Steering WheelSteering Wheel
4.4MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Using Right Steering Wheel Buttons
Use the buttons on the right side of the steering
wheel to control the phone and some Model S
features, use voice commands, and customize
what Model S feature the right scroll wheel can
control.
NOTE: Regardless of how you customize the
right side of the instrument panel, it
automatically displays the phone menu when
someone is calling you on a Bluetooth
connected phone.
1. Phone Menu
During a phone call, press to display the
phone menu, which gives you the option to
mute, hold, or end the call.
2. Scroll Wheel
•Roll the wheel up or down to choose an
option from a menu. When the option you
want is highlighted, press the wheel to
select it.
•Tap the wheel to select the function you
have customized for it (see item 3).
•To choose what displays on the right side
of the instrument panel, press the wheel
to display the available options. Then roll
the wheel to browse through the options.
Tap the scroll wheel when the option you
want is selected.
3. Customize the Scroll Wheel/Exit a Menu
Press and select Phone to browse through
and select contacts and recent calls.
Press and select Customize to associate the
scroll wheel with a specific function. You
can choose from:
•All - roll the wheel to choose from all
available functions (listed next).
•Climate Temps - roll the wheel to change
the temperature, or press the wheel to
turn the climate control system on and
off. •Fan Speed - roll the wheel to adjust the
speed of the fan used to cool or heat the
cabin.
•Display Brightness - roll the wheel to
change the brightness level of the
displays, or press the wheel to restore
default settings.
•Media Source Picker - roll the wheel to
control what Media Player is playing, or
press the wheel to add/remove the
currently playing station or audio track as
a Favorite.
•Sunroof (if equipped) - roll the wheel to
adjust the position of the sunroof.
Press the lower right button at any time to
either exit a menu, or go back one level in
the menu structure.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the center pad on the
steering wheel.
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Mirrors
DRIVING4.5
MirrorsAdjusting Exterior Side Mirrors
Press the button associated with the mirror you
want to adjust (left or right), then press the dial
to move the mirror to the desired position.
Repeat for the other side mirror. Touch SAVE on
the touchscreen to save the mirror adjustment
in your driver profile.
To fold an exterior mirror, place your hand on
the back of it and push it toward the door.
If Model S is equipped with the optional tech
package, the driver’s side mirror automatically
dims in proportion to the level of glare from the
headlights of a vehicle behind you (except
when in Reverse gear). Also, both exterior side
mirrors have heaters that turn on and off with
the rear window heater.
Mirror Auto-tilt When Reversing
If Model S is equipped with the optional tech
package, both exterior mirrors can
automatically tilt downward when backing up.
To adjust the auto-tilt position, shift into
Reverse, then adjust the mirrors as described
above (press the button associated with the
mirror you want to adjust, then press the dial to
move the mirror to the desired position). Touch
SAVE on the touchscreen to save the mirror
adjustment in your driver profile.
When you shift back into Drive, the mirrors tilt
back to their normal (upward) position. But
now that you have adjusted them for backing
up, they automatically tilt to the selected
downward position whenever you shift into
Reverse.
You can turn the auto-tilt feature on or off using
the touchscreen, Touch Controls > Settings >
Mirror Auto-Tilt.
Rear View Mirror
Except when in Reverse gear, the rear view
mirror automatically dims in proportion to the
level of glare from the headlights of a vehicle
behind you.
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Gears
DRIVING4.7
GearsShifting Gears
When Model S is in Park, you must press the
brake to shift to another gear.
Move the lever up or down to change gears.
If you try to shift into a gear that the current
driving speed prohibits, you hear a chime and
the gear does not change.
Reverse
Push the lever all the way up and release. You
can only shift into Reverse when Model S is
stopped or moving less than 8 km/h. If moving
less than 1.6 km/h, you must press the brake.
Neutral
Push the lever up or down to the first position
and release to shift into Neutral. Neutral allows
Model S to roll freely.
If Model S is in Park and you use the
touchscreen to release the parking brake
(Controls > E-Brake & Power Off ), Model S
shifts into Neutral (see page 4.21).
Model S automatically shifts into Park when you
exit. To leave Model S in Neutral, use the
touchscreen to engage Tow mode (see
page 4.7).
