If you own a Tesla Model 3 and have a garage door that is homelink compatible. Then you might be wondering if you can integrate your Tesla with your garage door opener.
Can you integrate your garage door opener with Tesla Model 3?
Yes, uou can integrate your Tesla with your garage door opener through HomeLink. Which is an after-purchase option for an additional cost of $300. You can also opt for more affordable smart Wi-Fi garage door openers on Amazon.
In this article, we will be looking into the easy process of setting up HomeLink with your Tesla Model 3. We will also be discussing the main features that come with this installation and, basically, what benefits you can get from spending the additional $300.
On top of that, we will look into some of the alternatives you can get that allow you to control your garage door from your phone for a lesser price. If you want to get to the bottom of integrating your Tesla with your garage door, this article is for you.
A Guide to Integrating Your Garage Opener with Tesla Model 3
Learning About HomeLink
HomeLink is a vehicle-based wireless system that is used to implement commands like opening garage doors.
Over time, this has been included in all Tesla vehicles. But, just recently, the HomeLink interior feature was removed from the Tesla Model 3 (as standard). It is said that this was done to cut down the cost of production as well as to lower the standard offer price.
Nevertheless, the Tesla Model 3 could still be equipped with HomeLink but it is a separate cost after you purchase the car.
When you do have HomeLink installed, you can enjoy GPS integration that makes it possible for the garage door to automatically open when you approach it from a certain distance.
What also makes this system very user-friendly and customizable is that you can set this distance. Aside from that, you also have the option of playing a chime when the door opens and closes.
Purchasing HomeLink for Your Tesla
Automatic Garage Opener
As mentioned above, HomeLink now comes as an after-purchase option which costs $300. This price, however, already includes the installation of the RF (radio-frequency) module at a Tesla Service Center.
Thus, both hardware and software are taken care of for you.
The only thing you have to do is order the parts and they will be sent to your address. After that, using your order number, you have to schedule an appointment for the installation through the Tesla app.
While waiting, Tesla warns against tampering with the package or the scheduled installation will be voided.
Setting Up HomeLink
After the installation at the service center, the only other thing you have to do on your own is to set up HomeLink with your garage door at home. In this section, we will then be walking you through the official instructions from Tesla. So, let’s begin.
To set up your HomeLink, you have to park your car in front of the garage door you want to program. Next, on your Tesla’s touchscreen, tap on Control, then Settings, then HomeLink.
After that, you have to click on “Add a new HomeLink” and choose “Program.” From there, all you have to do is follow the instructions on the screen.
So far, so good, right? Now, get your garage door remote ready.
Touchscreen Instructions
From here on, let’s talk about the instructions you’ll receive from the touchscreen. The first step you would have to do is stand in front of your car. (Don’t forget to bring your garage door opener with you because you’re going to need it).
Next, point the remote at the front bumper and press the button until your Tesla’s headlights flash. Go back inside your car and tap on “Continue” on the screen.
Next, go to your garage door opener’s receiver and click on “Learn.” This is usually on the back of the controller which is attached to the garage’s ceiling.
Do note that clicking on “Learn” is only for devices with a rolling code remote. This step is not required for older devices that do not have a rolling code remote or, instead, are “Quick-Train” compatible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course, there are bound to be some irregularities to the process. Here are two of the most commonly asked questions and the quick fixes you can do to solve them.
What if the headlights don’t flash?
The first basic thing you can do is to check the batteries in the remote. If that doesn’t solve the problem, position the remote such that it is 6 inches left of the Tesla emblem and start pressing the button.
It can take up to three minutes before the headlights flash so don’t stop holding the button down after just 30 seconds or so.
The last thing you can do is to check the compatibility of the garage door opener with HomeLink by contacting the manufacturer. Sometimes, it’s something as simple as this detail that you have to check to ensure that you are not wasting both your time and energy.
What if the device doesn’t work after programming?
To solve this problem, you can first check if you successfully pressed your device’s “Learn” button. Most garage door receivers have two buttons, so you might have switched them up and failed to hold down the correct control.
If you’re not sure about the parts of your receiver, refer to your manual or owner documentation and look for the instructions on putting the receiver into learning mode.
Other Tesla owners have also solved this problem by parking their cars as close as possible to the HomeLink device. If it’s still not working, you can also check how many devices the receiver has already paired up with.
Most receivers can only learn up to five devices so, if yours is full, you have to clear its memory and do the process from the start. If you don’t know how to do this, instructions for clearing the memory should also be found in the owner documentation.
Alternatives to HomeLink
For those who don’t want to spend the extra $300 to have HomeLink installed to their Teslas, there are a lot of smart garage door openers that can be paired up with smart home systems. Below are three of the most recommended ones on Amazon:
MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener Chamberlain MYQ-G0301
Priced at $27, MyQ is basically a Wi-Fi enabled garage hub with smartphone control. This allows it to open and close your garage door while sending you notifications through the myQ app.
What users also like about this brand is that it has other smart features like “Guest Access” which allows you to invite up to three people to control your garage. It’s also worth noting that you can link your myQ account to Google Assistant and IFTTT.
Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener Remote
What makes Meross unique is that it does not need any hub but it’s compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT. For just around $45, this allows you to tap on the Meross app and use voice control to open or close your garage door while you are doing other things or if you are not at home.
Like myQ, you also have the benefit of receiving notifications as well as reminders to close the garage door. One thing to note, however, is that the garage door must have access to a strong WiFi signal to work properly.
Tailwind iQ3 Premium Featured Smart WiFi Garage Door Opener
Tailwind, priced at $61.63, is known for being compatible with most garage door openers. Of course, some will need additional wiring (i.e. garage door receivers with a yellow “Learn” button.) Other than that, it is equipped with the technology to recognize your vehicle’s BlueTooth ID so it automatically opens and closes your garage door.
This smart Wi-Fi garage door opener also has a “Night Mode” feature that ensures your garage door is closed all night. On top of that, it also allows you to grant or restrict access to guest users based on a set date and time. For compatibility, Tailwind works with Google Home, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Siri Shortcuts, and IFTTT.
Conclusion
All in all, integrating your Tesla Model 3 with your garage door is easy peasy these days. You can either opt for HomeLink or you can opt for cheaper options on sites like Amazon. Definitely, it all goes down to what’s more efficient for you and what fits your budget.
For HomeLink, although it’s pricier, you can expect it to work more smoothly with your Tesla. More importantly, you can control it from the comfort of your big touchscreen. With cheaper options, you have to have your phone with you inside the car at all times to have access to garage door controls. Nevertheless, these are small nuances you can work with to feel as if you’re living in the future.
At Houshia we’ve built up a decent back catalogue of articles relating to smart garages, you might want to check out a few of our other articles after finishing this one:
- What Smart Devices Will Work With My Garage Door Opener?
- Should I Insulate My Garage Ceiling? The Complete Answer!
- Which Garage Door Opener Is The Quietest?
- What Does a Smart Garage Door Opener Do?! Let’s find out
- Garage Door Opener AC vs. DC Motors – Pick the Right One!
- Are Glass Garage Doors Secure?
Or checkout our Garage Section for a complete list of articles
P.S.
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Steve
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