Table of Contents
For information on how to use the Touch Screen, the High Power Connector, and the audio and
navigation systems, refer to the separate manuals provided in your owners package.Introduction and consumer information
Important notes about your vehicle 1-2
Important notes about this manual 1-3
Consumer information 1-4
Your vehicle at a glance Exterior 2-2
Interior 2-4
Seating an d safety restraints
Seats 3-2
Seat belts 3-3
Airbag system 3-6
Doors, locks, and s ecurity
Keys 4-2
Do ors
4-4
Trunk 4-6
Vehicle security 4-7
Charging your vehicle General information about charging 5-2
Charge settings 5-4
Charging components 5-6
Driving your vehicle Driving basics 6-2
Switches and controls 6-7
Instruments 6-11
Comfort and convenience Power windows 7-2
Rear view mirrors 7-3
Interior temperature control 7-4
Interior accessories 7-7
Removable roof 7-9
HomeLink® 7-15Audio and navigation systems
8-1
Maintenance and care Maintenance 9-2
Fluid reservoirs 9-4
Windshield wiper and washer 9-6
Cleaning and vehicle care 9-7
Roadside emergencies Tool kit 10-2
Energy Depletion 10-3
Tire repair 10-4
Wheels 10-6
Fuse replacement 10-7
Bulb replacement 10-9
Raising the vehicle 10-11
Vehicle recovery 10-13
Technical specifications Vehicle identification 11-2
Wheels and tires 11-4
Approved fluids and capacities 11-14
Vehicle dimensions and weights 11-15
Subsystem specifications 11-17
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3-1
Seating and safety restraints
SeatsSeat adjustment 3-2
Seat belts General information 3-3
Seat belt safety instructions 3-3
Using the seat belts 3-3
Seat belt reminder 3-4
Wearing seat belts during pregnancy 3-4
Seat belt tensioners 3-4
Caring for seat belts 3-4
Child seats and restraints 3-5
Airbag system General information 3-6
How the system works 3-6
Deployment effects 3-6
Obstruction of airbags 3-7
Airbag warning indicator 3-7
Airbag warning labels 3-7
Using child seats 3-7
Passenger airbag deactivation 3-7
Airbag service information 3-8
Roadster OHB.book Page 1 Thursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM
Seats3-2Seating and safety restra
ints
Seating and Safety Restraints
Seat adjustment
WARNING: Never adjust the driver’s
seat while your vehicle is moving.
U n ex p e c t e d o r s u d d e n s e at m ove m e n t co u l d
result in an accident.
S
Driver’s seat positionTo adjust the forward/rearward position of
the driver’s seat, raise the bar beneath the
front of the seat and slide the seat to the
required position. Release the bar to lock the
TR0001
12
seat into position. Ensure that the seat is
locked in position before driving, by trying to
slide the seat forward.
To reduce the risk of injury in the event of an
accident, Tesla recommends the following
when adjusting seat position:
• Adjust the seat so that you can press the
foot pedals fully to the floor with your
knees slightly bent.
• Make sure that you can comfortably reach
the top of the steering wheel.
• Ensure a distance of at least 10 inches (25
cm) between the steering wheel and your
breastbone. The airbag will not provide
adequate protection if you sit closer.
• Fasten your seat belt correctly.Lumbar supportAdjust lumbar support using the inflator bulb
located on the outside front edge of the
driver’s seat 1 or on the inside front edge of
the passenger seat 2 .
To increase lumbar support, squeeze the bulb
repeatedly until sufficie nt support is obtained.
To reduce the amount of support, press the
button located on the clamp between the
hose and the inflator bulb.Head restraintsEach seat is provided with a head restraint.
The head restraints are integral with the seats
and therefore can not be adjusted or
removed.
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Seat belts
3-5
Seating and s afety restraints
Child seats and restraintsCurrently, 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.
WARNING: The seat belts fitted to your
vehicle are designed to secure adult
sized passengers only.
S
WA R N I N G : C h i l d r e n under age 12 and
those weighing less than 80 lb (36 kg)
are not of sufficient size to be carried safely
wearing a standard seat belt of the type
fitted to your vehicle.
S
WARNING: It is dangerous for children
to travel in any type of vehicle without
being restrained by a harness, child seat, or
restraint system suitable for both their age
and size.
S
WARNING: Never let a passenger hold a
child on his or her lap while your vehicle
is moving. The passenger cannot protect the
child from injury in a collision.
