Are you tired of getting in and out of your Tesla, only to realize you’ve forgotten something crucial in the trunk or backseat? Do you struggle with parallel parking or tight spaces, worrying about scratching your precious vehicle?
Well, fear not! Tesla’s innovative Summon feature is here to revolutionize your parking experience. With Summon, you can remotely park your Tesla from outside the vehicle, eliminating the need to get in and out of the car. Imagine being able to park in tight spaces with ease, or simply getting in and out of your vehicle without having to physically open the door.
But how do you activate Tesla Summon? It’s not as straightforward as you might think. With the growing popularity of Tesla’s Autopilot technology, Summon is becoming increasingly important for owners who want to make the most of their vehicle’s capabilities. In this article, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process of activating Tesla Summon, ensuring you can start enjoying the convenience and flexibility it offers.
Throughout this guide, we’ll cover the necessary requirements, troubleshooting tips, and expert advice to help you master Summon. Whether you’re a seasoned Tesla owner or a newcomer to the electric vehicle world, you’ll learn how to unlock the full potential of your vehicle and experience the thrill of remote parking.
Understanding Tesla Summon: A Powerful Feature for Parking Convenience
What is Tesla Summon?
Tesla Summon is a unique feature available on Tesla vehicles that allows you to remotely control your car’s movement using the Tesla app on your smartphone. This functionality extends beyond simple remote unlocking and locking, enabling you to maneuver your car in and out of tight parking spots, garages, or even across a parking lot, all from the safety of outside your vehicle.
Imagine this scenario: You’re parked in a crowded lot, struggling to find a clear path to your car. With Summon, you can simply open the Tesla app, select the “Summon” function, and guide your car out of its spot with a few taps on your screen. This eliminates the need to physically walk to your car in awkward or potentially unsafe situations, making parking and retrieving your Tesla a breeze.
How Does Summon Work?
Tesla Summon leverages the car’s advanced Autopilot hardware and software. It utilizes a combination of sensors, including cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors, to perceive its surroundings and navigate its path. When you initiate Summon, the car analyzes its environment, identifies obstacles, and calculates a safe trajectory to reach your designated location. You control the car’s movement through the app, providing directional commands and monitoring its progress in real-time.
Important Considerations Before Using Summon
While Summon is a remarkable feature, it’s essential to understand its limitations and potential risks. Here are some key considerations:
- Clear Path: Summon requires a clear path to its destination. Avoid using Summon in areas with pedestrians, other vehicles, or obstacles that could impede the car’s movement.
- Line of Sight: Maintain a clear line of sight to your car while using Summon. Obstacles or obstructions could interfere with the car’s sensors and compromise its ability to navigate safely.
- Environment Awareness: Be mindful of your surroundings and any potential hazards. While Summon assists with maneuvering, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and intervene if necessary.
- Speed Limits: Summon operates at low speeds, typically below 25 mph. It’s not designed for highway driving or high-speed maneuvers.
Enabling Tesla Summon: A Step-by-Step Guide
Accessing the Summon Feature
To activate Tesla Summon, you’ll need to ensure that your Tesla vehicle is equipped with the necessary hardware and software. Most modern Tesla models come standard with Summon capability. However, older models may require an over-the-air software update to unlock this feature.
Once you’ve confirmed that your Tesla supports Summon, you can access it through the Tesla app on your smartphone.
Setting Up Summon in the Tesla App
- Open the Tesla app and connect to your vehicle.
- Navigate to the “Controls” tab within the app.
- Select “Summon” from the list of available features.
Configuring Summon Settings
The Summon settings menu allows you to customize various aspects of the feature. Here are some key settings to explore:
- Distance Limit: Set the maximum distance your car can travel when summoned. This helps prevent accidental movement beyond your intended location.
- Speed Limit: Adjust the maximum speed at which your car will move during Summon. Lower speeds are generally recommended for increased safety and control.
- Obstacle Avoidance: Configure the car’s obstacle avoidance behavior. You can choose to have the car stop automatically upon encountering obstacles or to have it attempt to navigate around them.
