Here’s another semi-confusing hardware/software settings issue (for Model X). My car is an early-2021 (built Dec. 2020), so the older “Legacy”/”Classic” version.
As most Model X owner’s know (but drivers of other models may not), Model X (if equipped with the at-first optional [2015-mid-2018] and then eventually standard [2018-present] “premium upgrade package”) came with powered front doors that could be programmed to open/close (hands-free) automatically under certain conditions. (Plug for self-opening door in "Buying a Used Model X" website. And see also this TMC Thread.)
The 2015-2020 Model X Owner's Manual (2024.2.3), Page 10 says:
“If equipped with the premium upgrade package, and the Automatic Doors setting is turned on, when you walk up to Model X carrying your key fob, doors automatically unlock and the driver's door partially opens. If not equipped, or if this setting is turned off, doors automatically unlock and a door opens when you press its handle.” [emphasis added]
Um, OK. That is all true,…except when it’s not. Here’s a recent example of when it was not true for me:
Fortunately a helpful employee at the (new Rocklin, CA, USA location) Tesla Service Center helped solve the problem.
She revealed that the Sacramento Service Center routinely shuts off the “Passive Entry” setting in customer cars (for on-site security reasons). This setting is located on a different screen ("Safety") then the other “door”-related settings (see table below). With Passive Entry back on, and with some other fiddling, we were eventually able to return automatic door features to the way I wanted.
So what did I learn?
First, I must re-emphasize: all this may mostly apply if you have (a) a Model X and (b) the “Premium Upgrade Package.” If you do, the settings situation is somewhat reminiscent of the whole Sentry Mode & Enhanced Anti-Theft Upgrade security alarm issue. That is, there appear to be multiple software settings that may control/affect if and how Model X automatic door functions operate.
Here is a summary of software "slider switch" settings concerned with the car doors, the key-fob, or the settings necessary for the automatic driver’s-side door opening feature:
DD = driver-side front door
FD = both front doors
fob = key fob
NA = "not applicable" or "not available"
PD = passenger-side front door
Footnotes
¹ Vehicle must be equipped with Premium Upgrade Package.
² Default setting is Off, probably to help prevent accidental locking with an inadvertent, accidental single click.
Comments
Does this software settings system seem a tad over-engineered to you? I recognize that Tesla settings evolve over time (with introduction of new models, software updates, hardware changes, etc.). Perhaps as a result there now exists some redundancy or unnecessary overlapping of settings?
Conclusion
I've determined that Automatic Doors must be on, Driver Door Unlock Mode must be off, and Passive Entry must be on for my car to do what I want (i.e., open the driver's door automatically when the fob is near and close and lock the doors automatically when I exit).
Arguably confusing, there appear to be at least three settings on two different screens that influence whether a Model X driver's door will "self-present."
I thank the Tesla Rocklin, CA, USA Service Center for assistance.
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Appendix A
More on "Passive Entry" and "Driver Door
Unlock Mode" (They're important)
If Passive Entry is on, then the doors and rear trunk unlock as the fob approaches. If Passive Entry is off, the self-presenting feature won't work and the doors and rear trunk won't open by hand, regardless of the Automatic Doors setting. (That is what apparently caused my problems, although there was also the Driver Door Unlock Mode setting, too.)
Another thing (from 2020 Model X Owner's Manual, Page 144):
"If Passive Entry is off and you do not press the brake pedal to start Model X within approximately five minutes, a message displays on the instrument panel and you must use the key to lock, then unlock Model X again before starting the vehicle." [emphasis added]
That is probably the (unknown to me) message I saw at the bottom of the driver's display that caused me to think the fob battery was bad. Silly me for not memorizing the 247-page Owner's Manual. But kidding aside, it's worth it to re-familiarize yourself with Page 144, entitled "Safety & Security." For example, I strongly recommend the "PIN to Drive" feature that will stop most casual attempts to abscond with the car even if the thief has somehow acquired the fob or card.
Interestingly, this message is not in the Model X 2015-2020 Owner's Manual (Software version 2024.2.3), that I could see.
The Driver Door Unlock Mode setting really perplexes me. According to the Manual and on-screen descriptions, I would normally choose to have that be on. But for some reason, that interferes with the car's ability to automatically open the driver's door (self-present) when the key fob is near.
I suspect that part of the seeming confusion is because we are dealing with two important, but at times conflicting concepts with these door-unlocking/opening features:
Finally, if you don't have the Owner's Manual handy, see online versions here: 2015-2020 or 2021-present. However, I find efficiently searching the Tesla online manuals to be annoying. I prefer a downloaded pdf version that I can easily highlight, add notes to, and search using Adobe Acrobat (or other PDF file reader). And, of course, your Owner's Manual is available on the car's touchscreen ("Service" screen, I think). However, I think that I will start carrying a paper copy of the 2015-2020 Owner's Manual in the car--much easier to deal with than a version on the touchscreen or cell phone.
