Riding with Uber in a Tesla is a fantastic experience for passengers, and for drivers, the integration of the Uber Driver app with your Tesla's screen can significantly enhance your driving experience. While you still accept trips on your phone, your Tesla's large display becomes a powerful navigation tool, making pickups and drop-offs smoother and more intuitive. Let's dive into how to set this up and make the most of it!
Step 1: Prepare for Seamless Integration – Are You Ready to Drive Smarter?
Before we jump into the technical steps, let's make sure you have everything in order. This isn't just about connecting apps; it's about optimizing your driving experience for efficiency and safety.
Essential Pre-Requisites
Your Tesla: Ensure your Tesla is running on a recent software version. Tesla regularly pushes updates, and newer features often rely on the latest software.
Your Uber Driver App: This is crucial! Make sure your Uber Driver app is updated to the latest version (version 4.487.10000 or above for Android, or 4.477.10000 or above for iOS). You can check for updates in your phone's app store (Google Play Store for Android, Apple App Store for iOS).
Tesla Mobile App: You'll also need the official Tesla mobile app installed on your phone and be signed in using your Tesla credentials. This app is key for allowing third-party access to your vehicle's features.
Primary Vehicle Setting: Within your Uber Driver app, confirm that your Tesla is selected as your primary vehicle. This tells Uber to prioritize Tesla-specific features for your driving profile.
Step 2: Connecting Your Uber Driver App to Your Tesla – Let's Get Digital!
Now that you're prepared, let's establish the connection between your Uber Driver app and your Tesla's infotainment system. This is a one-time setup that unlocks the magic of integrated navigation.
Sub-step 2.1: Initiating the Connection from the Uber Driver App
Open the Uber Driver App: Launch the Uber Driver app on your smartphone.
Navigate to Account Settings: Tap on the Menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) in the top corner of the app.
Access Vehicle Information: From the menu, select "Account," then choose "Vehicles."
Find Your Tesla: Under the "Eligible Vehicles" section, you should see your Tesla listed. Look for a "Connect" button next to it. Tap this button.
Sub-step 2.2: Granting Access via the Tesla App
Redirect to Tesla App: After tapping "Connect" in the Uber Driver app, you will be redirected to your Tesla app. This is a security measure to ensure you are authorizing the connection.
Sign In to Tesla Account (if prompted): If you're not already signed in, you may be prompted to enter your Tesla account credentials.
Approve Third-Party Access: The Tesla app will ask you to grant permission to uber.com and Smartcar (an API used for car integration). You'll typically see options to allow access to "Vehicle Information" and "Vehicle Commands."
Check the boxes next to these permissions.
Then, select "Allow" or "Next" to confirm.
Sub-step 2.3: Confirming in the Uber Driver App
Return to Uber Driver App: Once you've granted permissions in the Tesla app, return to the Uber Driver app. The connection should now be established.
Enable Tesla Navigation: Go to Menu > Account > App Settings > Navigation within the Uber Driver app.
Select Tesla Navigation: Choose "Tesla Navigation" as your primary navigation option.
Voila! Your Uber Driver app is now linked to your Tesla's display.
Step 3: Driving with Integrated Navigation – Experience the Big Screen Advantage! ️✨
With the connection made, your daily driving for Uber becomes significantly streamlined. Here's how it works in practice:
Accepting Trips and Automatic Navigation
Accept a Trip on Your Phone: Continue to accept trip requests on your Uber Driver app on your phone as usual.
Destination Sent to Tesla: Immediately after you accept a trip, the pickup and drop-off information will be automatically sent to your Tesla's large center screen.
Bigger, Bolder Navigation: Enjoy the clear, expansive view of your route on your Tesla's display. No more squinting at a small phone screen or constantly switching between apps. Your Tesla's native navigation system, with its real-time traffic data, will guide you.
Leveraging Battery-Aware Matching
One of the most innovative features of this integration is battery-aware matching.
How it Works: When your Uber app is connected to your Tesla, you can enable battery-aware matching. This means the Uber app will factor in your Tesla's current battery range when offering you trip requests.
Benefits: You'll only see trip requests that are within your Tesla's battery range, including the distance to the pickup and the trip itself. This significantly reduces "range anxiety" and helps you plan your charging stops more efficiently, ensuring you don't accept a trip you can't complete without an inconvenient recharge.
Step 4: Optimizing Your Experience and Troubleshooting Tips – Drive with Confidence! ⚙️
Even with seamless integration, sometimes little tweaks or troubleshooting steps can make a big difference.
Enhancing Your Setup
Phone Placement: While navigation is on your Tesla screen, your phone is still where you accept trips and manage your Uber account. Consider a convenient phone mount that allows easy access without obstructing your view or the Tesla screen.
Audio Integration: Ensure your phone's Bluetooth is connected to your Tesla. This allows Uber's alert sounds and passenger calls to come through your Tesla's speakers, providing a more integrated audio experience.
Premium Connectivity: If you have Tesla's Premium Connectivity, you'll benefit from live traffic visualization and satellite-view maps, further enhancing your navigation experience.
Common Troubleshooting
"Connection Issues":
Restart both apps: Close and reopen the Uber Driver app and the Tesla app.
Check internet connection: Ensure both your phone and Tesla have a stable internet connection (cellular or Wi-Fi).
Re-verify permissions: Go back through Step 2 to ensure all necessary permissions were granted in both apps.
Update apps: Double-check that both Uber Driver and Tesla apps are on their latest versions.
"Navigation Not Displaying":
Confirm Tesla Navigation selected: In the Uber Driver app, verify that "Tesla Navigation" is still set as your primary navigation.
Accept a new trip: Sometimes, the navigation only pushes to the Tesla screen once a new trip is accepted.
"Battery-Aware Matching Not Working":
Check app settings: Ensure you've enabled this feature within the Uber Driver app's settings after connecting your Tesla.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to check my Uber Driver app version?
You can typically check your app version by going to your phone's app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store), searching for the Uber Driver app, and looking at the app's details or information section.
How to update my Uber Driver app?
Open your phone's app store (Google Play Store for Android or Apple App Store for iOS), search for "Uber Driver," and if an update is available, you'll see an "Update" button. Tap it to install.
How to set my Tesla as primary vehicle in Uber Driver app?
Go to the Uber Driver app, tap on "Menu" > "Account" > "Vehicles," and then select your Tesla and mark it as primary.
How to grant third-party access to my Tesla for Uber?
This is done through the Tesla mobile app after initiating the connection from the Uber Driver app. You'll be prompted to log in to your Tesla account and grant specific permissions like "Vehicle Information" and "Vehicle Commands."
How to enable battery-aware matching for Uber on Tesla?
Once your Uber Driver app is connected to your Tesla, the battery-aware matching feature is typically enabled by default, or you might find a toggle for it within the Uber Driver app's navigation or vehicle settings.
How to troubleshoot if navigation isn't showing on my Tesla screen?
First, ensure both apps are updated and your Tesla is set as the primary navigation. Try restarting both apps and checking your internet connection. You may need to re-verify permissions in the Tesla app.
How to disconnect my Uber Driver app from my Tesla?
You should be able to disconnect your Tesla from your Uber Driver app through the "Vehicles" section in your Uber account settings.
How to use voice commands for navigation with Uber on Tesla?
While the Uber integration primarily pushes the destination automatically, you can still use your Tesla's native voice commands to navigate by stating the address if needed.
How to get Uber alert sounds through Tesla speakers?
Ensure your phone is connected to your Tesla via Bluetooth. Your Tesla's audio source should be set to Bluetooth to hear app alerts.
How to optimize battery life for Uber driving in a Tesla?
Utilize the battery-aware matching feature to avoid long trips that exceed your current range, and plan your supercharging stops strategically, avoiding charging to 100% every time for faster turnaround.
You can learn more about Tesla's integration with Uber's navigation in this video:
