Tesla owners may be familiar with the Cabin Overheat Protection feature, which keeps the interior cool when the vehicle is stationary in the sun. This feature can protect your vehicle’s electronics, upholstery, pets, and personal possessions.
Some Tesla owners claim that the Tesla cabin overheat protection not working properly, and their cars are still over 120°F (49°C) despite having it enabled. Occasionally, this is aggravating and hazardous, particularly in hot regions.
Quick Overview:
- Cabin Overheat feature keeps Tesla interiors cool when parked in the sun.
- Choose between “On” or “On (No A/C)” for cooling methods.
- Available in all Tesla vehicles; however, Model 3 and Model Y have “On (No A/C),” and Model S and Model X don’t.
- Activates above 105°F (40°C) or the selected temperature if available and runs for 12 hours.
- Troubleshoots are Check the settings, Battery level, Temperature, Reboot, User Profiles, and Sentry Mode.
- In extreme conditions, shade or sunshade may be needed.
What Is Tesla Cabin Overheat Protection?
Tesla Cabin Overheat Protection is a feature that Tesla introduced in 2016 via a software update. It allows you to set a maximum temperature for your car’s interior when it is parked and locked. You can choose between two options: On or On (No A/C).
On
If you choose On, the feature will use both the fan and the air conditioning to cool down your car if the interior temperature exceeds 105°F (40°C) or the selected temperature if available. This option will consume more battery power, but it will keep your car cooler and more comfortable.
On (No A/C)
If you choose On (No A/C), the feature will only use the fan to circulate air inside your car if the interior temperature exceeds 105°F (40°C) and prevent touch surfaces from getting too hot.
The On (No A/C) option will conserve battery power, but it will be less effective at cooling down your car, especially in very hot weather.
Tesla Model S and Model X don’t have an On (No A/C) option available. Only Tesla Model 3 and Model Y have this On (No A/C) option in the Cabin Overheat Protection feature.
You can access the Cabin Overheat Protection settings from the Controls menu on your touchscreen. You can also check the status of the feature from the Tesla app on your phone.
What to Do If Tesla Cabin Overheat Protection Not Working?
If you notice that Tesla Cabin Overheat Protection is not working for you, here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the problem:
Check Your Settings
Make sure that Cabin Overheat Protection is turned on and set to your preferred option (On or On No A/C). You can do this from the Controls menu on your touchscreen or from the Tesla app on your phone.
Check Your Battery Level
Make sure that your battery level is above 20%. You can do this from the dashboard display or from the Tesla app on your phone. If your battery level is low, you may need to charge your car or reduce your energy consumption by turning off other features or accessories.
Check The Interior Temperature
Make sure that the interior temperature of your car is above 105°F (40°C). You can do this from the Tesla app on your phone. If the temperature is below 105°F (40°C), Cabin Overheat Protection will not activate, as it is not needed.
Reboot Your Car:
Sometimes, software updates or bugs may cause the feature to malfunction or stop working altogether. This can be fixed by rebooting your car’s computer, which can fix software glitches or bugs that may affect Cabin Overheat Protection.
You can do reboot your car by pressing and holding both scroll buttons on the steering wheel until the touchscreen goes black and restarts.
Delete Or Set the Same Setting on Extra User Profiles
Some users have reported that having multiple user profiles on their cars may interfere with the feature’s settings. This can be solved by deleting any extra user profiles or by making sure that all profiles have the same settings for Cabin Overheat Protection.
You can access all user profiles from the Settings menu on your touchscreen.
Turn Off Sentry Mode
Tesla offers Sentry mode to prevent car theft and vandalism when parked. It detects potential risks with cameras and sensors and alerts you via the Tesla app. However, Sentry mode also consumes battery power and may conflict with Cabin Overheat Protection.
If you have Sentry mode turned on and your Tesla Cabin Overheat Protection is not working, then you may need to turn Sentry mode off or adjust the settings to make sure that it does not interfere with Cabin Overheat Protection.
You can turn it off or adjust it from the Controls menu on your touchscreen or from the Tesla app on your phone.
Find A Cooler Spot
In some cases, Cabin Overheat Protection may not be able to cool down your car enough if the outside temperature is too high or if your car is exposed to direct sunlight for too long.
You may need to find a shaded spot or use a windshield sunshade to reduce the heat inside your car.
Check For Software Update and Contact Tesla
If none of these above steps work for you, check for any available software updates. If any update is available, then download and install the update.
If it’s up-to-date and still not working, you may need to contact Tesla customer service or schedule a service appointment to have your car checked by a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
Can the Cabin Overheat Protection drain my Tesla’s battery?
Yes, it can consume battery power, but it’s designed to minimize energy use.
Does Cabin Overheat Protection work when my Tesla is charging?
Yes, it works whether your car is charging or not.
Does the Cabin Overheat Protection feature work in all Tesla models?
Yes, it’s available in all Tesla models that have the necessary hardware and software.
What is the maximum temperature that Cabin Overheat Protection maintains?
It’s designed to keep the cabin below 105°F (40°C).
Does using Cabin Overheat Protection affect my Tesla’s lifespan or performance?
While it does use some battery power, it’s not likely to significantly affect your car’s lifespan or performance.