Setting Up and Activating Tesla Summon
Tesla Summon is a feature that allows you to move your Tesla vehicle in and out of tight spaces using your smartphone. This feature is available on Tesla models S, X, 3, and Y, and can be activated through the Tesla mobile app. In this section, we will guide you through the process of setting up and activating Tesla Summon.
Prerequisites for Activating Tesla Summon
Before you can activate Tesla Summon, you need to ensure that your vehicle meets certain prerequisites. These include:
- Your vehicle must be a Tesla model S, X, 3, or Y.
- Your vehicle must have Autopilot or Full Self-Driving Capability (FSD) enabled.
- Your vehicle must be updated to the latest software version.
- You must have the Tesla mobile app installed on your smartphone.
- You must have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection on your smartphone.
Setting Up Tesla Summon
To set up Tesla Summon, follow these steps: (See Also: How Much to Buy Shares in Tesla? – Smart Investing Strategies)
1. Open the Tesla mobile app on your smartphone and sign in to your Tesla account.
2. Tap on the “Control” tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap on “Summon” from the menu.
4. Read and agree to the terms and conditions of using Tesla Summon.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate your vehicle’s sensors. This process involves driving your vehicle forward and backward in a straight line to allow the sensors to map the surroundings.
6. Once the calibration process is complete, you will be prompted to set up a “Home Location”. This is the location where you want your vehicle to return to when you use Tesla Summon.
7. Tap on “Set Home Location” and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your home location.
Activating Tesla Summon
Once you have set up Tesla Summon, you can activate it using the following steps:
1. Open the Tesla mobile app on your smartphone and sign in to your Tesla account.
2. Tap on the “Control” tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap on “Summon” from the menu.
4. Tap on “Come to Me” or “Go to Target” depending on whether you want your vehicle to come to your location or move to a specific target location.
5. Use the map on the app to set the target location or confirm your current location. (See Also: Should I Buy a Tesla Now or Wait 2022? – Smart Buying Decision)
6. Tap on “Start” to activate Tesla Summon.
7. Monitor your vehicle’s movement on the app and ensure that it is moving safely and avoiding obstacles.
Tips and Precautions for Using Tesla Summon
While Tesla Summon is a convenient feature, it is essential to use it safely and responsibly. Here are some tips and precautions to keep in mind:
- Always monitor your vehicle’s movement when using Tesla Summon.
- Ensure that the area is clear of obstacles and pedestrians before using Tesla Summon.
- Use Tesla Summon only in well-lit areas with good visibility.
- Avoid using Tesla Summon in areas with heavy traffic or construction.
- Keep your smartphone close to your vehicle when using Tesla Summon to ensure a stable connection.
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Tesla Summon
If you encounter any issues with Tesla Summon, here are some troubleshooting steps to follow:
If your vehicle is not moving when you activate Tesla Summon:
- Check that your vehicle is in Park and that the parking brake is engaged.
- Ensure that your smartphone has a stable connection to your vehicle.
- Restart the Tesla mobile app and try again.
If your vehicle is not responding to Tesla Summon commands:
- Check that your vehicle’s sensors are clean and free of debris.
- Ensure that your vehicle’s software is up to date.
- Restart your vehicle and try again.
By following these steps and tips, you can set up and activate Tesla Summon safely and efficiently. Remember to always use this feature responsibly and follow the guidelines outlined in this section.
Key Takeaways
Activating Tesla Summon unlocks the ability to remotely maneuver your Tesla in tight spaces. This powerful feature can be a game-changer for parallel parking, navigating crowded lots, or simply retrieving your car from a tight spot. However, it’s important to understand the requirements and limitations of Summon before relying on it.
Summon is a driver-supervised feature that requires your active attention and constant monitoring. While it can automate certain driving maneuvers, it’s not a fully autonomous system. Always remain vigilant and ready to intervene if necessary.
- Ensure your Tesla has the latest software update for Summon functionality.
- Enable Summon through the touchscreen interface in your vehicle.
- Familiarize yourself with the Summon controls and limitations in the owner’s manual.
- Practice Summon in a safe, controlled environment before using it in busy areas.
- Maintain clear lines of sight to your Tesla while Summon is active.
