Model S Owners Manual (v7.0)

8/19/2019 Model S Owners Manual (v7.0)

1/185

Overview........................................................................................ 2Interior Overview.........................................................................2Exterior Overview....................................................................... 3

Opening an d Closing.................................................................4

Doors............ ...................................................................................4Windows...... ...................................................................................9Rear Trunk....................................................................................10Front Trunk. ..................................................................................12Glove Box.... ................................................................................. 14Sunroof......... .................................................................................15Cup Holders .................................................................................16

Seating and Safety Restraints...............................................17Front and R ear Seats............................................................... 17Seat Belts.... ..................................................................................19Child Safety Seats.................................................................... 22Tesla Built-I n Rear Facing Child Seats..............................27Airbags......... ................................................................................. 31

Driving.......... ................................................................................ 35Driver Prol es ............................................................................ 35Steering Wh eel..........................................................................37Mirrors.......................................................................................... 40Starting and Powering Off .....................................................41Gears............. ................................................................................ 42Instrument Panel.......................................................................43Lights............ ................................................................................ 48Wipers and Washers............................................................... 53Brakes........... ................................................................................ 54Traction Co ntrol........................................................................ 56Park Assist.. .................................................................................57

Vehicle Hold ................................................................................59Trip Information........................................................................60Getting Max imum Range........................................................61Rear View C amera....................................................................63

Driver Assis tance......................................................................64About Drive r Assistance........................................................64Traffic-Awa re Cruise Control...............................................67Autosteer..... ................................................................................ 72Auto Lane C hange................................................................... 74Autopark...... ................................................................................76Lane Assist. .................................................................................78Collision Av oidance Assist....................................................80Speed Assis t...............................................................................83

Using the To uchscreen........................................................... 85Touchscreen Overview........................................................... 85Controls....... .................................................................................89Settings........................................................................................ 93Climate Con trols....................................................................... 97Smart Air Su spension.............................................................101Media and A udio.....................................................................103Phone............ .............................................................................. 107Maps and N avigation............................................................ 109Calendar...... .................................................................................112Security Settings......................................................................114HomeLink

U niversal Transceiver....................................... 115

Connecting to Wi-Fi................................................................117Software Up dates.................................................................... 118Mobile App. ................................................................................ 119

Charging...... ...............................................................................120Electric Veh icle Components.............................................120Battery Info rmation................................................................122Charging Instructions............................................................123

Maintenance.............................................................................. 127Maintenance Schedule.......................................................... 127Tire Care and Maintenance..................................................128Temporary T ire Repair...........................................................133Cleaning....... ...............................................................................137Wiper Blade s and Washer Jets.........................................140Fluid Reserv oirs....................................................................... 142Fuses............................................................................................145Jacking and Lifting..................................................................151Parts and A ccessories........................................................... 152

Specicatio ns ........................................................................... 153Identicatio n Labels...............................................................153Vehicle Loa ding.......................................................................154Dimensions and Weights......................................................157Subsystems ................................................................................ 161Wheels and Tires.....................................................................164

Roadside As sistance..............................................................169Contacting Roadside Assistance......................................169Instructions for Transporters..............................................170

Consumer In formation.......................................................... 173About this Owner Information...........................................173Disclaimers. ................................................................................175Reporting S afety Defects.................................................... 176Declarations of Conformity.................................................177

Contents


2/185

1. Interior doors ( Opening Doors from the Interior on page 6)2. Traffic-Aware Cruise Control ( Traffic-Aware Cruise Control on page 67) and Autosteer (see

Autosteer on page 72)3. High beams ( High Beam Headlights on page 51), Turn signals ( Turn Signals on page 51),

Wipers and washers ( Wipers and Washers on page 53)4. Steering wheel buttons - left ( Using Left Steering Wheel Buttons on page 37)5. Instrument panel ( Instrument Panel on page 43)

6. Steering wheel buttons - right ( Using Right Steering Wheel Buttons on page 38)7. Gear selector ( Shifting Gears on page 42)8. Touchscreen ( Touchscreen Overview on page 85)9. Glove box button ( Glove Box on page 14)10. Power window switches ( Opening and Closing on page 9)11. Exterior mirror adjustment switches ( Mirrors on page 40)12. Seats ( Front and Rear Seats on page 17)13. Steering column adjuster (hidden from view in the above image) ( Steering Wheel on page

37)14. Horn ( Horn on page 39)15. Brakes ( Brakes on page 54)16. Hazard warning lights ( Hazard Warning Flashers on page 52)17. Cabin climate control ( Climate Controls on page 97)18. Cup holders ( Cup Holders on page 16)

Interior Overview

2 Model X Owner's Manual


3/185

1. Exterior lights ( Lights on page 48)2. Door handles ( Using Exterior Door Handles on page 6)3. Sunroof (optional) ( Sunroof on page 15)4. Charge port ( Charging Instructions on page 123)5. Autopilot-equipped vehicles only: Forward looking camera ( About Driver Assistance on page

64)6. Exterior mirrors ( Mirrors on page 40)7. Autopilot-equipped vehicles only: Radar sensor (hidden from view in the above image)( About

Driver Assistance on page 64)8. Hood/Front trunk ( Front Trunk on page 12)9. Wheels and tires ( Wheels and Tires on page 164)10. Rear view camera ( Rear View Camera on page 63)11. Rear trunk/liftgate ( Rear Trunk on page 10)12. Ultrasonic sensors ( Park Assist on page 57 and About Driver Assistance on page 64)

Exterior Overview

Overview 3


4/185

Keyless Locking and UnlockingLocking and unlocking Model S is convenient.Although you must be carrying a valid key,there's no need to use it. Model S has sensors

that can recognize the presence of a keywithin a range of approximately three feet(one meter). So you can keep your key in yourpocket or purse and Model S detects it.

When you walk up to Model S carrying yourkey, doors automatically unlock. If a doorhandle is retracted, press it and it extends. Ifthe Auto-Present Handles setting is turned on(see Using Exterior Door Handles on page6), door handles extend automatically asyou approach Model S. To open the rear trunk,

press the switch located under the trunk’sexterior handle.

When carrying your key with you, you can alsoopen the rear trunk without having to use thekey. Simply walk up to Model S and press theswitch located under the trunk’s exteriorhandle.

Note: Depending on date of manufacture andoptions selected at time of purchase, someModel S vehicles are not equipped with theautomatic locking and unlocking feature.

Model S also l ocks automatically. I f you setWalk-Away Door Lock to ON, Model S lockswhen you walk away carrying your key withyou (see Walk-away Locking on page 7).

While sitting inside Model S, you can use thetouchscreen to lock and unlock doors, trunks,and the charge port.

Using the KeyTo quickly familiarize yourself with the key,think of the key as a miniature version ofModel S, with the Tesla badge representingthe front. The key has three buttons that feellike softer areas on the surface.

1. Trunk

• Double-click to open the rear trunk.• If equipped with a powered liftgate,

double-click to close the rear trunk.You can also single-click to stop theliftgate when it is moving.

• If equipped with a motorized chargeport, hold the button down for 1-2seconds to open the charge port door.

2. Lock/Unlo ck All

• Double-click to unlock doors and frontand rear trunks. Hazard warning lightsash twice and door handles extend.

• Single-click to lock doors and trunks(all doors and trunks must be closed).Hazard warning lights ash once anddoor handles retract.

3. Front trunk (also called the "frunk")

• Double-click to open the front trunk.

You do not need to point the key at Model S,but you must be within operating range(which varies depending on the strength ofthe key’s battery).

If Model S is unable to detect the key, thetouchscreen displays a message indicatingthat a key is not inside. Place the key whereModel S c an best detect it, which is be low the12V power socket (see Key Not Inside on page41).

Doors



5/185

Radio equipment on a similar frequency canaffect the key. If this happens, move the key atleast one foot (30 cm) away from otherelectronic devices (phone, laptop, etc). If thekey does not work, you may need to changeits battery. If the key’s battery is discharged,you can open Model S by following theunlocking procedure (see Unlocking When theKey Doesn't Work on page 7).

Caution: Remember to bring the key withyou when you drive. Although you candrive Model S away from its key, you willbe unable to power it back on after itpowers off.

Caution: Protect the key from impact,high temperatures, and damage fromliquids. Avoid contact with solvents,waxes and abrasive cleaners.

Replacing the Key Battery

The key’s battery lasts for approximately ayear. When the battery is low, a messagedisplays on the instrument panel. Follow thesesteps to replace it:

1. With the key placed button side down ona soft surface, use a small at-bladed tool

to release the bottom cover.

2. Remove the battery by lifting it away fromthe front retaining clips.

3. Insert the new battery (type CR2032) with

the ‘+’ side facing up.Note: Wipe the battery c lean before ttingand avoid touching the battery's atsurfaces. Finger marks on the at surfacesof the battery can reduce battery life.

4. Holding the cover at an angle, align thetabs on the widest side of the cover withthe corresponding slots on the key, thenpress the cover rmly onto the key until itsnaps into place.

Getting More Keys

If you lose a key or require an additional one,contact Tesla. Model S can recognize up tove keys.

When ordering a new key for Model S, take allavailable keys with you for reprogramming.

Doors

Opening and Closing 5


6/185

Using Exterior Door HandlesA light press on a door handle extends it,provided Model S detects a valid key nearby.

You can set the door handles to extendautomatically whenever you approach thedriver’s side carrying the key. On thetouchscreen, touch Controls > Settings >Vehicle > Auto-Present Handles > On.

Note: Depending on date of manufacture andoptions selected at time of purchase, someModel S vehicles are not equipped with Auto-Present Handles.

Insert your hand into the handle and pull toopen the door.

Door handles retract if you do not use themwithin one minute after they extend. Justpress a handle to extend it again. Doorhandles also retract a minute after the lastdoor closes, when Model S begins moving,and when you lock Model S.

Note: To preserve battery life, Model S isdesigned to temporarily disable the Auto-Present Handles feature when:

• The key has been out of range for morethan 48 hours.

• The key remains within range for veminutes after all doors have been closed.

In these cases, extend the handles by touchingthe driver’s door handle or pressing the unlockbutton on the key. There is no need to resetthe setting. The next time you approachModel S, provided the above conditions donot apply, handles automatically extend.

Whenever a door is open, the DoorOpen indicator displays on theinstrument panel. The image of theModel S on the touchscreen Controlswindow also shows which door ortrunk is open.

Opening Doors from the InteriorPull the interior door handle toward you.

Rear doors also open from the interior bypulling the door handle toward you. However,if Model S is locked, the rst pull unlocks theassociated door, and the second pull opens it.

Note: To prevent children from opening reardoors using the interior handles, use thetouchscreen, Controls > Settings > Vehicle >Child Protection Lock, to turn on the child-protection locks (see Child-protection Lock onpage 6).

Interior Locking and UnlockingFrom inside Model S, you can use thetouchscreen to lock or unlock doors andtrunks, provided a valid key is inside thevehicle. Touch Controls > Lock/Unlock.

Note: If a door or trunk is still open when youlock Model S, it locks when you close it.

Child-protection LockModel S has child-protection locks on the reardoors and liftgate to prevent them from beingopened using interior handles. Use thetouchscreen to turn child protection locks onor off. Touch Controls > Settings > Vehicle >Child Protection Lock.

Note: It is recommended that you turn child-protection locks on whenever children areseated in the rear seats.

Doors



7/185

Drive-away LockingModel S can automatically lock all doors(including the trunks) whenever your drivingspeed exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h). To turn this

feature on or off, touch Controls > Settings >Vehicle > Drive-Away Door Lock.

Walk-away LockingDoors and trunks can automatically lockwhenever you walk away carrying the key.

To turn this feature on or off, touch Controls >Settings > Vehicle > Walk-Away Door Lock.

Note: Depending on date of manufacture andoptions selected at time of purchase, someModel S vehicles are not equipped with theWalk-Away Door Lock feature.

Note: If all doors are closed and you use thekey to unlock Model S, walk-away locking istemporarily suspended until the next timeModel S powers on (such as when you pressthe Brake pedal to engage a driving gear), oruntil you use the key again to lock Model S.This allows you to keep Model S unlocked inyour garage.

Unlocking When the Key Doesn'tWorkIf Model S does not unlock when you walk upto it, or when you press the unlock button onyour key, the key’s battery may be dead. If thisis the case, you can still unlock and driveModel S.

To unlock Model S (and disable the securityalarm), rst position the key near the base ofthe passenger side windshield wiper, asshown. Then press the front passenger doorhandle. It is important to position the key inthe correct position. If Model S doesn't unlock,try adjusting the position of the key.

To drive Model S, place the key against thecenter console, immediately below the 12Vpower outlet, then press and hold the brakepedal to turn Model S on.

Note: Unlocking Model S using this methoddisables walk-away locking. You mustmanually re-enable walk-away locking afterreplacing the key’s battery.

For instructions on how to replace the key’sbattery, see Replacing the Key Battery onpage 5.

Doors



8/185

Opening Interior Doors with NoPowerIf Model S has no electrical power, front doorsopen as usual using the interior door handles.To open the rear doors, fold back the edge ofthe carpet below the rear seats to expose themechanical release cable. Pull the mechanicalrelease cable toward the center.

Doors



9/185

Opening and ClosingPress down on a switch to lower theassociated window all the way down. Windowswitches operate at two levels. To lower a

window partially, hold the switch and releasewhen the window is at the desired position.

Similarly, pull a switch to raise the associatedwindow. This also operates at two levels—when raising, hold the switch and releasewhen the window is at the desired position.

Warning: Before closing a power window,

it is the driver’s responsibility to ensurethat all occupants, especially children, donot have any body parts extendedthrough the window’s opening. Failure todo so can cause serious injury.

Warning: When leaving Model S, alwaystake your key with you. Leaving the key inModel S allows all doors, windows, andcontrols to be fully operational and cancause hazardous, unauthorized orunintentional use of Model S.

Locking Rear WindowsTo prevent passengers from using the rearwindow switches, press the rear window lockswitch. The switch light turns on. To unlock

rear windows, press the switch again.

Warning: To ensure safety, it isrecommended that you lock the rearwindows whenever children are seated inthe rear seats.

Warning: Never leave children unattendedin Model S.

Windows



10/185

OpeningTo open the rear trunk, do one of thefollowing:

• Touch Controls > Trunk on thetouchscreen.

• Double-click the rear trunk button on thekey.

• Press the switch located under theexterior handle (depending on date ofmanufacture and options selected at timeof purchase, some Model S vehiclesrequire you to rst unlock Model S).

When the liftgate is open, theinstrument panel displays the DoorOpen indicator light. The image ofthe Model S on the touchscreenControls window also displays theopen trunk.

To stop a powered liftgate while it is moving,single-click the Trunk button on the key. Then,when you double-click the Trunk button, itmoves again, but in the opposite direction(provided it was not almost entirely open orclosed when you stopped it). For example, ifyou single-click to stop the liftgate while it isopening, when you double-click, it closes.

To open the trunk from inside in the unlikelysituation in which Model S has no electricalpower, see Opening with No Power on page11.

ClosingIf Model S is not equipped with a poweredliftgate, close the trunk by pulling down on theliftgate and pushing rmly until it is fully

closed.To close the powered liftgate, do one of thefollowing:

• Double-click the trunk button on the key.• Touch Controls > Trunk on the

touchscreen.• Press the switch located on the underside

of the liftgate (see Adjusting the OpeningHeight on page 10).

If a powered liftgate senses an obstruction

when closing, it automatically opens andsounds two chimes. Remove the obstructionand try closing it again. If it cannot close thesecond time, powered operation is temporarilydisabled. Close it manually to restore poweredoperation.

Note: The power closing feature is alsotemporarily disabled if you leave the poweredliftgate open for more than an hour.

Adjusting the Opening HeightIf Model S is equipped with a powered liftgate,you can adjust its opening height to make iteasier to reach:

1. Open the liftgate, then lower it to thedesired opening height.

2. Press and hold the button on theunderside of the liftgate for two secondsuntil you hear a conrmation beep.

3. Conrm that you have set it to the desiredheight by closing the liftgate, thenreopening it.

Rear Trunk



11/185


12/185

OpeningTo open the front trunk:

Touch ControlsFront Trunk on thetouchscreen, or double-click the fronttrunk button on the key.Pull the hood up.

The door open indicator displays onthe instrument panel when the fronttrunk is open. The image of theModel S on the touchscreen Controlswindow also displays the open trunk.

The front trunk locks whenever Model S islocked using the touchscreen, externally usingthe key or walk-away locking, or when Valetmode is active (see Valet Mode ).

To open the front trunk in the unlikelysituation in which Model S has no electricalpower, see Open ing with No Power .

ClosingThe Model S body is made of lightweightaluminum. Therefore, the hood is not heavyenough to latch under its own weight and

applying pressure on the front edge or centerof the hood can cause damage. To close thehood:

• Lower the hood fully until it touches thelatch.

• Place both hands on the front of the hoodin the areas shown below (in green), thenpress down rmly to engage the latches.

• Lift the front edge of the hood to ensure itis fully closed.

Caution: To prevent damage:

• Apply pressure only to the greenareas illustrated above. Applyingpressure to the red areas can causedamage.

• Do not close the hood with one hand.Doing so applies concentrated forcein one area and can result in a dent orcrease.

• Do not apply pressure to the leadingedge of the hood because this cancrease the edge.

• Do not slam or drop the hood.

Warning: Do not drive with the hoodsecured by the secondary catch alone.

Front Trunk



13/185

Interior Emergency ReleaseAn interior release button inside the fronttrunk allows a person locked inside to get out.This release button is active whenever Model S

is stationary.

Press the interior release button to open thefront trunk, then push up on the hood.

Note: The button glows for several hours aftera brief exposure to ambient light.

Opening with No PowerIf Model S has no electrical power, or if you areunable to open the front trunk using thetouchscreen or key, pull the mechanical

release lever located below the glove box. Thisreleases the primary catch.

Note: The mechanical release lever is notavailable on all versions of Model S. For dualmotor vehicles and some newer models,contact Tesla for assistance.

Then push down on the secondary catch leverand lift the hood. You may need to push thehood down slightly to release the pressureagainst the secondary catch.

Front Trunk



14/185

Opening and ClosingTo open the glove box, press the switchlocated on the side of the touchscreen. If youleave the glove box open for ve minutes, its

light automatically turns off.

Note: The glove box locks whenever Model Sis locked externally, using the key or walk-away locking. It also locks when Model S is inValet mode (see Valet Mode on page 35). Itdoes not lock when Model S is locked usingthe touchscreen.

Warning: When driving, keep the glovebox closed to prevent injury to apassenger if a collision or sudden stopoccurs.

Glove Box



15/185

Opening and ClosingIf your Model S is equipped with a sunroof,touch Controls > Sunroof on the touchscreento operate it. Drag, or tap on, the sunroof

slider bar, or touch the image of the sunroofand drag it. The sunroof moves to the selectedposition.

Touch OPEN once to open the sunroof to itscomfort position (75% open to minimize windnoise). Or, move the sunroof to the comfortposition by dragging the slider bar to theindent position. If you nd wind noise (whichvaries depending on driving speed) excessive,even with the sunroof in the comfort position,open a window slightly.

Touch OPEN twice to open the sunroof fully.

Touch CLOSE to fully close the sunroof.

If the sunroof’s safety mechanism detects any

obstruction, it does not close. If, afterremoving the obstruction, it still does notclose, touch and hold CLOSE to override thesunroof’s anti-trap mechanism.

Touch VENT to open the sunroof slightly.

To stop the sunroof from moving at any time,touch the image of the sunroof.

Warning: Do not allow occupants toextend any part of their body through thesunroof. Doing so can cause serious injury

from ying debris, tree branches, or otherobstructions.

Warning: Before closing the sunroof,ensure that occupants, especiallychildren, do not have any body partextended through the sunroof opening.Failure to do so can cause serious injury.

Caution: Remove snow and ice beforeopening the sunroof. Opening a sunroofcovered in snow and ice can causedamage.

Caution: Do not carry an object thatprotrudes through the sunroof. Doing socan damage the sunroof’s seals and anti-trap mechanism.

Sunroof



16/185

Opening and ClosingTo expose a cup holder, slide back the armrest.

Cup Holders



17/185

Correct Driving PositionThe seat, head support, seat belt and airbagswork together to maximize your safety. Usingthese correctly ensures greater protection.

Position the seat so you can wear the seat beltcorrectly, while being as far away from thefront airbag as possible:

1. Sit upright with both feet on the oor andthe seat back reclined no more than 30degrees.

2. Make sure you can easily reach the pedalsand that your arms are slightly bent whenholding the steering wheel. Your chest

should be at least 10 inches (25 cm) fromthe center of the airbag cover.3. Place the shoulder section of the seat belt

mid-way between your neck and yourshoulder. Fit the lap section of the belttightly across your hips, not across yourstomach.

Model S seats include integrated headsupports that cannot be adjusted or removed.

Adjusting the Driver’s Seat

1. Adjust lumbar support.2. Adjust backrest.3. Move seat forward/backward.4. Adjust the seat’s height and tilt angle.

Warning: Do not adjust seats while

driving. Doing so increases the risk of acollision.

Warning: Riding in a moving vehicle withthe seat back reclined can result inserious injuries in a collision, as you couldslide under the lap belt or be propelledinto the seat belt. Ensure your seat backis reclined no more than 30 degrees whenthe vehicle is moving.

Front and Rear Seats

Seating and Safety Restraints 17


18/185

Folding Rear SeatsModel S has a split rear seat that can foldforward.

Note: If Model S is equipped with the optionalexecutive rear seats, these seats do not foldforward.

Before folding, remove items from the seatsand the rear foot well. To allow the rear seatbacks to fold completely at, you may need tomove the front seats forward.

To fold a rear seat, press the correspondinglever and fold the seat forward.

Raising Rear SeatsBefore raising a rear seat, make sure that theseat belts are not trapped behind thebackrest.

Pull the seat back upward until it locks intoplace.

To conrm that the seat back is locked in theupright position, try pulling it forward.

Warning: Always ensure the seat backsare locked in their upright position.Failure to do so increases the risk ofinjury.

Head SupportsSeats include integrated head supports thatcannot be adjusted or removed.

Seat HeatersThe front seats are equipped with heatingpads that operate at three levels from 3(highest) to 1 (lowest). To operate the seatheaters, see Climate Controls on page 97.

If Model S is equipped with the optional cold

weather package, you can also control seatheaters in the rear seats, as well as heatedwipers by touching Controls > Cold Weather(see Controls on page 89).

Seat CoversDo not use seat covers on Model S. Doing socould restrict deployment of the side air bagsif an accident occurs. It can also reduce theaccuracy of the occupant detection system.

Front and Rear Seats



19/185

Wearing Seat BeltsUsing seat belts and child safety seats is themost effective way to protect occupants if acollision occurs. Therefore, wearing a seat belt

is required by law in most jurisdictions.Both the driver and passenger seats areequipped with three-point inertia reel seatbelts. Inertia reel belts are automaticallytensioned to allow occupants to movecomfortably during normal driving conditions.To securely hold child safety seats, allpassenger seating positions are equipped withan automatic locking retractor (ALR) that, bypulling the seat belt beyond the lengthneeded for a typical adult occupant, locks the

belt into place until the seat belt is unbuckled(see Installing Seat Belt Retained Child Seatson page 24).

The seat belt reel automatically locks toprevent movement of occupants if Model Sexperiences a force associated with hardacceleration, braking, cornering, or an impactin a collision.

The seat belt reminder on theinstrument panel alerts you if a seatbelt for an occupied seat is notfastened. If the belt remainsunfastened, the reminder ashes andan intermittent chime sounds. If alloccupants are buckled up and thereminder stays on, re-fasten seatbelts to ensure they are correctlylatched. Also remove any heavyobjects (such as a briefcase) from anunoccupied seat. If the reminderlight continues to stay on, contactTesla.

To Fasten a Belt

1. Ensure correct positioning of the seat.

2. Draw the belt out smoothly, ensuring thebelt lays at across the pelvis, chest andmid-point of your collar bone, betweenthe neck and shoulder.

3. Insert the latch plate into the buckle andpress together until you hear a clickindicating it is locked in place.

4. Pull the belt to check that it is securelyfastened.

5. Pull the diagonal part of the belt towardthe reel to remove excess slack.

To Release a Belt

Hold the belt near the buckle to prevent thebelt from retracting too quickly, then press thebutton on the buckle. The belt retractsautomatically. Ensure there is no obstructionthat prevents the belt from fully retracting.The belt should not hang loose. If a seat beltdoes not fully retract, contact Tesla.

Wearing Seat Belts When PregnantDo not put the lap or shoulder sections of theseat belt over the abdominal area. Wear thelap section of the belt as low as possibleacross the hips, not the waist. Position the

shoulder portion of the belt between thebreasts and to the side of the abdomen.Consult your doctor for specic guidance.

Warning: Never place anything between

you and the seat belt to cushion theimpact in the event of an accident.

Seat Belts



20/185

Seat Belt Pre-tensionersThe front seat belts are equipped withpre ‑tensioners that work in conjunction withthe airbags in a severe frontal collision. The

pre ‑tensioners automatically retract both theseat belt anchor and the seat belt webbing,reducing slack in both the lap and diagonalportions of the belts, resulting in reducedforward movement of the occupant.

If the pre-tensioners and airbags did notactivate in an impact, this does not mean theymalfunctioned. It usually means that thestrength or type of force needed to activatethem was not present.

Warning: Once the seat belt pre-tensioners have been activated, they mustbe replaced. After any accident, have theairbags, seat belt pre-tensioners and anyassociated components checked and, ifnecessary, replaced.

Testing Seat BeltsTo conrm that seat belts are operatingcorrectly, perform these three simple checkson each seat belt.

1. With the seat belt fastened, give thewebbing nearest the buckle a quick pull.The buckle should remain securely locked.

2. With the belt unfastened, unreel thewebbing to its limit. Check that unreelingis free from snags, and visually check thewebbing for wear. Allow the webbing toretract, checking that retraction is smoothand complete.

3. With the webbing half unreeled, hold thetongue plate and pull forward quickly. The

mechanism should lock automatically andprevent further unreeling.

If a seat belt fails any of these tests, contactTesla immediately.

Seat Belt WarningsWarning: Seat belts should be worn by alloccupants at all times, even if driving fora very short distance. Failure to do soincreases the risk of injury or death if an

accident occurs.Warning: Secure small children in asuitable child safety seat. Always followthe child safety seat manufacturer'sinstructions when installing.

Warning: Ensure that all seat belts areworn correctly. An improperly worn seatbelt increases the risk of injury or death ifan accident occurs.

Warning: Do not wear seat belts over

hard, fragile or sharp items in clothing,such as pens, keys, eyeglasses, etc. Thepressure from the seat belt on such itemscan cause injury.

Warning: Seat belts should not be wornwith any part of the strap twisted.

Warning: Each seat belt assembly mustbe used by one occupant only. It isdangerous to put a seat belt around achild being carried on an occupant’s lap.

Warning: Seat belts that have been wornin an accident must be inspected orreplaced by Tesla, even if damage to theassembly is not obvious.

Warning: Seat belts that show signs ofwear (such as fraying), or have been cutor damaged in any way, must be replacedby Tesla.

Seat Belts



21/185

Warning: Avoid contaminating a seatbelt’s components with any chemicals,liquids, grit, dirt or cleaning products. If aseat belt fails to retract or latch into thebuckle, it must be replaced immediately.Contact Tesla.Warning: Do not make modications oradditions that can prevent a seat beltmechanism from taking up slack, or thatcan prevent a seat belt from beingadjusted to remove slack. A slack beltgreatly reduces occupant protection.

Warning: Do not make modications thatcan interfere with the operation of a seatbelt, or that can cause a seat belt tobecome inoperable.

Warning: When seat belts are not in use,they should be fully retracted and nothanging loose. If a seat belt does not fullyretract, contact Tesla.

Seat Belts



22/185

Guidelines for Seating ChildrenYour Model S seat belts in the front and second row seats are designed for adults and largerchildren. You must restrain infants and small children in the second row seats only, and you mustuse a suitable child safety seat appropriate for the child’s age, weight, and size. Never use childsafety seats in the front row passenger seat. Carefully follow the instructions provided by themanufacturer of the child safety seat.

If your Model S is equipped with the optional Tesla built-in rear facing child seats, these seats arechild safety seats and are designed only for children within a specic height and weight range(see Tesla Built-In Rear Facing Child Seats on page 27).

Child Safety Seats



23/185

Choosing a Child Safety SeatAll children age 12 and under should ride in the rear (second row) seats. Always use a child safetyseat suitable for a young child’s age and weight. The following table is based on child safety seatrecommendations determined by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For

more information, go to www.nhtsa.gov/ChildSafety/Guidance .

Infants Toddlers Youngchildren

Age Birth to 1 year* Over 1 year* 4 years andolder, andless than 57in. (145 cm)tall

Weight Up to at least 20 lbs (9 kg)* Over 20 lbs (9 kg) (minimum)

and up to 40 lbs (18 kg)*

Over 40 lbs

(18 kg)Type of childsafety seat

Rear facing (or convertible) Forward facing (orconvertible)*

Seat beltretainedboosterseat

Seat position Rear facing only* Forward facing* Forwardfacing

Recommendedattachmentmethod

If combined weight of childand safety seat is up to65 lbs (29 kg), attach usingeither LATCH** (lower anchoronly) or the seat belt only.***If combined weight of childand safety seat is over 65 lbs(29 kg), attach using the seatbelt only.***

If combined weight of childand safety seat is up to 65 lbs(29 kg), attach using eitherLATCH** (both lower anchorsand top tether anchor), or theseat belt and upper tetherstrap.*** If combined weight ofchild and safety seat is over65 lbs (29 kg) , attach using theseat belt and upper tetherstrap.***

Attachboosterseats usingthe seatbelt only.

* Many child safety seats currently available allow children to ride rear-facing using the childsafety seat’s integrated 5-point harness for a longer period of time BASED UPON SPECIFICHEIGHT AND WEIGHT LIMITS. Keep your child in a rear facing seat for as long as possible.CHECK THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS AND CAREFULLYFOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS

** LATCH - Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. In Canada, this is also called LowerUniversal Anchorage System (LUAS), or CANFIX.

*** Subject to instructions provided by the child safety seat manufacturer.

Warning: Laws that govern how and where children should be carried when traveling in avehicle are subject to change. It is the driver’s responsibility to keep up to date on, andcomply with, all current regulations in the region(s) where Model S is driven.To check thechild passenger safety laws for your state, go to: http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/ childsafety_laws.html .

Child Safety Seats


http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/childsafety_laws.htmlhttp://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/childsafety_laws.htmlhttp://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/childsafety_laws.htmlhttp://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/childsafety_laws.htmlhttp://www.nhtsa.gov/ChildSafety/Guidance


24/185

Seating Larger ChildrenIf a child is too large to t into a child safetyseat, but too small to safely t into thestandard seat belts, use a booster seat

appropriate for the child’s age and size.Carefully follow the manufacturer’sinstructions to secure the booster seat usingthe seat belts. Do not use the LATCH systemto secure booster seats, even in situationswhere the booster seat is equipped with theLATCH system.

Installing Child Safety SeatsThere are two general methods used to installchild safety seats:

• Seat belt retained - these seats aresecured using the vehicle’s seat belts (seeInstalling Seat Belt Retained Child Seatson page 24).

• LATCH retained - these seats can attachto anchor bars built into the vehicle’s rearseats (see Installing LATCH Child Seats onpage 25).

Check the child safety seat manufacturer’sinstructions and the table on Child Safety

Seats on page 22 to determine whichinstallation method to use. Some child safetyseats can be installed using either method.Always follow the child safety seatmanufacturer’s instructions.

Installing Seat Belt Retained ChildSeatsFirst, make sure tha t the child falls into thecorrect weight range for the seat.

Avoid dressing the child in bulky clothing anddo not pl ace any objects between the childand the restraint system.

Adjust harnesses for every child, every trip.

To securely hold child safety seats, allpassenger seating positions are equipped withan automatic locking retractor (ALR) that, bypulling the seat belt beyond the lengthneeded for a typical adult occupant, locks thebelt into place until the seat belt is unbuckledand the webbing is fully retracted. The ALRmechanism operates as a ratchet, winding inslack and preventing the seat belt fromextending any further until it has beencompletely rewound. When installing a childsafety seat, engage the belt's automaticlocking retractor by pulling the seat beltwebbing until it is fully extended. The ALRsystem engages only when the seat belt is atits maximum extension point.

Note: An automatic locking retractordisengages only when the seat belt isunbuckled and fully retracted. The belt canthen be worn as a normal belt, sliding freely inand out and locking tight only in anemergency. Once disengaged, the belt mustbe fully extended to re-engage the lockingmechanism whenever you install a child safetyseat.

Always follow the detailed instructionsprovided by the child safety seatmanufacturer. General guidelines are providedbelow.

1. Place the child safety seat in Model S, andfully extend the seat belt. Route andb uckle the seat belt in accordance withthe child safety seat manufact urer’sinstructions.

2. Allow the seat belt to retract, and removeall slack in the seat belt while rmlypushing the child safety seat into theModel S seat.

3. If the seat belt retained child safety seathas an upper tether, attach it to the backof the seat (see Attaching Upper TetherStraps on page 25).

Child Safety Seats



25/185

Installing LATCH Child SeatsLower LATCH anchors are provided in thesecond row outboard seats. The anchors arelocated between the seat's back rest and rear

cushion. The exact location of each anchor isidentied by a child safety seat identicationbutton, illustrated below. The button is locatedon the seat back, directly above its associatedanchor.

Install LATCH child safety seats in theoutboard seating positions only. Use only aseat belt retained seat in the center position.

