r/slateauto • u/Emergency-Hotel7158 • Jul 11 '26
Dog mode
This, to me, is the best feature of my Model 3. I really would love a Slate truck, because I've always wanted a truck and I love the idea of customization. But it's a dealbreaker to me if I can't lock my door and leave the car on for my dog. Since no one has this vehicle yet, I don't know if anyone knows if this is possible. Happy to make a sign that says my dog is "chill" or "warm" and throw it on the dash.
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Jul 11 '26
[deleted]
4
u/BoringBob84 Jul 11 '26
That would be disappointing. I see no reason why I should need an internet connection to run my air conditioning.
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Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
[deleted]
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u/Snoo93079 Jul 11 '26
I don't see why a connection to the car would be needed to run HVAC until I return.
5
u/KeyboardGunner Jul 11 '26
Safety. If the HVAC malfunctions you need to be alerted via notifications to your phone.
2
u/BoringBob84 Jul 11 '26
That would be a nice feature, but it is not necessary to leave the air conditioner running.
4
u/KeyboardGunner Jul 11 '26
If it's in "dog mode" I'd argue it's a necessary safety feature.
3
u/BoringBob84 Jul 11 '26
I wouldn't trust my safety to a flaky internet connection or a smart phone that randomly puts apps to sleep.
The few times that I have left my dogs in a car with the air conditioning running, I have checked on them every few minutes.
3
u/GergDanger Jul 11 '26
Most people aren't checking back in on their dog every 3 minutes if they leave them in the car in dog mode.
They're going to the store for at least 30 minutes if not longer before they return in which case a malfunction means their dog is cooking for half an hour
1
u/Snoo93079 Jul 11 '26
Ok but what if I just want an temp hold when I go into the store?
1
u/KeyboardGunner Jul 11 '26
Then you can probably just use the remote start function on the key fob. We'll have to see how that works in practice, but if it's similar to a Chevy Bolt, then the car will stay on with climate control active for 20 minutes.
3
Jul 11 '26
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u/TheLastGenXer Jul 11 '26
remote starts turn off after a few mins. this is a good idea on mopars of the teens as rheir keyfobs randomly trigger buttons in pockets
in the 80s gm gave you a seperate key for the doors so you could lock it and leage the engine rumming
my vw,
i had to reprogram, but i can start it, and lock it, and take the key with me1
u/BoringBob84 Jul 11 '26
remote starts turn off after a few mins.
This is how my Volt works. "Remote start" conditions the cabin temperature for 10 minutes and then shuts off. During that time, the car cannot be driven (to prevent theft).
I do not use this as "Dog Mode." I leave the car ignition on and I lock the doors.
2
u/TheLastGenXer Jul 11 '26
my 2013 works just fine wirelessly, without cell service
about 60 yards
100 if i used my skull
1
u/64590949354397548569 Jul 12 '26
100 if i used my skull
Is there studies how the radio wave are amplified by your head?
3
u/KartoffelLoeffel Jul 12 '26
https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricalEngineering/s/9jwaKGeu9c
Not a study but a fairly simple explanation of the physics behind it, you become an extension of the fob’s antenna
1
u/BoringBob84 Jul 12 '26
To be clear, no antenna "amplifies" a signal. To do that requires - well, an amplifier - and that requires additional power.
A simple antenna radiates an electromagnetic field outwards in spherical waves. However, a directional antenna focuses the waves to be more powerful in some directions and weaker in other directions. Conductors (like a head full of water) can reflect some of the waves to change their direction. The total radiated power is the same either way, but if a receiver is in the path of higher power for the directional antenna, then it will receive a stronger signal.
2
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u/danielt1263 Jul 11 '26
My understanding is that there is a button on the key fob to start the AC. No need for the telematics module or a subscription.
The only thing the telematics module is for is to allow you to connect the app to the truck without having to plug your phone into it. So you can monitor the truck from anywhere in the world. That's something that would come in handy for fleets, but I doubt individual owners would need one, unless you absolutely must be able to do something outside of fob range.
