Tire Care and MaintenanceTire Care and Maintenance
7.6MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Using Tire Chains
Tesla has tested and approved Security Chain
Company (SCC) Model Z-563 chains for use on
the rear wheels. These chains must only be
used if your Model S has 245/45R19 rear tires
installed. Do not use chains on 21” tires.
When installing tire chains, follow the
instructions provided by the tire chain
manufacturer. Mount them as tightly as
possible.
When using tire chains:
•Drive slowly—do not exceed 48 km/h.
•Avoid heavily loading Model S (heavy loads
can reduce the clearance between the tires
and the body).
•Remove the tire chains as soon as
conditions allow.
NOTE: Tire chains are prohibited in some
jurisdictions. Check local laws before installing
tire chains.
CAUTION: Using non-recommended tire
chains, or using tire chains on other sized
tires, can damage the suspension, body,
wheels, and/or brake lines. Damage caused by
using non-recommended tire chains is not
covered by the warranty.
CAUTION: Ensure that tire chains cannot
touch suspension components or brake
lines. If you hear the chains making
unusual noises that would indicate contact with
Model S, stop and investigate immediately.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
Each tire should be checked monthly when
cold and inflated to the recommended
pressures that are printed on the Tire and
Loading Information label located on the
driver’s door pillar (see page 7.3). If your
vehicle has tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label, determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that displays a low tire pressure
telltale (Tire Pressure Warning) on the
instrument panel when one or more of your
tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the Tire Pressure indicator light displays
on the instrument panel alerting you of low tire pressure, stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure (see page 7.3). Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire
to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and
tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.
If Model S detects a fault with the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS),
this indicator flashes for one minute
whenever you power on Model S.
NOTE: Installing accessories that are not
approved by Tesla can interfere with the TPMS
system.
WARNING: The TPMS is not a substitute
for proper tire maintenance, including
manually checking tire pressures and regularly
inspecting the condition of tires. It is the
driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level for the TPMS to trigger the
Tire Pressure Warning on the instrument panel.
TPMS Malfunction
Model S has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure indicator light. When
the system detects a malfunction, the indicator
light flashes for approximately one minute after
Model S powers on, and then remains
continuously lit. This sequence continues upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the
malfunction exists.
When the TPMS malfunction indicator is on, the
system might not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions can occur for a variety of reasons,
including installing replacement or alternate
tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check
the TPMS malfunction indicator light after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
NOTE: If a tire has been replaced or repaired
using a different tire sealant than the one
available from Tesla, and a low tire pressure is
book.book Page 6 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
