Your Tesla has various options when it comes to locking and securing your vehicle
Not a Tesla App
In today's world, the security of your vehicle is more important than ever. Tesla, a pioneer in electric vehicles, has implemented advanced security features and locking mechanisms to help protect your investment. This guide will delve into the various ways to lock a Tesla, auto-locking options, and the process of locking doors from inside and outside, providing you with the knowledge to secure your car confidently.
Introduction to Tesla Locking Mechanisms
Tesla offers multiple methods to secure your vehicle, including auto-locking options, manual locking from the inside, and locking from the outside using the Tesla app or key card. Each option provides different levels of convenience and security to meet your individual preferences and needs.
Auto Locking Options
Auto-locking mechanisms on Tesla vehicles add a layer of security and convenience to your driving experience. Here are some key features:
Walk-Away Door Lock
Tesla's walk-away door lock feature automatically locks your car, whether you're using a phone key or key fob, as you move away from it. This ensures that your vehicle is secure when you're not around. As you walk back towards the car, it will automatically unlock, allowing for a seamless entry. If you keep your phone close to where your vehicle is parked, such as a bedroom above an open garage, your vehicle may unlock because your phone key is nearby. If you use the Tesla app, you can disable passive authentication on your Tesla app to prevent the vehicle from unlocking when your phone is nearby.
Exclude Home
Tesla allows you to exclude your home location from the auto-lock feature. This means your car will not auto-lock when parked at home, providing added convenience. You can input your home address in the vehicle's navigation system to set up this feature.
It's important to note that Tesla will recognize a location as being your home if it's within approximately 1,640 feet (500 meters) of your saved address. This means that if you leave your car in a nearby parking spot or outside of your garage, the vehicle will not lock if you have auto-lock turned off for your home location.
How Walk-Away Door Lock Works
The walk-away door lock feature utilizes your phone's or key fob's proximity to the car. The doors lock automatically when you move a certain distance away (approximately 10 feet). This distance can vary depending on your phone's signal strength or key fob battery life.
Camp Mode and Walk-Away Door Lock
When Camp Mode is activated, the walk-away door lock feature is disabled. This is to ensure that the car remains unlocked and accessible during camping or extended stays in the car. Camp Mode lets you maintain climate control, interior lighting, and USB power while parked.
Driver Door Unlock Option
You can choose to have only the driver's door unlocked when you approach the vehicle. This adds an extra layer of security by limiting access to the car. To enable this option, navigate to the "Locks" menu in your vehicle's settings.
Lock Confirmation Sound
Tesla allows you to enable or disable the lock confirmation sound, a helpful audible cue to know your vehicle is secure. This feature can be toggled on or off in the car's settings. If you decide to turn off the confirmation sound, you can check if the vehicle is locked by looking to see if the mirrors are folded.
Unlock Notifications
You can receive notifications if your car is left unlocked or if any doors are left open. This keeps you informed about the security status of your vehicle. To enable notifications, navigate to the "Safety & Security" menu in the car's settings and select the desired options.
Locking Doors from Inside
To lock a Tesla from the inside, follow these steps:
Tap the lock icon at the top of the screen. In a Model 3 or Model Y, there's also a lock icon on top of the vehicle visualization if the vehicle is parked. The doors will automatically lock, and the icon will change to indicate the locked status.
Locking Doors from Outside
You can lock your Tesla from outside using the Tesla app, key card, or touchscreen:
Locking Using the Tesla App
Open the app and look for the quick action icons. If the icon is white and unlocked, tap it to lock the car. If the icon is gray and locked, the car is already locked. Remember, quick actions are customizable, so if the lock icon is missing, you can add it back by customizing your quick actions. To customize quick actions, you can long press on any of the icons and drag the desired icons to the quick action bar.
Lock Using the Key Card
To lock your Tesla with a key card, simply tap the card on the designated area of the driver's side door pillar. The card uses RFID technology to communicate with the car, allowing for keyless entry and locking. Keep your key card safe, as it is an essential backup for accessing and starting your vehicle if your phone or key fob is unavailable.
Lock Using the Screen
Open the door, press the lock button on the center touchscreen, and then close the door. This method ensures that the car is locked even if you don't have your phone or key fob with you. As you close the door, the vehicle will recognize that the command came from inside and lock the doors accordingly.
Additional Tips for Securing Your Tesla
In addition to locking your vehicle, consider these tips to ensure your Tesla remains safe and secure:
Update Your Tesla App and Vehicle Software
Keep your vehicle's software and the Tesla app up to date to benefit from the latest security enhancements and features. You can check for updates in the car's settings under "Software."
PIN to Drive
To add an extra layer of security, enable the PIN to Drive feature, which requires entering a unique PIN before the car can be driven. This prevents unauthorized use of your vehicle, even if someone gains access to your key card or phone. You can enable PIN to Drive in the "Safety & Security" menu.
Activate Sentry Mode
Sentry Mode is a security feature that monitors the environment around your car when parked. If a potential threat is detected, the car will activate cameras and alarms to deter malicious activity. Sentry Mode cameras can also be viewed remotely in many regions.
Use a Strong Password
It is connected to your vehicle and its features. Make sure to use a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication to protect your account from unauthorized access.
Be Cautious With Car Access
While many third-party accessories and services are available for Tesla vehicles, be cautious when choosing products that may compromise the car's security, void its warranty or give access to your vehicle. Stick to reputable services and vendors and read reviews before making a purchase.
Tesla offers several options for locking and securing your vehicle, providing security and convenience. Familiarize yourself with these features and follow the additional tips mentioned above to ensure your Tesla remains safe and secure at all times. By taking advantage of these advanced security features, you can enjoy peace of mind while driving and parking your Tesla.
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MotorTrend is running their suite of Best Tech of 2025 - and the winner that took home the Best Tech for Public Charging System is none other than Tesla’s North American Charging Standard - better known as NACS or the Tesla Plug.
What is NACS?
NACS is Tesla’s home-grown connector standard - and is now the standard in North America. Tesla opened the connector standard back in November 2022, inviting other automakers to collaborate on a better and easier-to-use charging standard.
At that time, CCS was rapidly gaining traction as the industry standard, but Teslas remained the most common EV on the road. This put Tesla in a unique position to establish a new standard in North America, where the Tesla connector was the most popular.
SAE Standard
After Tesla opened up its connector, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) swiftly adopted it, naming it the J3400 EV Coupler. The SAE initiated the process in June 2023, with the validation phase concluding in October, alongside the release of the J3400 Recommended Practices document, officially establishing NACS as the industry standard in North America.
While a few holdouts, such as Volkswagen and Stellantis, initially hesitated to embrace NACS, they soon came on board. Today, no major automaker selling vehicles in North America plans to use CCS for their future EVs.
Why is NACS Better?
NACS is an innovative charging standard that outperforms both CCS1 and CCS2 (the EU’s version) in almost every way. The system is lighter, more user-friendly, and more versatile, offering better thermal efficiency than comparable CCS systems. Additionally, the handle and plug are designed to be more ergonomic and streamlined, making them easier to use and far less cumbersome.
Differences Between CCS1 and CCS2
The CCS1 charging standard in North America combines the J1772 connector for AC charging with separate pins for DC fast charging. However, it differs drastically from CCS2, which is used in Europe. CCS2 features a more compact design and allows digital communication for both AC and DC charging. It also supports higher power than CCS1.
Technically Better
NACS was designed out of necessity back in 2012 when there wasn’t a connector that met Tesla’s needs for the original Model S. As it turns out, it remains far superior to the charging standards created by legacy automakers today, who were more concerned with having a simple plug-in port than the efficiency and quality of the charging process itself.
Unlike CCS1 or J1772, which use analog communication when charging over AC power, NACS relies on digital communication, regardless of whether it’s charging the vehicle over AC or DC power. This enables better and more reliable information exchange during the charging process. In contrast, analog systems like CCS1 can run into issues—such as ground faults—that may leave your EV bricked without an explanation since data isn’t transmitted the same way.
With NACS, however, any issues can be diagnosed on either the vehicle side or the Supercharger side. If you’re interested - open up Service Mode while plugged into your Wall or Mobile Connector, or while at a Supercharger - and take a peek at the Charging Pane.
Ultimately, NACS offers improved diagnostics and testing, a more intuitive cable and interface, and the best part is that it can support up to 1,000V charging without major changes. Plus, it works seamlessly with both residential two-phase and commercial three-phase power without requiring major alterations to the connector format—unlike CCS1 and CCS2, which uses separate connectors for AC and DC charging.
Improved Communications
We’ve already discussed how digital communication enables effective debugging, but it also plays a crucial role in streamlining the payment process for charging. This is how Tesla makes its Supercharging experience so effortless. When you plug in your vehicle, it communicates directly with the Supercharger and Tesla’s servers. Your payment is automatically processed through the payment method linked to your Tesla profile, making the entire process seamless.
In contrast, with most CCS1 chargers, the process is the reverse. While Plug-and-Charge is a standard, it’s not always fully or reliably implemented. When you arrive at a CCS1 charger, you often need to plug in your EV, fumble with an app or the screen and hope the charging post is working properly before you can proceed.
Here’s a list of automakers that have either pledged to begin using NACS - usually by their 2025 or 2026 model year - or have already incorporated it. Many of these companies also offer adapters, and can also use Tesla’s Magic Dock-equipped Superchargers.
Any companies in parentheses represent a sub-brand of the parent company that has also committed to the NACS connector.
And that’s it—NACS has won the EV charging standards race in North America. If you’re in Europe, you’re using the CCS2 connector, which is superior to the CCS1 connector offered in North America. China has its own relatively novel connector standard, but it still differentiates between DC and AC plugs, unlike NACS, which keeps things simpler.
Tesla’s autonomous robotaxi made a big impact last year at the We, Robot event in October, sparking plenty of questions about when, where, and how production would begin. Well, it looks like we finally have some answers to these questions thanks to new Cybercab-related job openings.
Engineering Roles
Tesla is actively recruiting engineers to focus on various aspects of the Cybercab’s production. One of the key positions is for an equipment engineer, responsible for developing the machinery that will be used to build the Cybercab. Designing and implementing the assembly line is crucial, especially with Tesla’s ambition to manufacture thousands of Cybercabs in the near future.
Unboxed Production Process
Tesla plans to produce the Cybercab using its revolutionary “unboxed” process, which stands in stark contrast to traditional car manufacturing methods. Unlike typical assembly lines that build vehicles from the floor up, the unboxed process involves constructing vehicle sections in parallel and bringing those parts together for final assembly. This method increases the number of engineers that can work on the vehicle at once and increases accessibility for works and robots, allowing the vehicle to be manufactured more efficiently.
Tesla shows off the unboxed process in the vehicle below:
The Unboxed process 🧵 Tesla model Y is used in this video as a placeholder to explain the process without spoiling the actual next gen vehicle pic.twitter.com/onCPeNCduB
A crucial part of the Cybercab’s production will be handled by a new process engineer specializing in plastics. This engineer will focus on the exterior plastic panels, working alongside a tool & die specialist. The reason for this specialized role is likely due to the Cybercab’s unique use of paint-impregnated plastic for its exterior panels, which requires different processes and tooling than Tesla’s typical vehicle exteriors.
Tesla’s VP of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, shared that the company will be injecting polyurethane paint directly into the plastic during the manufacturing process. This method eliminates the need for a traditional paint shop, as the colors are embedded directly into the plastic while the panels are molded. The best part is that these panels are highly resilient—if they get scratched, dinged, or worn down, the original color remains visible throughout, unlike standard painted panels, which would reveal the underlying material.
Technicians
To implement these new engineering practices, Tesla is also hiring various technicians for the assembly line. These include specialists in plastics, general assembly, and the Giga Press, all of whom will play key roles in bringing the Cybercab to life.
According to the Q4 2024 Earnings Call, the Cybercab’s assembly line is not expected to launch until late 2025 or early 2026. Building such an innovative assembly line is no small feat, and it’s clear Tesla is laying the groundwork for something special.
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