Tesla has recently updated its mobile app to allow owners to remotely activate climate control features like Dog Mode and Camp Mode when their vehicle has a state of charge (SOC) below 20%.
The change was implemented in response to a request made by a Canadian Tesla owner on Twitter in October 2020, asking CEO Elon Musk to lower the threshold from 20% to 15%, or even as low as 5%.
Yeah, we could put in a setting allowing it to drop as low as 5%
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 8, 2020
Previously, Tesla only allowed owners to use the mobile app to warm up or cool down their cars when the battery was above 20% SOC, as a precaution to prevent the battery from running down to a dangerously low level.
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However, the new software update now lets owners activate climate control features when their battery is below 20% SOC, although a warning message appears reminding them that doing so will consume energy.
It’s unclear whether Tesla lowered the threshold to 5%, as Musk had suggested, or if they settled on a higher number. The new lower threshold does not apply to Sentry Mode, which still requires at least 20% SOC to be activated. Additionally, Climate Keeper, another feature that maintains the cabin temperature while the vehicle is parked, also requires a minimum SOC of 20% to keep running.
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The update has been available for at least a couple of months, as it was also tested on a Model 3 running FSD Beta. While the new feature is a useful addition for Tesla owners, it remains to be seen if the lower threshold will have any impact on battery life or performance. If you’re a Tesla owner who has tested the new lower threshold, let us know in the comments below!
