Operating Climate Controls

Overview of Climate Controls

Climate controls are available at the bottom of the touchscreen. By default, climate control is set to Auto, which maintains optimum comfort in all but the most severe weather conditions. When you adjust the cabin temperature while in Auto, the system automatically adjusts the heating, air conditioning, air distribution, and fan speed to maintain the cabin at your selected temperature.

Touch the displayed temperature at the bottom of the touchscreen to access the main climate controls screen, where you can adjust your climate preferences. You can return to Auto at any time by touching Auto. Touch the power button on the main climate controls screen to toggle on or off. For quick access to common controls, touch the temperature at the bottom of the screen to display the climate popup.

The touchscreen may display Warming Up or Cooling Down while getting to your preferred temperature. You may hear the fan speed increase or decrease during this time.

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Note
The climate control system is powered by the high voltage Battery. Therefore, prolonged use decreases driving range.
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Warning
To avoid burns resulting from prolonged use, individuals who have peripheral neuropathy, or whose capacity to feel pain is limited because of diabetes, age, neurological injury, or some other condition, should exercise caution when using the climate control system and seat heaters.

Adjusting Climate Control Settings

Easily adjust your climate preferences, such as turning on the seat heater or changing the cabin temperature, hands-free by using voice commands (see Voice Commands). You can use the climate controls to customize temperature and fan, defrost windows, heat seats, and more.

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Note
For one-touch access to seat heaters and defrosters, you can add these controls to My Apps. See Customizing My Apps.
Touchscreen with Climate controls
Turn the climate control system on or off. Turning it off reduces cooling, but saves energy. When the climate control system is operating, the front passenger vent can be turned off independently of the driver's vent. For more information, see Adjusting the Front and Rear Vents.
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Note
Because Cybertruck runs much quieter than a gasoline-powered vehicle, you may notice the sound of the air conditioning compressor as it is operating. To minimize noise, reduce the fan speed.
Control the flow of air inside the cabin. Air can be drawn into Cybertruck from outside or air can be recirculated inside the cabin.
Adjust the fan speed using the slider. When in Auto, the fan speed levels change to Low/ Medium/ High.
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Note
Adjusting the fan speed may change the selected setting for how air is drawn into Cybertruck in order to increase or reduce air flow.
AUTO Adjust climate settings for the front and rear cabin. If Auto is enabled and a passenger is detected, the set temperature is maintained for the rear cabin.
Choose where air flows into the front cabin (windshield, face-level, or foot-level vents). You can choose one or more vents.
Touch the driver's, or passenger's, side seat icon to adjust seat heaters for the driver. The seat operates at three levels from 3 (highest) to 1 (lowest). The seat icon displays twisting lines that turn red (heating) or blue (cooling) corresponding with the set level. Auto, which displays when the climate control system is set to Auto, warms or cools the front seats based on cabin temperature. For one-touch access to seat heaters, you can add them to the touchscreen's bottom bar (see Customizing My Apps).
Adjust the heated steering wheel. The icon displays red twisting lines that correspond to the set level. If set to Auto, the steering wheel is heated as needed, based on cabin temperature, whenever the climate control system is set to Auto. For one-touch access, you can add this control to the touchscreen's bottom bar (see Customizing My Apps).
Turn on the wiper defroster.
When in Park, Keep Climate On, Dog, and Camp allow you to keep the climate control system operating, even when you leave Cybertruck (see Keep Climate On, Dog, and Camp).


                    FRONT
                  


                    REAR
                  

Customize the front or rear climate settings
When in Park, touch Schedule to set a recurring daily time when you want Cybertruck to be ready to drive by preconditioning the Battery and cabin climate and/or charging during off-peak hours (see Scheduled Precondition and Charge).
The HEPA filter ensures the best quality air inside the cabin whenever the climate control system is on and outside air is entering the cabin (recirculate is off). The HEPA filter is extremely effective at removing particles, including pollution, allergens, bacteria, pollen, mold spores, and viruses. When you engage Bioweapon Defense Mode, the positive pressure inside the cabin minimizes the amount of outside air that can enter the vehicle.
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Note
Some gases, such as carbon monoxide, are not effectively removed by activated carbon.
Warm up the side mirrors and the charge port.
Defog or Defrost the windshield. Touch once to defog the windshield (the icon turns blue). Touch a second time to defrost the windshield. Touch a third time to turn off and restore the air distribution, heating, and fan to their previous settings. In low ambient temperatures, the exterior side mirrors are also heated whenever the windshield defroster is operating. See Cold Weather Best Practices for more information on preparing for cold weather.

