- New Low Power Model will disable things like Sentry Mode and cabin preconditioning.
- If plugged in and charging, Sentry Mode will continue to work with Low Power Mode.
- Tesla owners will still be able to access their vehicles using the brand’s smartphone app.
Imagine heading off on vacation, leaving your Tesla parked, and returning to discover the battery has quietly drained itself. It’s a frustrating scenario that owners have dealt with for years, but Tesla is finally rolling out a fix. The new feature is called Low Power Mode, designed to switch off energy-hungry systems when a car is left idle for an extended period.
Read: Tesla Working To Stop Sentry Mode Depleting EVs’ Batteries
Introduced with the 2025.32 software update, Lower Power Mode can be accessed through the main infotainment display, navigating through Controls > Charging, and then enabling it. When toggled on, the system shuts off some of Tesla’s most power-hungry features.
Cutting Back The Power Draw
The most important is Sentry Mode. While this system is handy to capture footage should a Tesla be damaged while parked, it’s been shown to quickly drain the battery pack. In addition to Sentry Mode being disabled, Low Power Mode turns off the Summon Standby system, cabin overheat protection, scheduled preconditioning, camp mode, the climate control, defrost functions, the seat and steering wheel heaters, and the power outputs on the Cybertruck.
Owners will be pleased to know that should they enable Low Power Mode while charging their EV, Sentry Mode will continue to function. The climate control and camp mode systems will also remain active when Supercharging.
Don’t Worry, Your Tesla Will Still Be Connected
Importantly, Low Power Mode does not make a new Tesla feel like an old car, far removed from AI, the cloud, or any of the systems that have become so commonplace in new cars. Instead, Tesla vehicles will still remain connected and accessible through the Tesla app. The car will also continue to automatically manage battery temperature.
Tesla has not specified by how much the new Low Power Mode will reduce battery drain, but it’ll likely vary on a case-by-case basis depending on which systems owners elect to keep active and where they park their vehicle, including the climate.
Either way, it’s good news for owners who would have otherwise been worried about returning from a vacation, only to find their Tesla’s battery had been drained.