Footnotes
¹ For example, here.
² Original 20° to 45°, that amount has apparently been reduced to 10° in newer cars (to avoid reported mishaps with obstacles).
³ Note: There is no button on the key fob for the left/right front doors. However, there are buttons for the two FWDs.
⁴ Front doors can be opened by pushing exterior door handles, using interior door latches, and using the touch screen.
⁵ FWDs can be opened/closed using mechanical (on car and fob) and touch screen buttons.
⁶ For example, here.
*****
As most Model X owner’s know (but drivers of other models may not), Model X (if equipped with the at-first optional [2015-mid-2018] and then eventually standard [2018-present] “premium upgrade package”) came with powered front doors that could be programmed to open/close (hands-free) automatically under certain conditions. (Plug for self-opening door in "Buying a Used Model X" website. And see also this TMC Thread.)
The 2015-2020 Model X Owner's Manual (2024.2.3), Page 10 says:
“If equipped with the premium upgrade package, and the Automatic Doors setting is turned on, when you walk up to Model X carrying your key fob, doors automatically unlock and the driver's door partially opens. If not equipped, or if this setting is turned off, doors automatically unlock and a door opens when you press its handle.” [emphasis added]
Um, OK. That is all true,…except when it’s not. Here’s a recent example of when it was not true for me:
- Since purchase I've had my driver’s door automatically unlock and open (i.e., "self-present"), and the passenger door unlock, when the key fob was close (within 3 feet) to the door. (Handy feature.)
- But after a service visit (in Sacramento) I eventually found that this and some other features had stopped working.
- Because of a (new to me) warning message (lower center of driver’s display), I initially suspected a problem with the fob. (More on this message, below.)
- So I began trying the usual remedies:
|- Tried the spare key fob.
- Put in fresh fob batteries.
- Determined that the front doors would open/close hands-free using touchscreen controls.
- Performed (two types of) soft reboots.
- And, of course, I checked center touchscreen settings--the ones in the "Vehicle" screen (because that is where "door"-related settings are, right?)
but without success.
Fortunately a helpful employee at the (new Rocklin, CA, USA location) Tesla Service Center helped solve the problem.
She revealed that the Sacramento Service Center routinely shuts off the “Passive Entry” setting in customer cars (for on-site security reasons). This setting is located on a different screen ("Safety") then the other “door”-related settings (see table below). With Passive Entry back on, and with some other fiddling, we were eventually able to return automatic door features to the way I wanted.
*****
So what did I learn?
First, I must re-emphasize: all this may mostly apply if you have (a) a Model X and (b) the “Premium Upgrade Package.” If you do, the settings situation is somewhat reminiscent of the whole Sentry Mode & Enhanced Anti-Theft Upgrade security alarm issue. That is, there appear to be multiple software settings that may control/affect if and how Model X automatic door functions operate.
Here is a summary of software "slider switch" settings concerned with the car doors, the key-fob, or the settings necessary for the automatic driver’s-side door opening feature:
TABLE 1
Some Model X "Door"- and
"Lock"-related Software Settings
KeySome Model X "Door"- and
"Lock"-related Software Settings
DD = driver-side front door
FD = both front doors
fob = key fob
NA = "not applicable" or "not available"
PD = passenger-side front door
Setting | Central Display Screen | Owner's Manual Info | Additional "Circle-i" Onscreen Info | Setting Necessary for Self-Presenting Driver Door Feature |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Automatic Doors | Vehicle | On - DD partially opens when fob detected¹ Off - DD unlocks, but must be opened manually | On - DD opens when fob is detected. PD opens with two double-clicks of fob button | Must be On |
2. Close All With Key Fob | Vehicle | On - Doors & trunk close & lock with single fob click Off - Triple-click required² | -NA- | -NA- |
3. Walk-Away Door Lock | Vehicle | On - FDs auto-lock when fob away from car Off - No automatic door lock | -NA- | -NA- |
4. Driver Door Unlock Mode | Vehicle | On - Only DD unlocks in "Park" Off - All doors unlock in "Park" | On - DD & charge port unlock when fob detected | Must be Off |
5. Passive Entry | Safety | On - Doors/trunk unlock when fob detected Off - Must use fob to unlock doors & trunk | -NA- | Must be On |
¹ Vehicle must be equipped with Premium Upgrade Package.
² Default setting is Off, probably to help prevent accidental locking with an inadvertent, accidental single click.
Comments
Does this software settings system seem a tad over-engineered to you? I recognize that Tesla settings evolve over time (with introduction of new models, software updates, hardware changes, etc.). Perhaps as a result there now exists some redundancy or unnecessary overlapping of settings?
Conclusion
I've determined that Automatic Doors must be on, Driver Door Unlock Mode must be off, and Passive Entry must be on for my car to do what I want (i.e., open the driver's door automatically when the fob is near and close and lock the doors automatically when I exit).
Arguably confusing, there appear to be at least three settings on two different screens that influence whether a Model X driver's door will "self-present."
I thank the Tesla Rocklin, CA, USA Service Center for assistance.
Photos
Arrows point to two screens ("Vehicle" and "Safety") with "door"/"lock"-related settings. | Arrows point to four "door"/"lock"-related settings within the "Vehicle" screen. |
Some settings have a little "i" inside a circle. Click on those for additional on-screen information. Here is the information message for the "Automatic Doors" setting. | Here is additional on-screen information for the "Driver Door Unlock Mode" setting. |
By the way, contrary to what you see here, the "self-presenting" automatic door opening feature is only supposed to partially open the driver door a maximum of between 20° to 45° (degrees) (less if a nearby obstacle is detected). The door is not supposed to open fully. It's a handy convenience thing--appreciated when your hands are full; not appreciated when spraying the car (while hand- washing it) with the fob in your pocket. |
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Appendix A
More on "Passive Entry" and "Driver Door
Unlock Mode" (They're important)
If Passive Entry is on, then the doors and rear trunk unlock as the fob approaches. If Passive Entry is off, the self-presenting feature won't work and the doors and rear trunk won't open by hand, regardless of the Automatic Doors setting. (That is what apparently caused my problems, although there was also the Driver Door Unlock Mode setting, too.)
Another thing (from 2020 Model X Owner's Manual, Page 144):
"If Passive Entry is off and you do not press the brake pedal to start Model X within approximately five minutes, a message displays on the instrument panel and you must use the key to lock, then unlock Model X again before starting the vehicle." [emphasis added]
That is probably the (unknown to me) message I saw at the bottom of the driver's display that caused me to think the fob battery was bad. Silly me for not memorizing the 247-page Owner's Manual. But kidding aside, it's worth it to re-familiarize yourself with Page 144, entitled "Safety & Security." For example, I strongly recommend the "PIN to Drive" feature that will stop most casual attempts to abscond with the car even if the thief has somehow acquired the fob or card.
Interestingly, this message is not in the Model X 2015-2020 Owner's Manual (Software version 2024.2.3), that I could see.
The Driver Door Unlock Mode setting really perplexes me. According to the Manual and on-screen descriptions, I would normally choose to have that be on. But for some reason, that interferes with the car's ability to automatically open the driver's door (self-present) when the key fob is near.
I suspect that part of the seeming confusion is because we are dealing with two important, but at times conflicting concepts with these door-unlocking/opening features:
- Customer convenience
- Customer security (and maybe Tesla liability?)
The "Passive Entry" setting normally cannot be changed... | ...until the car is put in "Park" and the brake pedal depressed. |
Finally, if you don't have the Owner's Manual handy, see online versions here: 2015-2020 or 2021-present. However, I find efficiently searching the Tesla online manuals to be annoying. I prefer a downloaded pdf version that I can easily highlight, add notes to, and search using Adobe Acrobat (or other PDF file reader). And, of course, your Owner's Manual is available on the car's touchscreen ("Service" screen, I think). However, I think that I will start carrying a paper copy of the 2015-2020 Owner's Manual in the car--much easier to deal with than a version on the touchscreen or cell phone.
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Appendix B
TABLE 2
Summary of Model X
Door Functions
Appendix B
TABLE 2
Summary of Model X
Door Functions
Door | Powered? | Opens Automatically (when key fob detected) | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Front Trunk ("Frunk") Hood | No | No | Aftermarket kits available.¹ |
Driver's Front Door -------------------------- Passenger's Front Door | Yes | Yes ------- No | Subject to software settings.² ³ ⁴ (See TABLE 1, above.) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Can be controlled hands-free/manually in several ways.³ ⁴ |
R & L Falcon Wing Doors | Yes | No | Can be controlled hands-free and manually in several ways.⁵ |
Rear Trunk Liftgate | Yes | No | Foot-actuated aftermarket kits available.⁶ |
Footnotes
¹ For example, here.
² Original 20° to 45°, that amount has apparently been reduced to 10° in newer cars (to avoid reported mishaps with obstacles).
³ Note: There is no button on the key fob for the left/right front doors. However, there are buttons for the two FWDs.
⁴ Front doors can be opened by pushing exterior door handles, using interior door latches, and using the touch screen.
⁵ FWDs can be opened/closed using mechanical (on car and fob) and touch screen buttons.
⁶ For example, here.
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