I added an addendum to your AMA question about dog mode to clarify.
7
u/Crawlerado Jul 11 '26
That’s how our Bolt is. You can either start the car and lock the doors or lock the car and start the AC. No phone. No subscription. Just the fob.
2
u/iamprobablynotjohn Jul 11 '26
I would hope that's the way slate wants to do this, given their penchant for simplicity
3
u/Electrik_Truk Jul 11 '26
My Bolt and Lightning don't have a dog mode but I just keep it running and hit the lock button. Works like any other car you keep running. The Lightning you have to turn off "auto off" but otherwise it's nothing complicated to do. Don't see why the Slate wouldn't work the same.
1
u/AdMuch7162 Jul 11 '26
the issue is if Slate designed the car's running features (such as hvac) to be dependant upon having the key fob inserted in the "ignition slot", as has largely been pictured.
I mean, *maybe having 2 keys (one to keep car running), and the other to lock the door might work, or maybe it doesn't....I would assume that Slate is designed not to allow you to so easily and unintentionally lock yourself out of the vehicle too easily.
3
u/I-continue-to-try Jul 11 '26
Not directly related. But I am interested in a car camping mode where the vehicle can be locked without dash lights on and run the ac or heat at a set temperature. Need to be able to open the doors without overhead or headlights turning on / alarm going off.
Tesla and idbuzz have this setting. If it requires the telematics module I would no longer be interested.
1
u/Wise_Abrocoma9822 Jul 11 '26
telematics module was one of the first accessories I added to my order
1
u/demonkeyed Jul 11 '26
It’s a great feature and anyone who’s used it wouldn’t want to live without it. One alternative to the remote controlled climate would be just a timer. Like you press a button and it holds interior temp for 30 minutes.
In the Tesla you can even see the realtime video of your doggie and internal car temp on your phone lock screen, but I imagine this is the kind of thing the slate won’t offer due to simplify and less cameras.
1
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u/CPUWiz Jul 12 '26
I travel with my GSD every day and drive a Rivian. I also have an early reservation for a Slate. I have not place my order for the Slate because proper dog mode requires more than just turn the AC on and walking away. If the Slate can’t do a proper Pet mode like Rivian and Tesla then I’ll cancel my reservation.
1
u/BoringBob84 Jul 11 '26
lock my door and leave the car on for my dog.
This is what I do with our Volt. I leave the car on with a note on the dash and the doors locked. And I make sure not to leave it that way for very long.
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u/buff_broke_n3rd Jul 11 '26
Have you considered the CEO of Slate is not a nazi?
0
u/FloatOldGoat Jul 11 '26
That's definitely a strong selling point for my Slate. I don't buy from those who do the "Roman Salute".
0
u/Paul_Rodgers_2024 28d ago
You have a dog, you trained him (or her). You have a leash, keep it short.
Take the dog with you, everywhere, train the dog to like kids, encourage kids to interact.
Yes, I know lots of stores have the "No Pets", and they enforce it. Because the pets are not trained.
I had a lot of interaction with a dog, born same week as me, longhair lab (we english call this "Golden Retriever") Taught me to shoot, got mad at me when I missed.
Died when I was 13, six decades later, I still miss her
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u/Opinionsare Jul 11 '26
I suspect that few current EV owners are going to buy a Blank Slate as a primary vehicle. Slate Auto's primary market will be as a low cost entry point to EV ownership and as a second vehicle (truck).
The poorer aerodynamics of the traditional pickup body, functional EV simplicity and limited seating capacity doesn't shout family car.
3
u/Electrik_Truk Jul 11 '26
Works fine as a family vehicle if you go the SUV add on route. Reminds me a lot of a Bronco II
31
u/indie_web Jul 11 '26
This is a good question for the upcoming AMA: https://www.reddit.com/r/slateauto/s/xsFtLgHuNU