Drive
Push the lever all the way down and release.
You can shift into Drive when Model S is
stopped or moving less than 8 km/h in Reverse.
If Model S is moving less than 1.6 km/h, you
must press the brake to shift into Drive.
Park
With Model S stopped, press the end of the
gear selector. Whenever Model S is in Park, the
parking brake is applied.
Model S automatically shifts into Park
whenever you:
•Open the driver’s door and exit.
•Connect a charge cable.
Leaving Model S in Neutral (Tow
Mode)
Model S automatically shifts into Park
whenever you finish driving and exit Model S.
To keep Model S in Neutral when you exit,
allowing it to roll freely (for example, pulling
onto a transporter, etc.), activate Tow mode:
1.Shift into Park.
2.Press the brake pedal.
3.Touch Controls > E-Brake & Power Off >
To w M o d e.
Model S beeps, shifts into Neutral, and releases
the parking brake (if engaged).
When Tow mode is active, Model S
displays this indicator light on the
instrument panel, along with a message
telling you that Model S will remain free rolling.
NOTE: In Tow mode, Model S does not shift into
a driving gear. To cancel Tow mode, shift into
Park or touch Tow mode again. Tow mode also
cancels if you use the touchscreen to apply the
parking brake (Controls > E-Brake & Power Off
> Parking Brake).
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Instrument PanelInstrument Panel
4.8MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Instrument PanelInstrument Panel Overview
NOTE: The following illustration is provided for demonstration purposes only. Depending on vehicle
options, software version, and market region, the information displayed may be slightly different.
1.The center display changes depending on
whether Model S is off or ready to drive. If
Model S is off, the center displays shows
remaining estimated range and status of
doors. Pressing the brake powers Model S
on—the indicator lights flash on for a
second and the center display shows
speed, power, charge level, estimated
range (see item 9), and active gear. When
Model S is plugged in, the instrument
panel displays charging status (see
page 6.8).
2.Use the left steering wheel buttons to
operate the audio system. You can also
press and roll the scroll wheel to change
what displays on the left side of the
instrument panel (see page 4.3).
3.Pay attention to important status
messages that display here.
4.All indicator lights flash on briefly when
you press the brake to prepare to drive.
They should then turn off, unless the light
applies to a current situation (see
page 4.9).
5.Use the right steering wheel buttons for
voice commands, to handle telephone
calls, and to control some features of
Model S. You can customize what features
the scroll wheel can control (see
page 4.4).6.Door lock status
7.Odometer
8.Outside temperature
9.Range estimate
The estimated range based on the amount of energy remaining in the
Battery. You can specify how you want to display range by touching
Controls > Settings > Language & Units and choosing:
•Rated - based on ECE R101 testing.
•Ideal - assumes ideal driving conditions based on driving at a steady
speed of 89 km/h on a flat road, and using no additional energy (seat
heaters, air conditioning, etc).
NOTE: When anticipating when you need
to charge, use range estimates as a
general guideline only.
10.Pay attention to alert messages that
appear at the bottom center of the
instrument panel. If any alerts are in effect,
you can view information about them by
touching the alert icon (exclamation
mark) on the touchscreen’s status bar (the
topmost area of the touchscreen).
11.Currently selected gear Park, Reverse,
Neutral, or Drive.
12.Date and time
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Instrument Panel
DRIVING4.9
Indicator Lights
Indicator lights flash on briefly when you press the brake pedal to prepare for driving. Unless an
indicator light applies to a current situation, they should turn off. If an indicator light fails to turn on
or off, contact Tesla.
In addition to indicator lights, alerts display on the top or bottom center of the instrument panel. If
alerts are in effect, an alert icon (exclamation mark) displays on the top of the touchscreen. Touch
this icon to display a description of the alert.
Indicator Description
Airbag safety. If this indicator does not flash on briefly when Model S prepares to
drive, or if it remains on, contact Tesla immediately. See page 3.18.
A seat belt is not fastened. See page 3.4.
The front passenger’s air bag has been turned off using the touchscreen.
Seepage3.17.
Rear fog lights. See page 4.11.
Parking lights (side marker lights, tail lights, and license plate lights) are on.
Headlight low beams are on.
Headlight high beams are on. See page 4.12.
