How to Activate Tesla's Automatic Parking?
4 Answers
Tesla's automatic parking activation method is: When the vehicle passes a parking space, a 'P' icon appears on the screen, indicating that the vehicle has made a valid recognition. At this point, shift the vehicle into reverse gear, press the brake pedal, and click the pop-up blue 'Start Parking' button to initiate automatic parking. Remove both hands from the steering wheel and release the brake pedal, and the automatic parking will begin. Taking the 2021 Model X as an example, it belongs to the mid-to-large SUV category with body dimensions of: length 5037mm, width 2070mm, height 1684mm, and a wheelbase of 2965mm. The curb weight is 2352kg. The 2021 Model X features a front double-wishbone independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension. It is equipped with a front permanent magnet synchronous motor and a rear AC asynchronous motor, with a combined motor power of 493kW, paired with a single-speed fixed gear ratio transmission.
I've been using my Tesla Model 3 for commuting for almost two years now, and the Autopark feature is something I use daily. Activating it is actually super simple: while driving, the system automatically scans for parking spots. When it detects a suitable space, a blue P icon appears on the dashboard. At this point, you just need to stop, shift gears (e.g., shift to R for reverse parking), and then press and hold the start button on the center screen without letting go. A special reminder for beginners: once you release the steering wheel and brake, the car will start moving on its own—don't panic. Note that the vehicle speed must be below 24 km/h, and the distance to surrounding obstacles shouldn't be too close. After getting familiar with it, I often use it in tight shopping mall underground garages, and it's even steadier than when I reverse myself. It's especially useful when I'm tired after working late and heading home.
As a tech enthusiast, I've tested Tesla's Autopark across all versions. The key to activating the latest system is ensuring basic functions work properly: drive 50 meters with Autopilot engaged for calibration, slow below 15 km/h when spotting a parking space, shift to reverse immediately when the P icon appears on the touchscreen, then long-press the activation button. Pro tip - keep the front bumper ultrasonic sensors clean; mine once failed due to mud splashes. From my experience, parallel parking has higher success rates now. For perpendicular parking, choose spacious spots and never open doors during path calculation - it triggers automatic cancellation. This feature is perfect for novice drivers to develop spatial awareness, proving more patient than any driving instructor.
Last week, I just helped my wife set up the auto-parking feature for her Model Y. The process is actually foolproof: first, enable Autopilot cruise control, slowly pass by a parking space until the P symbol appears on the dashboard, then stop and hold the brake to shift gears. At this point, a start button icon pops up on the screen. Here's the key—press and hold the icon for 3 seconds, just like taking a screenshot on a phone. Remember to check if the front and rear radars are obstructed before each use. My neighbor once failed the recognition because he had a bike rack attached to the trunk. The success rate is slightly lower on rainy days; if there's standing water, manual parking is recommended. The smartest part of Tesla's design is that it automatically avoids fire hydrants and low stone barriers. Last time at the mall, it detected a road post I hadn’t noticed.
