TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Dog Mode

Discussion in 'Model Y' started by Physicslawyer, Jan 3, 2021.

  1. Physicslawyer

    Physicslawyer Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2020
    Messages:
    58
    Location:
    NY/PA
    What have been your experiences using dog mode? Has it ever failed? We travel often with our pets. Being able to leave them in the car for a little bit would be helpful, but this could be during summer. I couldn't imagine if dog mode failed and wouldn't even want to try it for this reason. Does the Tesla app tell you the indoor temp? Have there been any known failures? Thanks.
     
  2. PhotonForce

    PhotonForce New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2020
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    S Dartmouth
    Have used camp mode, kinda dog mode but for humans overnight, multiple times - and it works. You can't manage it from app, but you can see that it is running and what the temp is.

    If for some reason camp mode shuts down, you can - from the app - engage the standard app climate control that is less efficient I think, and needier to keep running than camp mode, but still does the job.
     
  3. jcanoe

    jcanoe Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2020
    Messages:
    1,157
    Location:
    Maryland
  4. WhyYesPlease

    WhyYesPlease Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2020
    Messages:
    46
    Location:
    Toronto
    I'm inferring from this (maybe incorrectly) that you're not yet a Tesla owner? Yes, the Tesla app tells you the temp inside the car. Google "tesla app ios screenshot" to see some examples.

    We use dog mode often, for our two dogs. It's great.
     
  5. firerock

    firerock Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2020
    Messages:
    156
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Yes it works and I use it all the time when I take my dog out. And it also failed for me once during 102 degree summer! The app does notify you when it fails, but you won't know when the exact time when it failed....so just be careful.
     
    • Informative x 1
  6. noshadow

    noshadow Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2020
    Messages:
    425
    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    With anything, don't rely on it 100%.

    I use dog mode quite often, but I don't live in a super hot climate, and now that it's winter, it's not really needed (other than heat, though my dog has a double coat and is fine in very cold temps). You'll get notifications if something fails or if charge drops below 20%. THe problem is, if you're not looking at your phone or you miss it.

    I think my general rule is to not leave my dog in the car for too long, even with dog mode, when it's extremely hot out. And if I do need to leave her for more than like 15 - 30 minutes, I'll be sure to check on the phone often and have the ability to get back to the car quickly.
     
    • Like x 1
  7. tomagucci

    tomagucci Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Messages:
    98
    Location:
    San Francisco
    I think you can cross reference this with people having their HVAC failing in general (loss of heat/cool) and make a reasonable decision on when/how to use dog mode =)
     
  8. Physicslawyer

    Physicslawyer Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2020
    Messages:
    58
    Location:
    NY/PA
    Good points. I was wondering if we could take a long road trip with the pets and go eat inside without worrying too much. We get takeout now and can't go anywhere until we drop them off at a hotel. I was going to buy before year end, but will wait until summer since we don't need it and maybe it will have a heated steering wheel by then.
     
  9. noshadow

    noshadow Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2020
    Messages:
    425
    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    While I never had the car when it wasn't covid times, I've gone into a grocery store or left the dog for a couple of hours with dog mode no problem. But I haven't eaten "inside" at a restaurant or anything, but same deal
     
  10. Koolio46

    Koolio46 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2020
    Messages:
    429
    Location:
    Boston, MA
    I use it whenever we have our dog with us. Longest use was around 30-45 mins in winter. No problems!
     
  11. totoro722

    totoro722 Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2020
    Messages:
    153
    Location:
    Coastal Orange County CA
    I took my dog on a 3000 mile trip earlier this year, during summer. Used Dog Mode frequently and had zero problems. Would not have been able to take that trip with the dog without Dog Mode. I strongly recommend that you make a few extra signs to put up in your car telling people that the cabin is temperature controlled and that you are monitoring it with your phone. The notice on the dash is something not everyone looks at. You can find some examples of problems people have had with overly “helpful” passersby by searching on this forum.
     
  12. neutrino

    neutrino Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2020
    Messages:
    77
    Location:
    Wenatchee, WA
    I use it all the time, winter and summer. Never had a single problem. Love it!
     
  13. ChimpledPot

    ChimpledPot Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2020
    Messages:
    27
    Location:
    Houston
    I don't trust Dog Mode. The air condition has a bad habit of turning itself off without my permission or consent 15 minutes in if I'm not sitting in the front seat. That alone makes me not trust Dog Mode, even though its purpose is to stay on with no person in the front seat.
     
  14. Physicslawyer

    Physicslawyer Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2020
    Messages:
    58
    Location:
    NY/PA
    True, there have been threads about new cars with failing heat. I'm going to wait this out a little and hope some of the model y issues get worked out. I'm hoping by summer it will improve.
     
  15. 46&2

    46&2 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2014
    Messages:
    319
    Location:
    Switzerland
    That's designed to work like that, and that's why there is a dog mode - to keep running. I don't see the argument, here...
     
    • Like x 2
  16. Twiglett

    Twiglett Single pedal driver

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2014
    Messages:
    2,733
    Location:
    Austin
    I think you misunderstand how its supposed to work, it is specifically designed to turn off if nobody is in the car along with locking the car etc
    I have never had it unexpectedly turning off the AC - because turning off when I walk away is completely expected.
    If I want the AC to stay running I either use Dog mode which displays a message on the screen, or I turn on the AC using the app.
    Page 147 in the manual explains the modes and their differences rather well which is useful for setting expectations.
     
    • Like x 2
    • Informative x 1

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC