How features like Sentry Mode can affect a Tesla battery even when parked

It turns out that leaving a Tesla battery uncharged isn’t exactly a good idea.

The brand recommends always leaving your Tesla on charge while it’s not being driven.

If this can’t be done, it is important to be aware of potential factors that can damage your battery.

And even some of Tesla’s own modes, such as Sentry Mode, can contribute to it.

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Always keep your Tesla plugged in if you can

If you plan on leaving your Tesla parked up for a while, there are a few things you should know.

Firstly – and arguably most importantly – Tesla strongly emphasises keeping your EV on charge.

This will prevent the vehicle’s battery from depleting.

And no, this won’t overcharge the battery or cause damage because Tesla chargers apparently have mechanisms in place to prevent this from happening.

These onboard systems are able to safely manage the amount of charge, while also keeping the battery at a safe level.

So what happens if, for some reason, keeping it hooked up to a charger isn’t possible?

If this is the case, then making sure that your Tesla has enough charge is absolutely essential.

A good rule of thumb for Tesla owners is to ensure at least one percent of charge for each day of planned inactivity.

So, for example, if your Tesla was going to be left for two weeks, a minimum of 14 percent charge would be essential.

How to best preserve your Tesla battery

What exactly affects the Tesla battery’s health while it sits idle?

Apart from the one percent charge rule mentioned above, there are quite a number of other things to consider.

Cold weather is a potentially massive factor in how much health a Tesla battery maintains.

These cold conditions can lead to phantom drain due to inefficient lithium cycling of the battery.

If a Tesla happens to have Sentry Mode activated, it will keep some of the car’s sensors and cameras running and thus will use more battery while idling.

On the other hand, hot conditions outside can also lead to adverse effects on a Tesla battery as well.

If the car has the cabin overheat protection feature turned on, this will activate the A/C to cool the car down, and that can have a massive impact on the battery.

Using the energy-saver feature within your Tesla can greatly help to preserve and prioritise battery life.

If you happen to be the owner of a Tesla, make sure to follow these simple steps to avoid damage to your battery.