What does Tesla
Camp Mode do?
Short answer: Camp Mode keeps the climate running and leaves the touchscreen, music, interior lights and USB ports powered while you stay in the parked car, for example sleeping in it overnight. It uses battery the whole time, mostly for heating or cooling.
What Camp Mode does
Camp Mode is one of the Keep Climate settings, next to Keep (climate on) and Dog (climate on, plus a message on the screen). Camp keeps the cabin at the temperature you set and keeps airflow going, and it leaves the screen, audio and USB power available so you can watch something, charge a phone or run a small device.
It's meant for people inside the car: car camping, napping on a road trip, or waiting somewhere for a while.
How to turn on Camp Mode
With the car in Park, open the climate controls on the touchscreen and set Keep Climate to Camp. Set the temperature first. Camp Mode stays on until you turn it off or change gear, and you can check the cabin temperature in the Tesla app.
For sleeping in the car, owners usually flatten the rear seats, use a mattress made for the model, and bring a window cover or two for privacy and light.
How much battery Camp Mode uses
It depends mostly on the weather outside. On a mild night the climate barely runs and the drain is small. On a hot or cold night the A/C or heater can run around 1 to 2 kW, which over 8 hours is anywhere from a few percent to 20% or more of the battery. These are rough owner-reported ranges, not Tesla figures.
Start with plenty of charge, park out of the wind in winter, and set a moderate temperature. The car warns you in the app if the battery gets low.
Camp Mode vs Dog Mode vs Keep Climate
| Camp | Dog | Keep | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | People staying in the car | A pet waiting in the car | Keeping the cabin comfy briefly |
| Climate | On | On | On |
| Screen, music, USB | Stay on | Screen shows a message for passersby | Turns off when you leave |
| Battery | Continuous | Continuous | Continuous |
More on the pet setting in Tesla Dog Mode, explained, and the per-hour numbers in how much battery each parked feature uses.
When the car is empty
Camp Mode is for when you're in the car. For the hours a Tesla sits empty in the sun, VentMode cracks the windows on hot, dry days and closes them when rain is coming and every evening, with no battery cost while they're open. It's not for people or pets inside the car.
$29/year with a 7-day free trial.
Frequently asked questions
What does Camp Mode do on a Tesla?
It keeps the climate on and leaves the touchscreen, music, interior lights and USB ports powered so you can stay comfortably in the parked car.
How do I turn on Camp Mode?
In Park, open the climate controls on the touchscreen and set Keep Climate to Camp. You can check it in the Tesla app while it runs.
How much battery does Camp Mode use overnight?
On a mild night only a few percent. On a hot or cold night it can be 20% or more over 8 hours, because the A/C or heater runs most of the time. These are rough ranges.
What's the difference between Camp Mode and Dog Mode?
Both keep the climate on. Camp keeps the screen, music and USB on for people inside. Dog shows a large message on the screen so passersby know a pet is safe and what the cabin temperature is.
Can I crack the windows in Camp Mode?
You can use Vent from the Tesla app for fresh air, but the climate system works harder with windows open, and rain or bugs can get in. Many campers use window covers or mesh instead.
Related: Tesla Dog Mode · Climate battery use · Sentry Mode battery drain · What does Vent do?
Keep the empty car cooler on hot days, with no battery cost.
VentMode is not affiliated with Tesla, Inc.