So the misunderstanding regarding autopilots is more widespread than expected.
The basic question was about autopilots. Its my experience that people think that the autopilot does everything including sexual favours. Not quite right.
The autopilot is a mechanical clamp that has two modes, on and off. The position of the autopilot can be trimmed and has several possible inputs.
There is no such thing as the 'upper modes' of an autopilot. There are as many sources of trim information as you like but the typical controller is called a Flight Director. The aircraft can be flown with the FD providing steering information but with the AP disengaged.
Flak jacket on, cover being taken, coffee being drunk.