Model S (2021 and newer): Climate & Comfort

Pet Mode keeps the climate running in Park after we leave, and the touchscreen shows the cabin temperature. 1) Make sure Model S is not in Low Power Mode. 2) Shift into Park. 3) Touch Pet Mode on the climate screen or in the Tesla app. Windows cannot be lowered, and the app alerts us if climate turns off or the battery falls below 20%. Tesla says to use it only briefly with us nearby, and to check local laws.

Camp Mode keeps the climate running in Park while the touchscreen, USB ports and low-voltage outlet stay powered. With Low Power Mode off, we shift into Park and touch Camp Mode on the climate screen or in the Tesla app. While it runs, Sentry Mode and the alarm are off, Walk-Away Door Lock is inactive and software updates cannot install. Low Power Mode turns it off, and Tesla advises not using it if the climate system needs service.

It runs the air conditioning after we leave when the cabin gets hotter than 105°F (40°C), or a temperature we choose. We set it in Controls > Safety > Cabin Overheat Protection; Exclude Home skips our Home location. It can take 15 minutes to start and runs up to 12 hours or until the Low Power Mode threshold. Tesla warns it cannot prevent dangerous heat in extreme conditions, so we never leave children or pets inside.

Keep Climate On keeps the climate running in Park after we leave, for example to protect groceries on a hot day. 1) Make sure Model S is not in Low Power Mode. 2) Shift into Park. 3) Touch Keep Climate On on the climate screen. It holds the current settings until we shift out of Park or turn it off. Tesla advises against using it when the battery is low and warns never to leave a child unattended.

It sits in the HVAC module behind the front right footwell cover; Tesla says to replace it every 2 years. 1) Turn climate off and move the front right seat fully back. 2) Pull down the magnetic footwell cover and unplug its harness. 3) Squeeze the filter door lock and remove the door. 4) Swap the filter, with the new one's arrows facing the rear. 5) Refit the door, cover and seat, then reset the filter interval.

If the charge port latch freezes and the cable is stuck, we touch Controls > Service > Inlet Heater. If the cable still will not release after several minutes, we use the manual release. If we cannot insert or remove the cable, or the frozen latch blocks Supercharging, Defrost Car in the Tesla app helps. A frozen latch may not lock the cable, but slow AC charging still works, and a Schedule helps stop it from freezing.

Tesla suggests setting a departure time in Controls > Schedule, or starting climate in the Tesla app 30–45 minutes before we leave, which also warms the battery. Defrost Car frees frozen handles, windows, mirrors and wipers. If ice is expected, we turn off mirror Auto-Fold and use Controls > Service > Wiper Service Mode. Tire pressure drops about 1 PSI (0.07 bar) per 10°F (6°C). Tesla cautions that with no power, we connect external low-voltage power before opening a door.

Tesla suggests turning on Cabin Overheat Protection, parking in shade or using a sunshade in direct sun, and setting a departure time with Schedule. We start climate from the Tesla app 30–45 minutes before leaving and use Pet Mode to keep pets or perishables cool. Turning off the A/C about 30 seconds before shifting into Park reduces water puddles under the car. We keep Model S plugged in so the charging system, not the battery, holds the cabin temperature.

We set the dashboard's face-level vent on the touchscreen, then touch and drag the radiating air waves in front of each vent to change its direction. Centered air flows as one stream; dragging outward or inward splits it into mirrored streams, each weaker. Model S also has vents at the top and bottom of the rear console. Tesla asks us to keep the air intake grille in front of the windshield clear of leaves and snow.