Tesla Hints at Grok Text Messaging Support

Tesla has been diligently enhancing its voice control system, evolving from basic keyword commands to a sophisticated conversational assistant known as Grok. This transformation began with the introduction of SpaceXAI’s chatbot on vehicle displays, and engineers have progressively expanded the range of tasks drivers can perform without taking their hands off the wheel. Recent updates to the official Model Y owner’s manual indicate that text messaging is the next feature on the horizon.

Within the manual, an updated section outlines Grok’s capabilities when set to the Assistant personality. Notably, Tesla has included the ability to send text messages, stating: “Text messaging: Ask Grok to send a text message to a contact or phone number (for example, ‘Text Mom saying on my way’).”

Currently, Grok can manage a variety of vehicle functions and make phone calls, but text messaging remains a forthcoming feature. As outlined in the owner’s manual, here are some of Grok’s existing capabilities:

• Navigation: Ask Grok to search for a location or add/remove a destination from your navigation route.
• Phone calls: Ask Grok to call a contact or dial a phone number (for example, “Call John Doe” or “Dial 650-555-1234”).
• Media search and play: Ask Grok to search for and play media content.
• Controls panel search: Ask Grok about your Tesla to search and navigate to vehicle settings in the Controls panel.
• Vehicle commands: Ask Grok to adjust common vehicle controls such as climate temperature, seat heating and cooling, steering wheel heating, and the glove box.
• Vehicle questions: Ask Grok questions about your vehicle. Grok can answer using information from the Owner’s Manual.

From General Knowledge to In-Cabin Control

Since its debut in update 2025.26 last year, Grok has become an integral part of the Tesla cabin experience. Initially available only in the U.S., its reach quickly expanded to Canada, followed by Australia, New Zealand, and more recently, across Europe and several Asian countries. Over the past year, Grok has transitioned from merely answering trivia questions to actively managing vehicle operations. Drivers can now utilize Grok for navigation support, setting routes and adding waypoints through voice commands. Additionally, Tesla has introduced location-based reminders, enabling drivers to receive prompts, such as a reminder to pick up groceries when they arrive home.

This integration deepened further when Tesla added vehicle command capabilities to Grok earlier this summer, allowing the assistant to access internal systems such as climate controls, defrosters, and settings menu toggles.

A Stepping Stone to FSD Integration

Tesla vehicles have long supported standard voice-to-text dictation through connected Bluetooth devices and basic voice commands. However, by routing communication through Grok, the system can better interpret conversational context, refine phrasing, and compose messages in a more natural manner. This development enables drivers to communicate effortlessly while maintaining focus on the road.

Facilitating SMS management transforms Grok into a more personal assistant within the vehicle, yet text messaging is merely one facet of a broader vision. Tesla appears to be working on Grok Bot integration, which would connect vehicle cabins with external AI agents. Furthermore, Elon Musk has indicated that Grok will eventually have the capability to control Full Self-Driving (Supervised) in future updates.

While the timeline for the introduction of text messaging remains unclear, the recent discovery of a new FSD-powered Automatic Collision Evasion feature in Tesla’s owner’s manual suggests that updates are on the horizon. With text messaging already documented, it is likely that an upcoming over-the-air update could soon activate this feature for drivers.