To install a LATCH child safety seat, slide thesafety seat latches onto the anchor bars untilthey click into place. Carefully read and followthe instructions provided by the child safety

seat manufacturer.

Once installed, test the security of theinstallation before seating a child. Attempt totwist the child safety seat from side to sideand try to pull it away from the seat, thencheck that the anchors are still securely inplace.

Attaching Upper Tether StrapsIf an upper tether strap is provided, attach itshook to the anchor point located on the backof the rear seats.

Always position single-strap tethers to runover the top of the head support. For dual-strap tethers, position a strap on each side ofthe head support. Tighten according to thechild safety seat manufacturer's instructions.

Note: To prevent the single-strap tether frommoving side to side, the top of the headsupport deforms.

Note: If Model S is equipped with the optionalexecutive rear seats, a rear centre seating

position is not available.

Child Safety Seats



26/185

Testing a Child Safety SeatBefore seating a child, always make sure thechild safety seat is not loose:

1. Hold the child safety seat by the belt pathand try to slide the safety seat from sideto side and front to back.

2. If the seat moves more than one inch(2.5 cm), it is too loose. Tighten the belt orreconnect the LATCH retained child safetyseat.

3. If you are unable to reduce slack, try adifferent seat location or try another childsafety seat.

Warnings - Child Safety SeatsWarning: Extreme hazard! Do not seat achild on the front passenger seat even ifyou are using a child safety seat. This seathas an airbag in front of it. Although thisairbag is disabled when Model S detects alightweight passenger, do not rely ontechnology to protect your child.

Warning: Child restraint systems aredesigned to be secured in vehicle seatsby lap belts or the lap belt portion of alap-shoulder belt. Children could be

endangered in a crash if their childrestraints are not properly secured in thevehicle

Warning: According to accident statistics,children are safer when properlyrestrained in the rear seating positionsthan in the front seating positions.

Warning: Do not use a forward facingchild safety seat until your child weighsover 20 lbs (9 kg) and can sitindependently. Up to the age of two, achild's spine and neck are not sufficientlydeveloped to avoid injury in a frontalimpact.

Warning: Do not allow a baby or infant tobe held on a lap. All children should berestrained in an appropriate child safetyseat at all times.

Warning: To ensure children are safelyseated, follow all instructions provided inthis document and by the manufacturerof the child safety seat.

Warning: Children should ride in a rearfacing child safety seat using the seat’sintegrated 5-point harness for as long aspossible.

Warning: Do not use seat belt extenderson a seat belt that is being used to installa child safety seat or booster seat.

Warning: When seating larger children,make sure the child's head is supportedand the child’s seat belt is properlyadjusted and fastened. The shoulder

portion of the belt must be away from theface and neck, and the lap portion mustnot be over the stomach.

Warning: Never attach two child safetyseats to one anchor point. In a collision,one anchor point may be incapable ofsecuring both seats.

Warning: Child restraint anchors aredesigned to withstand only those loadsimposed by correctly tted childrestraints. Under no circumstances arethey to be used for adult seatbelts,harnesses, or for attaching other items orequipment.

Warning: Always check harnesses andtether straps for damage and wear.

Warning:

Warning: Never leave a child unattended,even if the child is secured in a childsafety seat.

Warning: Never use a child safety seatthat has been involved in an accident.Have the seat inspected or replaced as adescribed in the child safety seatmanufacturer’s instructions.

Child Safety Seats



27/185

Usage RestrictionsThe optional Tesla built-in rear facing childseats are child restraint systems and must onlybe used for children over 37" (94 cm) tall and

weighing between 35 and 77 lbs (16.2 to35.2 kg).

Always ensure the top of the child’s headcannot contact the vehicle and that the childis seated comfortably with the seat beltspositioned and latched correctly. The child’spelvis must be held securely in place by thelap belt. Follow all instructions provided anddo not use supplemental child safety seats inthese seats.

Note: Whenever a child is seated in the Teslabuilt-in rear facing child seats, it isrecommended that you set the climate controlsystem to draw outside air into Model Sinstead of recirculating the air. This drawsmore air into the rear seating areas.

Opening1. Remove the cover from the trunk oor

and pull the strap to lift the seat assemblyupward.

2. Push the seat assembly into position.

3. Undo the Velcro strap.

4. Pull the handle to release the headsupports from the seat back, then pull thehead supports toward you to unfold them.

5. Raise the seat back to the upright positionand push until it locks into position.Visually check to ensure that the retainingcatches are engaged.

6. Check that the seat back and seat baseare securely retained in the uprightposition by trying to pull the seat backtoward you.

FoldingCaution: Before folding the seats, fastenthe seat belts to prevent them fromgetting trapped in the seat mechanismand being damaged.

Tesla Built-In Rear Facing Child Seats



28/185

1. Pull the handle to release the seat backand pull the seat back fully forward.

2. Push the lever to release the headsupports from the seat back, then foldback onto the seat.

3. Secure the Velcro strap.

4. Pull the strap at the rear of the seat to foldthe seat assembly into the trunk oor.

5. Replace the cover on the trunk oor.




29/185

Seating a ChildThe Tesla built-in rear facing child seats arechild restraint systems and must only be usedfor children over 37" (94 cm) tall and weighing

between 35 and 77 lbs (16.2 to 35.2 kg).Always ensure the top of the child’s headcannot contact the vehicle and that the childis seated comfortably with the seat beltspositioned and latched correctly. The child’spelvis must be held securely in place by thelap belt. Follow all instructions provided anddo not use supplemental child safety seats inthese seats.

Note: Whenever a child is seated in the Teslabuilt-in rear facing child seats, it isrecommended that you set the climate controlsystem to draw outside air into Model Sinstead of recirculating the air. This drawsmore air into the rear seating areas.

1. Position the child in the seat with armsthrough the loops of the seat belts.

2. Connect the two halves of the seat belttongue.

3. Insert the seat belt tongue into the buckleand ensure it is securely fastened.

4. Adjust the shoulder belts so they run overthe top of the child’s shoulders and awayfrom the face.

5. Connect the chest clip and adjust it to beas high as possible without causing theshoulder belts to touch the child’s neck.

6. Pull the lower straps until the child issecurely held in the seat.

7. Slide the shoulder clips into place toensure the upper portion of the beltsremain positioned over the child’sshoulders.

To release, press the button on the buckle,release the chest clip, and separate the twohalves of the seat restraint.




30/185


31/185

Location of AirbagsAirbags are located in the approximate areas shown here. Airbag warning information is printedon the sun visors.

Model S is equipped with an air bag and lap/shoulder belt at both front outboard seating

positions. The air bag is a supplemental restraint at those seating positions. All occupants,including the driver, should always wear their seat belts whether or not an air bag is also providedat their seating position to minimize the risk of severe injury or death in the event of a crash.

1. Passenger knee airbag

2. Passenger front airbag3. Side airbags4. Curtain airbags5. Driver’s knee airbag6. Driver’s front airbag

Airbags



32/185

How the Airbags WorkInation of airbags depends on the rate atwhich the vehicle’s cabin changes speed in acollision. The rate of deceleration determines

whether airbags inate.Airbags inate instantly with considerableforce accompanied by a loud noise. Theinated bag, together with the seat belts,limits movement of occupants to reduce therisk of injury.

Front airbags are not ordinarily designed toinate in rear collisions, rollovers, minor frontor side collisions, heavy braking, or drivingover bumps and potholes. Therefore,signicant supercial damage can occur tothe vehicle without the airbags inating or,conversely, a relatively small amount ofstructural damage can cause airbags to inate.

If you are planning to modify your vehicle for aperson with disabilities in a way that mayaffect the airbag system, contact Tesla.

Types of AirbagsModel S has the following types of airbags:

• Advanced front airbags: The front airbagsare advanced airbags designed to reduceairbag related injuries to children or smalladults who ride in the front seats. On thedriver’s side, the front airbag works with aseat position sensor that adjusts theination level based on the seatingposition of the occupant. On thepassenger’s side, the airbag responds to asensing system in the seat that determineswhether or not the passenger side frontairbag inates, and optimizes the inationlevel based on the weight of the occupant

(described below).• Knee airbags: Knee airbags and the frontairbags work together. The knee airbagslimit the forward motion of the front seatoccupants by restricting leg movement,thereby positioning the occupants so thatthe front airbags work more effectively.

• Side airbags: Side airbags protect thethorax region of the torso and the pelvis.They inate only if a severe side impactoccurs. Side airbags on the non-impactedside of the vehicle do not inate.

• Curtain airbags: Curtain airbags helpprotect the head and typically inate onlyif a severe side impact occurs, or if thevehicle rolls over. Curtain airbags on boththe impacted and non-impacted side ofthe vehicle will inate.

Airbags



33/185

Passenger Front AirbagModel S has an occupancy sensor in the frontpassenger seat that controls the status of theairbags based on the weight of the occupant.

Passenger airbag status displays in the topright corner of the touchscreen to indicatewhether the airbag will inate (on) or notinate (off) if a collision occurs.

Note: The occupancy sensor system meets theregulatory requirement of FMVSS 208 andautomatically detects when inating thepassenger front airbags would be unnecessaryor potentially harmful.

Front passenger seatoccupancy*

Passenger airbagstatus

Empty OFF

Infant in child safetyseat (up to 20 lbs/ 9kg)

OFF

Child or smalloccupant(20-100 lbs/9-45 kg)

ON or OFF

Heavy object/ occupant ON

*Values are approximate. Occupants whoseweight is close to the low weight thresholdcan cause the status to occasionally turn onand off depending on seating position andphysique.

Note: It takes approximately six seconds afteryou power on Model S for the occupancysensor to report accurate status of the frontpassenger airbag. As a result, when you rstpower on Model S, the status defaults to PASSAIRBAG ON, even in situations when it shouldbe OFF because the seat is either empty orcarrying a weight of 20 lbs (9 kg) or less.However, after the six second initialization, thestatus should display as PASS AIRBAG OFF. If

it fails to do so, contact Tesla serviceimmediately and seat passengers in the rearseating positions only.

If the status shows the airbag as permanently

on, even when the seat is empty and the seatbelt is unbuckled, contact Tesla immediately.

To make sure the sensing system can correctlydetect occupancy status, eliminate thefollowing:

• Objects lodged under the seat.• Heavy objects sitting on the seat

(briefcase, large purse).• Objects wedged between the seat back

and seat cushion.• Cargo interfering with the seat.• After market items attached to, or sitting

on, the seat (covers, mats, blankets, etc.).

These conditions can interfere with theoccupancy sensor. If you have eliminated theabove possibilities, and the airbag status is stillincorrect, ask passengers to ride in the rearseats and contact Tesla to have the airbagsystem checked.

Note: The front passenger seat’s sensingsystem affects the operation of the passenger

front and side airbags only. The otherpassenger airbags are not affected.

Warning: Never seat a child on the frontpassenger seat, even if the passengerairbag is off. All occupants age 12 andunder must ride in the rear (second row)seats (see Child Safety Seats on page 22).

Warning: To ensure accuracy of theoccupant detection system, do not makeany modications to the front passengerseat.

Warning: Do not use seat covers onModel S. Doing so could restrictdeployment of the side air bags if anaccident occurs. It can also reduce theaccuracy of the occupant detectionsystem.

Ination EffectsWhen airbags inate, a ne powder isreleased. This powder can irritate the skin and

should be thoroughly ushed from the eyesand from any cuts or abrasions.

After ination, the airbags deate to provide agradual cushioning effect for the occupantsand to ensure the driver’s forward vision is notobscured.

Airbags



34/185

If airbags have inated, or if your vehicle hasbeen in an accident, always have the airbags,seat belt pre-tensioners and any associatedcomponents checked and, if necessary,replaced by Tesla.

In a collision, in addition to the airbagsinating:

• Doors unlock and the door handlesextend.

• Hazard warning lights turn on.• Interior lights turn on.• High voltage is disabled.

To restore Battery power, use the touchscreento manually power off Model S, then press thebrake to power it back on again.

Airbag Warning Indicator

The airbag indicator on theinstrument panel remains lit if theairbag system is malfunctioning. Theonly time this indicator should lightup is briey when Model S rstpowers up, in which case it turns offwithin a few seconds. If it remains lit,contact Tesla immediately and donot drive.

Airbag WarningsWarning: No objects should be placedover or near the air bag on the instrumentpanel, because any such objects couldcause harm if the vehicle is in a crashsevere enough to cause the air bag toinate.

Warning: All occupants, including thedriver, should always wear their seat belts,whether or not an airbag is also providedat their seating position, to minimize therisk of severe injury or death in the eventof a collision.

Warning: Front seat occupants should notplace their arms over the airbag module,as an inating bag can cause fractures orother injuries.

Warning: Do not use seat covers on

Model S. Doing so could restrictdeployment of the side air bags if anaccident occurs. It can also reduce theaccuracy of the occupant detectionsystem.

Warning: Airbags inate withconsiderable speed and force, which can

cause injury. To limit injuries, ensure thatoccupants are wearing seat belts and arecorrectly seated, with the seat positionedas far back as possible. The NationalHighway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) recommends a minimumdistance of 10" (25 cm) between anoccupant’s chest and an airbag.

Warning: Do not use a child safety seat orseat young children on a seat with anoperational airbag in front of it. Doing socan cause injury or death if the airbaginates.

Warning: To ensure correct ination of theside airbags, maintain an unobstructedgap between an occupant’s torso and theside of Model S.

Warning: Passengers should not lean theirheads against the doors. Doing so cancause injury if a curtain airbag inates.

Warning: Do not allow passengers toobstruct the operation of an airbag byplacing feet, knees or any other part ofthe body on or near an airbag.

Warning: Do not attach or place objectson or near the front airbags, the side of

the front seats, the headliner at the sideof the vehicle, or any other airbag coverthat could interfere with ination of anairbag. Objects can cause serious injury ifthe vehicle is in a collision severe enoughto cause the airbag to inate.

Warning: Following ination, some airbagcomponents are hot. Do not touch untilthey have cooled.

Airbags



35/185

Creating a Driver ProleIf equipped with the driver prole feature, youonly need to adjust Model S once. When yourst adjust the driver’s seat, steering wheel, or

driver’s side mirror, the touchscreen promptsyou to create a driver prole to save theseadjustments. Your prole also saves some ofthe preferences you make using thetouchscreen’s Settings window.

A driver can add a new driver prole bytouching Controls > Settings > Driver Proles(or by touching the driver icon on thetouchscreen's status bar, and touching CreateDriver Prole ). Enter the driver name andtouch Create Prole .

If you change the position of the steeringwheel, driver’s seat, or driver’s side mirrorafter you have saved a prole, the touchscreenprompts you to save the new position orrestore the previously saved position (otherpreferences are automatically saved). To use asetting without saving or restoring, just ignorethe prompt.

Note: Valet Mode is a built-in driver proleused to limit speed and restrict access tosome Model S features (see Valet Mode on

page 35).Note: Depending on date of manufacture andoptions selected at time of purchase, someModel S vehicles are not equipped with theDriver Prole feature.

Restoring a Driver’s Prole

To adjust Model S based on a driver’sprole, touch the driver prole icon,located to the left side of the Tesla“T” on the touchscreen’s status bar.Then choose the driver and thesaved adjustments are automaticallymade.

Saved Driver SettingsTo see what settings are associated with yourdriver prole, touch Controls > Settings >Driver Proles . Then touch See what’s saved.A popup window lists the settings that are

associated with a driver prole. These settingsvary depending on the version of softwarecurrently running in Model S.

Valet ModeWhen Model S is in Valet Mode, the followingrestrictions apply:

• Speed is limited to 70 mph (113 km/h).• Power is limited to approximately 120 kW

and torque is limited to 300 Nm.• Front trunk and glove box are locked.• The navigation system does not display

Places (this protects Home/Worklocations).

• Voice commands are disabled.• Cruise control is disabled.• Most status bar functions are disabled.• The Mobile Access setting is disabled.

• HomeLink and Driver Proles are notaccessible.

Starting Valet Mode

With Model S in Park, touch the driver proleicon, located to the left of the Tesla "T" on thetouchscreen's status bar, then touch ValetMode.

The rst time you start Valet Mode, you will beprompted to establish a 4-digit PIN that youwill use to cancel Valet Mode.

When Valet mode is active, the instrumentpanel displays the word Valet above thedriving speed and the Valet Mode driverprole displays on the touchscreen's statusbar.

You can also use the Model S mobile app tostart and cancel Valet Mode (providedModel S is in Park). When using the mobileapp, you do not need to enter a PIN becauseyou are already required to log into the app

using your MY TESLA credentials.Note: If you forget your PIN, reset it frominside Model S by entering your My Teslacredentials (which also cancels Valet Mode).You can also reset your PIN using the Model Smobile app.

Warning: Do not use Valet mode whentowing a trailer. Torque limitations canmake it difficult for Model X to pull atrailer up a hill.

Cancelling Valet ModeWith Model S in Park, touch the Valet Modedriver icon on the touchscreen's status bar,then enter the 4-digit PIN.

Driver Proles

Driving 35


36/185

When you cancel Valet Mode, all settingsassociated with the most recently used DriverProle and climate control settings arerestored, and all features are available.

Note: You do not need to enter a PIN to cancelValet Mode from the mobile app.

Driver Proles



37/185

Adjusting PositionAdjust the steering wheel to the desireddriving position by moving the control on theleft side of the steering column. Using this

control, you can move the steering wheelforward and backward and up and down.

Warning: Do not make adjustments whiledriving.

Adjusting Sensitivity

You can adjust the feel and sensitivity of thesteering system to suit your personalpreference:

1. On the touchscreen, touch Controls.2. Choose a steering option:

• Comfort - reduces the effort requiredto turn the wheel. In town, Model Sfeels easier to drive and park.

• Standard - Tesla believes that thissetting offers the best handling and

response in all conditions.• Sport - Increases the effort required

to turn the wheel. When driving athigher speeds, Model S feels moreresponsive.

The only way to really know which option youlike best is to try them.

Using Left Steering Wheel ButtonsUse the buttons on the left side of the steering

wheel to change radio stations, control themedia player’s volume, and to choose whatdisplays on the left side of the instrumentpanel (whenever the Navigation app is notdisplaying instructions).

1. Next

If you are listening to local or satelliteradio and you have dened more than oneradio preset, press to play the next presetin the radio band that is currently playing.If you have not dened more than onepreset, press to go to the next availablefrequency.

If you are listening to Internet radio, or toan audio le on a connected Bluetooth orUSB device, press to skip to the next songor station.

2. Scroll Wheel

• To adjust the media volume, roll up or

down.Note: The scroll wheel adjusts thevolume for media, navigationinstructions and phone calls based onwhat is currently in use. As you adjustvolume, the instrument panel displaysthe volume level and whether you areadjusting volume for media,navigation or phone.

• To mute the media volume, or topause/play an audio le, tap thewheel.

• To choose what displays on the leftside of the instrument panel, press thescroll wheel briey until the availableoptions are displayed. Roll the scrollwheel to choose Empty, Car Status,Clock, Media, Energy or Trips, etc.When the option you want ishighlighted, tap the scroll wheel.

Note: The option you choose todisplay using the left scroll wheel isretained until you manually change it.It is also saved in your driver prole.

3. Previous

Same as described above for Next, exceptit skips to the previous song or station.

Note: Regardless of how you customize theleft side of the instrument panel, it

Steering Wheel

Driving 37


38/185

automatically changes to display navigationinstructions (if applicable), or to let you knowif a door or trunk is open when Model S is in adriving gear.

Using Right Steering Wheel ButtonsUse the buttons on the right side of thesteering wheel to access call options while ona phone call, to browse the phonebook of aBluetooth-connected phone, to choose whatdisplays on the right side of the instrumentpanel, to adjust Model S features, and to usevoice commands.

Note: Whenever you receive or make a phonecall, the right side of the instrument panel

automatically displays call options to help youeasily handle phone calls on your Bluetooth-connected phone.

1. Touch to browse the phonebook of aBluetooth-connected phone and touchagain to close it.

Press and hold to use voice commands tocall a contact, navigate, or listen toInternet music. When you hear the tone,speak your command. Release the button

when you nish speaking. For details, seeUsing Voice Commands on page 39.

2. Scroll Wheel

• During a phone call, touch the scrollwheel to display call options thatallow you to perform an action on the

call, or access the phonebook.• Roll the wheel to adjust the mostrecently used feature from the featurelist (see Menu button).

• To choose what displays on the rightside of the instrument panel, press thescroll wheel briey until the availableoptions are displayed. Roll the scrollwheel to choose Empty, Car Status,Clock, Media, Energy or Trips, etc.When the option you want ishighlighted, tap the scroll wheel.

Note: The option you choose todisplay using the right scroll wheel isretained until you manua lly change it.It is also saved in your driver prole.

3. Menu button

Press to display a menu that allows you tocontrol the following Model S features:

• All. Allows you to roll the wheel andchoose from all available functions(listed next).

• Climate Temps. Roll the wheel tochange the temperature, or press thewheel to turn the climate controlsystem on and off.

• Fan Speed. Roll the wheel to adjustthe speed of the fan used to cool orheat the cabin.

• Display Brightness. Roll the wheel tochange the brightness level of thedisplays, or press the wheel to restoredefault settings.

• Sunroof (if equipped). Roll the wheelto adjust the position of the sunroof.

• Media Source. Roll the wheel tocontrol what Media Player is playing,or press the wheel to add/remove thecurrently playing station or audiotrack as a Favorite.

Press the menu button again to close thefeature list.

Steering Wheel



39/185

Using Voice CommandsYou can use voice commands to call a contact,navigate, or listen to Internet music. Press andhold the voice button on the upper right side

of the steering wheel. When you hear thetone, speak your command while continuingto hold down the voice button. Release thebutton when you nish speaking.

• To call a contact on your Bluetooth-connected phone, say “Call” or “Dial,”followed by the contact’s rst and/or lastname(s). For example, “Call Eric” or “CallMike Phillips.”

• To search for, or navigate to, a location,say “Where is,” “Drive,” or “Navigate,”

followed by an address, business name,business category, or landmark. Forexample, “Drive to Tesla in Menlo Park,”“Drive to Starbucks on Homestead inCupertino,” or “Where is StanfordUniversity?” If you have dened anavigation address for your home or worklocations, you can use a voice commandto "Navigate home" or "Navigate to work."

• To listen to an Internet music service, say“Listen to,” or “Play,” followed by thename of the song, album, artist orcombination. To improve voice recognitionaccuracy, provide multiple cues in yourcommand, such as artist plus song (forexample, “Play Yellow Brick Road by EltonJohn” or “Listen to Yellow Brick Road”).

Note: You can also use voice commands toprovide feedback to Tesla. Say "Note","Report", "Bug note", or "Bug report" followedby your brief comments. Model S takes asnapshot of its systems, including screencaptures of the touchscreen and instrument

panel. Tesla periodically reviews these notesand uses them to continue improving Model S.

Heated Steering WheelIf Model S is equipped with the optional coldweather package, you can access a controlthat instantly warms up the steering wheel bytouching Controls > Cold Weather > HeatedWheel. When turned on, a heater in thesteering wheel provides radiant heat thatkeeps the steering wheel at a comfortabletemperature.

HornTo sound the horn, press the center pad on thesteering wheel.

Steering Wheel

Driving 39


40/185

Adjusting Exterior Side MirrorsPress the button associated with the mirroryou want to adjust (left or right). The button'slight turns on and you can then press the dial

to move the mirror to the desired position.Repeat for the other side mirror. If prompted,touch Save on the touchscreen to save themirror adjustment in your driver prole.

To fold exterior mirrors, press the centerbutton. To set the mirrors to fold automaticallywhenever you Model S is locked, touchControls > Settings > Vehicle > Mirror Auto-Fold > ON.

Note: If you manually folded the mirrors, theydo not automatically unfold until your drivingspeed exceeds 10 mph (16 km/h).

The driver’s side mirror automatically dims atnight, in proportion to the level of glare fromthe headlights of a vehicle behind you (except

when in Reverse gear). Also, both exterior sidemirrors have heaters that turn on and off withthe rear window defroster.

Note: Depending on date of manufacture andoptions selected at time of purchase, someModel S vehicles are not equipped with a side

mirror that automatically dims at night andmay not include heated side mirrors.

Mirror Auto-tilt When Reversing

Both exterior mirrors can automatically tiltdownward when backing up. To adjust theauto-tilt position, shift into Reverse, thenadjust the mirrors as described above (pressthe button associated with the mirror youwant to adjust, then press the dial to move themirror to the desired position). Touch Save onthe touchscreen to save the mirror adjustmentin your driver prole.

When you shift back into Drive, the mirrors tiltback to their normal (upward) position. Butnow that you have adjusted them for backingup, they automatically tilt to the selecteddownward position whenever you shift intoReverse.

You can turn the auto-tilt feature on or offusing the touchscreen, Touch Controls >Settings > Vehicle > Mirror Auto-Tilt.

Note: Depending on date of manufacture andoptions selected at time of purchase, someModel S vehicles are not equipped with MirrorAuto-Tilt.

Rear View MirrorExcept when in Reverse gear, the rear viewmirror automatically dims in proportion to thelevel of glare from the headlights of a vehiclebehind you.

Mirrors



41/185

StartingWhen you open a door, Model S powers onthe instrument panel and touchscreen. Thecenter circle on the instrument panel displays

the status of doors and the charge level, andyou can operate all controls.

