5OWNER SAFETY INFORMATION
INFLATION EFFECTSWhen airbags inflate, a fine powder is released. This powder can irritate
the skin and should be thoroughly flushed from the eyes and from any cuts
or abrasions.
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 airbags have inflated, or if your vehicle has been in an accident, always
have the airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners and any associated components
checked and, if necessary, replaced by Tesla.
In a collision, in addition to airbags inflating:
• doors unlock and the door handles extend
• hazard warning lights switch on
• interior lights switch on
• battery power is disabled
To restore Battery power, use the touchscreen to turn the vehicle OFF, then
turn it back on again by pressing the brake.
WARNINGS:
All occupants, including the driver, should always wear their seat belts
whether or not an airbag is also provided at their seating position to
minimize the risk of severe injury or death in the event of a crash.
Front seat occupants should not place their arms over the airbag module,
as an inflating bag can cause fractures or other injuries.
Airbags inflate with considerable speed and force, which can cause
injury. To limit injuries, ensure that occupants are wearing seat belts and
are correctly seated, with the seat as far back as possible. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends a minimum
distance of 10 inches (25 cm) between an occupant’s chest and an airbag.
Do not use a child safety seat or seat young children on a seat with an
operational airbag in front of it. Doing so can cause serious injury or death
if an airbag inflates.
To ensure correct inflation of the side airbags, maintain an unobstructed
gap between an occupant’s torso and the side of Model S.
Passengers should not lean their heads against the doors. Doing so can
cause injury if a curtain airbag inflates.
Do not allow passengers to obstruct the operation of an airbag by placing
feet, knees, or any other part of the body on or near an airbag.
Do not attach or place objects on or near the frontal airbag modules, the
side of the front seats, the headliner at the side of the vehicle, or near any
other airbag cover that could interfere with inflation of the airbag system.
Any such objects could cause harm if the vehicle is in a crash severe
enough to cause the airbag to inflate.
Following inflation, some airbag components are hot. Do not touch until
they have cooled.
AIRBAGS
6OWNER SAFETY INFORMATIONSEAT BELTS
USING SEAT BELTSSeat belts and child safety seats are the most effective means of
protecting occupants if a collision occurs. Therefore, wearing a seat belt
is required by law in most jurisdictions.
Both the driver and passenger seating positions are equipped with three-
point inertia reel seat belts. Inertia reel belts are tensioned automatically
to allow occupants to move comfortably during normal driving conditions.
The belt reel automatically locks to prevent movement of occupants when
Model S experiences a force associated with hard acceleration, braking,
cornering or an impact in a collision. To fasten a belt1. Ensure correct positioning of the seat.
2. Draw the belt out
smoothly, ensuring the
belt lays flat across the
pelvis, chest and mid-
point of the collar bone
between the neck and
shoulder.
3. Insert the latch plate into
the buckle and press
down until you hear a
“click” indicating it is
locked in place.
4. Pull the belt to check that it’s securely fastened.
5. Pull the diagonal part of the belt towards the reel to remove excess
slack.
To release a beltHold the belt near the buckle to prevent the belt from retracting too quickly,
then press the button on the buckle. The belt retracts automatically. Wearing seat belts when pregnantDo not put the lap portion or shoulder portion of
the seat belt over the abdominal area. Wear the
lap portion of the belt as low as possible across
the hips, not the waist. Position the shoulder
portion of the belt between the breasts and to
the side of the abdomen. Consult your doctor for
specific guidance.Seat belt reminder
The seat belt reminder on the instrument panel alerts you
if the seat belt for an occupied front seat is not fastened.
If the belt remains unfastened, this reminder flashes, and
you’ll hear an intermittent chime.
Seat belt pre-tensionersThe front seat belts are equipped with
pre-tensioners that work in conjunction with
the airbags in a severe frontal collision. The
pre-tensioners automatically retract both the seat
belt buckle and the seat belt webbing, reducing
slack in both the lap and diagonal portions of the
belts, resulting in reduced forward movement of
the occupant. Once the seat belt pre-tensioners
have been activated, they must be replaced. After any accident, have the
airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners, and any associated components checked
and, if necessary, replaced.
7OWNER SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNINGS:
All occupants must wear seat belts, even for short drives. Failure to do so
increases the risk of death or serious injury in the event of a collision.
Secure infants and small children in a rear seat using a suitable child
safety seat as described on page 9.
Regularly check the condition of all seat belts. Replace belts if you notice
any damage to the webbing, fittings, retractor mechanisms or buckles.
