Last Updated: February 17, 2026
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If you're heading away on holiday or a work trip and plan to leave your Tesla in airport parking or unused for a few days, it’s a good idea to prepare your car properly. Teslas are packed with smart features, but some of them can drain your battery while the car is sitting idle.
Here’s what to turn off before leaving your Tesla parked, plus some extra security tips for peace of mind.
✅ Features to Turn Off When Leaving Your Tesla Parked
Before locking up and heading off, make sure the following are disabled:
✅ Sentry Mode
Sentry Mode is great for day-to-day security, but it’s power-hungry. It can use several miles of range per day, even if nothing happens. Switch it off under Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode.
✅ Cabin Overheat Protection
This feature prevents the cabin from getting too warm in hot weather, but it uses energy even when you're not in the car. Unless you’re leaving pets or valuables inside (which you shouldn’t), it's best to disable it. You’ll find it under Controls > Safety > Cabin Overheat Protection.
✅ Auxiliary Power
This newer feature keeps the USB ports and 12V outlet powered even when the car is locked. It’s handy when using dash cams or coolboxes, but not needed in long-term parking. Turn it off under Controls > Safety > Auxiliary Power.
✅ ASS Standby Mode
Some newer Teslas include Advanced Standby Mode (ASS). It helps the car wake up faster, but at the cost of higher standby consumption. It’s worth disabling to minimise vampire drain.
📲 Monitor Your Tesla While You're Away with Tessie
If you want extra peace of mind while your Tesla is parked, the Tessie app is a brilliant companion. It lets you track your battery level remotely without waking the car, so you can check on your charge without causing extra drain. It also tracks phantom drain, the amount of battery lost since the car was last parked, which is ideal if you’re away for several days and want to monitor consumption remotely. You’ll also get smart alerts for unexpected activity and access to your data via a web dashboard or mobile app.
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🧳 Airport Parking Security Tips for Tesla Owners
- Use Valet Mode
Before handing over the keycard, activate Valet Mode via the Tesla app or on-screen. This limits speed, disables access to personal data, and locks down most settings. - Add a Glovebox PIN
If you’re storing anything important in the glovebox, consider enabling a PIN to open it. To do so, go to Controls > Safety > Glovebox PIN. - Leave the Keycard with the Staff
Airport parking attendants may need to move the vehicle. The keycard is safer and more straightforward than the phone key. - Don’t Keep Waking the Car Up
It’s tempting to check on your Tesla every day from the app, but doing a manual refresh (pulling down on the screen) forces the car to wake up, using more power. Simply opening the app passively is fine, but avoid refreshing unless necessary.
🔋 How Much Battery Does a Tesla Lose When Parked?
If everything above is switched off, a Tesla can lose less than 1% of its battery per day, depending on the weather and software version. That means a full charge should easily cover a week or two away.
If your trip is longer or you're worried about battery percentage, consider leaving the car plugged in at home or a secure off-site charging facility.
✈️ Final Thought – Prepare Before You Fly
Leaving your Tesla in airport parking is completely safe, just make sure you turn off the right features, set up Valet Mode, and don’t wake it unnecessarily from the app. That way, you’ll return to a car with plenty of battery left and no surprises.
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My Tesla Airport Parking Routine
I drive a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range and use the app checks before leaving the car for longer periods, including airport parking. The key thing from my own use is that small settings decisions matter for standby drain, so I always run through my checklist in the app before I walk away and then confirm the car state again after I am inside the terminal. I have used this approach on long UK trips and it has helped keep charge levels predictable when the car is parked for extended windows. It only takes a minute, but it avoids coming back to an unexpected battery drop and a stressful first stop.
Steven | Tesla Model 3 Long Range owner since 2025
I’m Steven, founder of MoneyAppReviews. I test money apps, referral programs, and EV tools in real life before I write about them. I drive a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range, use Octopus Intelligent Go for home charging, and regularly track costs, savings, and app performance over time. I focus on practical, evidence-based reviews that help people decide what is actually worth using, not just what pays the highest commission.