2008 TESLA ROADSTER steering

Seats3-2Seating and safety restra
ints
Seating and Safety Restraints
Seat adjustment
WARNING: Never adjust the driver’s
seat while your vehicle is moving.
U n ex p e c t e d o r s u d d e n s e at m ove m e n t co u l d
result in an accident.
S
Driver’s seat positionTo adjust the forward/rearward position of
the driver’s seat, raise the bar beneath the
front of the seat and slide the seat to the
required position. Release the bar to lock the
TR0001
12
seat into position. Ensure that the seat is
locked in position before driving, by trying to
slide the seat forward.
To reduce the risk of injury in the event of an
accident, Tesla recommends the following
when adjusting seat position:
• Adjust the seat so that you can press the
foot pedals fully to the floor with your
knees slightly bent.
• Make sure that you can comfortably reach
the top of the steering wheel.
• Ensure a distance of at least 10 inches (25
cm) between the steering wheel and your
breastbone. The airbag will not provide
adequate protection if you sit closer.
• Fasten your seat belt correctly.Lumbar supportAdjust lumbar support using the inflator bulb
located on the outside front edge of the
driver’s seat 1 or on the inside front edge of
the passenger seat 2 .
To increase lumbar support, squeeze the bulb
repeatedly until sufficie nt support is obtained.
To reduce the amount of support, press the
button located on the clamp between the
hose and the inflator bulb.Head restraintsEach seat is provided with a head restraint.
The head restraints are integral with the seats
and therefore can not be adjusted or
removed.
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Airbag system3-6Seating and safety restra
ints
Airbag systemGeneral informationThe airbag for the driver is located in the
padded hub of the steering wheel. The airbag
for the passenger is located on the
dashboard. These are indicated by the word
AIRBAG on the trim.
Provided the occupants are correctly seated
and the seat belts are properly worn, the
airbags provide additional protection to the
chest and face of the occupants in the event
of a severe frontal impact.
Note: Airbags inflate and deflate very quickly
and will not protect occupants against the
effects of secondary impacts that may occur.
How the system works
WARNING: The airbags are a
supplemental restraint system
providing additional protection in certain
types of collisions only - they do not replace
the need to wear a seat belt.
S
Operation of the airbag system depends on
the rate at which your vehicle's passenger
compartment changes speed as a result of a
collision.
In the event of a collision, the airbag control
unit monitors the rate of deceleration
induced by the collision to determine
whether the airbags should be deployed.
When deployed, airbags inflate instantly, with
considerable force accompanied by a loud
noise. The inflated bag, together with the
seat belt restraint system, limit the movement
of the occupants, thereby reducing the risk of
injury to the head and upper torso.
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The airbag system is not designed to operate
as a result of:
• Rear collisions
• Minor front impacts
• Minor side impacts
• Heavy braking
• Driving over bumps or potholes
It follows, therefore, that significant superficial
damage can occur without the air bags
deploying or, conversely, that a relatively small
amount of structural damage can cause the
airbags to be deployed.Deployment effects
WARNING: Following inflation, some
airbag system components are hot. Do
not touch until they have cooled.
S
WARNING: The airbag module inflates
with considerable speed and force. An
inflating airbag can cause facial abrasions and
other injuries. To limit these injuries, ensure
that occupants are correctly seated, with the
seat as far back as is practical, and are
wearing seat belts.
S
WARNING: The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA)
recommends a minimum distance of 10 inches
(25 cm) between an occupant’s chest and the
driver’s airbag module.
S
When the airbags are deployed, a fine powder
is released. This is not a malfunction. However,
the powder may irritate the skin and should be
thoroughly flushed from the eyes and from
any cuts or abrasions on the skin.
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Airbag system3-8
Seating and safety restraints
Airbag service information
WARNING: The disposal of used airbag
units is subject to stringent regulations,
and should only be handled by Tesla
Motors.S
For your safety, a Tesla Motors technician,
who is familiar with your vehicle, must
perform the following tasks:
• Removal, replacement, repair, or
modification, of any wiring or component
in the vicinity of airbag system
components, including the steering
wheel, steering column, dashboard and
instrument panel.
• Modification to the front or side of your
vehicle, including the bumper and
chassis.
In addition, always seek the assistance of
Te s l a M o t o r s i f : • An airbag inflates
• A pre-tensioner activates
• The front or side of your vehicle is
damaged, even if the airbag has not
inflated
• Any part of an airbag module cover
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6-1
Driving your vehicle
Driving basicsKey positions 6-2
Steering column lock 6-2
Starting the vehicle 6-3
Selecting gears 6-3
Driving tips 6-3
Hand brake 6-5
Braking 6-5
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) 6-5
Traction control 6-6
Switches and controls Exterior lights 6-7
Turn signals 6-8
Windshield wiper and washer 6-8
Cruise control 6-9
Hazard warning 6-10
Horn 6-10
Instruments LCD panel 6-11
Warning indicators 6-12
Gear position indicators 6-13
Instrument panel lighting 6-14
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Driving basics6-2
Driving your vehicle
Driving your vehicle
Driving basicsKey positionsThe starter switch is located on the
right-hand side of the steering column and
uses the following key positions to control
the electrical circuits and steering column
lock.OFF•Park mode active
• Interior and trunk lights operational
• Exterior and hazard warning lights
operational
• Central door locking master switch
operational
• Trunk release switch operational
Note: When turning the key to the OFF
position, the circuits that operate in ACC
continue to operate until the key is removed.
ACC• Park mode still active
• Audio and navigation systems
operationalON•All instruments, warning indicators and
electrical circuits operationalSTART•The vehicle initiates the start-up
sequence to prepare for driving (if the
brake pedal is pressed). The gear position
indicator illuminates green and park
mode is deactivated.Removing the keyTo remove the key, turn the key to the OFF
position. Exterior lights (except hazard
warning lights) automatically turn off when
the key is removed from the starter switch.
If the key has been left in the starter switch,
an audible alert sounds when the driver’s
door is opened.
WARNING: Never remove the key from
the starter switch while the vehicle is
moving. The steering column lock will
engage, making it impossible to steer the
vehicle.
S
Steering column lockThe steering column lock is activated when
the key is removed from the starter switch,
but may not engage until the steering wheel
is turned and the mechanism aligned. To release the steering column lock, insert the
key into the starter switch and turn to the
ACC position. If it is difficult to turn the key, a
small movement of the steering wheel will
help to disengage the steering lock.
TR0004OFF
ACC
ON
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Driving basics6-6
Driving your vehicle
pressure is applied. This allows you to
maintain steering control during heavy
braking on most road conditions.
During emergency braking conditions, the
ABS constantly monitors the speed of each
wheel and varies the brake pressure
according to the grip available.
The alteration of brake pressure can be felt as
a pulsing sensation through the brake pedal.
This demonstrates that ABS is operating and
is not a cause for concern. Keep firm and
steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsation.Emergency braking
WARNING: DO NOT pump the foot
brake. ABS does this for you and by
pumping the foot brake yourself, you are
interfering with ABS operation which may
result in an increase in braking distance.
S
In an emergency, fully press the brake pedal
even when the road surface is slippery. ABS
will vary the braking pressure to each wheel
according to the amount of traction available.
This prevents the wheels from locking and
ensures that the vehicle stops as safely as
possible.
Note: ABS operates only when control of the
vehicle is jeopardized. It can not compensate
for driver error.ABS warning indicatorWhen the starter switch is turned to the ON
position, and also at frequent intervals while
driving, the ABS checks that all its
components are operating correctly. If a fault is detected, the warning
indicator in the instrument panel
flashes and the ABS shuts down. Contact
Tesla Motors as soon as possible.
The vehicle’s brakes remain fully operational
and are not affected by an ABS failure.
However, braking distances may increase and
wheels may lock under heavy braking.
Tra c t i o n c o n t ro l
WARNING: Traction control cannot
overcome the physical limitations of the
vehicle turning at too high a speed and
cannot prevent any accident which may
result.S
The traction control system constantly
monitors the difference in speed between the
front and rear wheels. If a loss of traction is
detected, it reduces torque to the rear wheels
to minimize wheel spin. When this happens,
you may notice the traction control warning
indicator on the instrument panel flash
quickly.
Traction control is automatically switched on
each time the starter switch is turned to the
ON position.Switching off traction controlIf required, traction control can be manually
switched off by pressing and holding the
switch on the center console for
approximately two seconds. When the
button is released, traction control will be
disabled. The warning indicator in the
instrument panel illuminates to inform
you that the vehicle is operating without the
advantages of traction control.
Under normal conditions, traction control
should be left on. The system should only be
switched off in circumstances where you
deliberately want the wheels to slip. As soon
as the circumstances requiring you to switch
traction control off have passed, press the
switch to turn traction control back on.BRAKE
TC
TC T CT C
T C
T C
D
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Switches and controls
6-7
Driving your vehicle
Switches and controlsExterior lightsThe exterior lights are controlled using a
rotary switch mounted on the dashboard,
below the Touch Screen.
The switch has three positions:
1. All exterior lighting and backlighting for
instruments and switches is switched off.
2. Front and side lights, tail lights and
license plate light are switched on. If the
starter switch is in the ACC or ON
position, backlighting for instruments and
switches is also switched on.
3. Headlights on.
Headlight high beamPush the left-hand steering column lever
away from you to select high beam. To cancel
high beam, pull the lever towards you.
An indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates when high beam is active.
Note: The high beams operate only when the
exterior lights master switch is in position 3
and the starter switch is in either the ACC or
ON position.Headlight high beam flashHigh beams can be flas hed by briefly pulling
the steering column lever towards you and
releasing.Exterior lights active periodThe exterior lights will automatically
extinguish if the key is removed from the
starter switch. To keep the exterior lights on after the key is removed, manually turn the
exterior light switch to the OFF position and
then back to the ON position.
Lights on warningIf the exterior lights have been left on, an
audible alert sounds when the driver’s door is
opened.
1
2
3
1
2
3
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O
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Switches and controls6-8
Driving your vehicle
Turn signalsMove the left-hand steering column lever
down to operate the left turn signals or up to
operate the right turn signals. The turn
signals continue to operate until cancelled by
the steering wheel or by returning the lever to
its central position.Indicators in the instrument panel
illuminate green and flash to show
which turn signals are operating. An audible
ticking is also heard.
Note: The turn signals operate only when the
starter switch is in the ON position.
Windshield wiper and washerOperation of the windshield wiper and
washer is controlled by the right-hand
steering column lever. Move the lever to the
following positions to operate:
0. OFF
1. Intermittent operation of wiper
2. Wiper operates at normal speed
3. Wiper operates at fast speed
Note: The windshield wiper and washer
operate only if the starter switch is in the ON
position.
Windshield washerPull the lever towards you to operate the
windshield washer and wiper. The washer and
wiper continue to operate as long as the lever
is held in this position. When you release the
lever, the wiper blade operates for six sweeps
of the blade.
Caution: Do not operate the windshield
wiper on a dry screen.
Caution: In freezing or very hot
temperatures, ensure that the wiper
blade is not frozen or adhered to the
windshield before operating.
Caution: In winter, remove any snow or
ice from the windshield, wiper arm or
blade before operating.
R
O
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2
1
0 32103
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