2008 TESLA ROADSTER Owners Manual

Fluid reservoirs
9-5
Maintenance and care
Windshield washer fluidTo ensure proper cleaning of the windshield
and to prevent freezing in cold weather check
the reservoir level weekly. If needed, top up
with windshield washer fluid.
Caution: Always follow the directions
provided by the windshield washer fluid
manufacturer. If the windshield washer fluid
requires dilution, carefully follow the
manufacturer’s directions and mix the
recommended quantities of water and
windshield washer fluid in a separate
container before topping up the reservoir.
Undiluted windshield washer fluid can cause
paint to discolor.
Battery coolantFluid level checkCheck the fluid level weekly with the vehicle
on level ground and when the vehicle is cool.
The fluid level can be checked visually
through the side of the reservoir without
removing the filler cap. The fluid level should
be between the MIN and the MAX marks.
If the level drops significantly, a leak may
exist. Contact Tesla Motors before using the
vehicle.
To p p i n g u p t h e c o o l a n t
The cooling system for your vehicle
contains a propylene glycol (PG) based
antifreeze. Compared to conventional
ethylene glycol based antifreezes, propylene
glycol is less toxic, sa fer for children, pets and
wildlife, and safer for the environment.
Top-up to the MAX mark with a 50% mix of
water and Havoline
® Extended Life antifreeze
Coolant-PG (Havoline XLC-PG).
Caution: Do not mix with any other type
of antifreeze! In an emergency, top up
with distilled water only and be aware of the
reduced frost and corrosion protection.
Antifreeze contains important corrosion
inhibitors. Maintain the antifreeze content of
the coolant between 50% and 60% year
round. Do not exceed 60% or cooling
efficiency will be impaired.
Ensure cap is replaced and fully tightened
after topping up.
Note: Change coolant every four years,
regardless of mileage.
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Windshield wiper and washer9-6
Maintenance and care
Windshield wiper and washerChecking the wiper bladePeriodically check and clean the wiping edge
of the wiper blade.
Check the blade rubber for cracks, splits and
roughness. If any damage, wear or roughness
is detected, replace immediately to prevent
damage to the glass.
Clean the blade edge by wiping with a soft
cloth or sponge, using warm soapy water.
Replacing the wiper bladeInstall only a replacement wiper blade that is
identical to the original specification.1. Lift the wiper arm away from the windshield.
2. Turn the blade at right angles to the arm.
3. Depress the locking tab while sliding the blade down the arm.
To install the new blade, position the new
assembly on the wiper arm and slide the
blade towards the hooked end of the arm
until it locks into place.
Windshield washer jetsWasher jets are set when your vehicle is
manufactured and should not need adjusting.
If necessary, use a needle to clear blockages,
or lever gently to redirect the spray towards
the center of the windshield.
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Cleaning and vehicle care
9-7
Maintenance and care
Cleaning and vehicle careEnvironmental precautions
Some cleaning products contain
chemicals that are hazardous to the
environment. Always take precautions
to prevent fluids from spilling.
It is illegal to pollute drains, rivers and
waterways. Used toxic chemicals must be
disposed of at authorized waste disposal
sites only.
Cleaning the vehicle exteriorHand washing
Caution: Substances that are corrosive,
such as bird droppings, tree resin, dead
insects, tar spots, road salt and industrial
fall-out can damage the vehicle's paint.
Remove such deposits as soon as possible to
prevent damage. To preserve the paint finish, observe the
following:
• Before washing, use a hose to remove
heavy deposits of mud and dirt.
• Never wash a vehicle that is “hot to the
touch” or during exposure to strong,
direct sunlight.
• Wash the body using cold or lukewarm
water containing a good quality wash and
wax shampoo.
• Never use strong household detergents
or soap. These products can discolor and
spot painted surfaces.
• For best results, always use a clean
sponge or car wash mitt with plenty of
water.
• After washing, rinse with clean water and
thoroughly wipe dry with a chamois. Do
not allow cleaning agents to dry on the
finish.
Automatic car washers and pressure
washers
Caution: Tesla Motors recommends that
you hand wash your vehicle.
Do not use an automatic car washer or
pressure washer as these may damage your
vehicle’s paint finish, soft top, or other
components. The use of a pressure washer to
clean components in the Battery
compartment may damage critical seals on
the Battery and other electrical components.
Note: Vehicle or paint damage caused by
using an automatic car washer or pressure
washer is not covered under the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
Underbody maintenanceIf salt has been used on the highways (such as
during winter months), thoroughly remove all
traces of road salt. Use a hose to rinse salt
from the underside of the vehicle.
Flush away accumulations of mud in areas
where debris easily collects (such as wheel
arches and panel seams).Removing tar spotsUse denatured alcohol to remove tar spots
and stubborn grease stains from paint. After
cleaning, immediately wash the area with
soapy water to remove the alcohol.Washing the soft-top
Caution: Scrubbing or brushing with a
hard bristle brush will damage the
fibers of the fabric, causing fabric
deterioration and impairing its cosmetic
appearance.
When washing the soft-top, follow these
guidelines:
1. Before washing, vacuum the soft-top using a soft brush attachment to remove
dust and dirt.
2. Soften encrusted dirt using soap and water, then rinse with clean water.
3. Wash using mild soap and water. Never use solvent, petroleum or chemical-based
cleaners, detergents, or wash/wax
compounds.
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Cleaning and vehicle care9-8
Maintenance and care
WheelsWash wheels with warm, fresh water
containing a good quality wash and wax
shampoo. Thoroughly rinse the wheels to
remove any soap residue.Windshield, windows and mirrorsRegularly clean all windows inside and out
using a window cleaning solution. An
automotive glass cleaner is recommended.
After washing the vehicle with wash/wax
products, clean the outside of the windshield
with glass cleaner.
Mirror glass is particularly susceptible to
damage. Do not use abrasive cleaning
compounds.Wiper bladesClean wiper blades using mild soap and warm
water only. Do not use petroleum or
alcohol-based cleaners.
Polishing the bodyTo preserve the cosmetic appearance of the
body, occasionally apply a good quality
polish. A good polish should contain a very
mild abrasive that removes surface
contamination without damaging the
surface, a mild filling compound to reduce the
appearance of scratches, and wax to provide
a barrier between the cleaned body surface
and airborne contaminants.
Do not use cutting paste, color restoration
compounds, or polishes containing a harsh
abrasive. These can scour the surface and
permanently degrade the body.Using a car coverTo preserve the cosmetic appearance of the
body, you may want to use a car cover. Only
an approved Tesla Motors car cover should be
used. DONOT use the car cover when
charging the vehicle. Doing so can interfere
with adequate cooling during charging.Paint damage and rectificationTreat chips and scratches to the paint using a
paint touch-up pen. Use the touch-up pen
after washing but before polishing or waxing.
More extensive repairs to the body should
only be carried out by a facility approved by
Tesla Motors. Contact Tesla Motors for a list of
approved body repair facilities.
Cleaning the vehicle interiorPlastic materials
Caution: Do not polish the upper
surfaces of the dashboard. Polished
surfaces are reflective and may interfere with
the driver's view.
Clean with diluted upholstery cleaner, then
wipe with a damp cloth.
Carpet and fabricsClean with diluted upholstery cleaner. Test a
concealed area first.LeatherClean with warm water and a non-detergent
soap. Dry and polish with a dry, clean,
lint-free cloth.Seat beltsExtend the belts and clean with warm, soapy,
fresh water only. Do not use any type of
detergent or chemical cleaning agent. Allow
the belts to dry naturally while extended,
preferably away from direct sunlight.Instruments and display screensClean the instrument panel, Touch Screen,
and audio system screen using a damp cloth.
Do not use cleaning co mpounds or solutions.
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10-1
Roadside emergenciesTool kitTool kit location 9-2
Tool kit components 9-2
Energy Depletion Dealing with a discharged Battery 9-3
Getting a few extra miles 9-3
Tire repair Tire sealant 9-4
Safety precautions 9-4
Repairing a tire 9-4
Replacing the tire sealant 9-5
Wheels Removing the wheel 9-6
Replacing the wheel 9-6
Fuse replacement Replacing a fuse 9-7
Fuse specification chart 9-8
Bulb replacement Replacing a bulb 9-9
Interior light 9-9
Trunk light 9-10
License plate light 9-10
Raising the vehicle Vehicle jacking points 9-11
Vehicle lifting points 9-12
Vehicle recovery Transporting the vehicle 9-13
Transporter tie down straps 9-14
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Tool kit10-2
Roadside emergencies
Roadside emergencies
Tool kitTool kit locationThe tool kit is located in the storage space
beneath the trunk floor. To access the storage
space, pull the tab located at the rear edge of
the floor covering.TR0161
Tool kit components1.Hard-top Torx
® tool
2. Screwdriver
3. Wheel bolt extension tool
4. Locking wheel nut adapter
5. Ve h i c l e re c ove r y eye
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2
3
4
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Energy Depletion
10-3
Roadside emergencies
Energy DepletionDealing with a discharged
BatteryWhen driving the vehicle, the Touch Screen
displays warning messages as the level of
charge approaches a low level. You’ll notice
the color of the charge level graph on the
Energy screen turn yellow, then red, to alert
you that you need to charge the vehicle.
If you ignore these warnings and continue to
drive the vehicle, the charge level will
eventually reach 0% and the car will stop. Pull
the vehicle over to a safe location and call
Roadside Assistance.
Caution: If the Battery’s charge level
falls to 0%, it must be plugged in
immediately. Failure to do so can
permanently damage the Battery and this
damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. Also, if you allow the
Battery to fall to a critically low level it may
not be possible to charge the vehicle. If you
are unable to charge the vehicle, contact
Te s l a M o t o r s . A few extra milesWhen the vehicle’s Battery is fully depleted
while driving, the vehicle switches to
RESERVE mode which provides you with the
opportunity to immedi ately get the vehicle
off the road. The distance you can drive in
RESERVE mode is very limited (depending
on energy being used it could be as little as 1
mile).
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Tire repair10-4
Roadside emergencies
Tire repairTire sealantYour vehicle has no spare tire. Instead, a tire
sealant is provided. This aerosol is located in
the trunk.
You must repair or replace a damaged tire as
soon as possible. Use of the aerosol is
temporary and is designed only to allow you
to drive the vehicle to the nearest repair
facility. The aerosol repairs only small
punctures in the tread. If damage is more
severe (such as punctures larger than 5 mm,
ripped tires, or tires that have separated from
t h e r i m ) , c a l l R o a d s i d e A s s i s t a n c e t o h a ve t h e
vehicle transported to a tire repair facility.
The tire sealant contains liquid latex and a
propellant. When injected into the tire
through the valve, the liquid latex penetrates
the puncture site and cures to form a
temporary repair. At the same time the propellant inflates the tire, allowing you to
drive the vehicle at low speed (less than 30
mph) to reach a tire repair facility.
Caution: Do not drive on a deflated tire
as this can seriously damage the wheel
and the vehicle.
Safety precautions
WARNING: Never exceed 30 mph (45
km/h) when driving with a repaired
tire.SWARNING: Never drive with a deflated
tire, vehicle handling and braking will
be compromised.
S
WARNING: Always read the directions
and warnings on the tire sealant before
starting a repair. Follow the directions on the
aerosol exactly and pay attention to the
following precautions.
S
WARNING: Always keep the tire sealant
out of the reach of children.
S
WARNING: The tire sealant contains
components which are harmful if
consumed or inhaled:
• If swallowed, do not induce vomiting.
Seek medical assistance immediately.
• If inhaled, breathe fresh air. If breathing is
affected, seek medical assistance
immediately.
• If the sealant comes into contact with the
eyes, immediately flush the eyes with
water. If irritation persists, seek medical
assistance. •
Do not breathe gas, fumes, vapor or spray
that may be emitted from the tire sealant.
Inhalation can cause drowsiness and
dizziness.
S
WARNING: Store the tire sealant in its
correct location in the trunk.
Temperatures in other locations may exceed
safe storage conditions. Never carry the tire
aerosol in the vehicle’s cabin area.
S
Repairing a tireIf possible, stop in a safe place away from
traffic. Always ask a passenger to wait in a
safe area away from traffic. Switch on the
hazard warning lights to alert other road
users, then follow these steps:
1. Inspect the deflated tire for cause of puncture. If possible, remove foreign
material (such as screws or nails) from the
tread.
2. Remove the tire sealant from the trunk.
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