Page 105 of 152
Tire Care and Maintenance
MAINTENANCE7.7 detected, it is possible that the tire sensor has
been damaged. Contact Tesla to have the fault
repaired as soon as possible.
Replacing a Tire Sensor
If the Tire Pressure warning indicator displays
frequently, contact Tesla to determine if a tire
sensor needs to be replaced. Tire sensors must
be replaced by a Tesla service technician who
can perform a brief setup procedure. If a
non-Tesla service center repairs or replaces a
tire, the tire sensor will not work until Tesla
performs the setup procedure.
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Temporary Tire RepairTemporary Tire Repair
7.8MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Te m p o r a r y T i r e R e p a i rTire Repair Kit
Your Model S has no spare tire. Depending on
the legislations that apply to the region in
which you purchased Model S, a tire repair kit
may or may not be included. If a tire repair kit
was not provided in Model S upon delivery, you
can purchase one from Tesla.
The tire repair kit consists of a compressor and
a canister of tire sealant (enough to repair one
tire). When injected into a tire, the sealant can
penetrate a small puncture up to 6 mm to form
a temporary repair.
NOTE: For punctures larger than 6 mm, severe
tread damage, a damaged sidewall, ripped tires
or tires that have come off the rim, call
Roadside Assistance.
WARNING: The tire repair kit is a
temporary repair only. You must repair or
replace a damaged tire as soon as possible.
WARNING: Do not exceed 48 km/h when
driving with a tire that has been
temporarily repaired with sealant.
WARNING: Follow all directions and
warnings on the tire repair kit before
starting a repair.
CAUTION: Do not drive on a deflated tire
as this can cause serious damage.
Tire Sealant Canister
The tire sealant provided in the Tesla tire repair
kit is approved for use with Model S and is
designed not to damage the TPMS (Tire
Pressure Monitoring System) sensors.
Therefore, you must replace it only with one of
the same type and capacity (see page 7.11). Tire
sealant canisters can be purchased from Tesla.
The tire sealant has an expiration date printed
on the outside of the canister. If the expiration
date has passed, the sealant might not work as
expected. Always replace an expired tire
sealant canister.
WARNING: Do not use any tire sealant
other than the one available from Tesla.
Doing so could cause tire pressure sensors to
malfunction.
WARNING: Always read and follow the
safety and handling instructions printed
on the sealant canister.
WARNING: Keep tire sealant out of the
reach of children.
WARNING: Tire sealant can be harmful if
it contacts the eyes or if swallowed or
inhaled. If the sealant comes into contact with
your eyes, immediately flush with water and
seek medical attention if irritation persists. If
swallowed, do not induce vomiting and seek
medical assistance immediately. If inhaled,
breathe fresh air. Inhalation can cause
drowsiness and dizziness. If breathing is
affected, seek medical assistance immediately.
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Temporary Tire Repair
MAINTENANCE7.9
Inflating with Sealant and Air
If you have a Tesla tire repair kit as described on
page 7.8, follow these steps to temporarily
repair a small tire puncture (less than 6 mm).
1.Stop Model S in a safe place away from
traffic and ask passengers to wait in a safe
area.
2.Turn on the hazard warning flashers to alert
other road users.
3.If possible, position the wheel with the
puncture at the bottom.
4.Detach the power supply connector from
the back of the compressor and plug it into
the 12V power socket located on the front
of the center console.
5.Release the clear plastic hose from the tire
compressor.6.Remove the red cap and screw the end of
the hose onto the tire’s valve.
7.Attach the sealant kit’s black air hose to the
sealant valve and press the lever down to
secure it in place.
8.Ensure the compressor is lying on a level
surface with the pressure gauge facing to
the side as shown above.
9.Tu r n o n t h e c o m p r e s s o r.
NOTE: The pressure gauge initially shows a
high pressure while the compressor pushes
the sealant into the tire. Once the sealant is
completely dispersed into the tire, the
pressure quickly drops and starts to rise
again as the tire inflates with air only.
10.Inflate the tire to the recommended
pressure.
CAUTION: If you cannot reach the
required pressure within 8 minutes,
stop! The tire is too severely
damaged to be temporarily repaired using
sealant. Do not drive. Call Roadside
Assistance to have Model S transported.
11.Turn off the compressor and disconnect the
hose from the tire’s valve. Wipe any excess
sealant from the tire valve and wheel rim.
12.Immediately drive for 8 km to distribute the
sealant around the tire. Do not exceed
48 km/h.
13.Stop and check the tire’s pressure. If
necessary, inflate using the black air hose.