- Never leave your Tesla unattended while Summon is in operation.
- Be aware of your surroundings and potential obstacles during Summon maneuvers.
- Understand that Summon is not a substitute for safe and responsible driving.
As Tesla continues to refine and enhance Summon, it holds the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with our vehicles. However, responsible and informed use is paramount to ensure a safe and positive experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tesla Summon and how does it work?
Tesla Summon is a feature that allows Tesla owners to remotely control their vehicle to autonomously navigate to their location using their smartphone or key fob. This feature uses a combination of cameras, sensors, and GPS to guide the vehicle to the owner’s location, avoiding obstacles and following traffic rules. Summon can be activated through the Tesla app or by holding down the “Come to Me” button on the key fob.
What are the benefits of using Tesla Summon?
The benefits of using Tesla Summon include increased convenience, especially in tight parking spaces or when you need to retrieve your vehicle from a crowded area. Summon also reduces the risk of scratches or dings, as the vehicle can navigate to you without human intervention. Additionally, Summon can be a valuable feature for people with mobility issues, as it allows them to retrieve their vehicle without having to walk long distances. (See Also: How to Test Drive a Tesla? Essential Insights)
How do I activate Tesla Summon on my vehicle?
To activate Tesla Summon, ensure that your vehicle is updated to the latest software version and that you have the latest version of the Tesla app installed on your smartphone. Then, follow these steps: 1) Open the Tesla app and select “Summon” from the menu. 2) Choose the direction you want your vehicle to approach from (e.g., “Come to Me” or “Go to Target”). 3) Set the target location using the map or by selecting a saved location. 4) Confirm that your vehicle is in a safe location and that there are no obstacles in its path. 5) Tap “Start” to activate Summon.
Is Tesla Summon available on all Tesla models?
Tesla Summon is available on most Tesla models, including the Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y. However, it may not be available on older models or models with limited Autopilot features. To check if your vehicle is eligible for Summon, refer to your owner’s manual or contact Tesla support.
How much does Tesla Summon cost?
Tesla Summon is a standard feature on most Tesla models, which means it is included in the purchase price of the vehicle. However, to use Summon, you must have a Premium Connectivity subscription, which costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year.
What if I encounter problems while using Tesla Summon?
If you encounter problems while using Tesla Summon, such as the vehicle not responding or navigating incorrectly, try the following troubleshooting steps: 1) Check that your vehicle is updated to the latest software version. 2) Ensure that your smartphone and vehicle are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. 3) Restart the Tesla app and try again. 4) If the issue persists, contact Tesla support for assistance.
How does Tesla Summon compare to other autonomous parking features?
Tesla Summon is a more advanced autonomous parking feature compared to others on the market, as it allows for remote control and navigation to a specific location. Other autonomous parking features, such as those offered by Ford and BMW, are typically limited to automatic parking in a single spot. Summon’s advanced capabilities make it a more convenient and user-friendly feature.
Is Tesla Summon safe to use?
Tesla Summon is designed to be a safe feature, with multiple cameras and sensors working together to detect obstacles and avoid collisions. However, as with any autonomous feature, it is essential to use Summon responsibly and follow the guidelines outlined in the owner’s manual. Always ensure that your vehicle is in a safe location and that there are no obstacles in its path before activating Summon.
Conclusion
Unlocking the power of Tesla Summon is about more than just a cool feature; it’s about enhancing your driving experience and taking control of your vehicle in new and convenient ways. By understanding the activation process, setting up your Tesla correctly, and practicing responsible use, you can seamlessly navigate tight parking spots, summon your car from afar, and reclaim precious time spent maneuvering in crowded areas.
Remember, safety is paramount when using Summon. Always supervise the process, ensure your surroundings are clear, and be prepared to intervene if necessary. Embrace the possibilities that Summon offers, but do so with awareness and responsibility.
Ready to experience the future of driving? Head to your Tesla’s touchscreen, navigate to the Summon settings, and follow the simple instructions to activate this transformative feature. Once activated, explore the boundaries of Summon’s capabilities, discover its convenience, and redefine your relationship with your Tesla.
The future of driving is here, and with Tesla Summon, you’re at the wheel.