With rising cases of vandalism against Tesla properties including showrooms and cars, the company has finally started rolling out the Sentry mode for its cars. First introduced six years ago, the Sentry Mode is essentially a software which alerts and alarms the owners of Tesla cars in case of potential threats of vandalism.
Vandalism against Tesla has spread across North America and Europe primarily as an expression of hate against company CEO Elon Musk whose proximity to Donald Trump has been a heated topic of discussion across the world. The President of the USA is making drastic policy changes that have affected international relations and Musk seems to play a key role in all major developments in the Trump administration.
Tesla Sentry Mode: How does it work?
This feature will be available in all Tesla models manufactured after August 2017. The company has also posted a couple of videos on its social media handles explaining how it works. To activate the Sentry mode, the user has to go to the Control settings in the infotainment system, select Safety and switch on Sentry mode. The Sentry mode can also be activated through voice commands or via the Tesla smartphone application.
When activated, there are three stages of the Sentry mode: Standby, Alert, and Alarm. In Standby, the system passively monitors surroundings using cameras. If a minor threat is detected, Alert mode activates, displaying a warning on-screen and saving footage. For severe threats, Alarm mode triggers flashing lights, loud music, and a notification to the owner via the Tesla app while recording the incident for evidence.
Enabling Sentry Mode won’t directly prevent vandalism, but features like honking or playing music when a threat is detected can help deter further damage. More importantly, Sentry Mode captures video footage, making it easier for Tesla and owners to identify vandals. This evidence can support legal action, discouraging such behavior and reinforcing accountability.
Tesla Sentry Mode: What’s the catch?
However, there’s a big catch when it comes to the Sentry Mode. The Sentry Mode takes a lot out of the car’s battery which will have an effect on its range. Further, this system fails to work when the battery drops below 20 percent charge. Fortunately, Tesla recently released an update that reportedly cuts battery drain by around 40%, helping reduce the demand on service centers for vehicle charging.
Moreover, with the roll out of the Sentry mode, vandals are likely to be more alert and devise new methods to harm a Tesla. Therefore, the Sentry mode can turn out to be a double edged sword for Tesla owners.
