
Instruments6-14
Driving your vehicle
Instrument panel lightingThe control for the instrument panel lighting
is located on the dashboard below the Touch
Screen. When instrument panel lighting is
turned on using the adjacent switch, you can
adjust the amount of backlighting on the
instrument panel, the Touch Screen, and the
center console by turning this knob clockwise
to increase the backlighting and
counter-clockwise to decrease the
backlighting.TR0033Roadster OHB.book Page 14 Thursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM

7-1
Comfort and convenience
Power windowsDriver’s door window controls 7-2
Operating the windows 7-2
Rear view mirrors Exterior rear view mirrors 7-3
Interior rear view mirror 7-3
Interior temperature control General information 7-4
Control panel 7-4
Operating the system 7-4
Ventilation 7-5
Windshield defrosting 7-5
Seat heaters 7-6
Interior accessories Interior light 7-7
Sun visors 7-7
Accessory power socket 7-7
USB Port 7-7
Cup holder 7-8
Removable roof Hard-top and soft-top 7-9
Installing the soft-top 7-10
Removing the soft-top 7-11
Installing the hard-top 7-13
Removing the hard-top 7-14
HomeLink® HomeLink® Universal Transceiver 7-15 7-16
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Rear view mirrors
7-3
Comfort and convenience
Rear view mirrorsExterior rear view mirrors
WARNING: The passenger side exterior
mirror is fitted with a convex lens to
improve the field of vision and reduce
possible blind spots. Convex mirrors can
make objects appear smaller and further
away than a regular flat mirror. Always
double-check the speed and position of
v e h i c l e s a r o u n d y o u , b y l o o k i n g i n t h e i n t e r i o r
mirror and over your shoulder, before
changing lanes.
S
Adjust the position of the exterior mirrors by
manually moving them to the desired
position when seated in a correctly adjusted
driver’s seat. To adjust the mirror on the
passenger side of the vehicle, it is helpful to
get assistance from another person.
Adjust the position of the mirrors to give the
best view of the road behind and to each side
of the vehicle, while maintaining a view of
part of the vehicle for reference.
Mirror foldingThe exterior mirrors are spring-loaded to
reduce any possible damage in the event of
accidental contact.
Caution: The mirrors are not designed
to be folded flat against the vehicle.Interior rear view mirrorThe interior mirror can be manually dipped to
reduce glare from a following vehicle’s
headlights.
Push the lever on the underside of the mirror
to dip the mirror. Pull the lever to restore
normal visibility.Caution: Take care when using the
mirror in the dipped position, the
reflected view may distort the position of a
following vehicle.
TR0060
TR0094
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Interior accessories
7-7
Comfort and convenience
Interior accessoriesInterior lightThe interior light is located on the rear header
rail. The light has three positions:
1. Light on.
2. Automatic operation. The light
illuminates whenever the vehicle is
unlocked or if a door is opened. The light
turns off 30 seconds after the door is
closed or when the starter switch is
turned to the ON position.
3. Light off. The light does not illuminate
when a door is opened.
Sun visorsTo help reduce the glare from the sun, visors
are provided for both the driver and
passenger. Pull the visor down (towards you)
when required.
TR0095
2
1
3
TR0097
Accessory power socketThe accessory socket has a hinged cover to
prevent dirt from getting into the socket when
not in use.
Power from the socket is available whenever
the starter switch is in the ACC or ON
positions.
Note: The power socket is suitable for
accessories requiring up to 10A or a maximum
of 125 watts.USB PortThe USB port, located directly above the
power socket, is for service use only. This port
is not designed for use with any personal
devices.
Accessory power
TR0075USB port
(service use only)
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HomeLink®
7-15
Comfort and convenience
HomeLink
®
HomeLink
® Universal
Transceiver
Your vehicle is equipped with a HomeLink
®
Universal Transceiver that you can use to
operate most Radio Frequency (RF) devices
such as garage doors, gates, lights and
security systems. Your transceiver can be
programmed using the Touch Screen to
operate up to three individual devices.
Devices can be operated by touching a
button on the Touch Screen. You can also set
up the third button on the key fob to operate
a device. For details on how to program
HomeLink, refer to the Touch Screen Users
Manual, provided in your owners package.
For security purposes, when you sell your
vehicle, you should erase your HomeLink
settings.
WARNING: Do not use the HomeLink
Universal Transceiver with any garage
door opener that la cks safety stop and
reverse features as required by federal safety
standards. A garage door opener which
cannot detect an object in the path of a
closing garage door and then automatically
stop and reverse, does not meet current
federal safety standards. Using a garage door
opener without these features increases the
risk of injury or death.
S
You’re vehicle should be turned off
while programming the HomeLink
Universal Transceiver.
S
During programming, your garage
door or gate may open or close. Make
sure that people and objects are clear of the
garage door or gate that you are
programming.
S
FCC ComplianceThis device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
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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 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.
TR0159
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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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