Pet owners, take notice! If you’re traveling in a Tesla with your furry companion, think twice before leaving them alone in the vehicle, even briefly. A recent software update has caused the popular Dog Mode feature to malfunction for some users.
InsideEVs reports that the latest firmware update, version 2024.20.1, which was meant to improve performance in hot weather, has had the opposite effect for certain owners. One Model Y owner shared on Reddit that they set the Dog Mode to maintain a temperature of 66 degrees Fahrenheit, despite the outside temperature being 86 degrees. However, after just 10 minutes, a notification appeared indicating a “Problem with Dog Mode.”
When the owner returned to the vehicle, they found that the interior temperature had climbed to 84 degrees and was still increasing. Additionally, they noted that the overall HVAC system was not operating correctly during their drive to the office. After submitting a support ticket, Tesla informed the owner that the issues with Dog Mode and other HVAC functions were a “known characteristic of [the] current firmware.”
Introduced in 2019, Dog Mode is designed to regulate the vehicle’s interior temperature to keep pets safe when they’re left inside. To reassure passersby, a notification is displayed on the vehicle’s large center screen indicating that the animal is secure. However, it’s important to note that Dog Mode is not meant for extended periods; if the battery level drops below 20% while the feature is active, the owner will receive a warning.
While this firmware issue doesn’t seem to affect everyone, its sporadic nature is concerning. Nonetheless, numerous owners are reporting similar problems with Dog Mode, Camp Mode, or Keep Climate On. These features are all supposed to maintain a designated cabin temperature while the vehicle is stationary, so the current issues seem to relate specifically to climate control functions. As summer approaches, Tesla owners are advised to be extra cautious when traveling with pets until further updates are released to address these problems.
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