The electric vehicle manufacturer, Rivian, made its mark on the industry with the launch of its electric adventure truck, the R1T, and its SUV counterpart, the R1S, in 2021. The brand has garnered much attention for its impressive off-road capabilities and design. One of Rivian’s notable accomplishments is when an R1T truck provided power to an operating room during a power outage.
To cater to pet owners, Rivian introduced the Pet Comfort feature which enables drivers to regulate the cabin temperature before leaving their vehicles, ensuring the comfort and safety of their furry companions. This feature was highly requested by customers and was released through a software update in 2022.
How To Activate Pet Comfort Mode On Rivian EV
Operating the Pet Comfort mode is simple, as it can be activated by tapping the paw icon on the upper right corner of the climate control screen. Drivers also have the option to turn off the feature through various means such as deactivating climate control, triggering the defrost or defog systems, switching on heated seats, or shifting out of Park mode.
Pet Comfort mode is a feature designed to provide comfort and safety for pets left in the car for short periods during harsh weather conditions. Rivian EVs equipped with this mode can maintain a cabin temperature of between 68 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit, with a default setting of 72 degrees, as long as the vehicle has over 50 miles of range remaining.
Once activated, the Pet Comfort mode is displayed through a Gear Guard character on the center display, accompanied by a message assuring that the pet is comfortable. This feature temporarily halts the cabin movement sensor and stops the discovery of over-the-air software updates. The current cabin temperature is also displayed on the infotainment screen. The center display message will disappear once the doors are opened, but will be restored when the doors are closed and the mode is still active.
It’s important to note that Pet Comfort mode should not be used for humans or children and that access to the feature may be restricted if the vehicle’s range falls below 50 miles. However, it can be restored once the vehicle is charged. Additionally, drivers can monitor the cabin’s state through the Rivian mobile app and will receive alerts if the feature stops working, when the vehicle has low driving range, or when the cabin becomes too hot.
Pet Comfort is part of Rivian’s suite of innovative features that also includes Snow Mode, Kneel Mode, and Roomy Entry & Exit Mode. These features demonstrate Rivian’s commitment to providing a safe and comfortable driving experience for all passengers, including pets.