Tesla’s ‘dog mode’ keeps pets cool while the car is off

Tesla released a new feature called “Dog Mode” that might be a game changer for pet owners.

Now, if you are on a road trip with your pet and need to run into a store, Tesla’s Dog Mode will not only keep your dog cool while the vehicle is off, it will also inform any concerned passersby that they are safe. That way, any individuals who notice your cute pooch as they walk by your car won’t have to worry about how long he or she has been in there!

So how exactly does this new car feature work? Drivers will be able to select a temperature for the car to maintain when it is off.

This is similar to Tesla’s overheat cabin function that keeps cars from exceeding 105 degrees while off.

The car will display a message that reads, “My owner will be back soon. Don’t worry! The A/C is on and it’s (temperature of car).”

In instances of extreme cold, the feature will also heat the vehicle. In those cases, the message displayed on the car will be updated to read: “Don’t worry! The heater is on and it’s (temperature of car).”

As for how to activate Dog Mode in the car, all drivers have to do is tap the fan icon at the bottom of the touchscreen after parking the car. Then set the Keep Climate On function to “DOG.” Once that’s set, you can make adjustments within specific temperature limits to ensure that your dog is being kept cooler or warmer, depending on the season.

You can see a woman activate Dog Mode in this brief clip shared by Tesla back in February:

Tesla also notes that Dog Mode will stay on by itself after you leave your car, and drivers will receive a notification on their mobile app if their battery reaches less than 20 percent charge.

Tesla released a video on YouTube, dubbed “When the humans are away,” to give a more in-depth explanation of how “dog mode” works. Check it out below:

What do you think of Tesla’s new Dog Mode feature?

Written by Taylor Corbett for KNXV. Additional reporting by Michelle Regalado.