2008 TESLA ROADSTER park assist

Important notes about this manual
1-3
Introduction and consumer information
Important notes about this manualRead this manual firstThis owners manual contains a great deal of
information you need to know about a Tesla
Roadster. We urge you to read it carefully and
familiarize yourself with the vehicle before
driving.
For your own safety, follow the instructions
and warnings contained in this manual.
Ignoring them could result in damage to the
vehicle or personal injury to you or others.
Vehicle damage caused by failure to follow
instructions is not covered by the New
Ve h i c l e L i m i t e d Wa r ra n t y.
Keep this manual in your Roadster as a
reference for the safe and enjoyable use of
your Tesla Roadster. Should you sell your
vehicle, be sure to provide this manual to the
new owner.
All specifications and descriptions are
accurate at the time of printing. Because
improvement is a constant goal at Tesla
Motors, we reserve the right to make changes
at any time, without notice and without
obligation.
This manual applies to all 2008 Tesla
Roadsters. As a result, you may find some
explanations for equipment or options not
installed on your vehicle. When required,
Tesla Motors distributes an addendum to
provide updated information.
An effective way to find the information you
need is to use the index at the back of this
manual. If you are unable to find the
information you need, note that the following additional documents are included in your
owners package and therefore the content
may be elsewhere:
• Audio and Navigation Guides - describes
how to use the audio and navigation
systems
• Touch Screen Users Manual - describes
how to use the screens to display
important information while parking,
driving, and char ging the vehicle
• Charging Your Vehicle - describes how to
use the High Power Connector to charge
your vehicle.
• High Power Connector Installation
Manual - provides pla nning guidelines for
the installation of the High Power
Connector as well as step-by-step
installation instructions. This manual is
included with the delivery of the High
Power Connector.
• Roadside Assistance Guide - describes
the Tesla Motors Roadside Assistance
program and provides instructions on
how to transport the vehicle
• Warranty Booklet - details the New
Ve h i c l e L i m i t e d Wa r ra n t y
• Tire Warranty - details the warranty for
the vehicle’s tires
In addition to these documents, Tesla Motors
may include an addendum in your owners
package if your vehicle specifications differ
from those in this manual. If you are missing a
document, contact Tesla Motors.
Copyright and trademarks© 2008 TESLA MOTORS INC. All rights re-
served. This material may not be reproduced
or copied, in whole or in part, without the
written permission of Tesla Motors, Inc.
“Tesla MotorsTM” and “Tesla RoadsterTM” are
trademarks of Tesla Motors, Inc. “HomeLink®”
is a registered trademark of Johnson
Controls, Inc. iPod® is a registered trademark
of Apple Computer, Inc. Havoline® is a
registered trademark of Chevron or its
affiliates. TORX® is a registered trademark of
Textron, Inc. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners. Symbols glossaryThe following symbols used within this
manual call your attention to specific types of
information:
WARNING: Indicates a situation in
which serious bodily injury or death
could result if the warning is ignored.
S
Caution: Indicates a situation in which
bodily injury or damage to your vehicle,
or both, could result if the caution is ignored.
Identifies items that must be disposed
of safely to prevent unnecessary
damage to the environment.
Note: A note provides useful supporting
information and sometimes suggests how to
make better use of your vehicle.
Roadster OHB.book Page 3 Th ursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM

Driving basics
6-5
Driving your vehicle
Hand brake
WARNING: Do not apply the hand
brake when the vehicle is moving. This
could result in a loss of control and may
damage the rear brakes.
S
The hand brake operates on the rear wheels
only, and is totally independent of the foot
operated hydraulic brake system.
To apply the hand brake, pull the lever fully
upwards.
If the starter switch is in the ON
position and the hand brake is
applied, the warnin g indicator in the
instrument panel illuminates and the Touch
Screen will display the main Parked screen.
Caution: If the hand brake is applied
when the brakes are hot (such as after
prolonged or frequent hard use), care should
be taken that the hand brake is securely
engaged. As the brake discs cool, the amount
of brake force applied by the lever will
reduce. To release the hand brake, pull the lever up
slightly, depress the button (shown in
illustration) and fully lower the lever. The
warning indicator will extinguish and the
Touch Screen will display a Drive screen.
Braking
WARNING: After driving through heavy
rain, some loss of braking response may
be experienced. As soon as safety permits,
apply the brakes to generate heat and dry the
brake components. Never drive the vehicle
through deep water - doing so can cause
damage and void the New Vehicle Limited
Wa r ra n t y.
S
The brakes operate through dual circuits. If
one circuit fails, the other continues to
function, but brakin g performance is
reduced. If greater pedal effort, or longer
stopping distances are experienced, the car
should not be driven and Tesla Motors should
be contacted as soon as possible. The brakes are servo-assisted, but only when
the starter switch is in the ON position and
the electrical systems are operating. Without
servo assistance, greater pedal effort is
required to control the vehicle, resulting in
longer stopping distances.
Regenerative brakingWhenever the vehicle is moving and your
foot is off the accelerator, regenerative
braking slows the vehicle and feeds energy
back to the battery. By anticipating your
stops and simply removing your foot from
the accelerator to slow down, you can take
advantage of the energy gains of
regenerative braking. A visual display on the
instrument panel provides real-time
feedback of the vehicle’s regenerative
braking. See
LCD panel, page 6-11 .Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS)
WARNING: ABS cannot overcome the
physical limitations such as stopping
the vehicle in too short a distance, turning the
vehicle at high speeds, or the lack of grip on
the road’s surface.
S
WARNING: Do not take risks when
driving in the hope that ABS will correct
errors of judgement. In all cases it is the
driver's responsibility to drive with due care
and attention.
S
Your vehicle is equipp ed with an anti-lock
braking system (ABS) that prevents the
wheels from locking when maximum brake
BRAKE
TR0005
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