Does Smart Summon Require FSD? | Know Before You Pay

Yes, Smart Summon needs Full Self-Driving Capability or Enhanced Autopilot on eligible Tesla vehicles.

Smart Summon is not part of basic Autopilot. If your Tesla only has the standard Autopilot package, you should not expect Smart Summon or Actually Smart Summon to appear in the app. The feature usually comes through Full Self-Driving Capability, and in some markets or older accounts, Enhanced Autopilot may also include it.

The exact answer depends on your car, region, software version, hardware, and what package is tied to your Tesla account. That’s why two cars with the same badge can behave differently in the app. One owner may see Summon controls, while another only sees basic driving aids.

What Smart Summon Means On A Tesla

Smart Summon lets you move a parked Tesla from outside the car using the Tesla mobile app. Older Tesla wording used Smart Summon. Newer owner manuals often call the feature Actually Smart Summon, or ASS. Tesla also separates it from Dumb Summon, which only moves the car straight forward or backward.

Actually Smart Summon can steer toward your phone’s location or a chosen target inside a parking area. It moves slowly, reacts to objects, and stops when you release the app button. It is not a self-parking chauffeur. You’re still responsible for watching the car and stopping it when needed.

Tesla’s own manual says Summon depends on market region, vehicle setup, options purchased, Self-Driving hardware, and software version. It also says Summon is meant for private parking lots and driveways, not public roads. You can read Tesla’s Summon owner manual for the current operating limits.

Does Smart Summon Require FSD? Buyer Notes Before Paying

For most shoppers, yes: Smart Summon requires Full Self-Driving Capability if that is the only paid upgrade Tesla sells in your market. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving page lists Actually Smart Summon under the “Drives to You” feature set, along with Dumb Summon.

There is one catch. Enhanced Autopilot has included Smart Summon or Actually Smart Summon in some regions and on some older purchases. Tesla’s Autopilot package page in some markets lists Actually Smart Summon under Enhanced Autopilot, then says Full Self-Driving includes the features from Enhanced Autopilot too.

So the clean rule is this: basic Autopilot is not enough. You need either FSD access or an Enhanced Autopilot package that includes Summon on your specific car.

Why Some Owners Give Different Answers

Tesla changes package names, feature bundles, and availability by country. Some owners bought Enhanced Autopilot years ago and still have Summon features attached to that vehicle. Others subscribe to FSD month to month and see Actually Smart Summon appear after their software catches up.

Used Teslas add another wrinkle. A car listing may say “FSD computer” or “Full Self-Driving computer.” That hardware phrase does not always mean the paid FSD package is active. Hardware and paid software rights are separate things.

Smart Summon Package Check

Use the table below to sort the common package names. Treat it as a purchase filter, then verify in the Tesla app or the car’s Software screen before paying for an upgrade or used vehicle.

Package Or Label	Smart Summon Status	What To Check
Basic Autopilot	Not included	Expect Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer, not Summon.
Enhanced Autopilot	Often included where sold	Look for Dumb Summon and Actually Smart Summon in the feature list.
Full Self-Driving Capability	Included on eligible cars	Check that FSD is active, not only FSD hardware.
FSD Subscription	Included while active	Monthly access can end if the subscription lapses.
FSD Computer	Hardware only	This label alone does not prove paid FSD access.
Used Tesla Listing	Must be verified	Ask for a photo of the Software screen inside the car.
Region-Limited Vehicle	May vary	Some countries get different feature sets or delayed rollouts.
Older Ultrasonic Sensor Car	May differ by software	Features can vary after updates and package changes.

How To Check Your Tesla Before You Spend

Don’t rely only on a seller’s wording. Sit in the car and check the touchscreen. Open Controls, then Software, and read the package listed under Autopilot or Full Self-Driving. Then open Controls, Self-Driving, and see whether Summon or ASS settings appear.

Next, open the Tesla app while standing near the car. If Summon is available, you should see the relevant app controls after the car is awake, connected, and in Park. Make sure the app is updated, because Tesla’s manual says Summon requires a current Tesla mobile app version.

What To Ask A Seller

If you’re buying used, ask for clear screenshots before you drive across town. You want proof from the car and the app, not a copy-pasted listing line.

• Ask whether Full Self-Driving Capability is active on the vehicle.
• Ask whether Enhanced Autopilot is listed as purchased.
• Ask for a photo of Controls > Software.
• Ask for a photo of Controls > Self-Driving.
• Ask whether the feature works in the Tesla app right now.

A trial or subscription can also confuse the deal. If FSD is active only because of a short trial, Summon access may vanish when that trial ends. A paid subscription can also be canceled, so confirm what transfers with the car.

Using Smart Summon With FSD Safely

Even when the package is right, the feature has strict limits. It is for parking lots and driveways on private property. The car moves slowly, but it can still scrape a curb, stop awkwardly, or get confused by tight spaces.

Tesla says the driver must keep a clear line of sight and monitor the vehicle the whole time. The app button works like a dead-man switch: release it, and the car stops. That design is there because the car is not autonomous.

Before Pressing Summon	Why It Matters	Good Habit
Check the path	Low posts and curbs can be hard to judge.	Walk the route with your eyes before moving the car.
Stand within range	The phone must stay connected to the car.	Stay close enough to stop it right away.
Use private areas only	Public roads are outside the intended use.	Stick to lots, driveways, and familiar spaces.
Release early	Waiting too long can turn a small mistake into damage.	Stop, reassess, then try again if safe.
Watch pedestrians	People may not expect an empty car to move.	Cancel the session when foot traffic gets close.

Cost, Subscription, And Upgrade Choices

If your only reason for buying FSD is Smart Summon, pause before paying for a permanent upgrade. Tesla lists FSD as a supervised package with several driving and parking features, and the company also lists a monthly subscription option on its Full Self-Driving page. Prices and feature access can change, so confirm the current offer in your own Tesla app.

A subscription can make sense if you want to test Smart Summon in your own parking spots. Try it where you’d use it most: your garage, workplace lot, or a tight driveway. If it feels awkward or you rarely use it, you’ve learned that before spending much more.

When FSD May Not Be Worth It For Summon Alone

Smart Summon is handy in narrow spaces, rain puddles, and crowded lots when you can see the car clearly. It is less useful if you park on streets, use busy garages, or live where the feature is limited by local rules.

Think of it as a parking-area aid, not the main reason to buy FSD. If you also want supervised city driving, lane changes, traffic light handling, and Autopark, the package may make more sense. If you only want the car to roll out of a garage now and then, a subscription test is the safer bet.

Final Answer For Tesla Owners

Smart Summon does require a paid Tesla driver-assist package. In many cases, that means Full Self-Driving Capability or an active FSD subscription. In some cases, Enhanced Autopilot also includes it.

Basic Autopilot alone does not include Smart Summon. Before buying, upgrading, or trusting a used-car listing, check the package on the vehicle screen, confirm the feature in the Tesla app, and read the regional feature list tied to that exact car.