2014 TESLA MODEL S maintenance

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.
book.book Page 7 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM

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).
book.book Page 9 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM

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.
book.book Page 11 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM

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.
book.book Page 13 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM

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

Wiper Blades and Washer Jets
MAINTENANCE7.15
Wiper Blades and Washer JetsChecking and Replacing Wiper
Blades
Periodically check and clean the edge of the
wiper blade and check the rubber for cracks,
splits and roughness. If damaged, replace the
blade immediately to prevent damage to the
glass.
Contaminants on the windshield, or on the
wiper blades, can reduce the effectiveness of
the wiper blades. Contaminants include ice,
wax spray from car washes, washer fluid with
bug and/or water repellent, bird droppings,
tree sap, and other organic substances.
Follow these guidelines for cleaning:
•Clean the windshield using non-abrasive
glass cleaner.
•Wipe the blades clean using isopropyl
(rubbing) alcohol or washer fluid.
If the wipers remain ineffective after cleaning,
replace the wiper blades.
For optimum performance, wiper blades
should be replaced at least once a year.
To replace wiper blades:
1.Lift the wiper arm away from the
windshield.
2.Press the locking tab while sliding the blade
down the arm.
3.To install the new blade, align the new blade
on the wiper arm and slide it toward the
hooked end of the arm until it locks into
place.
4.Place the wiper arms with the blades
against the windshield.
If the problem persists with new blades, clean
the windshield and wiper blades using a soft
cloth or sponge and warm water with non-detergent soap. Then, rinse the windshield
and wiper blades with clean water. The
windshield is clean when water beads do not
form.
CAUTION: Only use cleaning products
approved for use on automotive glass
and rubber. Inappropriate products can
cause damage or smears, and create
glare on the windshield.
CAUTION: Only install replacement
blades that are identical to the original
blades. Using inappropriate blades can
damage the wiper system and affect the
operation of the rain sensor.
Cleaning Washer Jets
The position of the windshield washers is set at
the factory and should never need adjusting.
If a windshield washer becomes blocked, use a
thin strand of wire to clear any blockages from
the nozzle.
WARNING: Do not operate the washers
while cleaning Model S. Windshield
washer fluid can irritate eyes and skin.
Read and observe the washer fluid
manufacturer’s instructions.
book.book Page 15 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM

Fluid ReservoirsFluid Reservoirs
7.16MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Fluid ReservoirsRemoving the Maintenance Panel
To access fuses and check fluid levels, remove
the maintenance panel:
1.Pull the rear edge of the maintenance panel
upward to release the five clips that hold
the panel in place.
2.Maneuver the maintenance panel toward
the windshield to remove.
CAUTION: The maintenance panel
protects the front trunk from water.
When re-attaching, make sure it is fully
seated.
Checking Battery Coolant
If the quantity of fluid in the cooling system
drops below the recommended level, the
instrument panel displays a warning message.
Stop Model S as soon as safety permits and call
Roadside Assistance to have Model S
transported to Tesla.
Fluid Level Check
Tesla checks the Battery coolant level at the
regularly scheduled maintenance intervals. To
check it yourself, park Model S on level ground.
When Model S is cool, remove the maintenance
panel (see page 7.16).
Check the fluid level visually by looking at the
outside marks on the side of the reservoir. DO
NOT REMOVE THE FILLER CAP AND DO NOT
ADD FLUID. Doing so can result in damage not
covered by the warranty.
The fluid level should be between the MIN and
the MAX marks. If you notice that the fluid level
has dropped significantly, contact Tesla before
using Model S.
To p p i n g U p t h e B a t t e r y C o o l a n t
Under no circumstances should you add
coolant. If the instrument panel warns you that
the fluid level is low, contact Tesla immediately.
To maximize the performance and life of the
Battery, the cooling system uses a specific type
of G-48 ethylene-glycol coolant (HOAT).
Contact Tesla for more specific information
about the coolant.
book.book Page 16 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM

Fluid Reservoirs
MAINTENANCE7.17
Checking Brake Fluid
WARNING: Contact Tesla immediately if
you notice increased movement of the
brake pedal or a significant loss of brake fluid.
Driving under these conditions can result in
extended stopping distances or complete
brake failure.
The Brake indicator on the instrument
panel alerts you if the quantity of fluid in
the brake reservoir drops below the
recommended level. If it displays while driving,
stop as soon as safety permits by gently
applying the brakes. Do not continue driving.
Contact Tesla immediately for assistance.
Fluid Level Check
Tesla checks the brake fluid level at the
regularly scheduled maintenance intervals. To
check it yourself, park Model S on level ground.
When Model S is cool, remove the maintenance
panel (see page 7.16).
Check the fluid level visually by looking at the
outside marks on the side of the reservoir
without removing the filler cap.
The brake fluid level should be between the MIN
and the MAX marks.
NOTE: The brake fluid level drops slightly
during normal use, as a result of brake pad
wear, but should not be allowed to drop below
the MIN mark.
To p p i n g U p t h e B r a k e F l u i d
Do not top up your brake fluid. Tesla service
does this when you bring Model S in for regular
servicing. The following instructions are
provided for information purposes and future
reference only:
1.Clean the filler cap before removing to
prevent dirt from entering the reservoir.
2.Unscrew the cap and remove.
3.Top up the reservoir to the MAX mark using
brake fluid meeting DOT3 or DOT4
specifications.
4.Replace the filler cap.
WARNING: Only use new fluid from a
sealed air-tight container. Never use
previously used fluid or fluid from a previously
opened container—fluid absorbs moisture
which decreases braking performance.
WARNING: Brake fluid is highly toxic.
Keep containers sealed and out of the
reach of children. In the event of accidental
consumption, seek medical attention
immediately.
CAUTION: Brake fluid damages painted
surfaces. Immediately soak up any spills
with an absorbent cloth and wash the
area with a mixture of car shampoo and
water.
book.book Page 17 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM