Airbag system
3-7
Seating and s afety restraints
After inflation, the airbags will deflate to
provide a gradual cushioning effect for the
occupants and to ensure the driver's forward
vision is not obscured.
If the airbags have been deployed, always
have the airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners and
any associated components checked and, if
necessary, replaced by Tesla Motors.
After any accident, always have the airbags,
seat belt pre-tensioners and any associated
components checked and, if necessary,
replaced by Tesla Motors.Obstruction of airbags
WARNING: Do not allow passengers to
obstruct the operation of the airbags
by placing feet, knees or any other part of the
body, or any other objects in contact with, or
in close proximity to, an airbag module.
S
WARNING: Do not attach or position
items on an airbag cover which could
interfere with the inflation of the airbag or be
propelled inside your vehicle and injure
occupants.
S
Airbag warning indicator
A warning indicator in the instrument
panel alerts you of any malfunction of
the airbag system.
The components of the system being
monitored include: the airbag modules, the
seat belt pre-tensioners, the airbag control
unit and the airbag wiring harness.
When the starter switch is turned to the ON
position, the airbag control unit monitors the
readiness of the system’s electrical circuits.
Contact Tesla Motors if:
• The warning indicator fails to illuminate
when the starter switch is turned to the
ON position.
• The warning indicator fails to extinguish
within approximately six seconds after
the starter switch is turned to the ON
position.
• The warning indicator illuminates while
your vehicle is being driven.
Airbag warning labels
WARNING: Extreme hazard! Do not use
a rearward facing child restraint on a
seat protected by an airbag in front of it.
Doing so increases the risk of death or
serious injury when the airbag deploys.
S
Airbag warning information is printed on the
driver’s and passenger’s sun visor.Using child seats
WARNING: Currently, child seats and
restraints are not approved for use in
your vehicle. Until these are available, Tesla
Motors strongly recommends that children
are not carried as passengers in your vehicle,
and that you do not fit any type of child seat
into your vehicle. Death or serious injury may
occur if the child is too close to the
dashboard when the airbag inflates.
S
Passenger airbag deactivation
WARNING: Your vehicle is fitted with an
airbag system that has no provision for
switching off or deactivating the passenger
airbag. S
!WARNING
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occurChildren 12 and under can be killed by the airbagNEVER put a rear facing child seat in the frontSit as far back as possible from the air bagALWAYS use SEAT BELTS and CHILD RESTRAINTS
TR0138
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Instruments
6-13
Driving your vehicle
Charge indicator. Flashes amber when
the vehicle is charging.
Charge indicator. Illuminates red when
the charging port door is open and
the vehicle is not charging.
Caution: Never run the vehicle until the
Battery is fully depleted. If the Battery
is fully depleted, all electrical systems on the
vehicle are inoperable and the vehicle can not
be driven.
Tire pressure indicator. Illuminates
when the pressure of a tire is out of
range. If a fault with the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) is detected, the
warning indicator flas hes. Check the Touch
Screen for more information.
Seat belt warning. Illuminates
whenever the driver’s seat belt is
unbuckled and the starter switch is in the ON
position. Also, an audible sound will be heard
for six seconds if the starter switch is turned
to the ON position and the drivers seat belt is
unbuckled. If the car is driven more than a
tenth of a mile with the driver’s seat belt
unbuckled, you’ll hear a warning tone.
Airbag warning. Illu minates during the
system check that occurs when the
starter switch is turned to the ON position.
This indicator should extinguish within
approximately six seconds. If the light fails to
illuminate, or fails to extinguish after six
seconds, a fault has occurred and you must
contact Tesla Motors. Warning: If the airbag indicator is
illuminated, the airbag system will be
deactivated. Contact Tesla Motors
immediately. In the event of an accident the
airbags may not inflate.
S
Non-critical fault. Illuminates yellow
when a non-critical fault is detected.
For example, when power is reduced due to
high temperature. Bring the vehicle to Tesla
Motors for servicing as soon as possible.
Critical fault. Illuminates red when a
critical fault is detected. This is usually
accompanied by the inability to drive the
vehicle and a shutdown of all electrical
systems. Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so, and contact Tesla Motors.
Traction control. Illuminates when the
traction control has been manually
deactivated and will il luminate briefly in
situations where traction control is in use.
Cruise control. Illuminates when the
cruise control system is operating.
Frost warning. Illuminates when the
temperature outside the vehicle falls
below 37º F (3º C). Extinguishes when the
temperature raises again to
exceed 41º F (5º C).
Gear position indicatorsWhen the starter switch is turned to the ON
position, the gear po sition indicators
sequentially (and briefly) illuminate red and then green. When the start-up sequence is
complete, the indicator corresponding to the
currently selected gear (
N) remains
illuminated green. For more information, see
Selecting gears, page 6-3 .FAULTFAULTTCCRUISEPRND
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Maintenance9-2
Maintenance and care
Maintenance and care
MaintenanceGeneral informationRegular maintenance is the key to ensuring
the continued reliability and efficiency of
your vehicle.
