How to make your Tesla doors lock automatically | Drive away locking & walk-away door lock

When it comes to vehicle security, Tesla takes things to a whole new level. One of the best features Tesla offers is the ability to automatically lock your car doors for added convenience and safety.

Whether you’re driving or simply walking away, your Tesla can handle the locking process without you lifting a finger.

Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to setting up automatic door locking on your Tesla.

Why Automatic Door Locking is Important

Automatic door locking ensures your Tesla remains secure at all times, especially in urban areas or while parked in unfamiliar places. With features like Drive Away Locking and Walk-Away Door Lock, Tesla makes securing your vehicle seamless and effortless.

Features for Automatic Door Locking

1. Drive Away Locking

This feature locks all doors, including the trunks, as soon as your Tesla reaches a speed of about 5 mph (8 km/h). It’s perfect for ensuring your car is secure while in motion.

How to Enable Drive Away Locking:

• Tap the car icon on the touchscreen to open the main controls.
• Go to Controls > Locks.
• Check if the Drive Away Locking toggle is turned on.

Once activated, your Tesla will automatically lock its doors when you start driving.

2. Walk-Away Door Lock

The Walk-Away Door Lock feature locks your Tesla when you exit the vehicle and walk away with an authenticated key. This includes a paired phone key or key fob.

How to Enable Walk-Away Door Lock:

• Open the touchscreen and navigate to Controls > Locks.
• Toggle on the Walk-Away Door Lock option.

Your Tesla will lock itself after you exit, and you’ll get a confirmation with a single flash of the exterior lights. If your Tesla has folding mirrors, they’ll fold as an additional visual confirmation.

Bonus Features for Customization

Lock Confirmation Sound

To receive an audible notification that your Tesla is locked:

• Go to Controls > Locks.
• Toggle on Lock Confirmation Sound.

You’ll hear a chime when the doors lock, adding peace of mind, especially in noisy areas.

Exclude Home from Auto-Locking

If you prefer your Tesla not to auto-lock while parked at home:

• Navigate to Controls > Locks.
• Select Exclude Home.

Make sure your home address is saved in the navigation system by going to Navigate > Set Home.

Common Reasons Auto-Locking May Not Work

Your Tesla’s automatic locking features are designed to work seamlessly, but there are instances where they might not activate. Here’s what to check:

• Key Detection Issues: Ensure your phone key’s Bluetooth is on and within range. If using a key card, note that Walk-Away Lock doesn’t work with key cards—you’ll need to manually lock the car.
• Open Doors or Trunk: Double-check that all doors and trunks are closed properly.
• Key Left Inside the Car: The auto-lock won’t engage if an authenticated key is detected inside.

Can I lock my Tesla remotely?

Yes! Using the Tesla mobile app, you can lock and unlock your vehicle from anywhere.

What happens if my phone key dies?

If your phone key is out of battery, you can use your key card or key fob to lock and unlock the car manually.

Does Walk-Away Door Lock work with all Tesla models?

Yes, this feature is available across all Tesla models, including Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X.