Tesla has been facing complaints regarding its Sentry Mode system, which notifies owners about suspicious activities near their cars. Users have found that this feature has been draining the battery since it was introduced.
Functionality of Sentry Mode
Sentry Mode is turned off by default but can be activated using voice commands or through the app. This feature keeps the necessary cameras and sensors powered up, allowing them to record movements around a locked Tesla in Park mode. However, the ongoing power needed for the cameras in Sentry Mode has turned out to be a significant battery drain. The system must constantly process and record a large amount of video footage, which can be saved on a dedicated drive located in the glove compartment.
Law Enforcement Awareness
Police are familiar with Tesla's Sentry Mode. There have been instances where officers were unable to reach the vehicle's owner. In such cases, they have towed the car to the nearest precinct under a court order to access the potential crime scene recordings for investigations.
Addressing Battery Drain
To tackle the battery drain issue associated with Sentry Mode, Tesla released the 2024.32.6 software update. This update reduces power consumption by shutting down the 12V outlets and USB ports in theft-prevention mode. This means that devices plugged into these ports won't be able to charge or draw from the main battery.
While this might not be the best solution for those who like to keep their devices charging in the car or need to run a portable fridge overnight, it does help reduce the immediate power drain caused by Sentry Mode.
Improvements with New Updates
For the ongoing power drain caused by processing video recordings from multiple cameras— which can consume as much as 14% of a Model Y’s battery in a single day—Tesla has introduced a more sophisticated solution. The recent 2024.38.4 software update promises an up to 40% decrease in Sentry Mode battery drain. The company has optimized how the video feed is processed, which helps preserve battery capacity while Sentry Mode is activated.
This update is initially being rolled out to the Cybertruck, and it remains unclear how quickly the Model 3 and Model Y will receive the significant improvements in battery drain for Sentry Mode.