Maintenance is the owner's responsibility and
you must ensure that the appropriate
maintenance is carried out when required
and according to the recommendations
specified by Tesla Motors.Routine maintenanceTake your vehicle to Tesla Motors at the
regularly scheduled maintenance intervals of
every 12 months, or every 12,000 miles,
whichever comes first.
Maintenance and service must be performed
by Tesla-certified technicians. Damages or
failures caused by maintenance or repairs
performed by non-Tesla certified technicians
are not covered under the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
Service interval indicatorWhen the key is inserted and the starter
switch turned to the ACC position, the Touch
Screen momentarily displays the distance to
the next service interval.
In addition, this information can be displayed
by selecting the Info icon on the Touch
Screen when the vehicle is parked. For
details, refer to the Touch Screen Users
Manual provided in your owners package.
Owner maintenance
WARNING: Any significant or sudden
drop in fluid levels, or uneven tire wear
should be rectified immediately.
S
In addition to the routine maintenance
performed by Tesla Motors, a few simple
checks must be carried out more frequently.
Advice is given on the pages that follow.Daily checks• Operation of lights, horn, turn indicators,
wipers, washers and warning indicators
• Operation of seat belts and brakes
• Check for fluid deposits underneath the
vehicle that might indicate a leakWe e k l y c h e c k s•Brake fluid level. Refer to Brake fluid,
page 10-4 .
• Windshield washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluid, page 10-5 .
• Battery coolant. Refer to Battery coolant,
page 10-5.
• Condition and pressure of each tire. Refer
to Wheels and tires, page 11-4 .
• Operation of the air conditioning. Refer to
Interior temperature control, page 7-4.
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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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Vehicle identification
11-3
Technical specifications
Safety compliance certification
labelThe National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) regulations require
that a safety compliance certification label is
affixed to the vehicle. This label is located on
the opening face of the driver’s door.
R1
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10
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50
40
30
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10 90
60 8070
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
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TR0155
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ursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM
Wheels and tires
11-5
Technical specifications
TR0057
225/45 R17/91 MADE IN JAPAN AD07 19444-2 STEEL BELTED RADIAL TUBELESS G4 0224943-S DOT FDH8 NWA1706
SAFETY WARNING DUE TO IMPROPER MOUNTING. ONLY SPECIALLY TRAINED PERSONS SHOU LD MOUNT TIRES
SERIOUS INJURY MAY RESULT FROM TIRE FAILURE DUE TO UNDERINFLATION/OVERLOADING - FOLLOW OWNER’S MAUAL OR TIRE FLAGARD
DANGER: DO NOT MOUNT ON 17 RIM. NEVER INFLATE BEYOND 275kPa (40psi) TO SEAT BEAD
TREADWARE 180 TRACTION AA TEMPERATURE A
ADVAN AD07 LTS
225/45R17 91W YOKOHAMA
1
12 2
3
4 5
6 7
8
9
10
11
Tire markings1, Tire widthThis three digit number gives the width in
millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to
sidewall edge.2, Aspect ratioThis two digit number, known as the aspect
ratio or profile, gives the sidewall height as a
percentage of the tread width. So, if the tread
width is 205 mm, and the aspect ratio is 50,
the sidewall height will be 102 mm.3, Tire constructionR indicates that the tire is of Radial ply
construction.4, Wheel diameterThis two digit number is the diameter of the
wheel rim in inches.5, Load indexThis two or three digit number is the tire's load
index. It is a measurement of how much
weight each tire can support. This number is
not always shown.6, Speed ratingThe speed rating, when stated, denotes the
maximum speed at which the tire should be
used for extended periods. The ratings range
from 99 mph to 186 mph. These ratings are
listed in the following table.
Roadster OHB.book Page 5 Th ursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM
Wheels and tires
11-7
Technical specifications
Tire placard/labelThe tire information label on the pillar behind
the driver’s door contains the following
information:
• The maximum number of occupants for
the vehicle.
• The vehicle capacity weight, which
includes the weight of the driver,
passengers and cargo.
• The size of the tires with which the
vehicle was originally equipped.
• Cold inflation pressures for the front and
rear tires.
Note: The label must not be changed, even if
different wheels are fitted at a later stage.Steps for determining correct load
limit
WARNING: Do not exceed the vehicle
capacity weight (the total weight of
driver, passenger and cargo) given.
S
WARNING: Overloading the vehicle will
have an adverse affect on braking and
handling characteristics, which could
compromise your safety.
S
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should
neve r exce e d 2 50 kg or 5 51 l bs ” as s h ow n
on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding
in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from 250 kg or 551
lbs (weight given on placard).
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if there will be two
150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 251 lbs: (551 - 300 (2 x
150) = 251 lbs).