Climate Popup

Touch the temperature arrows on the bottom of the touchscreen to display a popup for easy access to some of the most common climate controls:

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Note
For one-touch access to seat heaters and defrosters, you can add these controls to My Apps. See Customizing My Apps.
  • Touch to access the main climate controls screen.
  • Enable or disable heated or cooled seats (if equipped).
  • Enable or disable the front or rear windshield defrosters.
  • Modify the cabin temperature by dragging the slider. You can also enable temperature splitting which allows the driver and front passenger to customize their own climate preferences. The front passenger can touch the temperature icon on the bottom of the touchscreen or the main climate controls screen to adjust. Touch Split again to disable climate splitting.

Keep Climate On, Dog, and Camp

These settings allow you to keep the climate control system running when in Park, whether you stay inside of, or leave, your vehicle. These settings are useful when it is important to maintain the cabin temperature in hot or cold weather conditions.

Keep Climate On: Maintains the climate control system on at a desire temperature. For example, when leaving groceries in Cybertruck on hot days, you may want to use Keep Climate On to pre-condition the cabin to maintain a particular temperature.

Dog: Keeps the cabin at a comfortable temperature for your pet while you actively and frequently monitor this temperature using the mobile app (which requires both your phone and the vehicle to have cellular connectivity plenty of battery). When in Dog, the touchscreen displays the current cabin temperature to inform people passing by that your pet is safe. This setting is not intended for people, and should only be used for short periods of time while you stay in close proximity should you need to return to the vehicle in situations where the temperature can no longer be maintained.
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Note
To avoid accidentally pressing the window switch (such as your dog stepping on it), the windows cannot be rolled down while Dog is enabled.
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Note
If Dog and Sentry are enabled at the same time, Sentry defaults to Disable Sentry Sounds to protect your pet. The cabin camera shows the inside of the vehicle so you can check on your pet at any time. See Sentry Mode for more information.

Camp: Allows you to power electronics through the USB ports and low voltage outlets and maintain the cabin temperature. The touchscreen remains on so you can play music, browse the internet, play games, or watch shows in Tesla Theater. You can also control media and climate settings from a paired phone. Camp is ideal for remaining inside your vehicle, such as camping or staying with a child. While active, Sentry Mode and the vehicle alarm system are disabled. Walk-Away Door Lock is inactive.

To operate Keep Climate On, Dog, or Camp:

  1. Make sure the Battery's charge level is at least 20%.
  2. Engage Park. These settings are available only when Cybertruck is in Park.
  3. Adjust the climate settings.
  4. On the climate controls screen, touch Keep Climate On, Dog, or Camp.
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    Note
    You can also control Dog and Camp from the mobile app by swiping up from the gray bar on the Climate screen.

The climate control system attempts to maintain your climate settings until you shift out of Park or manually turn it off. Avoid using these features when the Battery's charge level is low or on extremely hot days.

Dog cannot be enabled if the cabin temperature is too hot, or if the vehicle detects an issue with the climate control system. Ensure that the cabin temperature is at a safe and comfortable level before enabling Dog.

If Keep Climate On, Dog, or Camp are on, the Tesla mobile app attempts to repeatedly send notifications reminding you to check on anything that you have left in Cybertruck if:
  • The Battery's charge level drops below 20%.
  • The vehicle detects an issue with the climate control system.
  • If the cabin temperature drifts significantly from the level set for dog.
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Note
Software updates cannot be performed when Keep Climate On, Dog, or Camp is active.
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Warning
Never leave a child unattended in your vehicle.
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Warning
Check local laws for any restrictions on leaving pets unattended in your vehicle.
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Warning
You are responsible for the safety of your dog or pet. Never leave them in Cybertruck for long periods of time. Constantly monitor the vehicle temperature and their well-being. Make sure you have sufficient cellular coverage on your phone and time to return to the vehicle, if necessary.
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Warning
In the unlikely event that your climate control system needs service or is not working as expected, avoid using Keep Climate On, Dog, and Camp. Never rely on your vehicle to protect something irreplaceable.
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Warning
You can adjust and monitor the climate control system remotely using the mobile app. However, if you use the mobile app to turn off the climate control system, Keep Climate On, Dog, and Camp stop operating.

Cabin Overheat Protection

Cabin Overheat Protection prevents the cabin from getting too hot in scorching ambient conditions. While not necessary to activate whenever you leave Cybertruck, the climate control system can reduce and maintain the temperature of your vehicle’s cabin. This can prevent the cabin from getting too hot after leaving it parked in the sun, making the vehicle more comfortable when you return. Cabin Overheat Protection may take up to 15 minutes to enable once you exit the vehicle. This feature is intended for passenger comfort and has no impact on the reliability of your vehicle's components.

To turn on, touch Controls > Safety > Cabin Overheat Protection and choose:

  • On: The air conditioning operates when the cabin temperature exceeds 105° F (40° C), or the selected temperature on the touchscreen or mobile app. Customizing temperatures may require the most recent version of the mobile app.
  • Off: Disables Cabin Overheat Protection.

You can also enable Cabin Overheat Protection remotely through the mobile app by touching Climate. Swipe up on the bottom menu and select a setting under Cabin Overheat Protection (see Mobile App).

Cabin Overheat Protection operates until 12 hours has elapsed once you exit Cybertruck, or until the Battery energy drops below 20%, whichever comes first. Using Cabin Overheat Protection requires energy from the Battery, which may decrease range.

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Warning
Due to automatic shut-off, extreme outside conditions, or other potential inability to maintain the selected temperature, the inside of the vehicle can become dangerously hot, even when Cabin Overheat Protection is enabled. If you experience temperatures exceeding the selected temperature repeatedly, contact Tesla service.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
Never leave children or pets in the vehicle unattended. Due to automatic shut-off or extreme outside conditions, the inside of the vehicle can become dangerously hot, even when Cabin Overheat Protection is enabled.

Climate Control Operating Tips

Normal behavior:
  • When you use the mobile app to turn on the climate control system, it automatically turns off when the charge level drops to 20%, or if two hours has passed. To cool or heat the cabin for a longer period of time, charge the vehicle and re-enable your climate control preference through the mobile app.
  • To reduce the temperature in the cabin in hot weather conditions, the fan may turn on to vent the cabin when the vehicle is parked. This occurs only if the Battery's charge level is above 20%.
  • In addition to cooling the interior, the air conditioning compressor also cools the Battery. Therefore, in hot weather, the air conditioning compressor can turn on even if you turned it off. This is normal because the system’s priority is to cool the Battery to ensure it stays within an optimum temperature range to support longevity and optimum performance.
  • You may hear the sound of the climate system inside the cabin of Cybertruck when parked. It makes a low fan noise. The climate system attempts to dry itself out to minimize additional moisture or musty odors. This is a normal operation and not a cause for concern.
  • Even when not in use, you may hear Cybertruck emit a whining noise or the sound of water circulating. These sounds are normal and occur when the internal cooling systems turn on to support various vehicle functions, such as maintaining the low voltage battery and balancing the temperature of the high voltage Battery.
  • In very humid conditions, it is normal for the windshield to fog slightly when you first turn on the air conditioning.
  • It is normal for a small pool of water to form under Cybertruck when parked. Extra water produced by the dehumidifying process is drained underneath.
Tips:
  • If the climate control system is louder than you prefer, manually reduce the fan speed.
  • Improve the efficiency of the cabin heating or cooling by reducing your rate of acceleration. This allows the heat pump system to take more heat from the Battery to efficiently heat the cabin, instead of maintaining the Battery's ability to provide peak acceleration performance. Note that when subsequently increasing the acceleration mode, the Battery requires time to warm up before the increased level of acceleration is available.
  • To ensure the climate control system operates efficiently, close all windows and ensure that the exterior grille in front of the windshield is free of ice, snow, leaves, and other debris.
  • Your charge port latch may freeze in extremely cold weather or icy conditions. In cases where you cannot remove or insert the charge cable, or your vehicle is not Supercharging due to the latch being frozen in place, enable Defrost Truck in the mobile app. This helps thaw ice on the charge port latch so the charge cable can be removed or inserted. See Cold Weather Best Practices for more information.