Turning an electric vehicle remotely-what does that mean for a car that doesn’t have a starter and doesn’t idle?
Most of the time you don’t really “start” the car. You would pre-heat/cool the car by turning on the climate control remotely. But, you can’t “start” it because there is no “starting” an electric car.
At the same time, yes you can remotely start a Tesla. Confused? Find out below what I mean!
Does Tesla Have Remote Start Function?
Yes, this is a feature of the Tesla app that can be used from any location with cell, WiFi, or internet connectivity. Most of the time you don’t really “start” the car. Tesla cars are “always on” since there is no ICE engine to start. The batteries are ever-ready to supply power to the electric motor.
The climate control would be remotely activated to pre-heat/cool the vehicle. However, if you needed to “start” the automobile, you could for instance unlock the doors to let someone inside. They can go and get the car “starting” (getting the car ready to drive).
In the event that someone’s phone died and they did not have a backup key card, someone else can do this for them.
How Can I Start My Tesla Remotely?
You can start your Tesla remotely using the Tesla mobile app on your smartphone. Here are the steps to do so:
Download the Tesla App
Download the Tesla mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store. For iOS and Android devices, you may find it in the App Store or on Google Play, respectively.
Sign in and Log in to Your Account
Open the Tesla app and log in using your Tesla account credentials. If you don’t have an account yet, you’ll need to create one. For this, your Tesla vehicle’s details should be enough.
Add your Tesla vehicle to your account by entering your vehicle identification number (VIN) and following the on-screen instructions. Enable Bluetooth and location services on your phone.
Sync Your Phone
Open the Tesla app and log in to your account. Follow the on-screen instructions to pair your phone with your Tesla vehicle.
Once paired, you can use the app to remotely monitor and control various aspects of your Tesla vehicle. This can be climate control, charging, and vehicle location.
Make sure that your Tesla is connected to the internet and that you have a cellular or Wi-Fi signal.
Enable Remote Access
Make sure your Tesla vehicle is configured. This allows remote access to functions like unlocking, starting, and climate control.
You can find these in your car’s settings. This functionality must be turned on in order for remote commands to work properly.
Start Tesla with Remote Access
On the app’s main screen, tap the “Climate” button at the bottom of the screen. Set the temperature to your desired level and tap the “Start” button.
This will turn on the climate control system in your Tesla and heat or cool the interior to your specified temperature.
Is Remote Start Available on All Tesla Models?
No, not all Tesla cars come with remote starting. The “Remote Climate Control” option found on Tesla’s most recent models. Such as the Model 3, Model Y, and the updated Model S and Model X.
The features enable you to start the climate control system from a distance using the Tesla mobile app. These models all come with this feature.
However, older Tesla Model S or Model X manufactured before September 2019 may not have the “Remote Climate Control” feature. In this case, you can still use the app to preheat or cool the interior of your car.
But you will need to set the temperature manually before you exit the vehicle. It’s worth noting that Tesla is constantly updating its software and adding new features to its vehicles.
So, even if your Tesla model does not currently have remote start capability, it’s possible that it could be added in a future software update.
How Do I Set Up Remote Start Using the Tesla Mobile App?
Here’s how to set up remote start using the Tesla mobile app:
- On the app’s main screen, tap the “Climate” button at the bottom of the screen.
- Set the temperature to your desired level and tap the “Start” button. This will turn on the climate control system in your Tesla. It will heat or cool the interior to your specified temperature.
- If you have a Model S or Model X, you can also use the app to turn on the heated seats, steering wheel, and rear defrost.
- If you want to set up a scheduled start time, tap the “Schedule” button at the bottom of the screen, and then select the desired start time.
- You can also set up a recurring schedule for remote start by tapping the “Recurring” button and selecting the days of the week on which you want the schedule to run.
Can I Schedule Remote Start of my Tesla for Specific Times?
Yes, you can schedule a remote start of your Tesla for specific times using the Tesla mobile app. Here are the steps:
- Open the Tesla mobile app on your smartphone and log in to your Tesla account.
- Make sure that your Tesla is connected to the internet and that you have a cellular or Wi-Fi signal.
- Tap the “Schedule” button at the bottom of the screen.
- Use the time selector to choose the time at which you want the climate control system to turn on. You can choose any time of day, up to 7 days in advance.
- Once you have set the desired start time, tap the “Save” button to schedule the remote start.
- If you want to set up a recurring schedule for remote start, tap the “Recurring” button and select the days of the week on which you want the schedule to run.
- After you have set up your schedule, the Tesla mobile app will automatically turn on the climate control system in your Tesla at the scheduled time.
Related Post: How Important is Tesla Climate Control When Parked Feature?
What Security Measures Prevent Unauthorized Access in Tesla’s Remote Start Function?
For hackers to actually accomplish anything is impossible. It would have been necessary for a driver to pull into a location a few car lengths from a specific router.
Then choose to turn off the 3G/4G/LTE connection without a reason and search for random unsecured WiFi hosts and connect to the unknown router without any justification.
And then fail to drive far enough away from the router to cause the car to disconnect and reconnect to a phone network.
Tesla requires users to enable two-factor authentication to access certain features, including remote start. They also use industry-standard encryption methods. This protects user data and prevent unauthorized access to its systems.
Moreover, when a user logs into the Tesla mobile app, the app generates an authentication token. This token is used to authenticate the user’s requests to the Tesla servers. It is encrypted and can only be used by the authorized device that generated it.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
Can I start my Tesla remotely from anywhere?
Yes, you can start your Tesla remotely from virtually anywhere. As long as your car has an internet connection and is within the network coverage area.
What do I need to remotely start my Tesla?
The official Tesla mobile app installed on your smartphone, and the internet connection.
Can I precondition my Tesla’s interior before getting in?
Yes, absolutely.
Is the remote start feature safe to use?
Yes. The vehicle must be in park, and specific safety conditions must be met before the remote start command is executed.
