Tesla Introduces Lower Power Consumption for Sentry Mode in 2024.38 Update

November 12, 2024

Tesla has rolled out software update 2024.38.4, which includes a long-awaited improvement to Sentry Mode aimed at reducing its power consumption.

Sentry Mode, part of Tesla's security features, utilizes the vehicle's cameras and sensors to monitor and record any suspicious activity around the vehicle, and it alerts the owner if anything unusual occurs. For more details on how Sentry Mode functions and the energy it consumes, check out our comprehensive guide on Tesla's Sentry Mode.

Battery Drain from Sentry Mode

Sentry Mode requires the vehicle to remain active, continuously drawing power to operate its suite of eight cameras and process the incoming video feeds. This setup results in a notable battery drain, typically ranging between 7% to 14% over a 24-hour period, equating to roughly one mile of range loss per hour in a Model 3 or Model Y. While Sentry Mode offers excellent security, Tesla owners often have to weigh the benefit of enhanced surveillance against the cost of battery consumption, especially when parked for long periods, like at an airport.

Efficiency Improvements in Sentry Mode

Tesla had previously announced plans to significantly improve Sentry Mode’s energy efficiency by reducing power usage by 40%. Update 2024.38 is Tesla’s first major step toward achieving this reduction. By optimizing how the vehicle's computers handle video processing, Tesla aims to make Sentry Mode much more efficient.

The current setup requires both the FSD (Full Self-Driving) and MCU (Media Control Unit) computers to stay on to manage the video feeds. However, with software update 2024.38, Tesla is implementing changes to the system's architecture that streamline video processing. This will initially roll out on the Cybertruck with update 2024.38.4 and eventually extend to other Tesla models in future updates.

Since many Cybertrucks in the Foundation Series come equipped with FSD, they operate on FSD-specific updates. Currently, only a small number of Cybertrucks have received the 2024.38 update, but as more vehicles adopt the update, it will be possible to measure how effective the power reduction is in real-world scenarios. Tesla’s 40% reduction goal is an ambitious step toward making Sentry Mode more sustainable for Tesla drivers.