Tesla 'Summon' Feature Updated Following Accident

Jason Siu
by Jason Siu

Tesla has sent an over-the-air update to Model S and Model X owners that changes how the Summon feature works.

The update is adding an extra step before Summon activates so that owners don’t accidentally use the feature when they don’t intend to. According to a user on Reddit, the update now requires users to select which direction they want the vehicle to travel on the touchscreen before Summon activates.

Before, Summon was activated by a double-press of the gear selector stalk button and shifting from Drive to Park, at which point Summon activation outputs an audible chime and a pop-up message is displayed on the touchscreen. The driver can then choose to cancel, but if the cancel button is not pressed, then Summon continues to activate.

SEE ALSO: Did This Tesla Model S Crash Itself?

The move comes a week after a report surfaced that a Tesla Model S owner in Utah had his vehicle crash into a trailer on its own. The owner, Jared Overton, claims that he did not activate Summon and that the Tesla Model S moved on its own. The American automaker responded with a detailed report featuring timestamped logs showing exactly what happened and when, saying that the self-parking feature was activated.

[Source: Reddit]

Discuss this story on our Tesla Forum

Jason Siu
Jason Siu

Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.

More by Jason Siu

Comments
Join the conversation
 3 comments
  • Smartacus Smartacus on May 18, 2016

    i am so tired of tesla in the news everyday. not just because they get away with using the public roads as a development laboratory

  • BernardP BernardP on May 18, 2016

    For the few non-Tesla owners reading this, what exactly is the Summon feature?

    • ClayManBob ClayManBob on May 19, 2016

      Try reading: "The American automaker responded with a detailed report featuring timestamped logs showing exactly what happened and when, saying that the self-parking feature was activated." Last sentence. SMH

Next