4OWNER SAFETY INFORMATIONAIRBAGS
FRONT PASSENGER DETECTIONModel S has an occupancy sensor in the front passenger seat that
controls the status of the airbags based on the weight of the occupant.
Passenger airbag status displays in the top right corner of the touchscreen
to indicate whether the airbag will inflate (ON) or not inflate (OFF) if a
collision occurs:Front passenger seat occupancy* Passenger airbag status
Empty OFF
Infant in child seat (up to 20 lbs) OFF
Child or small occupant (20-100 lbs) ON or OFF
Heavy object/occupant ON
*Note: Values are approximate. Occupants whose weight is close to the low weight
threshold can cause the status to occasionally switch on and off depending on
seating position and physique.If the status shows the airbag as permanently ON, even when the seat is
empty and the seat belt is unbuckled, contact Tesla immediately.
To make sure the sensing system can correctly detect occupancy status,
eliminate the following:
• Objects lodged underneath the seat.
• Heavy objects sitting on the seat (briefcase, large purse).• Objects wedged between the seat back and seat cushion.
• Cargo interfering with the seat.
• Rear passengers interfering with the seat.
• Aftermarket items attached to, or sitting on, the seat (covers, mats,
blankets, etc.).
These conditions can interfere with the occupancy sensor. If you’ve
eliminated the above possibilities, and the airbag status is still incorrect,
ask passengers to ride in the rear seat and contact Tesla to have the
airbag system checked.
NOTE: The front passenger seat’s sensing system affects the operation of
the front passenger airbag only. All other airbags, including the side airbag
and curtain airbag, are not affected.
AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT
The airbag warning on the instrument panel alerts you
of a malfunction of the airbag system. When Model S is
powered on, all components of the airbag system are
continuously monitored. Contact Tesla if this indicator light
stays on.
8OWNER SAFETY INFORMATIONCHILD SAFETY SEATS
ABOUT CHILD SAFETY SEATSYour Model S seat belts in the front and second row seats are designed
for adults and larger children. You must restrain infants and small children
in the second row seats only and you must use a suitable child safety
seat appropriate for the child’s age, weight, and size. Carefully follow the
instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child safety seat. Never
use child safety seats in the front row passenger seat.
If your Model S is equipped with rear facing child seats, these seats are
child safety seats and are designed only for children within a specific
height and weight range (see page 12).
CHOOSE A SUITABLE CHILD SAFETY SEATAll children age 12 and under should ride in the rear seats. Always use a
child safety seat suitable for a young child’s age and weight:
Infants Toddlers Young Children
AgeBirth to 1 year Over 1 year 4 and older
(unless over 57” tall)
WeightUp to at least 20
lbs.Over 20 lbs (minimum)
Over 40 lbs
(recommended) Over 40 lbs
Type of
seatRear facing (or
convertible) infant
seatForward facing (or
convertible)Belt retained
booster seat
Seat
positionRear facing only* Forward facing Forward facing
* Many child safety seats currently available allow children to ride rear facing using the child
safety seat’s integrated 5 point harness for a longer period of time. Using these systems for as
long as possible is strongly recommended.
WARNINGS:
According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained
in the rear seating positions than in the front seating positions.
To ensure children are safely seated, follow all instructions provided in
this document and provided by the manufacturer of the child safety seat.
Failure to do so increases the risk of death or serious injury.
Do not allow an infant to be held on a lap. To reduce the risk of injury, a
child must be restrained in an appropriate child safety seat.
CAUTION: Laws that governs how and where children should be carried
when travelling in a vehicle are subject to change. It is the driver’s
responsibility to comply with all current regulations.
9OWNER SAFETY INFORMATION
TWO WAYS TO INSTALL CHILD SAFETY SEATSThere are two ways to install a child safety seat:
• Secure using seat belts
• Attach LATCH type child safety seats to anchor bars built into the rear
seat
Check the child safety seat manufacturer’s instructions to see which
method to use. Some child safety seats can be installed using either
method. Always follow the child safety seat manufacturer’s instructions.SAFETY SEATS FOR LARGER CHILDRENIf a child is too large to fit into a child safety seat, but too small to safely fit
into the standard seat belts, use a booster seat appropriate for the child’s
age and size. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
INSTALLING SEAT BELT RETAINED CHILD
SAFETY SEATS• Make sure that the child falls into the correct weight range for the seat.
• Avoid dressing a child in bulky clothing and do not place any objects
between the child and the restraint system.
• Adjust harnesses for every child, every trip.
Always follow detailed
instructions provided by the child
safety seat manufacturer and
the general guidelines provided
below.
1. Place the child seat in the
Model S, route the seat belt
and secure the buckle in
accordance with the child
safety seat manufacturer’s
fitting instructions.
2. Allow the seat belt to retract
and remove all slack in the
seat belt while firmly pushing the child seat into the Model S seat.
3. If your seat belt restrained child seat has an upper tether, attach as
described on page 10.
