Alright, let's dive into the world of Tesla Sentry Mode and how to manage its operation. Whether you're looking to conserve battery, park in a familiar and safe location, or simply prefer it off, disabling Sentry Mode is straightforward.
Getting Started: Understanding Sentry Mode
Before we turn it off, let's quickly understand what Sentry Mode does. It's essentially your Tesla's built-in security guard. When active and your vehicle is parked and locked, it uses the car's external cameras and sensors to detect suspicious activity. If a significant threat is detected, it can:
Pulse the headlights.
Sound the alarm.
Start recording video footage.
Send a notification to your Tesla mobile app.
While a fantastic security feature, it does consume battery power, which is why many owners choose to disable it in certain situations.
Step 1: Engage with Your Tesla's Touchscreen
The primary way to control Sentry Mode is directly through your Tesla's large, intuitive touchscreen. Let's get hands-on with your car's interface!
Sub-heading: Accessing Controls
Turn on your Tesla: Simply enter your vehicle or wake it up by opening a door or pressing the brake pedal.
Locate the Car Icon: On the bottom left corner of your touchscreen, you'll see a car symbol. Tap this to access the main "Controls" section of your vehicle.
Step 2: Navigating to Safety Settings
Once you're in the "Controls" menu, you'll find various categories for managing your Tesla's features.
Sub-heading: Finding Sentry Mode
Select "Safety": Within the "Controls" menu, look for the "Safety" option and tap on it. This is where most of your vehicle's security features are located.
Locate "Sentry Mode": You should now see "Sentry Mode" listed. There will be a toggle switch next to it.
Step 3: Disabling Sentry Mode
Now for the main event – turning Sentry Mode off! There are a couple of ways to do this from the touchscreen.
Sub-heading: Temporary Deactivation (Quick Toggle)
Tap the Sentry Mode Icon (Red Icon): If Sentry Mode is currently active, you'll see a red Sentry Mode icon at the top of your touchscreen (often near the climate controls or battery indicator). Simply tapping this red icon will disable Sentry Mode until your next drive cycle. This is great for quick stops when you don't need continuous monitoring. The icon will no longer be red when Sentry Mode is off.
Sub-heading: Permanent Deactivation (Until Manually Re-enabled)
Toggle the Switch in Safety Settings: For a more persistent deactivation that lasts for more than one drive cycle, go to Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode as described in Step 2. Then, toggle the switch next to "Sentry Mode" to the "Off" position. This will keep Sentry Mode off until you manually re-enable it.
Step 4: Using the Tesla Mobile App
Your Tesla mobile app provides a convenient way to manage various features, including Sentry Mode, remotely.
Sub-heading: Disabling Sentry Mode via the App
Open the Tesla App: Launch the Tesla app on your smartphone.
Select Your Vehicle: Ensure you have selected the correct Tesla if you own multiple.
Navigate to Security Settings: Look for a "Security" or "Safety & Security" option within the app (the exact wording may vary slightly based on app version).
Toggle Sentry Mode Off: You'll find a toggle switch for Sentry Mode. Simply switch it to the "Off" position to deactivate it remotely.
Step 5: Utilizing Voice Commands (For Enabling, but good to know!)
While voice commands are primarily for enabling Sentry Mode, it's useful to be aware of them.
Say "Sentry On" or "Keep Tesla Safe": To activate Sentry Mode using voice commands, simply say phrases like "Sentry on" or "Keep Tesla safe."
Step 6: Understanding Automatic Deactivation
There are situations where Sentry Mode will automatically turn off.
Sub-heading: Low Battery Threshold
Below 20% Battery: Sentry Mode automatically deactivates if your Tesla's battery falls to or below 20% charge. This is a crucial feature to prevent excessive battery drain and ensure you have enough range for driving. You will receive a notification on your mobile app if this happens.
Sub-heading: Home, Work, and Favorite Exclusions
Configure Excluded Locations: You can set Sentry Mode to automatically disable when your car is parked at specific locations, such as your home, workplace, or other favorite destinations.
Go to Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode.
Look for options like "Exclude Home," "Exclude Work," or "Exclude Favorites."
Toggle these on to prevent Sentry Mode from activating when parked at these saved locations. Note that if you manually turn Sentry Mode on or off via the touchscreen or mobile app, it will override these exclusion preferences until your next drive.
Step 7: Considerations and Best Practices
Battery Drain: Remember that Sentry Mode actively uses your car's cameras and computer, leading to battery consumption. This can be significant, especially in busy areas with frequent triggers. Leaving Sentry Mode on overnight in a high-traffic location can consume several percentage points of your battery.
USB Drive for Recordings: For Sentry Mode to save video footage, you need a properly formatted USB drive inserted into one of your Tesla's USB ports (preferably the one in the glove box, if equipped). Vehicles manufactured after approximately 2020 often come with a pre-formatted USB drive.
Dashcam Integration: Sentry Mode relies on the Dashcam feature. Ensure Dashcam is enabled in Controls > Safety > Dashcam for Sentry Mode to function correctly and record events.
Privacy: While Sentry Mode recordings are stored locally on your USB drive and not transmitted to Tesla, it's always good practice to be aware of local regulations and property restrictions regarding the use of cameras.
Dog Mode/Camp Mode: Sentry Mode and "Dog Mode" or "Camp Mode" cannot be active simultaneously. If you activate Dog Mode to keep your pets comfortable, Sentry Mode will automatically disable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to turn off Sentry Mode permanently?
You can turn off Sentry Mode permanently (until you manually re-enable it) by going to Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode on your Tesla's touchscreen and toggling the main switch to "Off."
How to turn off Sentry Mode using the Tesla app?
Open the Tesla app, navigate to the "Security" or "Safety & Security" section, and toggle the Sentry Mode switch to "Off."
How to know if Sentry Mode is off?
On your Tesla's touchscreen, the Sentry Mode icon (usually at the top of the screen) will not be red if it's off.
How to stop Sentry Mode from draining battery?
Disable Sentry Mode when parked in safe, private locations, or utilize the "Exclude Home," "Exclude Work," or "Exclude Favorites" settings to prevent automatic activation.
How to disable Sentry Mode for a quick stop?
Simply tap the red Sentry Mode icon on your touchscreen. This will disable it until your next drive cycle.
How to prevent Sentry Mode from turning on automatically?
Configure "Exclude Home," "Exclude Work," and "Exclude Favorites" in Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode to prevent automatic activation in those specific locations.
How to format a USB drive for Sentry Mode?
Insert the USB drive into a front USB port in your Tesla and go to Controls > Safety > FORMAT USB DEVICE.
How to view Sentry Mode recordings?
Recordings are saved to your USB drive. You can view them directly on your Tesla's touchscreen (if your vehicle is 2018 or newer with software version 2020.48.5 or newer) or by removing the USB drive and viewing them on a computer.
How to adjust Sentry Mode sensitivity?
While there isn't a direct "sensitivity" setting, enabling "Camera-Based Detection" in Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode uses external cameras for detection in addition to sensors. If disabled, your vehicle only saves clips for physical threats.
How to silence Sentry Mode alarm sounds?
If the alarm is triggered, you can silence it by unlocking the doors using your key fob, key card, or the Tesla app. You can also disable Sentry Sounds in Controls > Safety > Disable Sentry Sounds.
For more details on Sentry Mode, you can watch this video:
