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Summon, Autopark and parking assist: what each does

5 min read · Updated Nov 2, 2026 · By VoltCoach

Autopark steers into a parking space while you watch, Summon moves the car a short way using your phone, and Park Assist warns you about nearby objects. All three need you to stay alert and ready to stop. Not every car has every feature, and menu names can vary by software version.

Autopark

1. Turn on Autosteer or Full Self-Driving (Supervised) in Controls, then Self-Driving. Autopark does not work with only Traffic-Aware Cruise Control active.
2. Drive slowly, under 8 mph (13 km/h), and watch the screen for parking spaces the car finds. Parallel spaces need a vehicle in front or behind. Perpendicular spaces need three painted lines or clear curbs. Angled spaces do not work.
3. Choose a space, take your hands off the wheel, then touch Start. A message appears when parking is complete.
4. Pressing the brake pedal or moving the steering wheel cancels it. If the screen says Take Over Immediately, take control right away.

Summon

1. Go to Controls, Self-Driving, Actually Smart Summon, read the pop-up carefully, and touch Yes.
2. Dumb Summon moves the car straight forward or back. Actually Smart Summon can come to you or go to a spot you pick.
3. Before you start, be on private property with a clear view of the car and your phone connected, within about 279 ft (85 m).
4. The car must be in Park and not charging, with all doors and trunks closed, cameras calibrated, and all four tires at 34 PSI or higher.
5. Open the Tesla app, touch Summon, then keep your finger on the button for the move you want. Let go at any time to stop, and expect a slight delay before the car halts.

Keep Actually Smart Summon off public roads, and take extra care around people, children and pets.

Park Assist and Vehicle Hold

Park Assist watches ahead of the car in Drive and behind it in Reverse. The screen shows red for objects that are closer and yellow for objects that are farther, and chimes beep faster as you approach if chimes are on. Turn chimes on or off under Controls, Safety, Park Assist Chimes.

Park Assist may miss children, pets, thin posts, moving or sticking-out objects, and low objects such as curbs below about 8 inches (20 cm). Always look around yourself too.

Vehicle Hold is a separate feature. It keeps the brakes applied after you lift off the brake pedal at a stop, with an indicator on the touchscreen. Press the accelerator or tap and release the brake to release it. After about ten minutes of holding, the car shifts itself into Park.

Good to know

Keep the cameras clean and free of stickers, and expect weaker results in storms, snow or thick fog.

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