[ 2025-12-25 23:28:08 ] | AUTHOR: Tanmay@Fourslash | CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY
TITLE: Tesla Owner Summons Car via App to Avoid Towing
// A Tesla vehicle owner used the Full Self-Driving software's Summon feature to remotely move their car from a loading zone, evading a towing attempt by a security guard and saving $400 in fees.
- • Tesla owner parked in loading zone overnight, assuming no towing on Sunday.
- • Security guard prepared to tow the vehicle Monday morning; owner summoned it via app from fifth-floor apartment.
- • Car autonomously moved to building entrance, allowing owner to enter and drive away, saving $400 tow fee.
Tesla FSD Feature Thwarts Towing Attempt
A Tesla vehicle owner in an urban setting avoided a towing incident by remotely summoning their car using the company's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. The incident occurred after the owner parked overnight in a loading zone, relying on the assumption that enforcement would not occur on a Sunday.
On Monday morning, the owner and their spouse observed from their fifth-floor apartment window as a security guard approached the vehicle to arrange for towing. As the owner prepared to rush downstairs barefoot in a panic, the spouse suggested using the Tesla app's Summon function instead.
Remote Summon Activation
From the breakfast table, the owner accessed the Tesla mobile application and initiated the Summon command. The vehicle, equipped with FSD technology that incorporates computer vision and artificial intelligence, awakened and maneuvered out of the restricted loading zone. It then proceeded to the front entrance of the building, arriving just as the owner descended to enter it.
The security guard, surprised by the autonomous movement, inquired whether the car operated similarly to Waymo's robotaxi service. The owner briefly explained the capabilities of Tesla's FSD system, highlighting its reliance on AI-driven perception and navigation.
Cost Savings and User Experience
By evading the tow, the owner avoided a $400 fee and the inconvenience of retrieving the vehicle from an impound lot. The owner described the FSD software as their 'best purchase ever,' underscoring its practical utility in everyday scenarios beyond highway driving.
Tesla's FSD, an advanced driver-assistance system, enables features like Summon, which allows vehicles to perform low-speed maneuvers in controlled environments such as parking lots or driveways. The technology uses cameras, sensors, and neural networks to interpret surroundings and execute commands without direct human intervention at the wheel.
This anecdote illustrates the evolving role of autonomous features in addressing urban parking challenges, where strict enforcement of zones can lead to swift penalties. While FSD remains a supervised system requiring driver oversight in most jurisdictions, such real-world applications demonstrate its potential for convenience and efficiency.
No further details on the location or specific model were provided, but the event aligns with Tesla's ongoing promotion of FSD as a step toward full autonomy.
Tanmay is the founder of Fourslash, an AI-first research studio pioneering intelligent solutions for complex problems. A former tech journalist turned content marketing expert, he specializes in crypto, AI, blockchain, and emerging technologies.