Tesla's myQ WiFi Garage Door Support, Its Cost, Features and How It Compares to HomeLink

The myQ settings menu in a Tesla

Not a Tesla App

In late 2022 Tesla added the ability to control your garage door over WiFi or cellular data through its myQ integration. For vehicles that do not include HomeLink, such as newer Model 3s and Model Ys, this is a great alternative to adding HomeLink to your vehicle, especially if your garage door already supports myQ.

Vehicles Supported

Almost all Teslas support myQ, which includes the Model 3, Model Y and the 2021+ Model S and Model X. Unfortunately, it currently does not support the legacy Model S and Model X, but support could be added at a later point.

Supported Regions

Tesla supports myQ integration in a wide variety of regions, but the feature is not available in every country. The list of supported countries includes the U.S. and Canada, although it leaves out other countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom. It's not clear why it's only available in some regions, but it could be due to where myQ currently supports their devices.

Supported Devices

Tesla's current myQ integration is exclusively for garage doors. Although myQ does support other devices such as gates in their app, Tesla's integration will not work with myQ cameras, lights or gates.

MyQ Hub

Newer garage door openers support myQ natively, but you can also add myQ to older garage door motors. The myQ hub works by connecting your garage door to the internet through the use of a wireless hub. The myQ hub is an affordable device that turns almost any garage door motor into a WiFi-capable garage door opener. The hub can be bought on Amazon for $30 or less.

Chamberlain's myQ hub turns your garage door opener into a Wi-Fi capable one

myQ

Subscription Cost

Although myQ does not charge a fee to remotely open and close garage doors through their mobile app, they do charge to use myQ integration in a Tesla and other vehicles. This is a similar model to how some software it free to use on a computer, but requires a subscription on your mobile phone.

MyQ offers various price points depending on the length of time. They range from $45/year to a 10-year subscription for $299. MyQ also offers a 5-year plan for $179. Although the subscription cost is high, it is still cheaper than Tesla's $350 installation cost for HomeLink.

Unfortunately, for owners who already have a HomeLink module installed, paying for myQ doesn't make a lot of sense. However, there are some advantages to having myQ instead of HomeLink.

MyQ Settings

Tesla's myQ integration is very similar to HomeLink, and better in some ways. On the myQ settings screen, you have a list of supported devices running down the left side. On the right side, you'll see options about the device selected, such as its current state, and options such as auto-open, auto-close and auto-fold mirrors.

You'll be able to set or reset your garage door's location, which uses your vehicle's current GPS location. You'll want to set this when your vehicle is directly in front of your garage. You can also have your vehicle chime when the auto-open or auto-close feature is about to activate.

If you've used HomeLink before, this integration is very similar. Although the UI is slightly different, the features are almost the same as the ones offered through HomeLink.

Differences Between myQ and HomeLink

There are a few differences between myQ integration and HomeLink. Neither system is the clear winner, and the one that is right for you will depend on various factors.

Advantages of myQ

MyQ is a smarter system with additional sensors, so it offers a few advantages over the older HomeLink standard.

MyQ Fixes the Auto-Open Feature

During installation myQ has you add a sensor to each of your garage doors. This sensor lets myQ know whether your garage door is open or closed. Your Tesla will even display the state of the garage door, letting your check whether your garage is open or closed from anywhere in the world. Although myQ also keeps track of how long ago your garage door was opened or closed, this information does not show up in your Tesla.

Since myQ knows the state of your garage door, it can help prevent some issues that are seen in HomeLink. One of the biggest issues with HomeLink is due to it not knowing whether your garage door is already open. With myQ you will no longer arrive home when your garage door is opened, only to have your auto-open feature close the garage door on you. Since myQ knows the state of your garage door, it will only trigger the open and close commands when needed.

MyQ Works From Further Away

Another advantage of myQ is that it leverages your Tesla's internet connectivity. MyQ will send the signal to open or close your garage door over the internet, letting you open your garage door from anywhere in the world. However, the most practical advantage of using the internet to open your garage door is that you set your garage door to auto-open from much further away. This gives your garage door time to fully open before you arrive. MyQ does not require you to have Tesla's Premium Connectivity feature in order to use it.

Additional Devices

HomeLink has a hard limit of three devices. Although this is enough for most people, you may find yourself hitting the limit if you also have gates you may want to open or would like to program your Tesla to open the garage door at your parent's house. MyQ does not have a limit to the number of garage doors you can program, giving you additional flexibility. If your vehicle also supports HomeLink, this could free up some HomeLink presets, letting you use it for devices that myQ doesn't support.

Disadvantages of myQ

Although myQ is certainly the smarter garage door system, HomeLink does have some advantages over myQ as well, mainly around reliability and setup.

MyQ Subscription

HomeLink is free to use, so if your vehicle already has HomeLink integration, it could be the obvious choice. Nowadays many of us already have more monthly subscriptions than we'd like to, so myQ's subscription cost will certainly be a turnoff for some owners.

Requires Internet

Since myQ uses the internet to control your garage door, it could be less reliable than HomeLink. Not only is myQ relying on your vehicle's cellular connection, but it's also relying on your home's internet connection and the hub's connection to WiFi. If you live in an area with poor cellular reception, have a weak WiFi signal in your garage, or have frequent internet outages, HomeLink may be the more reliable system.

Hub Setup

If your garage door doesn't support myQ already, then you'll need to add a myQ hub. This requires an additional device and setup, whereas the HomeLink module works directly with your garage door. HomeLink is essentially an additional remote for your garage door that is built into your Tesla.

If you're adding a hub, myQ also requires you to mount a wireless sensor on your garage door. This sensor lets myQ know whether your garage door is opened or closed. MyQ also requires you to set up a myQ hub that will communicate with your home's network, your garage door and the wireless sensor.

The hub needs to be placed in your garage, although it does not require you to wire anything to your garage door motor or buttons. The hub only requires access to WiFi and a power outlet.

The myQ hub does various things. First, it's the device that will receive the signal over the internet to open your garage door. It will also communicate wirelessly with your myQ garage door sensor and your garage door motor. Although myQ's setup is painless, it does introduce additional points of failure that HomeLink simply doesn't have.

MyQ Signal Delay

MyQ will often introduce a delay when closing your garage door for additional safety. When you close your garage door you may often hear beeping and see the light on your myQ hub flash, alerting any bystanders that the garage door is about to close.

The delay between when you tap to close your garage door and when it starts to close is about 8 seconds. If you're leaving home and close the garage door from your car, it can often leave you wondering if the system is working. There is never a delay when opening your garage door using myQ.

Although myQ integration is well executed and provides some advantages over HomeLink, it does have a few drawbacks of its own. For owners who don't have a HomeLink module installed in their vehicles, it offers a more affordable and easier solution than adding HomeLink to their cars.

Tesla Updates Hazard Lights Frequency To Improve Safety in Software Update

Tesla is implementing a new hazard light pattern that improves drivers' attention

Emergency Safety Solutions

Tesla is rolling out a significant safety enhancement through a software update. Teslas, already the safest vehicles on the planet, got a little safer thanks to a small company based in Texas. While this article will highlight the advancement in safety, it will also applaud the work of Emergency Safety Solutions, which dared to challenge the old way of doing things.

Overnight Evolution: The Game Changer

Tesla North America didn't mince words when they announced: "If an airbag is deployed, hazard lights will automatically activate & flash faster to improve visibility." Elon Musk added, "New Tesla safety feature uploaded via over-the-air software update. Your car just got better while you slept."

It got much better thanks to a partnership with Emergency Safety Solutions (ESS), which we spotlighted a year ago. The small company, now just five years old, used a Tesla Model 3 to display its advancements in the hazard lights system, which had remained unchanged for more than 70 years. After numerous studies, the company changed everything about the hazard lights and approached Tesla with its findings.

Chilling Frequency: Every seven minutes, a disabled vehicle is involved in a crash on American roads. The result? An alarming 15,000 injuries or fatalities annually.

Ancient Flaws: The primary culprit behind these startling figures is a hazard light system that hasn't been updated in over seven decades.

The Solution: A frequency shift by adjusting flash frequencies from the sluggish 1.5Hz system to between 4Hz and 6Hz immensely heightens driver alertness. Hertz is a unit of frequency, which equals the number of cycles per second. In this case, the frequency of flashing lights is increased from 1.5 flashes per second, up to 4 - 6 flashes per second.

Real-World Outcomes: When 5Hz flash frequency was tested, drivers reacted a crucial 12 seconds faster. Moreover, they recognized an issue of more than three football fields sooner than the 70-year version. The number of drivers shifting to the safer side of a disabled vehicle also shot up dramatically — from 30% to an impressive 87%.

Emergency Safety Solutions also posted on X: "Great step toward making our roads safer for people in disabled and vulnerable vehicles! We appreciate our partnership with Tesla and applaud this major milestone in our mission to protect drivers when they need it most."

Software Update

Tesla states in their post on X that this update is rolling out now in the U.S. to Model 3/Y vehicles and newer Model S and Xs.

It's not clear whether Tesla means this enhancement is available in update 2023.32, or whether it's in the upcoming 2023.38 update, which is currently in employee testing.

It's more likely that H.E.L.P. is implemented in update 2023.38, but we have yet to receive release notes for vehicles in the U.S., so we'll have to wait and see if this enhancement made it in.

More H.E.L.P. to Come

Keep an eye out for even more safety advancements courtesy of this partnership with ESS and Tesla. The company created the Hazard Enhanced Location Protocol or HELP. Beyond the lightning-fast flashes, HELP seamlessly integrates with in-car and phone navigation systems, giving drivers a heads-up about potential hazards before they become visible. It's like giving your Tesla a sixth sense.

Unfortunately, that will take longer as it would require more automakers to get on board with this new system. However, as we've realized, automakers are following Tesla's leadership on several fronts, and they may also increase road safety and implement the advanced system.

If an airbag is deployed, hazard lights will automatically activate & flash faster to improve visibility

Update now rolling out to all US Model 3 & Y as well as S & X (2020 & newer) pic.twitter.com/TadrwKTmtB

— Tesla North America (@tesla_na) October 3, 2023

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Video Reveals the Tesla Cybertruck's Unique User Interface [Video]

A closer look at the Cybertruck's UI

Vladvein/YouTube

It's not a good day to be named Max and work at Tesla or on the security team assigned to the Cybertruck. You can't help but wonder how a daring individual found himself in the driver's seat of this highly anticipated vehicle. This perpetrator spoke in Russian and joked that a bag in the truck belonged to Elon Musk before zooming in to a name tag reading "Max."

While we certainly don't condone breaking the law, we were provided with a risky reveal of the Cybertruck's interior courtesy of a mysterious and perhaps too-bold-for-his-own-good infiltrator.

Cyber-Theme UI

The video is less than a minute long but provides new information, notably on the updated user interface (UI). For weeks we've had Cybertruck sightings, but this is our best look at the Cybertruck's display.

Updated Icons and Font

The UI appears designed specifically for the Cybertruck; icons possess subtle sharp edges, mirroring Cybertruck's angular aesthetics. This design philosophy also extends to the unique font choice, giving the UI a rugged, distinct look.

Visualizations

A further advancement is the seamless transition between vehicle visualization and maps. The once-clear partition is a fading background, allowing for a more unified appearance. This unity is further emphasized with the vehicle now being depicted atop a 3D polygon terrain, which has been discovered before in firmware updates.

Icon Placement Changes

One of the first distinctions users would notice is the transition from horizontal app icons. This design has been the hallmark of previous Tesla models, to a vertical arrangement along the lefthand side of the screen.

The vehicle control icon is at the bottom, followed by climate controls and other apps. The gear indicator has evolved, too, switching from its usual horizontal layout to a vertical orientation in the screen's top left portion.

A closer look at the Cybertruck's UI

Vladvein/YouTube

The status icons, such as time, temperature, Tesla profile used to grace the top of the display, but they have now been realigned to the left side and can now be found directly above the vehicle visualization.

Cameras, Front Camera Confirmed

Another intriguing update revolves around the Camera app. Where previously users had to decipher camera views, they are now labeled for convenience, as showcased in the video with marked "Left" and "Front" camera views. Yes, there is a front camera view, finally answering the question of Tesla introducing the front bumper camera. We previously had a look at how we expect Tesla's updated Camera app to work with the front bumper camera.

Battery Icon

One of the standout features in the video is the battery display. Gone are the traditional battery icons. Instead, we are introduced to slanted lines, each symbolizing 10% of the battery charge. This visual representation is intuitive and integrates with the Cybertruck's angular design.

Music Mini Player?

Beneath the vehicle visualization is what appears to be a minuscule music control feature, though its precise functionality remains uncertain from the short video clip.

Inside the Cybertruck: More than Just a Fresh UI

Ambient Lighting: Drawing inspiration from the latest Model 3 Refresh and the Chinese Model Y, the Cybertruck incorporates a colorful ambient lighting strip. Strategically placed, this lighting adds a modern aura to the vehicle's groundbreaking design.

Interior Layout and Accessories: The video takes us on a mini-tour of the truck's interior, revealing several intriguing features:

Hexagonal Design Elements: Keeping in line with Cybertruck's geometric aesthetic, the backup camera icon flaunts a hexagonal design, intriguingly contrasting the octagonal design found on the cupholders.

Center Console: A spacious tray area reminiscent of the old Model S finds a home between the front seats. Decked with some wires and a yet-to-be-identified document, the console boasts "cyber cupholders" with an octagonal design. Furthermore, it's equipped with dual phone charging spots right in front of the cupholders.

Sun Visor: The video briefly showcases the two-stage sun visor, which resembles the one found in the Model X. The video provides a glimpse of the massive glass roof, promising a panoramic view that will undoubtedly make the interior feel even more expansive.

Rear Window View: A feature with many talking is the clear view through the back window. Although the video offers only a short glimpse, obstructed by tires placed in the truck's bed, it's evident that when the cover is open, drivers and passengers will benefit from an expansive, unobstructed view.

As one viewer pointed out, this video will probably be used for evidence one day. Whoever was in the Cybertruck owes Max an apology, and poor Max needs to remember to lock the door.

Video reveals the Cybertruck’s UI

- apps are along the left side
- status bar icons like time and temp are above the vehicle visualization
- smaller nav search icon
- gradient between the visualizations and map

pic.twitter.com/yRtSmFuwKB

— Not a Tesla App (@NotATeslaApp) October 2, 2023

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