All Tesla Models Get New Dog and Sentry Modes to Keep Pets Cool and Car Protected

•  New Dog Mode allows drivers to keep their pets safe in a climate-controlled cabin while they are left in the Tesla—and displays a large notice to passersby that the animals are safe.
•  New Sentry Mode is a new smart car-alarm system that utilizes the Tesla’s exterior cameras to detect potential threats.
•  Both new features will be delivered to owners via an over-the-air update, with owners of the Model 3 getting it first.

Kudos go out to Tesla today for spending the time to engineer a feature into its lineup of electric cars that could save our furry friends: Dog Mode. The feature allows drivers to keep the cabins of their cars climate controlled to the temperature of their choosing so their pets will remain warm or cool while they run errands.

It also displays a message on the car’s large infotainment display to explain to passersby that the car is climate controlled, the owner is nearby, and the pets are safe and comfortable. Tesla released this short video starring two handsome German shepherds to announce the new feature:

The feature is joined today by the announcement of a new Sentry Mode that is intended to reduce theft or damage to the car when it’s parked. This feature utilizes the many cameras that dot the exterior of Tesla models to watch for potential threats. Depending on the severity of the threat, the feature can display a warning message on the infotainment display, blast the car’s stereo system, alert the owner via the Tesla smartphone app, or activate the car’s alarm.

Both of these new features will be rolled out to current owners via an over-the-air software update, with Model 3 vehicles getting it first, then owners of Model S cars and Model X crossovers that were built after August 2017. They will be part of the standard software package for newly purchased Model S, Model X, and Model 3 Teslas.

Watch the video below…