Electronic stability control systems are applying the brake to the relevant wheel to
prevent slippage (light flashes).
The traction control system has been disabled. See page 4.22.
An Active Air Suspension fault is detected. Contact Tesla. See page 5.11.
Active Air Suspension’s automatic self-leveling is disabled. In other words, Model S is
i n J a c k m o d e a n d i s r e a d y t o b e l i f t e d o r pulled onto a transporter. Jack mode cancels
when Model S is driven over 7 km/h. See page 5.11.
The parking brake is manually applied. See page 4.21.
A parking brake fault is detected. Contact Tesla. See page 4.21.
TC
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Lights
DRIVING4.11
Lights Controlling Lights
To u c h Controls on the bottom left corner of the touchscreen to control most of the lights. In addition
to the lights that you can control from the touchscreen, Model S has convenience lights that turn on
and off automatically based on what you are doing. For example, you will notice interior lights,
marker lights, tail lights, door handle lights, and puddle lights that turn on when you unlock Model S,
when you open a door, and when you shift into Park. They turn off automatically after a minute or
two or when you shift into a driving gear or lock Model S.
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LightsLights
4.12MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL 1.If DOME lights are set to AUTO, interior
dome (map) lights turn on when you unlock
Model S, open a door upon exiting, or shift
into Park. They turn off after 60 seconds,
when you lock Model S, or when you shift
into a driving gear.
You can also turn an individual dome light
on or off by pressing its lens. If you
manually turn a dome light on, it turns off
when Model S powers off. If Model S was
already powered off when you manually
turned the light on, it turns off after 60
minutes.
2.If you turn on AMBIENT lights, the lights on
the door armrests turn on whenever the
headlights are on.
3.To u c h FOG to turn the rear fog lights on or
off.
The Rear Fog indicator displays on
the instrument panel whenever rear
fog lights are on.
The fog lights operate only when the
headlights are on. Whenever headlights are
turned off, fog lights also turn off.
4.If your Model S is equipped with a coil
suspension system, you can adjust the
angle of the headlights to accommodate
the load you are carrying. You may need to
lower the angle of the headlights to avoid
blinding oncoming drivers in situations
when you are carrying a significant amount
of weight in the rear trunk. After touching
LEVEL, drag the slider to the desired
position:NOTE: Headlight adjustments are not
available if Model S is equipped with Active
Air Suspension because Model S levels
automatically.
5.Exterior lights are set to AUTO each time
you start Model S.
All exterior lights (headlights, tail
lights, position lights, and license
plate lights) automatically turn on
when driving in low lighting
conditions. These lights always
revert to AUTO on your next
drive, regardless of any other
setting that you selected when it
was previously driven.
NOTE: When set to AUTO,
headlights operate based on
lighting conditions, particularly at
dawn and dusk. A blue sky, with
the sun located low on the
horizon, can cause the lights to
switch on.
Touch one of these options to temporarily
change the exterior light setting:
Headlights, tail lights, and license
plate lights turn off until you
manually turn them back on or
until the next time you drive
Model S. Only the daytime running
lights (front) are on.
The daytime running lights, the
rear position lights, and the
license plate lights are on.
All exterior lights (headlights, tail
lights, position lights, and license
plate lights) turn on.
0Headlights are not lowered. No
change is needed when all front and
rear seats are occupied and only
the front trunk is laden.
1Headlights are lowered one or two
levels. Suitable when the front and
rear seats are occupied and the rear
trunk is laden. For more details on
vehicle loading, see page 8.3.
2
AUTO
OFF
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Lights
DRIVING4.13
Headlight High Beams
Push the left-hand steering column lever away
from you. To cancel, pull the lever toward you.
The high beam indicator displays on the
instrument panel whenever high beams
are on.
To flash the headlight high beams, pull the lever
fully toward you and release.
Headlights After Exit
When you stop driving and park Model S in low
lighting conditions, the exterior lights
automatically turn on. They automatically turn
off after two minutes or when you lock Model S.
You can turn this feature on and off using the
touchscreen. Touch Controls > Settings >
Vehicle > Headlights After Exit.
Cornering Lights
If Model S is equipped with the optional tech
package, LED cornering lights broaden the
beam of the headlights whenever you drive
through a corner at 40 km/h or slower.
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