Tesla's Camp Mode Explained: Features, Limits, & Tricks (2024)

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Prolong your battery life, while staying cozy and warm, on your next road trip

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Last Updated: March 4, 2024

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  • What does Tesla's Camp Mode do?
  • |
  • How to Enable/Disable Camp Mode
  • |
  • How much power does it drain?
  • |
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Did you know that you can sleep comfortably in your Tesla? That's right! Even on a chilly night, your Tesla can automatically maintain the temperature inside the car so it's warm. It's a feature called Camp Mode that not only maintains the cabin temperature, but also gives you access to lights, the touchscreen, and music! This wikiHow article goes over what you can expect from Camping Mode on a Tesla, how to enable/disable it, and compares Camping Mode to the other climate control modes.

What is Camp Mode?

Camp Mode provides more functionality for you inside the car than other climate modes. You can use the touchscreen to watch movies, or play games, and you can also listen to music, power low-voltage or USB devices, and use the interior lights. Use the touchscreen to enable Camp Mode and you can sleep comfortably in your Tesla for a few nights.

Section 1 of 3:

What does Tesla's Camp Mode do?

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  1. Comfortably sleep in your car, listen to music, and have your interior lights on. Camp Mode is more for than just sleeping. The low-voltage outlet and USB ports will also still have power so you can use them if you need to.

    • The car's doors will also stay unlocked so you don't have to worry about constantly locking and unlocking your car whenever you get out and come back. Just don't forget to lock your car before you go to sleep!
    • Camp Mode on a Tesla isn't like running the AC, lights, or other electronics in a gas-powered car. In that case, the battery will drain quickly. However, the Tesla has a huge battery and can give you multiple days of electricity.
    • All current and past Teslas have Camp Mode as a standard feature. You don't need to be subscribed to Tesla's Premium Connectivity to get notifications regarding Camp Mode either.
    • Tesla's Camp Mode is one of three climate control modes, but they all have slightly different uses. In Camp Mode and Dog Mode, Sentry Mode is deactivated. However, the doors remain locked in Dog Mode, whereas they are unlocked in Camp Mode. Dog Mode also locks the windows so no accidental button presses from the inside will roll the windows down. The screen also doesn't work in Dog Mode, while it works for you in Camp Mode. Keep Climate On does just that – it keeps the climate set to what you like so you can leave the car and come back to a comfortable temperature. It will stay on until you turn it off, or until your battery dips to 20%.
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Enable/Disable Camp Mode

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  1. 1

    Tap the Fan icon and select Camp. It has an icon that looks like a tent under the moon and some stars.[1]

    • You can also use the app on your smartphone the same way to enable Camp Mode.
    • The Tesla must be in Park before you can turn on Camp Mode.
  2. 2

    Turn off Camp Mode by shifting out of Park. Alternatively, use the app on your smartphone and tap another climate.

    • If you use Camp Mode often, you can set up a profile so your Tesla automatically uses your configurations, like your preferred temperature or having your seats all the way back), whenever you turn on Camp Mode.[2]
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Section 3 of 3:

How much power does it drain?

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  1. 1% of battery life per hour. But that varies depending on the climate outside, or whether the car has to work harder to keep the temperature steady inside the cabin.

    • Basically, within an 8-hour period, Camp Mode uses about 10% of the battery. If your Tesla has a heat pump, like the Tesla Model Y or the 2021 Model 3, it'll use less battery.
    • These numbers will change depending on the temperature outside and your personal settings.
    • You cannot use Camp Mode if your car battery is at 20% or lower. This is so you have enough charge to find a charging station and aren't stranded.

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      Co-authors: 2

      Updated: March 4, 2024

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      Categories: Cars | Car Electronics

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      Tesla's Camp Mode Explained: Features, Limits, & Tricks (2024)

      FAQs

      How does Tesla camp mode work? ›

      Camp allows you to power electronics through the USB ports and low voltage outlet in addition to maintaining the cabin temperature. The touchscreen remains on so you can play music, browse the internet, play games in the arcade, or watch shows in Tesla Theater.

