Is This Tesla Security Feature Useful?

Teslas offer a unique security feature on its cars. But how does it work, and who really needs it? 

Tesla enthusiast Marshmello Cloud (@marshmello.cloud) posted a TikTok video extolling the electric vehicle’s option for requiring a personal identification number (PIN) to drive.

“If you give your phone to a lot of people and you own a Tesla, you may wanna enable this,” the voiceover says in the video. “They can just walk inside your car, put this thing in drive, and just go.”

Setting a PIN on your Tesla lets you access or enable several functions, including parental controls with things like speed limits and curfew reminders. But a PIN also adds another layer of security, like activating Valet Mode or locking the glovebox. To activate this feature, hit Controls > Safety > PIN to Drive and follow the on-screen prompts to create a driving PIN, Tesla says. 

“After you enable this feature, and you try to put the car in drive, it’ll prompt you with this,” a woman in the TikTok demonstrates the keypad appearing on the touchscreen of what appears to be a white Model Y. “Telling you to put in your PIN to drive the vehicle.”

So should you do this if you own a Tesla? Well, some users across the web aren’t convinced that PIN to drive is necessary or effective.

Tesla’s Touchscreen Smudge Security Flaw

There’s also one potential flaw with the PIN-to-drive system.

Capacitive, glass touchscreens are known to retain oils and grime from people’s fingers. Thus, when a screen is inactive, all a would-be thief would arguably need to do is catch light at the right angle to see their fingerprint marks and figure out the numbers in their four-digit PIN.

It may take a couple of attempts to get the right order, but they can greatly narrow down the possibilities with this method.

Apparently, Tesla’s engineers thought of that. The woman in Marshmello’s post demonstrates that the keypad for entering one’s PIN shows up in a different spot when the vehicle starts.

“Every single time you try to put the car in drive, it shows up in a different place,” she says. “So people cannot track your fingerprints, as you see.”

Tesla PIN To Drive Errors

While people who want an extra layer of security may be grateful for the PIN-to-Drive feature, it doesn’t seem to be without problems.

A member of the Tesla Motors Club forum reported errors with the function after their vehicle was serviced. Another member said that it suddenly stopped recognizing their PIN, making it so they couldn’t drive the vehicle. Twenty-four hours later, they say it inexplicably started working again. “It just randomly fixed itself,” they wrote.

Another Tesla Motors Club user shared their PIN security woes. According to them, their car’s 4-digit prompt was easily “bypassed with Start via Phone app.” If true, then anyone with access to your phone could drive your Tesla by simply using the mobile app.

Another member said they’ve experienced the system glitching in person.

“I have noticed that if I unlock/start the car via the Tesla app, then I am NOT prompted to enter the PIN. This means that if someone gets hold of my phone then they can easily steal my car!”, they said.

Is Anyone Actually Using PIN To Drive?

Three years ago, someone conducted a poll on a Subreddit dedicated to Teslas, asking how many people use PIN to drive. Of the 765 who answered the question, 592 said no, they don’t use PIN to drive. (The poll did not include any means of verifying whether those who answered actually drive a Tesla.)

Though the vast majority of respondents said they don’t use the feature, some in the comments indicated they do and the reasons why, such as not wanting their child to inadvertently control the car while using their phone or just for the extra security.

“I tried it once, it’s annoying,” a detractor chimed in. “Not to mention it just takes one person watching you type it in from 9 feet away. There’s nothing private about that PIN. Might stop your 8-year-old from accidentally putting the car in drive because they had your phone.”

One person who responded to Marshmello’s video also has reservations about who actually needs the PIN to drive feature.

They asked, “Who gives their phone to a lot of people?”

InsideEVs has reached out to Marshmello via TikTok comment for further information. We’ll update this if they respond.