Tesla cars will no longer keep devices powered in Sentry Mode

With its latest 2024.32.6 software update version, Tesla is bringing the Sentry Mode feature called Light Pulsing to the refreshed Model S and Model X vehicles as well.

Sentry Mode Light Pulsing gently flashes the headlights when it detects what it considers a threat, ramping them up and down as a sort of warning.

That's all fine and good, as other Tesla vehicles have had Light Pulsing since last year, but a new Sentry Model feature in the 2024.32 software update is unlikely to be as welcome.

Earlier this year, Tesla's former battery chief mentioned that the automaker is looking for ways to greatly reduce power consumption when the vehicle is in theft-prevention mode.

One of those ways has seemingly now come for all of its models but the Cybertruck, and it involves cutting outlet power. The 12V outlets and USB ports of Tesla cars will no longer be active when the car is in Sentry Mode, together with whatever devices owners used to connect to them.

These range from portable fridges connected to the 12V outlets, to laptops or phones that people plugged in the car to be recharged. When the Tesla is now in Sentry Mode, said gear won't be powered, which, in the case of a portable fridge and its beer, is not a cool thing to do.

Granted, Tesla owners can still use Camp Mode to keep those devices powered, but that means that the vehicle will stay unlocked, the opposite of what owners would hope to achieve by putting their car in Sentry Mode.

It remains to be seen how successful will cutting outlet power be for lowering battery consumption in Sentry Mode, but Tesla Service folks are already receiving angry feedback from customers and say they have passed it up the chain of command for consideration.