WARNINGS:
Ensure the child’s head is properly supported by either the booster seat
or the Model S seat. The seat back must be at or above the center of the
child’s ears.
Ensure the Model S seat belt properly fits the child. The shoulder portion of
the belt must be away from the face and neck, and the lap portion must not
be over the stomach.
CHILD SAFETY SEATS
11OWNER SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNINGS:
DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY can occur if instructions and warnings are
not properly followed.
Never attach two child safety seats to one anchorage point. In a collision,
one anchorage point may not be strong enough to retain both seats,
causing serious or fatal injury to an occupant.
Child safety seat anchorages can withstand only loads imposed by
correctly fitted child safety seats. Do not use them for adult seat belts,
harnesses or for attaching other items. Doing so increases risk of serious
injury or death in the event of an accident.
Regularly inspect and check the fit of all child safety seats. Replace seats
that show signs of wear or that are no longer suitable for the age and
weight of the child.
Always check harnesses and the upper tether strap for damage or wear
and tear. A child could be seriously injured or killed in a sudden stop or
collision if the child safety seat’s upper tether strap is damaged or not
functioning properly.
CHILD SAFETY SEATS
TEST BEFORE SEATING A CHILDBefore seating a child, always make sure the child safety seat is not loose:
• Hold the safety seat by the belt path and try to slide the safety seat
side to side and front to back.
• If the seat moves more than one inch, then it is too loose.
• Tighten the belt or reconnect the LATCH restrained child seat.
• If you can’t reduce the slack, try a different seating location or try
another child safety seat.
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.
16OWNER SAFETY INFORMATION
CHECK THESE LABELSTwo labels on the driver’s door pillar provide important tire pressure and
vehicle loading information.
1
2
1. TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION
Specifies tire pressures (see page 17) and the maximum load your
vehicle can carry (see page 23).
2. VEHICLE CERTIFICATION
• GVWR - Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The maximum allowable
total mass of the vehicle. This is calculated as the weight of the
vehicle, all passengers, fluids, and cargo.
• GAWR FR and GAWR RR - Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
front and rear axles. The maximum distributed weight that may be
supported by each axle.
TIRE PRESSURES
20OWNER SAFETY INFORMATION
UNDERSTANDING TIRE MARKINGSFederal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized information
on the sidewall of all tires. This information identifies and describes
the fundamental characteristics of the tire and also provides the tire
identification number (TIN) for safety standard certification and in case of
a recall.1 Tire category. P indicates that the tire is for passenger vehicles
2Tire width. This 3-digit number is the width (in millimeters) of the tire from
sidewall edge to sidewall edge.
3Aspect ratio. This 2-digit number is the sidewall height as a percentage of the
tread width. So, if the tread width is 205 mm, and the aspect ratio is 50, the
sidewall height will be 102 mm.
4Tire construction. R indicates that the tire is of Radial ply construction.
5 Wheel diameter. This 2-digit number is the diameter of the wheel rim in inches.
6Load index. This 2 or 3-digit number is the weight each tire can support. This
number is not always shown.
7Speed rating. When stated, indicates the maximum speed at which the tire can
be used for extended periods.
Q 99 T 118 V 149
R 106 U 124 W 168
S 112 H 130 Y 186
8Tire composition and materials. The number of plies in both the tread area,
and the sidewall area, indicates how many layers of rubber coated material
make up the structure of the tire. Information is also provided on the type of
materials used.
9 Maximum tire load. The maximum load which can be carried by the tire.
10Maximum permissible inflation pressure. The maximum inflation pressure for
the tire. This pressure should not be used for normal driving.
11U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN). Begins with the letters DOT and
indicates that the tire meets all federal standards. The next 2 digits/letters
represent the plant code where it was manufactured, and the last 4 digits
represent the week and year of manufacture. For example, the numbers 1712
means the 17th week of 2012. The other numbers are marketing codes used
at the manufacturer’s discretion. This information can be used to contact
consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.
12Treadwear grade. This number indicates the tire’s wear rate. The higher the
treadwear number is, the longer it should take for the tread to wear down. A
tire rated at 400 for example, will last twice as long as a tire rated at 200. See
page 21.
13Traction grade. Indicates a tire’s ability to stop on wet roads. A higher graded
tire should allow you to stop your vehicle in a shorter distance than a tire with
a lower grade. Traction is graded from highest to lowest as AA, A, B, and C.
See page 21.
14Temperature grade. The tire’s resistance to heat is grade A, B, or C, with A
indicating the greatest resistance. This grading is provided for a correctly
inflated tire, which is being used within its speed and loading limits. See page
21.
TIRE MARKINGS
22OWNER SAFETY INFORMATION
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 0.145 psi.
Maximum inflation pressureThe maximum pressure to which the tire should be inflated. This pressure is given on the tire side wall in psi (lbf/in2).
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 lbs more than the standard items that they replaced, and are not
already considered in curb or accessory weights.
PSI (lbf/in2)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 lbs plus the rated amount of load/luggage.
WHEELS AND TIRES GLOSSARY