Keys
4-3
Doors, locks, and security
Unlocking
Press the Unlock button on the key fob
to unlock the doors and disarm the
alarm.
The turn signals flash twice and the red alarm
indicator on the console extinguishes.
Note: If neither door or trunk are opened
within one minute, the doors will
automatically re-lock and the alarm will arm.
Programmable button
This button can be programmed to
perform one of the following functions:
• Alarm
The horn sounds and the exterior lights
flash for one minute. Press again to cancel
the alarm.
• Trunk release
Opens the trunk.
• Open or close a HomeLink
® device
Operates devices such as a garage door
or gate.
To program this button, use the Touch
Screen. Refer to the Touch Screen Users
Manual, provided in your owners package.
To activate the programmed function, press
and hold the button for two seconds.
Replacing the key fob’s batteryThe key fob’s battery should last for
approximately one year depending on use.
When the battery needs replacing, you’ll notice a deterioration in performance. For
example, you’ll gradually need to be closer to
the vehicle to operate the key fob.
To replace the battery:
1. Remove the securing screw on the rear of the key fob and carefully separate the two
halves. Avoid damaging the seal between
the two halves.
2. Remove the batteries, taking care to avoid touching the circuit board or the
contact surfaces of the battery holder.
3. Fit two new batteries (type CR1616) with the ‘+’ sides facing upwards.
If possible, avoid touching the flat
surfaces of the battery because finger
marks will reduce battery life. Wipe the
battery clean before fitting.
4. Assemble the two halves of the key fob.
ComplianceThe key fob complies with Title 47 CFR Part
15 Subpart C rules for intentional radiators.
Operation is subject to the following
conditions:
• This device may not cause harmful
interference.
• This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any changes or modifications to the key fob
not expressly approved by the manufacturer
or Tesla Motors could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
Transmitter FCC ID: L2M001004
TR0156
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Driving basics6-4
Driving your vehicle
•Drive with the top on and the windows up
to minimize aerodynamic drag.
• Keep tires at the recommended inflation
pressures.
• Remove unnecessary belongings from
the trunk.
• Minimize the use of resources such as
heating and air conditioning. Using seat
heaters to keep warm is more efficient
than heating the cabin.
In addition to driv ing habits, energy
consumption is also increased based on
environmental conditions, such as cold
weather and hilly roads.
The Touch Screen’s Energy screen displays
precise real-time feedback on the amount of
energy you’re using. Energy feedback is also
displayed on the LCD display on the
instrument panel. Deep waterDo not drive through flooded areas, water of
unknown depth, or deep puddles. When
driving through even a relatively shallow
puddle, drive slowly to prevent water from
entering the vehicle. Carrying items in cabin areaThe trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects. In an accident, during hard braking,
or sudden maneuvers, loose items carried in
the vehicle’s cabin area can be thrown
around, and cause injury to occupants unless
securely fastened.Roadster OHB.book Page 4 Th ursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM
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
Roadster OHB.book Page 13 Thursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM
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.
TR0168
TR0167
Roadster OHB.book Page 4 Th ursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM
Vehicle recovery10-14
Roadside emergencies
4. Touch To w M o d e , then touch OK to
confirm. The Touch Screen displays the
following message to indicate that the
vehicle is in Tow Mode.
5. Release the hand brake, if appropriate.
Note: Although Tow Mode is activated, the
steering column lock will be engaged. To
disengage the steering column, turn the key
to the ACC position. If it is difficult to turn the
key, move the steering wheel slightly.
Caution: The car can roll freely when
Tow Mode is active. If the vehicle is not
on a flat surface, do not release the hand
brake until the vehicle is ready to be pulled. Note:
The vehicle can not be charged or
started until you exit Tow Mode.
Attaching the vehicle recovery eyeA vehicle recovery eye can be attached to the
front of the vehicle to allow the vehicle to be
pulled onto a transporter in situations when
the vehicle can roll freely.
WARNING: NEVER tow the vehicle
using the vehicle recovery eye. Doing
so can cause serious, even fatal injury to
other motorists and can also cause
significant damage to your vehicle.
S
1. Retrieve the recovery eye from the tool kit located in the trunk. See Tool kit
components, page 10-2.
2. Using the screwdriver (also supplied in the toolkit), remove the plug from the
recovery eye mounting point behind the
front grill. If a license plate has been
installed on the front of the vehicle, it
must be removed to access the recovery
eye.
3. Insert the recovery eye through the hole in the front grill and screw into the
mounting point. Ensure the recovery eye
is fully tightened.
After use, remove the recovery eye and return
it to the tool kit. Insert the plug back into the
mounting point to prevent dirt from entering.Transporter and trailer tie
down strapsWhen the vehicle is to be moved on a
transporter or trailer, it will be necessary to
use chocks and tie down straps to secure the
wheels. To avoid damage: • Ensure that metal parts on the tie down
straps do not contact the vehicle’s
painted surfaces or the face of any
wheels.
• Do not place tie down straps over or
through the vehicle’s body panels.
Caution: Attaching straps to the
chassis, suspension or other parts of
the body can damage the vehicle.
TR0162
Roadster OHB.book Page 14 Thursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM
Wheels and tires11-8Technical specificationsIn addition to the marking requirements,
passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements.