      How long can a Tesla stay in camp mode? ›

      How Much Power does it Drain? In an eight-hour period, the typical battery consumption of Camp Mode is roughly 10% of the charge. The battery will be consumed more quickly if it is really cold or there is bad weather, simply because the car will have to work harder to maintain the interior temperature you've selected.

      Does camp mode lock doors? ›

      However, it's important to note that while using Camp Mode, your vehicle will disable Sentry Mode and other security features and leave the doors unlocked.

      What is the difference between dog mode and camp mode? ›

      In Camp Mode and Dog Mode, Sentry Mode is deactivated. However, the doors remain locked in Dog Mode and unlocked in Camp Mode. Dog Mode also locks the windows so no accidental button presses from the inside will roll the windows down. The screen also doesn't work in Dog Mode, while it works for you in Camp Mode.

      Does camp mode drain battery? ›

      Tesla estimates that camp mode will use ~1% of battery per hour of camp mode use. Of course this varies based on the model of Tesla, the temperature, devices plugged in/functions used and your starting battery level.

      How fast does camp mode drain battery? ›

      Running the vehicle in Camp Mode will eat up about 10% of the charge in an eight-hour time frame. If it's extremely cold or otherwise inclement weather, the battery will be drained more quickly, simply because it will have to work harder to maintain the interior temperature you've chosen.

      Does Tesla battery drain when sitting? ›

      Why does estimated range decrease overnight while my car is off? It is expected for a Tesla car to consume around 1% of charge per day while parked. In some cases, you may notice that consumption is higher.

      What is dog mode Tesla? ›

      First of all, an intro: Dog Mode lets users keep their A/C on when walking away from the car, so dogs can safely stay in the vehicle, even when it's hot outside. The mode also displays a message to passersby to let them know the A/C is on and the dog is safe.

      Where not to set up camp? ›

      Worst Places to Pitch a Tent
      • – Somewhere illegal. Let's start with the most obvious place where you shouldn't camp. ...
      • – Near low-lying areas. ...
      • – Near Rivers and Streams. ...
      • – Under trees. ...
      • – Exposed locations. ...
      • – Near roads or high-traffic areas. ...
      • – Under cliffs. ...
      • – On sharp rocks or anything that can damage your tent.
      Feb 10, 2023

      How do I keep my Tesla cool while parked? ›

      Keep climate on to keep your groceries cool when running another errand. To maintain cabin temperature while your vehicle is not in use, open your Climate menu on the touchscreen and select 'Keep. ' Your climate control system will keep running while your vehicle is parked and locked.

      How do you preserve a Tesla battery while driving? ›

      Slow down your driving and avoid frequent and rapid acceleration. Consider using Chill Mode (touch Controls > Pedals & Steering > Acceleration) and Speed Assist (see Speed Assist) to assist in controlling your acceleration and speed.

      How does Tesla cabin overheat protection work? ›

      Cabin Overheat Protection

      Enable settings to prevent your cabin from getting excessively hot even when warm weather features are not in use: 'On' uses air conditioning to prevent the cabin from exceeding 105° F / 40° C. 'No A/C' uses less energy while still providing some cooling by blowing outside air into the cabin.

      How much does Tesla camp mode use? ›

      How Much Battery Does Tesla Camp Mode Use? Ideally, the car uses 10% of its charge while you use the mode for around eight hours. However, the charge will decrease quicker if it is extremely cold or bad weather. It happens because your car will have to function harder to maintain the interior temperature you have set.

      Can Tesla charge at campsite? ›

      If you're at a private campground, you might be able to charge with a conventional outlet before setting up camp. If you're at an RV campground, you might be able to plug into a 240-volt, 50-amp outlet. In my experience, it can be difficult getting an RV spot without an RV, so be sure to ask.

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