What does Vent do
in the Tesla app?
Short answer: Vent lowers all four windows slightly so hot air can escape from a parked car, and Close raises them again. It uses no battery, but it's manual: the car won't vent when it's hot or close when it rains.
What does Vent do in the Tesla app?
Vent lowers all four windows a small amount, leaving a gap at the top of each one so air can move through the cabin. Close raises them again. Both buttons live on the Controls screen of the Tesla app and work remotely, so you can vent a parked car from anywhere with a signal.
Vent is manual. The car doesn't vent itself when it gets hot, and it doesn't close vented windows when it starts to rain. Whatever you set stays that way until you change it.
What is Vent for?
Heat. A parked car in the sun traps heat the way a greenhouse does: sunlight comes in through the glass, warms the seats and dash, and the heat can't get back out. On a 90°F day a sealed cabin can pass 130°F within an hour.
A gap at the top of each window gives that hot air a way out. The cabin still gets warm, but it tracks much closer to the outside temperature, and it costs no battery because nothing is running. When you get back in, the A/C has far less to do.
When should you use Vent?
Use it when the car will sit in the sun for a while, the forecast is dry, and you're parked somewhere you're comfortable leaving a small gap: a work lot, your driveway, a garage. Close it before rain, before evening, and before you leave the car somewhere you wouldn't want someone testing the windows.
Vent pairs well with Cabin Overheat Protection. Venting does the passive work for free; Cabin Overheat Protection is the backstop if the cabin still climbs past its limit.
Vent vs. Cabin Overheat Protection vs. Dog Mode
Tesla has three ways to deal with a hot parked car. They solve different problems, and only one of them costs nothing to run.
| Vent | Cabin Overheat Protection | Dog Mode | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Lowers the windows slightly | Runs A/C or fan to cap cabin temp | Holds a set temp for a pet inside |
| Battery use | None | Yes, while it runs | Yes, continuous |
| Cabin temperature | Close to outside temp | Held near 105°F (40°C) | Whatever you set |
| How long it lasts | Until you close it | Up to 12 hours after you leave | Until you turn it off |
| Automatic | No, a button you press | Yes, once enabled | No, turned on each time |
| Rain | Windows stay open | Windows stay up | Windows stay up |
| Best for | Long sunny parking, no battery cost | A safety cap on extreme days | Pets left in the car |
More on the middle column in our Cabin Overheat Protection guide. Never rely on venting alone for a pet or a person left in the car; that's what Dog Mode is for.
The catches
Rain
Tesla doesn't close vented windows when rain starts. If a storm rolls in while you're in a meeting, the windows stay open unless you notice and tap Close.
Forgetting to close
Vent has no timer. Windows vented at noon are still vented at midnight unless someone taps Close.
Security
The gap is small, but it's still a gap. It's fine in a driveway or a work garage; it's a judgment call on a busy street.
Why the button disappeared in 2023
In January 2023 Tesla removed remote Vent and Close from the app in the US to comply with a federal window-safety standard (FMVSS 118, which covers window pinch protection). It came back for cars on software 2023.2.12 and later. If you still don't see it, update the car's software and the app.
How to make Vent automatic
VentMode presses Vent and Close for you, based on the weather where your car is parked. It opens the windows when it's hot (70°F by default) and dry, closes them when rain shows up in the current conditions or the 3-hour forecast, and closes them every evening at the hour you pick. It only acts on a parked car, connects through Tesla's official Fleet API, and never sees your Tesla password.
Scheduling apps can vent at a fixed time each day. VentMode is built around the weather instead, so the windows open on hot days and stay shut on cool or wet ones. $29/year with a 7-day free trial.
Frequently asked questions
What does Vent do on the Tesla app?
Vent lowers all four windows slightly, leaving a small gap at the top so hot air can escape from a parked car. Close raises them again. It works remotely from the Tesla app's Controls screen, and it's manual: the car won't vent or close on its own.
Does venting the windows drain the Tesla battery?
No. Moving the windows takes a negligible amount of energy, and nothing runs while they're vented. That's the main advantage over Cabin Overheat Protection or Keep Climate On, which cool the cabin by running the A/C on battery power.
Will my Tesla close vented windows automatically if it rains?
No. Tesla has no rain-triggered close for windows vented from the app. They stay vented until you tap Close. A third-party service can close them based on the forecast.
Why did the Vent option disappear from my Tesla app?
In January 2023 Tesla removed remote Vent and Close in the US to comply with FMVSS 118, a federal standard on window pinch protection. Tesla restored the features for cars running software 2023.2.12 or later. If it's missing, update the car and the Tesla app.
Is Vent the same as Cabin Overheat Protection?
No. Vent opens the windows slightly and uses no battery. Cabin Overheat Protection keeps the windows up and runs the A/C or fan to hold the cabin near 105°F for up to 12 hours after you leave. They work well together: venting lets most of the heat out, and Cabin Overheat Protection caps the rest.
Can a Tesla vent its windows automatically when it's hot?
Not by itself. Tesla offers Vent only as a manual button. Scheduling apps can vent at a fixed time, and VentMode vents based on the actual weather at the car: it opens the windows when it's hot and dry, closes them when rain is forecast, and closes them every evening.
Related: Tesla window venting, explained · Cabin Overheat Protection vs. venting
Want Vent pressed for you on hot days, and Close before the rain?
VentMode is not affiliated with Tesla, Inc.