Considering purchasing a used Tesla and wondering if it comes equipped with the coveted Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability? You're not alone! This is a common and crucial question for potential buyers, as FSD significantly impacts both the car's functionality and its resale value. While Tesla's nomenclature can sometimes be confusing, with "Autopilot," "Enhanced Autopilot," and "Full Self-Driving" all sounding similar, there are clear ways to determine which features a specific vehicle possesses. Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help you verify if a used Tesla has FSD.
Step 1: Engage with the Tesla's Touchscreen Interface
This is the most direct and reliable method to determine if a used Tesla has FSD. Get ready to navigate the vehicle's infotainment system.
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| How To Tell If Used Tesla Has Fsd |
Sub-heading: Accessing the Software Information
Are you sitting inside the Tesla, ready to explore its digital brain? Great!
Tap the Car Icon: On the Tesla's large center touchscreen, look for the car icon located in the bottom left corner. Tapping this will bring up the vehicle's settings and control panel.
Navigate to "Software": On the left side of the screen, near the bottom, you should see a section or tab labeled "Software." If you don't immediately spot it, you can often use a search function within the settings to find it.
Sub-heading: Identifying FSD Capability
Once you're on the "Software" page, pay close attention to the details displayed.
Look for "Full Self-Driving Capability - Included Package": This is the definitive indicator that the car has the FSD package purchased outright. It might also state "Full Self Driving Capability - Expires on XXX XX, 20XX" if it's a subscription with a defined end date.
Beware of "Autopilot Computer: Full Self-Driving Computer": This phrase only indicates that the car has the necessary Hardware 3.0 (HW3) or later to support FSD, not that the software package itself has been purchased or is active. Many Teslas built since April 2019 have HW3, but FSD is still an additional, often expensive, software upgrade.
If it just says "Autopilot": This means the vehicle only has the base Autopilot features, which include Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer. It does not have FSD.
Check for Subscription Details: If the FSD is a subscription, it will often say something like "included package auto renews June 5th 2025," indicating a monthly payment plan.
Step 2: Utilize the Tesla Mobile App (If Applicable)
If you have access to the seller's Tesla app (with their permission, of course), this can be another quick way to verify FSD.
Sub-heading: Reviewing Vehicle Specs in the App
Reminder: Focus on key sentences in each paragraph.
Open the Tesla App: Have the current owner open their Tesla mobile app on their phone.
Check "Specs and Warranty": At the bottom of the main screen in the app, there should be a button or section called "Specs and Warranty."
Confirm FSD Listing: Within the "Specs" section, it should explicitly list "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)" as an included feature if it's a lifetime purchase, or show subscription details if it's a monthly plan.
Step 3: Understanding Tesla's Autopilot Tiers ️
To truly understand what you're looking for, it's helpful to grasp the different levels of Tesla's autonomous driving features.
Sub-heading: Basic Autopilot
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control: Matches your car's speed to the surrounding traffic.
Autosteer: Steers the car within a clearly marked lane and uses traffic-aware cruise control.
Sub-heading: Enhanced Autopilot (EAP)
This is a middle-ground package that was available at different times and in different regions. It includes:
Navigate on Autopilot: Actively guides your vehicle from a highway's on-ramp to off-ramp, including suggesting lane changes and navigating interchanges.
Auto Lane Change: Assists in moving to an adjacent lane on the highway when Autosteer is engaged.
Autopark: Automatically parallel or perpendicular parks your vehicle.
Summon (Basic and Smart Summon): Moves your vehicle in and out of tight spaces using the mobile app or key. Smart Summon allows the car to navigate more complex environments to come find you in a parking lot.
Sub-heading: Full Self-Driving (Supervised)
This is the most advanced package and includes all features of Basic Autopilot and Enhanced Autopilot, plus:
Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control: Identifies and responds to stop signs and traffic lights, bringing the vehicle to a stop with your active supervision.
Autosteer on City Streets: This is the key distinguishing feature, allowing the vehicle to navigate city streets, make turns, and handle intersections under active driver supervision.
More Detailed Visualizations: The vehicle's screen displays a richer and more detailed representation of its surroundings.