S
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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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Wheels and tires
11-13
Technical specifications
Wheels and tires glossaryAccessory weightThe combined weight (in excess of those
items replaced) of items available as factory
installed equipment.BeadThe inner edge of a tire that is shaped to fit to
the rim and form an air tight seal. The bead is
constructed of steel wires which are
wrapped, or reinforced, by the ply cords.Cold tire pressureThe air pressure in a tire which has been
standing in excess of three hours, or driven
for less than one mile.Curb weightThe weight of a standard vehicle, including
any optional equipment fitted, and with the
correct fluid levels.Gross vehicle weightThe maximum permissible weight of a vehicle
with driver, passengers, load, luggage, and
equipment.kPa (kilo pascal)A metric unit used to measure pressure. One
kilo pascal equals approximately .145 psi.Maximum inflation pressureThe maximum pressure to which the tire
should be inflated. This pressure is given on
the tire side wall in lbf/in
2. Note: This pressure is the maximum allowed
by the tire manufacturer. It is not the pressure
recommended for use.
Maximum loaded vehicle weightThe sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight, and production
options weight.Production options weightThe combined weight of options installed
which weigh in excess of 3 lb more than the
standard items that they replaced, and are
not already considered in curb or accessory
weights. PSI (lbf/in
2)
Pounds per square inch, unit of measure for
pressure.RimThe metal support for a tire, or tire and tube,
upon which the tire beads are seated.Vehicle capacity weightThe number of seats multiplied by 150 lb plus
the rated amount of load/luggage.
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Index
AAccessing your vehicle.................................... 4-2
Accessory power socket .................................7-7
Air conditioning.................................................. 7-4
Air distribution .................................................... 7-4
Air recirculation .................................................. 7-4
Air vents .................................................................7-5
AirbagsDeactivation ..................................................3-7
Deployment effects ................................... 3-6
Disposal information ................................. 3-8
General information .................................. 3-6
Obstruction of air bags .............................3-7
Safety information ..................................... 3-6
Service information ................................... 3-8
Warning indicator .......................................3-7
Warning labels..............................................3-7
Warnings ....................................................... 3-6
Alarm system Indicator light .............................................. 4-7
Operation ...................................................... 4-7
PIN code ........................................................ 4-8
Switching off ................................................ 4-7
Ammeter display................................................ 6-11
Antifreeze .................................................. 9-5, 11-14
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ................. 6-5
Anti-theft alarm .................................................. 4-7
Audio system ....................................................... 8-1BBattery ....................................................................5-2 Coolant ........................................................... 9-5
Environmental Note ...................................5-2
Fluid check and top-up ............................ 9-5
Preserving ..................................................... 5-3
Range .............................................................. 6-3
Specifications............................................. 11-19 Battery Life
Overview ........................................................ 5-2
Body Cleaning ......................................................... 9-7
Covering......................................................... 9-8
Polishing ......................................................... 9-8
Removing tar spots ................................... 9-7
Repairs ............................................................ 9-8
Brake warning indicator .................................. 6-5
Brake warning indicator light .......................6-12
Brakes Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)......... 6-5
Emergency braking ................................... 6-6
Fluid specification .................................... 11-14
Fluid top-up .................................................. 9-4
Foot brake ..................................................... 6-5
Parking brake ............................................... 6-5
Regenerative braking................................ 6-5
Specifications ............................................. 11-18
Breakdown recovery ..................................... 10-13
Bulb replacement............................................. 10-9
Bulb specifications .......................................... 10-9
CCalifornia Proposition 65 ................................. 1-2
Car covers ............................................................. 9-8
Car washes ........................................................... 9-7
Cargo capacity.................................................... 11-7
Central door locking ......................................... 4-4
Chains ................................................................... 11-10
Change of ownership ........................................ 1-2
Charge level display.........................................6-12
Charging Charge level .................................................. 5-2
Charge settings ........................................... 5-4
Charge types ................................................ 5-4
Cost .................................................................. 5-5
Current limit.................................................. 5-4 High Power Connector ............................. 5-6
Performance setting .................................. 5-4
Range setting ............................................... 5-4
Standard setting ......................................... 5-4
Storage setting ............................................ 5-4
Storing your vehicle................................... 5-3
Charging indicator light ................................. 6-12
Charging port ...................................................... 5-6
Child passengers ................................................ 3-5
Child restraints .................................................... 3-5
Child seat air bag hazard ................................ 3-7
Child seats............................................................. 3-5
Cleaning Exterior ........................................................... 9-7
Interior............................................................. 9-8
Removing tar ................................................ 9-7
Roof.................................................................. 9-7
Underbody .................................................... 9-7
Wheels ............................................................ 9-8
Windshield, windows and mirrors ........ 9-8
Wiper blades ................................................ 9-8
Climate control.................................................... 7-4
Contacting NHTSA ............................................. 1-4
Coolant Battery ............................................................ 9-5
Specification ............................................... 11-14
Cost of charging ................................................. 5-5
Covering the vehicle ......................................... 9-8
Cruise control ...................................................... 6-9
Cruise control indicator lig ht ....................... 6-12
Cup holder ............................................................ 7-8
Current limit ......................................................... 5-4
DDashboard overview ......................................... 2-5
Data recording ..................................................... 1-2
Defrosting ............................................................. 7-5
Dimensions ......................................................... 11-15
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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
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