How to use Tesla Automations

Every automation follows one pattern: when something happens, and if some checks pass, then do these things. Here is how to build one.

Step by step

1. Park and open AutomationsWith the car in Park, open the App Launcher on the touchscreen and tap Automations. Your automations appear as cards.
2. Create an automationTap “Create an automation”. Categories come with a search bar, so you can type “seat” or “temperature” instead of scrolling.
3. Choose one triggerPick the event that starts the rule — for example Seat Occupied → Driver. Each automation has exactly one trigger.
4. Add conditions (optional)Add any checks that must also be true, such as Outside Temperature below 40°F. Any trigger can be used as a condition.
5. Add actionsAdd one or more actions in the order they should run. Insert a Delay between actions to stagger them.
6. Name, save and switch it onGive it a short name, save, and make sure the card’s switch is on. Switching a card off pauses it without deleting it.
7. Test it while parkedTrigger it once with the screen on and check every action happened. Adjust thresholds if it fires too often or not at all.

A worked example

“Cold morning: heated seat and wheel the moment you sit down” uses one trigger, one condition and four actions, including a delay:

See the full setup for this recipe →

Rules of thumb

• Trigger on the moment, filter with conditions. “When the driver sits down, if it is cold” beats “when it is cold”, which can fire at odd times.
• Keep voice phrases distinctive. Two or three words that are not already a built-in voice command, such as “Snow mode” rather than “Heat”.
• Pair on/off rules. If an automation changes a setting, consider a twin that changes it back.
• Remember the screen. Automations run only while the center display is on, so they work around getting in, driving and parking — not while the car sleeps.

What Automations cannot do

Questions