To drive:

• PRESS THE BRAKE - the center circle onthe instrument panel changes to displaythe speedometer, power meter, chargelevel, and selected gear (P, R, N, or D).

• SELECT A GEAR - all the way down forDrive and all the way up for Reverse.

Everything you need to kno w when driving

Model S displays on the instrument panel.

Key Not Inside

If Model S does not detect a key when youpress the brake, the instrument panel displaysa message telling you that a key was notdetected.

Place the key in the center console cup holderwhere Model S can best detect it.

If Model S still does not detect the key, tryholding it against the center console,immediately below the 12V power socket (see12V Power Socket on page 106). Or try usinganother key. If another key does not work,contact Tesla.

A number of factors can affect whetherModel S can detect the key. These include alow battery in the key, interference from otherdevices using radio signals, and objectsbetween the key and receiver.

Always keep the key with you. After driving,you need it to restart Model S after it powersoff. And when you leave Model S, you mustbring it with you to lock Model S, eithermanually or automatically (see Walk-awayLocking on page 7).

Powering OffWhen you nish driving, shift into Park bypressing the button on the end of the gearselector. The parking brake automaticallyengages and all systems keep operating.When you leave Model S with the key, itpowers off automatically, turning off thetouchscre en and instrument panel.

Model S also powers off automatically afterbeing in Park for 15 minutes, even if you aresitting in the driver’s seat.

Although usually not needed, you can poweroff Model S while you are still sitting in thedriver’s seat. Touch Controls > E-Brake &Power Off > Power Off . Model S automaticallypowers back on again if you press the brake ortouch anywhere on the touchscreen.

Note: Model S automatically shifts into Parkwhenever you leave the vehicle, even if youshift into Neutral before exiting. To keepModel S in Neutral, see Keeping Your Vehiclein Neutral (Tow Mode) on page 42.

Starting and Powering Off

Driving 41


42/185

Shifting GearsWhen Model S is in Park, you must press thebrake to shift to another gear.

Move the lever up or down to change gears.

If you try to shift into a gear that the currentdriving speed prohibits, you will hear a chi meand the gear does not change.

Reverse

Push the lever all the way up and release. Youcan only shift into Reverse when Model S isstopped or moving less than 5 mph (8 km/h).If moving less than 1 mph (1.6 km/h), you mustpress the brake.

Neutral

Push the lever up or down to the rst positionand release to shift into Neutral. Neutral allowsModel S to roll freely.

If Model S is in Park and you use thetouchscreen to release the parking brake(Controls > E-Brake & Power Off ), Model S

shifts into Neutral (see Parking Brake on page55).

Model S automatically shifts into Park whenyou exit. To leave Model S in Neutral, use thetouchscreen to engage Tow mode (seeKeeping Your Vehicle in Neutral (Tow Mode)on page 42).

Drive

Push the lever all the way down and release.You can shift into Drive when Model S isstopped or moving less than 5 mph (8 km/h)in Reverse. If Model S is moving less than1 mph (1.6 km/h), you must press the brake toshift into Drive.

Park

With Model S stopped, press the end of thegear selector. Whenever Model S is in Park, theparking brake is applied.

Model S automatically shifts into Parkwhenever you:

• Leave the vehicle.• C onnect a charge cable.

Keeping Your Vehicle in Neutral(Tow Mode)Model S automatically shifts into Parkwhenever you nish driving and leave Model S.To keep Model S in Neutral when you exit,allowing it to roll freely (for example, pullingonto a transporter, etc.), activate Tow mode:

1. Shift into Park.2. Press the brake pedal.

3. Touch Controls > Settings > Service &Reset > Tow Mode.

Model S beeps, and shifts into Neutral (whichreleases the parking brake).

When Tow mode is active, Model Sdisplays this indicator light on theinstrument panel, along with amessage telling you that Model S willremain free rolling.

Note: In Tow mode, Model S does not shift intoa driving gear. To cancel Tow mode, shift intoPark or touch Tow mode again. Tow mode alsocancels if you use the touchscreen to applythe parking brake (Controls > E-Brake & PowerOff > Parking Brake).

Gears



43/185

Instrument Panel OverviewThe instrument panel changes depending on whether Model S is:

• Off (shown below).• Driving (see Instrument Panel - Driving on page 46).• Charging (see Charging St atus on pag e 126).

When Model S is off, the instrument panel shows remaining estimated range, status of doors, andoutside temperature. When you press the brake, indicator lights ash on briey along the top.Unless an indicator light applies to a current situation, it should turn off. If an indicator light fails toturn on or off, contact Tesla.

Note: The following illustration is provided for demonstration purposes only. Depending on vehicleoptions, software version, and market region, th e information displayed may be slightly different.

The following indicators illuminate on the instrument panel to advise you or alert you of a speciccondition.

Indicator Description

Low beam headlights are on.

High beam headlights are on. Illuminates on a Model S that is equipped withthe optional Autopilot Tech Package only in situations where high beams areon but the Auto High Beam setting is turned off. See High Beam Headlightson page 51.

High beam headlights are currently turned on, and Auto High Beam is readyto turn off the high beams if light is detected in front of Model S. See HighBeam Headlights on page 51.

High beam headlights are temporarily turned off because Auto High Beam ison and is detecting light in front of Model S. When light is no longerdetected, the high beams will automatically turn back on. See High BeamHeadlights on page 51.

Instrument Panel

Driving 43


44/185


Parking lights (side marker lights, tail lights, and license plate lights) are on.See Lights on page 48.

Front fog lights (optional). See Lights on page 48.

Electronic stability control systems are applying the brake to the relevantwheel to prevent slippage (light ashes). See Traction Control on page 56.

Smart Air Suspension’s automatic self-leveling is disabled. In other words,Model S is in Jack mode and is ready to be lifted or pulled onto a transporter.Jack mode cancels when Model S is driven over 4.5 mph (7 km/h). SeeSmart Air Suspension on page 101.

A Smart Air Suspension fault is detected. Contact Tesla. See Smart AirSuspension on page 101.

A brake system fault is detected or the brake uid level is low. See Brakes on

page 54. Contact Tesla immediately.

Airbag safety. If this indicator does not ash on briey when Model Sprepares to drive, or if it remains on, contact Tesla immediately. See AirbagWarning Indicator on page 34.

An ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) fault is detected. See Brakes on page54. Contact Tesla immediately.

The parking brake is manually applied. See Parking Brake on page 55.

A parking brake fault is detected. Contact Tesla. See Parking Brake on page55.

Vehicle Hold is actively applying the brakes. See Vehicle Hold on page 59.

Instrument Panel



45/185


Tire pressure warning. The pressure of a tire is out of range. If a fault with theTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is detected, the indicator ashes.

For a TPMS fault, contact Tesla. See Tire Care and Maintenance on page 128.

A door or trunk is open. See Door handles.

A seat belt for an occupied seat is not fastened. Note: Depending on thedate of manufacture, rear seating positions may not be equipped with a seatbelt reminder.See Seat Belts on page 19.

The traction control system has been disabled. See Traction Control on page56.

Model S is in Tow mode and can roll freely. It does not automatically shiftinto Park when you exit. See Instructions for Transporters on page 170.

Flashes green when the left turn signal is operating. Both turn signalindicators ash green when the hazard warning ashers are operating.

Flashes green when the right turn signal is operating. Both turn signalindicators ash green when the hazard warning ashers are operating.

Instrument Panel

Driving 45


46/185

Instrument Panel - DrivingWhen Model S is driving (or ready to drive), the instrument panel shows your current drivingstatus and a real-time visualization of the road as detected by Model S's Autopilot components(see About Driver Assistance on page 64).

Note: The following illustration is provided for demonstration purposes only. Depending on vehicleoptions, software version, and market region, the information displa yed may be slightly different.

1. Indicator lights display along the top to provide status (see Instr ument Panel on p age 43).2. When you are actively navigating to a destination, navigation instructions display here. Use

the left steering wheel buttons to change what displays on the left side of the instrumentpanel whenever navigation instructions are not displayed (see Using Left Steering WheelButtons on page 37).

3. Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is cruising at a set speed. When Traffic-Aware Cruise Control isavailable but you haven't set a cruising speed, the icon is gray and the speed is not shown(see Traffic-Aware Cruise Control on page 67).

4. Driving speed.

5. Autosteer is actively steering Model S. When Autosteer is available but you haven't activatedit, the icon is gray (see Autosteer on page 72).

6. On the Energy graph, dashed lines appear on the power meter if Model S is limiting power.The dashed lines appear on the top portion (energy being used) when power available foracceleration is bein

Model S Owners Manual (v7.0)

Documents

Transcript of Model S Owners Manual (v7.0)