Note: Your vehicle is equipped with
directional tires. Therefore, you can see the
tire markings only on the outside of the
passenger tires. TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example; a tire graded 150 would wear
one and a half times as well on a government
test course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends on the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices,
and differences in road characteristics and
climate.Tra c t i o n
WARNING: The traction grade assigned
to this tire is based on straight-ahead
braking tests, and does not include;
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak
traction characteristics.
S
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are; AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent
a tire’s ability to stop on a wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Te m p e r a t u r e
WARNING: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire
failure. S
The temperature grades are A (the highest),
B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to
the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires
must meet under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.Tire care
WARNING: Defective tires are
dangerous. Do not drive if any tire is
damaged, is excessively worn, or is inflated to
an incorrect pressure.
S
Always consider tire conditions when driving,
and regularly inspect the tread and side walls
for any sign of distorti on (bulges), cuts or
wear.
The way you drive has a significant influence
on your safety and on the life of your tires.
Cultivate good habits for your own benefit:
• Observe posted speed limits.
• Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.
• Avoid potholes and objects in the road.
• Do not run over curbs or hit the tire
against the curb when parking.
Caution: Avoid contaminating tires with
vehicle fluids that can cause damage.Tire pressure information
WARNING: If the vehicle has been
parked in strong sunlight or used in high
ambient temperatures, do not reduce the tire
pressures. Move the vehicle into the shade and
allow the tires to cool before checking.
S
Correctly inflated tires will ensure that you
enjoy the best combination of vehicle range,
tire life, ride comfort and road handling.
Tire pressure should be checked when the
tires are cold. Inflate each tire to the pressure
recommended by Tesla Motors on the vehicle
placard, or tire inflation pressure label.
As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that
illuminates a tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
Roadster OHB.book Page 8 Th ursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM
IndexDirectional tires ................................................ 11-10
DoorsAutomatic locking when driving .......... 4-5
Exterior door release ................................ 4-4
Interior door release .................................. 4-4
Locking ........................................................... 4-4
Mislocking...................................................... 4-7
Unlocking with key .................................... 4-5
Driving .................................................................... 6-3EEconomical driving............................................ 6-3
Electrical current display ................................ 6-11
Electrical specifications ................................. 11-19
Emergency braking ........................................... 6-6
Emergency unlocking ...................................... 4-5
Exterior Dimensions.................................................. 11-15
Overview........................................................ 2-3
Exterior lights ...................................................... 6-7
Exterior mirrors................................................... 7-3FFan speed control.............................................. 7-4
Fault indicator .................................................... 6-12
Flat tire repair.................................................... 10-4
Flatbed transporting ..................................... 10-14
Fluid reservoirs ................................................... 9-4
Fluid specifications ......................................... 11-14
Front suspension specifications................. 11-18
Frost warning indicator light ........................ 6-12
Fuse Colors ............................................................ 10-7
Location ....................................................... 10-7
Specifications............................................. 10-8
GGarage door opener.........................................7-15
Gear position indicators ................................ 6-13
Gear selector........................................................ 6-3
Ground clearance ............................................. 11-15HHand brake ........................................................... 6-5
Hard-topInstalling ........................................................7-13
Removing..................................................... 7-14
Hauling your vehicle ..................................... 10-14
Hazard warning lights .................................... 6-10
Headlight high beam ........................................ 6-7
Heated seats ........................................................ 7-6
Heater controls ................................................... 7-4
Heating and ventilation ................................... 7-4
High beam headlights ...................................... 6-7
High beam indicator light ............................. 6-12
High Power Connector Overview ........................................................ 5-6
High voltage .......................................................... 1-2
HomeLink .............................................................7-15
Hood opening and closing ............................. 9-3
Horn ....................................................................... 6-10IIdentification numbers .....................................11-2
Instrument panel ............................................... 6-11
Instrument panel lighting .............................. 6-14
Interior Door release handle ...................................4-4
Light ................................................................. 7-7
Overview ........................................................ 2-5
Temperature ................................................. 7-4
JJacking the vehicle ..........................................10-11KKey fobBattery replacement ..................................4-3
Compliance ...................................................4-3
Programming................................................4-3
Replacing the battery ...............................4-3
Using ................................................................4-2
Key fob battery ...................................................4-3
Key positions........................................................6-2
Keys .........................................................................4-2 Programming the key fob .......................4-3
Unlocking driver’s door ............................4-5LLabelAirbags ............................................................ 3-7
Safety compliance certification............ 11-3
Tire................................................................... 11-7
Lashing ............................................................... 10-14
LCD panel ............................................................. 6-11
License plate light bulb ................................ 10-10
Lifting the vehicle............................................10-12
Lights Bulb replacement...................................... 10-9
Exterior ........................................................... 6-7
Hazard warning ......................................... 6-10
Headlight high beam ................................. 6-7
Instrument panel ....................................... 6-14
Interior............................................................. 7-7
Replacing interior light bulb ................. 10-9
Replacing license plate bulb............... 10-10
Replacing trunk light bulb ................... 10-10
Warning indicators ................................... 6-12
Load limit calculation....................................... 11-7
Roadster OHB.book Page 2 Th ursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM