How to Use Tesla Park Assist
Tesla’s Park Assist and Autopark can help you park your car safely, but only Autopark is a self-parking function—both options are available on all Teslas.
Written by Jennifer Justice
Reviewed by Claire Beaney
Tesla includes Park Assist as a standard feature on all models, though this technology is changing since Tesla announced they will no longer use ultrasonic sensors as of October 2022. Learn more about using the updated system and the Autopark option that comes as an additional feature.
Tesla is known for updating and innovating their systems, sometimes monthly, and is one of the most well-known electric vehicle brands. Park Assist and Autopark features are changing thanks to a recent update.
Whether you’ve had your Tesla for a while or are about to pick up your new car, you’ll want to know more about using the updated feature. We’ve put together this guide to using the latest version of Tesla’s Park Assist and Autopilot.
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Tesla has two versions of Park Assist. The standard feature is Park Assist, which provides video feeds, warning chimes, and other features as you manually park. The other version is Autopark, which uses an automated system to park the car for you – this option is an add-on for older models and standard for new models.
To use the standard Park Assist, do the following:
- Your vehicle must be going 5 mph or slower for it to activate
- The camera feed pops up automatically on your center screen once your speed drops; you can also activate it by tapping on the Camera app on the screen
- The front camera feed is visible if driving forward, while the back camera feed will show up if you go in reverse
- You’ll see guidance lines to help with navigation, while a warning chime sounds when an object gets close if you enable audio feedback
- Close the view by touching the X on the screen or by speeding up
The standard Park Assist gives you a video feed to help with parking and is just a tool to help with manual parking. Be aware that the newer system has difficulty detecting objects eight inches below the vehicle due to camera placement, so watch out for things like curbs or obstacles.
Tesla recently updated this feature, so the ultrasonic points along the exterior of vehicles that were previously used for object detection are no longer used. Instead, the vehicle relies on multiple cameras on the car's exterior. They are working on the new Tesla Vision system, which replaces the ultrasonic system with cameras.
If you want to use the automated Autopark feature, it still relies on the cameras to help with the process, it just does the parking for you. Keep an eye on the touchscreen as you do the following:
- Slow to 8 mph for perpendicular parking or 13 mph for parallel parking
- Slowly approach the space you want to use so Autopark will identify the spot; once the system detects the area, it displays the parking symbol on your touchscreen
- Visually check the space to make sure you want to use it, then pull forward past the area about one car length
- Stop the car, shift to Reverse, then let go of the steering wheel
- Tap the Start Autopark option on the touchscreen
- The vehicle will begin to drive itself into the spot
- Pay attention to the touchscreen, as well as the surroundings, and watch for directions from the system
- Be ready to hit the brake if needed; the vehicle will alert you when it is finished parking
Avoid interfering with the steering wheel since it needs to move freely to adjust the car. Keep an eye on things if you need to stop the process by tapping the brake. You are responsible for watching your surroundings throughout the process, such as checking for something moving across the path unexpectedly.
A recent update to Tesla vehicles is that the system will now only rely on the camera’s video feed, but as with any system, they have limitations. For example, cameras cannot easily detect areas without clear lines, sloped ground, curves, or objects lower than 8 inches in height.
Weather conditions, like rain or snow, can also affect the cameras’ ability to pick up their surroundings, plus you need to make sure the cameras are not covered up by something like a leaf or snow.
You can check your owner’s manual if you run into problems with the Autopark system or want to see the complete rundown of the system’s limitations.
Do all Teslas have Park Assist?
Tesla gives customers two options when it comes to parking features. Park Assist is a standard option since it is part of the safety features, such as Lane Assist. It uses a series of cameras mounted at multiple points on the exterior of your car to give you video feedback and to trigger things like Collision Avoidance. Tesla is working on a new program called Tesla Vision, which will rely on the cameras and is doing away with the older ultrasonic sensors.
The automated Autopark is part of the Autopilot system—new vehicles come with the system as part of your standard package, but older models can add it. Autopark can help locate a usable parking spot and control the vehicle to park for you in either a perpendicular or parallel parking spot. In addition, the Autopilot system is tied to the Summon and Smart Summon features so that the car can drive to your location while you are outside the vehicle.
Which Teslas have Park Assist and Autopark?
Park Assist is a standard feature of all vehicles, but Autopark depends on the car. New Teslas come with the feature as a standard, while older models can add it if you purchased your Tesla without Autopark. You can choose to add Autopilot, Enhanced Autopilot, or Full Self-Driving Capability if you want the Autopark option for any of the following models:
If you have an older vehicle, you’ll need to purchase the
Autopilot software
through the Tesla app. The only limitation is that cars built between September 2014 and October 2016 cannot add the Autopark features since the vehicles do not have the necessary hardware.“Jerrysaved me $80 a month! I have a Tesla Model Y and really wanted to lower my rates. And they did! I really recommend you give this a shot!” —Nick M.
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