TR0091
TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATIONSEATING CAPACITY TOTAL 2 FRONT2 REAR 0
SEE OWNERSMANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 250 kg or 551lbs
ORIGINAL TIRE SIZE
COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE
175/55R16
225/45R17 FRONT
REAR
207kPa, 30PSI
275kPa, 40PSI
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. Your vehicle should never be used to tow a trailer.
The number and weight of passengers will
affect the cargo and luggage load capacity. In
the example above, the cargo and luggage
load capacity is 251 lbs. However, if only one
occupant is in the vehicle, the luggage load
capacity will increase. If the vehicle carries
one 150 lb person, the luggage load capacity
will increase to 401 lbs (551 - 150 = 401 lbs).
Note: If the passengers weigh more, the
luggage load capacity will decrease.Uniform tire quality gradingThe following information relates to the tire
grading system developed by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) which will grade tires by tread wear,
traction and temperature performance.
Note: Tires that have deep tread, and winter
tires, are exempt from these marking
requirements.
Quality grades, where applicable, can be
found on the tire sidewall between the tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:TREADWEAR 180
TRACTION AA
TEMPERATURE A
Roadster OHB.book Page 7 Th ursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM
Index
Locking your vehicle ........................................ 4-2
Low tire pressure indicator light ................ 6-12
Lumbar support...................................................3-2MMaintenanceBrake fluid ..................................................... 9-4
Cleaning the exterior ................................ 9-7
Cleaning the interior ................................. 9-8
Daily checks.................................................. 9-2
Fluids ............................................................... 9-4
Owner maintenance .................................. 9-2
Paint repair ................................................... 9-8
Removing tar ............................................... 9-7
Routine maintenance ................................ 9-2
Service internal indicator ........................ 9-2
Underbody .................................................... 9-7
Washer fluid ................................................. 9-5
Washer jets ................................................... 9-6
Weekly checks............................................. 9-2
Windshield wiper........................................ 9-6
Master door locking switch............................ 4-4
Mileage................................................................... 6-3
Mirrors .....................................................................7-3
Modifying your vehicle ......................................1-2
Motor specifications ........................................11-17NNavigation system.............................................. 8-1
NHTSA .................................................................... 1-4OOdometer display ............................................. 6-12
Opening the doors Inside the vehicle........................................ 4-4
Outside the vehicle .................................... 4-4
Ownership change ..............................................1-2
PPaint code ............................................................. 11-2
Paint damage....................................................... 9-8
Parking brake ...................................................... 6-5
Passenger airbag deactivation ..................... 3-7
Performance charge setting .......................... 5-4
PIN code ................................................................ 4-8
PIN lock ................................................................ 4-10
Polishing the bodywork................................... 9-8
Power socket ....................................................... 7-7
Power windows .................................................. 7-2
Pressure washers ............................................... 9-7
Programming the key fob .............................. 4-3
Proposition 65 ...................................................... 1-2RRaising the vehicle........................................... 10-11
Range charge setting ....................................... 5-4
Rear suspension specifications .................. 11-18
Rear view mirrors............................................... 7-3
Recovery eye ....................................................10-14
Regenerative braking ....................................... 6-5
Regenerative braking visual display ...........6-11
Removing the hard-top ..................................7-14
Replacement bulbs.......................................... 10-9
Reporting safety defects ................................. 1-4
Roof Hard-top........................................................ 7-13
Soft-top .......................................................... 7-11SSafety compliance certification label......... 11-3
Safety defects ...................................................... 1-4
Safety instructionsChild seats ............................................ 3-5, 3-7
Jacking the vehicle .................................. 10-11
Lifting the vehicle .................................... 10-12 Obstruction of airbags.............................. 3-7
Seat belts ....................................................... 3-3
Tire repair .................................................... 10-4
Wearing seat belts when pregnant ..... 3-4
Windows ........................................................ 7-2
Seat belts Care .................................................................. 3-4
Cleaning.......................................................... 9-8
General information ................................... 3-3
Pre-tensioners .............................................. 3-4
Reminder............................................. 3-4, 6-12
Safety instructions ..................................... 3-3
Testing ............................................................ 3-4
Wearing .......................................................... 3-3
Wearing when pregnant .......................... 3-4
Seat heater controls.......................................... 7-4
Seat heaters ......................................................... 7-6
Seats Adjustment.................................................... 3-2
Child seats and restraints ........................ 3-5
Lumbar support........................................... 3-2
Security .................................................................. 4-7
Security code .......................................................4-8
Service data recording...................................... 1-2
Soft top Installing ....................................................... 7-10
Removing .......................................................7-11
Specifications Antifreeze .................................................... 11-14
Battery .......................................................... 11-19
Brake fluid.................................................... 11-14
Brakes............................................................ 11-18
Coolant ......................................................... 11-14
Electrical....................................................... 11-19
Fluids ............................................................. 11-14
Front suspension ...................................... 11-18
Motor ............................................................. 11-17
Rear suspension ........................................ 11-18
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