Step 4: Verify Hardware Version (Less Common, But Good to Know) ⚙️
While not a direct indicator of FSD software ownership, knowing the hardware version is important because FSD capabilities rely on the correct hardware.
Tip: Train your eye to catch repeated ideas.
Sub-heading: Checking Hardware Version
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Go to "Software" > "Additional Vehicle Information": On the touchscreen, navigate to the "Software" section as in Step 1.
Look for "Autopilot Computer": Here, you'll see details about the "Autopilot Computer."
Hardware 3.0 (HW3) or later: For Full Self-Driving (Supervised) to function, the car must have at least Hardware 3.0 (also known as the "FSD Computer"). Cars built since April 2019 typically come with HW3.
Older Hardware (HW1, HW2, HW2.5): Vehicles with older hardware versions (HW1, HW2, or HW2.5) that had FSD purchased might have been eligible for a free hardware upgrade to HW3. However, if the upgrade wasn't performed, or if it was a subscription on older hardware, the FSD functionality might be limited or require an upgrade cost.
Step 5: Consider FSD Transferability and Subscriptions
The way FSD is purchased (one-time vs. subscription) and its transferability can impact your buying decision.
Sub-heading: One-Time Purchase vs. Subscription
One-Time Purchase: If FSD was purchased outright, it generally stays with the car. This is often reflected as "Included Package" on the software screen. Tesla has offered limited-time FSD transfer programs for owners buying a new Tesla, but this is not a standard, permanent feature.
Subscription: Tesla offers FSD as a monthly subscription. If a used Tesla has FSD via subscription, it will not automatically transfer to you as the new owner. You would need to initiate your own subscription. This is usually indicated by an "auto-renewal" date on the software screen.
Sub-heading: The Impact on Used Car Value
A Tesla with a permanently purchased FSD package is significantly more valuable than one with only basic Autopilot or one that relies on a subscription. Factor this into your negotiations and overall budget.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to distinguish between Autopilot and FSD features?
QuickTip: Use the post as a quick reference later.
Autopilot provides basic adaptive cruise control and lane keeping. FSD, or Full Self-Driving (Supervised), adds advanced features like navigating on city streets, recognizing traffic lights and stop signs, auto lane changes, and advanced Summon capabilities.
How to check the FSD computer hardware version in a Tesla?
You can check the hardware version by going to "Controls" > "Software" > "Additional Vehicle Information" on the car's touchscreen. Look for "Autopilot Computer."
How to know if a used Tesla's FSD is a lifetime purchase or a subscription?
On the car's touchscreen, navigate to "Software." If it states "Full Self-Driving Capability - Included Package," it's likely a lifetime purchase. If it shows an auto-renewal date or "expires on" date, it's a subscription.
How to transfer FSD from an old Tesla to a new one?
FSD transferability is typically offered by Tesla as limited-time promotional programs for owners purchasing a new Tesla. It's not a standard feature and is not applicable to most used car purchases.
How to activate FSD features once confirmed on a used Tesla?
If FSD is included, the features should be available once you log in with your Tesla account. You might need to go into the "Autopilot" settings on the touchscreen to enable specific functionalities.
Tip: Read at your own pace, not too fast.
How to negotiate the price of FSD when buying a used Tesla?
Tesla's used car pricing is generally non-negotiable. However, if buying from a private seller, the presence of purchased FSD should be a key factor in the vehicle's asking price.
How to know if a Tesla has the necessary cameras for FSD?
All Teslas produced since late 2016 (Hardware 2.0 and later) have the necessary camera suite for FSD. Newer vehicles (HW3 and HW4) have increasingly advanced camera systems.
How to determine if FSD will continue to improve on a used Tesla?
Yes, as long as the FSD software package is active (purchased or subscribed), Tesla vehicles receive over-the-air software updates that continuously improve FSD capabilities.
How to try FSD before buying a used Tesla?
Some Tesla vehicles might have a trial period for FSD. You can ask the seller if this is available or if they would consider initiating a monthly subscription for a short period so you can test it.
How to manage FSD subscriptions after purchasing a used Tesla?
If the used Tesla has FSD via subscription, you would manage it through your own Tesla account via the Tesla app or your online account. You can typically start or stop the subscription as needed.
You can learn more about identifying Full Self Drive on a used Tesla by watching this video:
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