14.Have the tire repaired or replaced as soon
as possible.
15.Replace the tire repair sealant canister (see
page 7.11).
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Temporary Tire RepairTemporary Tire Repair
7.10MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Inflating with Air Only
If you have a Tesla tire repair kit as described in
page 7.8, follow these steps to inflate a tire with
air:
1.Detach the power supply connector from
the rear of the compressor and plug it into
the 12V power socket located in Model S on
the front of center console.
2.Release the black air hose from the
compressor.
3.Attach the air hose to the valve and press
the lever down to secure it in place.
4.Ensure the compressor is lying on a level
surface with the pressure gauge facing to
the side where you can read it.
5.To add air, turn on the compressor and
inflate until the desired pressure is reached.
6.To release air, turn off the compressor, then
press and hold the red button until the
desired pressure is reached.NOTE: For your convenience, the tire repair kit
includes a selection of adapters that allow you
to inflate other items. These adapters are
located in a compartment on the back of the
compressor.
CAUTION: To avoid overheating, do not
use the compressor continuously for
more than eight minutes. Allow the
compressor to cool for 15 minutes
between uses.
CAUTION: The compressor runs slowly
when overheated from excessive use.
Turn it off and allow it to cool.
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Temporary Tire Repair
MAINTENANCE7.11
Replacing the Sealant Canister
If you have a Tesla tire repair kit as described in
page 7.8, you can purchase additional or
replacement canisters of tire sealant from Tesla.
Follow these steps to replace the canister in
your Tesla tire repair kit:
1.Unwrap the clear hose from the
compressor. This hose is included with the
tire repair sealant canister.
2.Remove the canister cover by sliding it
upward to release it from the compressor.
3.Remove the canister.
4.Insert the new canister and replace the
cover.
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CleaningCleaning
7.12MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
CleaningCleaning the Exterior
To prevent damage to the paint, immediately
remove corrosive substances (bird droppings,
tree resin, dead insects, tar spots, road salt,
industrial fallout, etc). Do not wait until Model S
is due for a complete wash. If necessary, use
denatured alcohol to remove tar spots and
stubborn grease stains, then immediately wash
the area with water and a mild, non-detergent
soap to remove the alcohol.
Follow these steps when washing the exterior
of Model S:
1.Rinse Thoroughly
Before washing, flush grime and grit from
the bodywork using a hose. Flush away
accumulations of mud in areas where debris
easily collects (such as wheel arches and
panel seams). If salt has been used on the
highways (such as during winter months),
thoroughly rinse all traces of road salt from
the underside of the vehicle.
2.Hand Wash
Hand wash Model S using a soft cloth and
cold or lukewarm water containing a mild,
good quality car shampoo.
3.Rinse with Clean Water
After washing, rinse with clean water to
prevent soap from drying on the surfaces.
4.Dry Thoroughly and Clean Exterior Glass
After washing and rinsing, dry thoroughly
with a chamois.
Clean windows and mirrors using an
automotive glass cleaner. Do not scrape, or
use any abrasive cleaning fluid on glass or
mirrored surfaces.
Cautions for Exterior Cleaning
CAUTION: Do not use hot water and
detergents.
CAUTION: In hot weather, do not wash in
direct sunlight.
CAUTION: If using a pressure washer,
maintain a distance of at least 30 cm
between the nozzle and the surface of
Model S. Keep the nozzle moving and do
not concentrate the water jet on any one
area.
CAUTION: Do not aim water hoses
d i r e c t l y a t w i n d o w, d o o r o r h o o d s e a l s , o r
through wheel apertures onto brake
components.
CAUTION: Avoid using tight-napped or
rough cloths, such as washing mitts.
CAUTION: If washing in an automatic car
wash, use Touchless car washes only.
These car washes have no parts (brushes,
etc.) that touch the surfaces of Model S.
Using any other type of car wash could
cause damage that is not covered by the
warranty.
CAUTION: Do not used chemical based
wheel cleaners. These can damage the
finish on the wheels.
CAUTION: Avoid using a high pressure
power washer on the rear view camera or
parking sensors (if equipped) and do not
clean a sensor or camera lens with a
sharp or abrasive object that can scratch
or damage its surface.
Some cleaning products contain
chemicals that are hazardous to the
environment. Always take precautions to
prevent spilling. It is illegal to pollute
drains, rivers and waterways. Used toxic
chemicals must be disposed of at
authorized waste disposal sites only.
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Cleaning
MAINTENANCE7.13
Cleaning the Interior
Frequently inspect and clean the interior to
maintain its appearance and to prevent
premature wear. If possible, immediately wipe
up spills and remove marks. For general
cleaning, wipe interior surfaces using a soft
cloth (such as micro fiber) dampened with a
mixture of warm water and mild non-detergent
cleaner (test all cleaners on a concealed area
before use). To avoid streaks, dry immediately
with a soft lint-free cloth.
Interior Glass
Do not scrape, or use any abrasive cleaning
fluid on glass or mirrored surfaces. This can
damage the reflective surface of the mirror and
the heating elements in the rear window.
Airbags
Do not allow any substance to enter an airbag
cover. This could affect correct operation.
Dashboard and Plastic Surfaces
Do not polish the upper surfaces of the
dashboard. Polished surfaces are reflective and
could interfere with your driving view.
Leather Seats
Leather is prone to dye-transfer which can
cause discoloration, particularly on light
colored leather. White and tan leather is coated
with an anti-soiling treatment. Wipe spills as
soon as possible using a soft cloth moistened
with warm water and non-detergent soap.
Wipe gently in a circular motion. Then wipe dry
using a soft, lint-free cloth. Using detergents or
commercially available leather cleaners and
conditioners is not recommended because they
can discolor or dry out the leather.
Cloth Seats
Wipe spills as soon as possible using a soft
cloth moistened with warm water and
non-detergent soap. Wipe gently in a circular
motion. Then wipe dry using a soft, lint-free
cloth. Vacuum the seats as needed to remove
any loose dirt.
Carpets
Avoid over-wetting carpets. For heavily soiled
areas, use a diluted upholstery cleaner.
Seat Belts
Extend the belts to wipe. Do not use any type
of detergent or chemical cleaning agent. Allow
the belts to dry naturally while extended,
preferably away from direct sunlight.
Tesla Built In Rear Facing Child Seats
Vacuum the seats to remove any loose dirt.
Wipe the seats with a soft cloth dampened with
warm water. You can also use an upholstery
cleaner designer for automotive use. Extend
the belts to wipe. Allow the belts to dry
naturally, preferably away from direct sunlight.
Touchscreen and Instrument Panel
Clean the touchscreen and instrument panel
using a soft lint-free cloth specifically designed
to clean monitors and displays. Do not use
cleaners (such as a glass cleaner) and do not
use a wet wipe or a dry statically-charged cloth
(such as a recently washed microfiber).
Chrome and Metal Surfaces
Polish, abrasive cleaners or hard cloths can
damage the finish on chrome and metal
surfaces.
Cautions for Interior Cleaning
WARNING: If you notice any damage on
an airbag or seat belt, contact Tesla
immediately.
WARNING: Do not allow any water,
cleaners, or fabric to enter a seat belt
mechanism.
CAUTION: Using solvents (including
alcohol), bleach, citrus, naphtha, or
silicone based products or additives on
interior components can cause damage.
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CleaningCleaning
7.14MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Polishing, Touch Up, and Body
Repair
To preserve the cosmetic appearance of the
body, you can occasionally treat the paint
surfaces with an approved polish containing:
•Very mild abrasive to remove surface
contamination without removing or
damaging the paint.
•Filling compounds that fill scratches and
reduce their visibility.
•Wax to provide a protective coating
between the paint and environmental
elements.
Regularly inspect the exterior paint for
damage. Treat minor chips and scratches using
a paint touch up pen (available for purchase
from Tesla). Use the touch-up pen after
washing but before polishing or waxing.
Repair rock chips, fractures or scratches. Body
repairs should be performed only by a Tesla
approved body repair facility. Contact Tesla for
a list of approved facilities.
CAUTION: Do not use cutting pastes,
color restoration compounds, or polishes
containing harsh abrasives. These can
scour the surface and permanently damage the
paint.
CAUTION: Do not use chrome polish or
other abrasive cleaners.
Using a Car Cover
To preserve the cosmetic appearance of the
body when Model S is not being used, use a
genuine Tesla car cover. Car covers can be
purchased from Tesla.
CAUTION: Never use a non-Tesla car
cover when Model S is plugged in. Doing
so can prevent the Battery from being
adequately cooled during charging.
Floor Mats
To e x t e n d t h e l i f e o f y o u r c a r p e t a n d m a k e t h e m
easier to clean, use genuine Tesla floor mats.
Maintain mats by cleaning them regularly and
replacing them if they become excessively
worn.
WARNING: To avoid potential
interference with a foot pedal, ensure
that the driver’s floor mat is securely
fastened, and never place an additional floor
mat on top of it.
maintenance.fm Page 14 Thursday, July 25, 2013 12:49 PM