberZephyr

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2024
Threads
13
Messages
597
Reaction score
555
Location
Long Island, New York
Vehicles
2021 MY, 2023 MX
Country flag
That's so funny!! XD
 

rizvend

Well-known member
First Name
JAKEMBL
Joined
Jun 3, 2020
Threads
18
Messages
788
Reaction score
1,142
Location
66215
Vehicles
cybrtrk, aptera reserved
Occupation
Nurse Informaticist
Country flag
Driving Withdrawal: My Life After 48 Hours of Tesla Full Self Driving

It all started innocently enough: I activated Tesla’s Full Self Driving (FSD) mode for what I thought would be a quick test run. Fast forward 48 hours, and now I’m having what can only be described as driving withdrawal symptoms. Turns out, when you let the car do all the work, your brain forgets what it means to be a driver.

Day 1: The Honeymoon Phase

At first, it was glorious. No more steering wheel. No more brake or gas pedals. I kicked back, streamed some music, and watched in awe as my car handled every stop sign, traffic light, and lane change with the precision of a machine. I even started thinking, “This is it. I’ve transcended driving. I’m the future.”

Little did I know, the withdrawal symptoms were already creeping in.

Day 2: Strange Side Effects Begin

By the end of day two, things started getting weird. I found myself reaching for an imaginary steering wheel during Zoom calls. When walking to the kitchen, I slowed down at corners, waiting for a lane change signal that never came. I tried to parallel park in my own driveway—while on foot.

That evening, I walked past my neighbor’s car and reflexively yelled, “Autopilot, engage!” Spoiler: it did not.

The 48-Hour Mark: Full-Blown Withdrawal

The real kicker came at hour 48. I was riding as a passenger (naturally, because who drives anymore?) when I caught myself yelling at a pedestrian to “maintain lane discipline.” I couldn’t even blame traffic anymore, because the car was handling that like a pro. It was me that was out of sync.

Later, I found myself signaling to take a sharp left… out of bed.

How Did It Come to This?

You see, there’s something about giving up control of the car that changes you. At first, you revel in the freedom of it all: “Look, Ma! No hands!” But then, slowly, your inner driver starts itching. That muscle memory doesn’t just fade away. You crave the feel of a turn signal lever, the satisfaction of executing a perfect parallel park, the adrenaline of beating a yellow light (though Tesla doesn’t approve of that, apparently).

Without that, what are you? Just a passenger in life—or worse, a backseat driver to your own car.

What’s Next?

I’ve learned a lot in my 48 hours of self-driving zen. Mainly, I’ve learned that while I love the convenience, I may need a hobby to replace driving. Or, at the very least, I need to start signaling less when I get up from chairs.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. Tesla’s FSD is a marvel, and the future is bright. But next time, I’ll make sure to sprinkle in a little manual driving to avoid those awkward moments when you try to ‘autopilot’ your way through life.





Until then, if you see me on the sidewalk, please don’t ask why I’m giving my blender turn-by-turn directions.
It is real.
 


RayzorBEV

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
1,040
Reaction score
2,224
Location
Texas
Vehicles
M3 P, MX Plaid, Cyberbeast FS, Cyberbeast, Zero S ZF
Occupation
Electric Bum
Country flag
Warning: FSD is extremely habit forming. If you find yourself filled with irrational thoughts while operating a non-FSD EV, you might be suffering from FSD induced phantasy syndrome. Pull over immediately and seek out the nearest Tesla Center and request an emergency FSD test drive 😂
 

Outdoors

Well-known member
First Name
Outdoors
Joined
Nov 19, 2019
Threads
12
Messages
1,477
Reaction score
2,817
Location
North West Montana
Vehicles
S,3,Y,C
Well it now becomes like the other 3. Almost boring now. Oh well. One less thing to worry about.
 

CyberGus

Well-known member
First Name
Gus
Joined
May 22, 2021
Threads
85
Messages
8,607
Reaction score
28,574
Location
Austin, TX
Vehicles
1981 DeLorean, 2024 Cybertruck
Occupation
IT Specialist
Country flag
In all honesty, my road rage has declined 90%. Kinda strange.
In highway FSD today, the dense traffic left little room for lane changes, leaving me stuck to the left. A Prius darting between lanes expressed his disappointment by cutting me off and brake-checking. FSD didn’t care, and simply adjusted.

I considered disengaging and giving chase, but then thought “oh, he’s stuck driving a Prius”. Poor bastard.
 

cyberos

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 9, 2024
Threads
15
Messages
169
Reaction score
341
Location
Austin, TX
Vehicles
RX 350h, Cybertruck AWD
Occupation
Generative AI
Country flag
Thanks to too much FSD I now fear left hand turns and round abouts, and phantoms in the night that cause random braking like a spooked horse
 


theoldguy

Active member
First Name
Steve O
Joined
Apr 22, 2020
Threads
5
Messages
38
Reaction score
90
Location
Florida
Vehicles
AWD Cybertruck, Model 3 Mid Range, Jeep Cherokee, 1978 Chevy C/K
Country flag
Most of us early Beta testers are too far gone but can remember that feeling from just a little FSD. Now it takes so much more FSD for us to achieve that same feeling.
But i would like to think I can stop using FSD anytime I want, and heck Im not hurting anyone.

I think there is a National hotline for those like you that are not too far gone. Its 1-800-HYUNDAI

(NOTE: This is just a satire and not meant to offend anyone :))
 

wshunter

Well-known member
First Name
William
Joined
Jul 9, 2023
Threads
2
Messages
69
Reaction score
113
Location
S. Illinois
Vehicles
Tesla model Y, Cybertruck
Occupation
Retired
Country flag
Driving Withdrawal: My Life After 48 Hours of Tesla Full Self Driving

It all started innocently enough: I activated Tesla’s Full Self Driving (FSD) mode for what I thought would be a quick test run. Fast forward 48 hours, and now I’m having what can only be described as driving withdrawal symptoms. Turns out, when you let the car do all the work, your brain forgets what it means to be a driver.

Day 1: The Honeymoon Phase

At first, it was glorious. No more steering wheel. No more brake or gas pedals. I kicked back, streamed some music, and watched in awe as my car handled every stop sign, traffic light, and lane change with the precision of a machine. I even started thinking, “This is it. I’ve transcended driving. I’m the future.”

Little did I know, the withdrawal symptoms were already creeping in.

Day 2: Strange Side Effects Begin

By the end of day two, things started getting weird. I found myself reaching for an imaginary steering wheel during Zoom calls. When walking to the kitchen, I slowed down at corners, waiting for a lane change signal that never came. I tried to parallel park in my own driveway—while on foot.

That evening, I walked past my neighbor’s car and reflexively yelled, “Autopilot, engage!” Spoiler: it did not.

The 48-Hour Mark: Full-Blown Withdrawal

The real kicker came at hour 48. I was riding as a passenger (naturally, because who drives anymore?) when I caught myself yelling at a pedestrian to “maintain lane discipline.” I couldn’t even blame traffic anymore, because the car was handling that like a pro. It was me that was out of sync.

Later, I found myself signaling to take a sharp left… out of bed.

How Did It Come to This?

You see, there’s something about giving up control of the car that changes you. At first, you revel in the freedom of it all: “Look, Ma! No hands!” But then, slowly, your inner driver starts itching. That muscle memory doesn’t just fade away. You crave the feel of a turn signal lever, the satisfaction of executing a perfect parallel park, the adrenaline of beating a yellow light (though Tesla doesn’t approve of that, apparently).

Without that, what are you? Just a passenger in life—or worse, a backseat driver to your own car.

What’s Next?

I’ve learned a lot in my 48 hours of self-driving zen. Mainly, I’ve learned that while I love the convenience, I may need a hobby to replace driving. Or, at the very least, I need to start signaling less when I get up from chairs.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. Tesla’s FSD is a marvel, and the future is bright. But next time, I’ll make sure to sprinkle in a little manual driving to avoid those awkward moments when you try to ‘autopilot’ your way through life.





Until then, if you see me on the sidewalk, please don’t ask why I’m giving my blender turn-by-turn directions.
What a fun way to start my day! Thanks! On the flip side, when I drive non-FSD, I worry about forgetting that the stupid car won’t slow for the car in front, change lanes, stop for traffic lights, etc.
 

robt614

Active member
First Name
Rob
Joined
Aug 16, 2023
Threads
2
Messages
30
Reaction score
102
Location
Ohio
Vehicles
Model 3 Cybertruck
Country flag
What a fun way to start my day! Thanks! On the flip side, when I drive non-FSD, I worry about forgetting that the stupid car won’t slow for the car in front, change lanes, stop for traffic lights, etc.
That is a real issue. I drove my wifes car solo from Oh to NC and back on the free trial (1000miles) . When it was over I had to remember to steer. Just ordered my CT with FSD. Would have been on the fence without the trial. Realizing I was not tired at all after 10hours on the road is a legitimate game changer! AND never once hit the rumble strips. That never happens.
 

CTInProcess

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 25, 2024
Threads
2
Messages
564
Reaction score
1,011
Location
SoCal
Vehicles
Model 3
Country flag
On next weeks episode: FSD tried to kill me…the story of a scorned lover…
 

Cybergirl

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 3, 2020
Threads
33
Messages
775
Reaction score
2,421
Location
Illinois and Arizona
Vehicles
Tesla Model Y LR, Model Y SR, Cybertruck AWD FS
Country flag
My advice is to pick one way of driving and stick with it. Now that CT has FSD, I'm back to just being driven, car or truck.
Sponsored

 
 








Top