Seat belts should be worn low across the pelvis, over the shoulder and
across the chest. Avoid wearing the lap section of the belt across the
abdominal area. Always adjust the belt to remove slack. Seat belts worn too
loose allow excessive forward movement in a collision. Seat belts should
not be worn with any part of the strap twisted. An improperly worn seat belt
increases the risk of serious injury or death in the event of a collision.
Do not wear seat belts over hard, fragile or sharp items in clothing, such as
pens, keys, eyeglasses, etc. In a collision, the pressure from the seat belt
can cause them to break, which in turn can cause injury.
Each seat belt assembly must only be used by one occupant; it is
dangerous to put a belt around a child being carried on an occupant’s lap.
Seat belts that have been worn in an accident must be replaced, even if
damage is not obvious. The belt anchors must also be checked.
Avoid contaminating any component of a seat belt assembly with
chemicals, liquids, grit, dirt or cleaning products.
If a seat belt fails to retract or latch into the buckle, immediately contact
Tesla to have it replaced.
THREE SEAT BELT TESTS1. With the seat belt fastened, give the webbing nearest the buckle a
quick pull. The buckle should remain securely locked.
2. With the belt unfastened, unreel the webbing to its limit. Check that
unreeling is free from snags and visually check the webbing for wear.
Allow the webbing to retract, checking that retraction is smooth and
complete.
3. With the webbing half unreeled, hold the tongue plate and pull forward
quickly. The mechanism should lock automatically and prevent further
unreeling.
If a seat belt fails any of these tests, contact Tesla immediately.HEAD SUPPORTSModel S seats include integrated head supports that cannot be adjusted or
removed.
SEAT BELTS
12OWNER SAFETY INFORMATIONREAR FACING CHILD SEATS
OPENING THE TESLA REAR FACING CHILD SEATSIMPORTANT! Rear facing seats are child restraint systems and must only
be used for children over 37 “ (94 cm) tall and weighing between 35 and
77 lbs (16.2 to 35.2 kg). Always ensure the top of the child’s head can not
contact the vehicle and that the child is seated comfortably with the seat
belts positioned and latched correctly. Follow all instructions provided and
do not use supplemental child restraint systems in these seats.
The rear facing child seats are folded into the floor of the trunk. Follow
these steps to open:
1. Remove cover from the trunk floor.2. Pull the yellow strap attached to the seat to lift up the seat assembly.
3. Push the seat assembly into position and make sure the retaining
catches engage.
4. Check that the seat base is securely retained by trying to pull the rear
of the seat assembly towards you.
5. Pull the retaining bracket towards you to release.6. Fold the head supports towards you.
7. Raise the seat back to the upright position and push until it locks into
position.8. Check that the seat back and seat base are securely retained in the
upright position by trying to pull the seat back towards you.
WARNING: The rear facing seats are child safety seats. They are not
intended to seat adults or children outside the height and weight ranges
provided above.
WARNING: Follow all instructions and heed all warnings related to the rear
facing child seats. Failure to do so can compromise occupant safety.
15OWNER SAFETY INFORMATION
BRAKING SYSTEMSModel S is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that prevents
the wheels from locking when you apply maximum brake pressure. This
allows you to maintain steering control during heavy braking on most road
conditions.
During emergency braking conditions, the ABS constantly monitors the
speed of each wheel and varies the brake pressure according to the
grip available. The alteration of brake pressure can be felt as a pulsing
sensation through the brake pedal. This demonstrates that ABS is
operating and is no cause for concern. Keep firm and steady pressure on
the brake pedal while experiencing the pulsation.
Model S continuously monitors its brake systems and alerts you if a fault is
detected:
An ABS fault is detected. The brakes remain fully
operational and are not affected by an ABS failure.
However, braking distances may increase and wheels
may lock under heavy braking. Contact Tesla.A brake system fault is detected or the brake fluid
level is low. Contact Tesla immediately.
BRAKE WEARModel S brake pads are equipped with wear indicators. A wear indicator is
a thin metal strip attached to the brake pad that squeals as it rubs against
the rotor when the pad wears down. This squealing sound serves as a
reminder that you need to replace your brake pads. To stop the squealing,
contact Tesla to have your brakes inspected, and if necessary to have new
brake pads installed. If you don’t replace the brake pads, you will soon
hear a grinding sound. This metal on metal grinding can damage your
braking system, and in turn, create a braking hazard.
WARNINGS:
In an emergency, fully press the brake pedal. DO NOT pump the brake
pedal. ABS does this for you and by pumping the foot brake yourself, you
interfere with ABS operation, which can increase braking distance.
Contact Tesla if the movement of the brake pedal has increased, or if you
notice a significant loss of brake fluid. Driving under such conditions could
result in extended stopping distances or complete brake failure.
BRAKING SYSTEM