Have you ever found yourself in a tight spot, literally, trying to maneuver your Tesla into a narrow garage? Tesla's Autopark and Summon features can be incredibly helpful for this! While Autopark is primarily designed for public parallel and perpendicular parking, Summon (especially "Dumb Summon") is often the more practical feature for consistently parking your Tesla inside your private garage. Let's dive into how you can make your Tesla effortlessly slide into its spot.
Step 1: Understand the Difference: Autopark vs. Summon
Before we begin, it's crucial to distinguish between Tesla's "Autopark" and "Summon" features, as they serve different purposes and have different functionalities for garage parking.
 |
| How To Auto Park Tesla In Garage |
Autopark
Tesla's Autopark is designed to assist with parallel and perpendicular parking on public roads. It uses cameras and sensors to detect suitable parking spaces. While it can sometimes detect lines in a garage, it's not explicitly designed for private garage parking, especially if your garage lacks clear, distinct lines or has varying surfaces. The vehicle typically needs to be moving slowly (under 8 mph) for Autopark to detect a space.
Summon (and Smart Summon)
This is where the magic often happens for garage parking! Summon allows you to move your Tesla a short distance forward or backward from outside the vehicle using the Tesla mobile app. There are two main types:
"Dumb Summon": This moves your Tesla straight forward or backward into or out of a parking spot. This is often the most reliable method for parking in a garage, as it doesn't require the car to "detect" a specific parking space with lines.
"Smart Summon": This feature is more advanced, allowing your Tesla to navigate around objects and move to your GPS location or a chosen destination on a map (within a limited range). While it can be used to guide your car into a garage, it's often overkill for a simple straight-in park and may be more prone to issues if the environment isn't perfectly predictable. Smart Summon is a BETA feature and is intended for use on private property like parking lots and driveways.
For the purpose of consistently parking in a garage, we will primarily focus on the "Dumb Summon" functionality, as it offers a simpler and often more reliable solution.
Step 2: Preparing Your Tesla for Garage Parking
Before you attempt to auto-park, ensure your Tesla is ready.
2.1 Ensure Software & Connectivity
Latest Software Update: Make sure your Tesla's software is up to date. Tesla frequently refines its Autopilot and Summon features, so having the latest version is crucial for optimal performance.
Tesla Mobile App: Download and ensure you have the latest version of the Tesla mobile app on your smartphone. Summon is activated through the app.
Phone Connected: Your phone needs to be connected to your Tesla via Bluetooth, and you should be within approximately 6 meters (about 20 feet) of the vehicle for Summon to work reliably. Smart Summon has a wider operating range of up to 65 meters.
Tip: Keep your attention on the main thread.
2.2 Optimize Your Garage Environment
Clear the Path: Remove any obstacles from your garage's path. This includes bikes, tools, boxes, or anything that could interfere with your Tesla's movement. Even if using Summon, it's always best to have a clear path to minimize any potential for mishaps.
Lighting: Good lighting in your garage can assist the car's cameras, especially if you're attempting to use Autopark.
Clean Cameras and Sensors: Tesla's Autopilot and Summon rely heavily on its cameras and (if equipped) ultrasonic sensors. Ensure all cameras (front, side, and rear) are clean and free from dirt, mud, snow, or ice. Dirty sensors or cameras can significantly impair performance.
Step 3: Enabling and Customizing Summon
Now let's configure the Summon feature in your Tesla's settings.
3.1 Navigate to Autopilot Settings
On your Tesla's touchscreen, go to Controls > Autopilot.
Look for the "Summon" or "Smart Summon" options. You might see both "Dumb Summon" and "Actually Smart Summon" (ASS) listed. Ensure they are enabled.
Carefully read and understand any pop-up warnings that appear when enabling these features. Tesla emphasizes that the driver is ultimately responsible for monitoring the vehicle's surroundings.
3.2 Customize Summon Settings (Optional, but Recommended for Garage)
Bumper Clearance (Dumb Summon only): This setting allows you to define how close you want Dumb Summon to stop from a detected object. For a garage, you might want to adjust this to a comfortable distance, ensuring it doesn't stop too far out or too close to a wall.
Require Continuous Press: For Dumb Summon, this setting dictates whether you need to continuously hold down the forward/reverse button on the app for the car to move, or if a single press and release will suffice. For safety and precise garage parking, it's often recommended to keep "Require Continuous Press" enabled so you can stop the car instantly by lifting your finger.
Standby Mode: If you frequently use Summon and want to reduce the startup delay, you can enable Standby Mode. Be aware that this consumes additional battery power.
Step 4: Auto-Parking Your Tesla in the Garage (Using "Dumb Summon")
This is the most practical and widely used method for getting your Tesla into your private garage automatically.
4.1 Position Your Tesla
Drive your Tesla so it's aligned directly in front of your garage opening. The car should be positioned such that it can follow a straight path into the garage.
Ensure the car is in Park (P).
All doors and trunks must be closed, and the vehicle should not be charging.
4.2 Activate Summon via the Mobile App
Open the Tesla mobile app on your phone.
Tap on the "Summon" icon.
The app will display live camera feeds from your Tesla, giving you a view of its surroundings. This is crucial for monitoring the parking process.
QuickTip: Slow scrolling helps comprehension.
4.3 Initiate the Parking Maneuver
Within the Summon interface on the app, you will see "Forward" and "Reverse" buttons.
Since you're parking into the garage, press and hold the "Forward" button.
Keep your finger firmly pressed on the button. If you release it, the car will stop.
4.4 Monitor and Supervise
As your Tesla slowly moves into the garage, constantly monitor its progress through the live camera feed on your phone and by maintaining a clear line of sight to the vehicle.
Be prepared to immediately release the "Forward" button or manually intervene if you notice any unexpected obstacles, sudden movements, or potential hazards. Remember, you are responsible for the safe operation of your vehicle.
 |
4.5 Completion
Once your Tesla is safely parked in the desired position within your garage, simply release the "Forward" button. The vehicle will come to a stop and shift into Park.
The mobile app will usually display a message indicating that Summon has completed.
Step 5: Important Considerations and Limitations
While auto-parking is convenient, it's vital to be aware of its limitations and best practices.
5.1 Driver Responsibility
Always Supervise: Never rely solely on Autopark or Summon. You must continually monitor your vehicle and its surroundings. Be ready to take control at any moment.
Visual Checks: Always perform visual checks of the parking space before and during the automated parking process to confirm it is appropriate and safe.
5.2 Environmental Factors
Lighting: Poor lighting conditions can affect camera performance.
Weather: Heavy rain, snow, or fog can obstruct cameras and sensors, impacting performance.
Sloped Surfaces: Autopark is primarily designed for flat surfaces. It may not perform as expected on sloped driveways or garage floors.
Obstructions: Ensure cameras and sensors are clean and free of obstructions (e.g., mud, ice, stickers, bike racks, trailers). These can hinder the system's ability to detect objects accurately.
5.3 System Cancellation
The parking sequence will cancel if:
You manually move the steering wheel/yoke.
You shift gears.
You press the brake pedal (this will pause Autopark; pressing it again or touching "Resume" on the touchscreen will continue).
You press the accelerator pedal.
A door is opened.
The parking sequence exceeds a certain number of moves (typically seven for Autopark).
The system detects the driver exiting the vehicle while in Autopark.
An Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) event occurs.
Tip: Read the whole thing before forming an opinion.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to enable Autopark on my Tesla?
To enable Autopark, go to your Tesla's touchscreen and navigate to Controls > Autopilot, then ensure Autosteer or Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is enabled, which in turn enables Autopark.
How to use Smart Summon for garage parking?
To use Smart Summon, open the Tesla mobile app, tap "Summon," then the "Smart Summon" icon. You can then use "Come to Me" or "Go to Target" mode, dragging a pin on the map to your desired garage parking spot, and holding the corresponding button on the app.
How to make my Tesla detect my garage as a parking space?
Autopark primarily looks for distinct parking lines or surrounding vehicles. For a garage, if you want Autopark to potentially recognize it, ensure you have at least three visible lines (e.g., clear painted lines or distinct curbs) defining the space. However, "Dumb Summon" is generally more reliable for garage parking as it doesn't require space detection.
How to stop Tesla Autopark or Summon during operation?
You can stop Autopark or Summon at any time by pressing the brake pedal, manually moving the steering wheel, shifting gears, or simply releasing the button on the mobile app (if "Require Continuous Press" is enabled for Summon).
How to troubleshoot if Tesla Autopark or Summon isn't working in my garage?
Check that your cameras and sensors are clean, the path is clear, you're within the operating range for Summon, and you have the latest software. Also, verify that your garage has adequate lighting and distinct lines if you're trying to use Autopark. For Summon, ensure the car is aligned for a straight path.
QuickTip: Keep a notepad handy.
How to prevent my Tesla from hitting objects while auto-parking?
Always supervise the parking process, maintain a clear line of sight, and be ready to intervene immediately. Ensure the path is clear of any obstacles, and keep your cameras and sensors clean for optimal performance.
How to know if my Tesla has Autopark or Summon?
Most modern Teslas with Autopilot hardware (HW2.5 and above) have these features. You can verify by checking your car's software features menu on the touchscreen under Controls > Autopilot.
How to adjust the stopping distance for Summon in my garage?
For "Dumb Summon," you can adjust the "Bumper Clearance" setting in the Summon options on your Tesla's touchscreen to control how far the car stops from detected objects.
How to ensure my garage is suitable for Tesla auto-parking?
A suitable garage has a relatively flat floor, clear entry/exit paths, and good lighting. If attempting to use Autopark, clearly marked parking lines are beneficial. For Summon, a straight and unobstructed path is key.
How to re-calibrate Tesla cameras if auto-parking is inconsistent?
Camera calibration typically happens automatically as you drive. If you suspect an issue, you can check the calibration status in your service menu or contact Tesla service if you experience persistent problems.
For a visual guide on auto-parking your Tesla, you can check out this video:
 |
This page may contain affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
💡 Breath fresh Air with this Air Purifier with washable filter.
