Skip to main content

Tesla rolls out Summon, a beta self-parking feature for Model S and X

Now you can “summon” your Tesla Model S or Model X to enter and exit a parking space on its own. The Summon feature was rolled out with the firmware version 7.1 update on Saturday.

Summon is a beta feature, according to the release notes posted to the Tesla Motors Club forum. “You can now park Model S from outside the vehicle. This feature is especially useful for parking in tight spaces and narrow garages.”

Recommended Videos

To use the Summon feature, the driver has to align their Model S within 39 feet of the desired parking space so the car can either drive or reverse straight into the spot. This means no auto-parallel parking, for now.

The driver has to stand within 10 feet of their Tesla and press and hold the center button on their key fob until the hazard lights flash continuously. Then the driver has to press the frunk (i.e., “front trunk”) button on their key fob once to initiate the auto-park feature. The car will drive or reverse into the spot, with its sensors used to determine whether the parking job is done. This process can be used to summon the Model S to exit a parking spot as well.

The Summon feature, which has to be enabled, can also use the new HomeLink feature to automatically open and close a garage door during the auto-parking process.

Drivers are urged to monitor the auto-parking process, since the car may not detect some objects on the ground or hanging from above. “You must stay in proximity to your vehicle and continuously monitor and maintain control of it when using this feature,” according to the firmware update notes. “You should only use this feature on private property.”

Jason Hahn
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jason Hahn is a part-time freelance writer based in New Jersey. He earned his master's degree in journalism at Northwestern…
Tesla Model 3 Highland: release date, range, design update, and more
A Tesla Model 3 electric car.

The Tesla Model 3 has long been one of the best electric cars out there, especially for drivers who want a high-quality car without paying a ton of cash. The Model 3 boasts a great range, along with awesome tech features and minimalistic design, all of which have helped make it a top-selling electric car.

But to date, it hasn’t evolved much. The car has been around for six years now, with  thefirst deliveries of the original Model 3 coming in late 2017. But now it’s getting a face-lift. The updated car, code-named Highland, has been announced, and it offers a range of upgrades over the current-generation Tesla Model 3.

Read more
The BMW i4 is more luxurious than the Tesla Model S, and costs way less
2022 BMW i4 M50

The Tesla Model S is the original cool electric car. It did away with the concept that EVs had to be nerdy, small, low-range cars — and instead offered a sleek and stylish design, as well as a modern interior. But over the years, a ton of competition has popped up, and these days, the Model S has to go up against some seriously great cars. 

Like, for example, the BMW i4.

Read more
Tesla Model 3 Highland vs. Tesla Model Y Juniper: bigger or cheaper?
Blue Tesla Model Y Juniper in the snow

There was once a time when Tesla was the new kid on the block, but these days it's starting to age, with other companies like Rivian and Lucid taking that title. Perhaps that's most proven by the fact that Tesla is now on its second generation of its so-called affordable EVs: the Tesla Model Y and the Tesla Model 3.

The big refresh of the Model 3, codenamed the Tesla Model 3 Highland, was launched early in 2024, with the Model Y's refresh, codenamed the Tesla Model Y Juniper, having now been announced.

Read more