Guides · Battery
What drains a parked Tesla, and what to switch off
How much energy a parked Tesla normally loses, which features keep it awake, how to see idle use in the Energy app, and what Tesla recommends before leaving the car for weeks.
Last verified 25 September 2026 against Tesla’s owner’s manuals and support pages
Short answer
Tesla says a parked car can lose about 1 % a day, more in cold weather or with certain settings. The biggest extra users are Sentry Mode, Keep Climate On, Pet and Camp Mode, Cabin Overheat Protection, Keep Accessory Power On, preconditioning, and waking the car with the app. Check the Park tab in the Energy app, switch features off where the car is safe, and keep it plugged in when you can.
How much loss is normal
According to Tesla’s manual, the battery can discharge by about 1 % per day, depending on the weather (cold increases it), the car’s configuration and your settings; over 14 days that is about 14 %. Never let it reach 0 %: that can damage components, and near 0 % the car stops supporting its electronics and low-voltage battery. Tesla says the car is safe to stay plugged in for any length of time.
See where the energy goes
Open the Energy app on the touchscreen and choose the Park tab. It shows how much energy the car lost while parked, since the last drive or the last charge, with suggestions to reduce it.
What keeps the car awake
Tesla lists these as reasons the car stays awake: Keep Climate On, Pet Mode, Camp Mode or Sentry Mode being on, charging, and communicating with the mobile app. Tesla’s range tips recommend turning off preconditioning, Sentry Mode, Keep Climate On, Keep Accessory Power On and aftermarket equipment when you don’t need them.
- Sentry Mode (Controls › Safety › Sentry Mode): use Exclude Home, Work and Favorites so it stays off where the car is safe.
- Cabin Overheat Protection (Controls › Safety): it uses battery energy for up to 12 hours after you leave. Choose Off or No A/C if you don’t need it, or Exclude Home.
- Keep Accessory Power On (Controls › Charging): it increases consumption even when nothing is plugged in.
- Keep Climate On, Pet and Camp Mode: they run until you shift out of Park or switch them off.
Apps that check on the car
Every time you check the car in the Tesla app, it wakes up and starts normal energy use, so check less often when the car is parked for long. Other apps connected to your car can have the same effect; review what they do in the background. Handlefree reads door status only while its Vehicle or Controls screen is open and does not wake a sleeping car to do so.
Low Power Mode
Controls › Charging › Low Power Mode saves energy once the charge drops below a level you choose between 10 and 20 % (20 % by default). It disables Sentry Mode, Keep Accessory Power On, Summon standby, Keep Climate On and Camp, Cabin Overheat Protection and preconditioning. The car still uses some energy for standby, the screen and the app.
Leaving it for weeks
For more than two weeks, Tesla recommends leaving the car at around 50 %, setting the charge limit to 50 % and keeping it plugged in if possible. If it has to stay unplugged, for example at an airport, plan with about 1 % per day and leave enough charge.
Questions
Is losing 1 % a day normal?
Tesla’s manual gives about 1 % per day as a guide, varying with cold weather, configuration and settings. If you see more, check the Park tab in the Energy app and the features that keep the car awake.
Should I leave my Tesla plugged in?
Yes, when you can. Tesla says the car is safe to stay plugged in for any length of time, and plugged in it uses the charging system, rather than the battery, to keep the battery at a good temperature.
Does Low Power Mode stop all drain?
No. It disables energy-hungry features such as Sentry Mode and Cabin Overheat Protection, but the car still uses energy for standby functions, the screen and the mobile app.
Sources
- Tesla Model Y manual: High voltage battery information
- Tesla Model Y manual: Getting maximum range (Energy app, Low Power Mode)
- Tesla Support: Range tips
- Tesla Model Y manual: Sentry Mode
- Tesla Model Y manual: Operating climate controls
- Tesla Model Y manual: Charging instructions
- 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.