How to Keep Your Tesla’s USB Ports Powered On While You’re Away August 27, 2024

When you're out and about, there are times when you need to keep your USB-powered devices charged in your Tesla. Whether it’s your phone, wireless headphones, or a tablet that needs power, keeping your Tesla's USB ports active can be essential. Here's how you can ensure that your devices continue charging even when you're not in the car.

Keeping USB Ports Active

Typically, the power to the USB ports in a Tesla is cut off after the car enters sleep mode, which occurs about 15 minutes after inactivity. However, there are several ways to keep the USB ports powered on:

Activate Sentry Mode: This will keep the USB ports powered without running the HVAC system, making it a power-efficient choice if charging your devices is your primary concern.

Enable Keep Climate, Dog Mode, or Camp Mode: These modes also maintain power to the USB ports, but they will consume more battery due to the HVAC system staying on.

It’s important to note that while these modes keep your devices charging, they also consume power to keep the car's systems running. Therefore, Sentry Mode is generally the most efficient option if your goal is to simply charge your devices.

Depending on the model and year of your Tesla, you may have access to USB-A or USB-C ports in various locations, including the front console, glovebox, and behind the center armrest. Most of these ports remain active as long as one of the aforementioned modes is engaged.

What to Avoid

While Camp Mode is great for keeping your car powered up while you’re in or near it, it’s not ideal if you want your car to stay locked. Camp Mode keeps the climate control system and the display on, which could drain your battery faster than necessary if you’re just charging devices.

Locking Your Vehicle

If the device you’re charging is also your Tesla phone key, you’ll need to take additional steps to ensure your vehicle remains locked. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone or temporarily disable the phone key feature in the Tesla app by going to the "Security & Drivers" section and toggling off the Phone Key option. Remember to lock your car using another phone or the screen’s buttons, and always carry your Tesla key card with you to regain access.

Additional Options for Cybertruck Owners

The Cybertruck offers unique options with its built-in 120V and 240V outlets, which are similar to those found in homes across North America. The 240V outlet in the truck bed can be kept powered even when the vehicle is locked.

To activate these outlets, navigate to Vehicle Controls > Outlets & Mods and turn on “Keep On Cabin and Bed Outlets.” Be aware that these outlets will automatically shut off if the vehicle is plugged in, even if it’s not actively charging, or if the outside temperature drops too low. While Tesla hasn’t specified the exact temperature threshold for this, it’s something to keep in mind if you're charging devices in cold weather.

By following these steps, you can keep your Tesla’s USB ports and outlets powered, ensuring your devices stay charged whenever you need them.