Guides · Climate modes
Camp Mode vs Pet Mode vs Keep Climate On
What Tesla’s Keep Climate On, Pet Mode (formerly Dog Mode) and Camp Mode each do, how they differ from Cabin Overheat Protection, their limits, and the safety rules from Tesla’s manual.
Last verified 25 September 2026 against Tesla’s owner’s manuals and support pages
Short answer
All three keep the climate running in Park. Keep Climate On is for when you leave the car, for example with groceries. Pet Mode, called Dog Mode before 2026, shows the cabin temperature on the screen for passers-by and alerts you in the app. Camp Mode is for staying inside: the screen and power outlets stay on, while Sentry Mode and the alarm are off. Cabin Overheat Protection is different: it only stops the cabin getting too hot after you leave.
What all three have in common
- They work only in Park and not in Low Power Mode. Start them from the climate screen; Pet and Camp can also be started in the Tesla app by swiping up on the Climate screen.
- They run until you shift out of Park or switch them off. Turning off climate in the app stops them too.
- The app notifies you if climate stops, for example when the car enters Low Power Mode.
- Software updates cannot install while one is active. Avoid them when the charge is low.
Keep Climate On
For when you leave the car and want the cabin kept warm or cool, for example groceries on a hot day. It keeps your climate settings until you return, shift out of Park or turn it off.
Pet Mode (formerly Dog Mode)
- The touchscreen shows the cabin temperature, so people passing by can see your pet is safe. Customise the name and image in Controls › Display › Customize Pet Mode.
- The app alerts you if climate turns off, if the charge drops below 20 %, or if the cabin temperature changes significantly. This needs mobile coverage on both your phone and the car.
- The windows cannot be lowered, so a paw cannot open them. With Sentry Mode also on, Sentry sounds are turned off.
- It cannot be enabled if the cabin is already too hot. Tesla says it is not intended for people, and only for short periods while you stay close enough to return. Check local laws on leaving pets in a car.
Camp Mode
For staying inside the car, such as camping or waiting with a child. The touchscreen stays on for music, games or Tesla Theater, and the USB ports and low-voltage outlet keep working. While it runs, Sentry Mode and the alarm are disabled and Walk-Away Door Lock is inactive.
Cabin Overheat Protection is different
Controls › Safety › Cabin Overheat Protection keeps the cabin from getting too hot after you leave: On (A/C above 40 °C / 105 °F or your chosen temperature), No A/C (fan only) or Off. It runs for up to 12 hours or until Low Power Mode, uses battery energy, and can exclude Home. Tesla warns that the cabin can still become dangerously hot.
Safety first
Never leave children unattended in the car. In the EEA, Child Left Alone Detection is inactive while Keep Climate On, Pet or Camp is running. If the climate system needs service, avoid all three modes. As Tesla puts it, never rely on your vehicle to protect something irreplaceable.
Questions
Is Dog Mode gone?
It was renamed Pet Mode in Tesla’s 2026 software (2026.14 release notes). It works the same way and can be customised with your pet’s name and image.
Why won’t my car update?
Software updates cannot install while Keep Climate On, Pet Mode or Camp Mode is active. Turn the mode off and leave the car in Park.
Why is Sentry Mode off in Camp Mode?
Camp Mode is for people staying inside, so Tesla disables Sentry Mode and the alarm and makes Walk-Away Door Lock inactive while it runs.
Sources
- Tesla Model Y manual: Operating climate controls
- Tesla Model Y manual: Sentry Mode
- Tesla Model Y manual: Getting maximum range (Energy app, Low Power Mode)
- Tesla Model Y manual: Safety & Security Settings
- Not a Tesla App (secondary): 2026.14 release notes
- Tesla Model 3 (2024+) owner’s manual
Tesla features change with software updates; check the linked source for your car. Handlefree is independent and not affiliated with Tesla, Inc. Use vehicle controls only beside your parked car with the area clear.