PhonePhone
5.18MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Connecting to a Paired Phone
Model S automatically connects with the last
phone to which it was connected, provided it is
within operating range and has Bluetooth
turned on.
To connect to a different phone:
1.On the Model S touchscreen’s status bar,
touch (the Bluetooth icon).
2.The Model S touchscreen displays the list of
paired phones. If the phone is not on the list,
follow the instructions on page 5.17 to pair
it.
3.Choose the phone you want to connect to
from the list of paired phones, then touch
Connect.
When connected, the Model S touchscreen
displays the Bluetooth symbol next to the
phone name to show that the connection is
active.
Making a Phone Call
You can make a phone call by using the Model S
on-screen dialer, or by choosing a contact from
your contact list, and then touching the
contact’s number you want to call.
To make a phone call using the on-screen dialer:
1.To u c h t h e Phone app on the touchscreen,
then touch Dialer.
NOTE: If a phone is not currently
connected, the touchscreen displays the
Connect Phone message.
2. Enter the phone number on the dialer.
3.To u c h Call. The touchscreen displays the
call screen and the number you are calling.
To make a phone call by choosing a contact:
1.To u c h t h e Phone app on the touchscreen,
then touch Contacts.
NOTE: Ensure that access to the phone’s
contacts is turned on. See page 5.17.
2.Touch the name of the contact you want to
call to display details about the contact.
3.Touch the number you want to dial (there
may be more than one). The touchscreen
displays the call screen and the name of the
contact you are calling.
NOTE: If it is safe and legal to do so, you can
also initiate a call by dialing the number or
selecting the contact directly from your phone.
Receiving a Phone Call
When your connected phone receives an
incoming call, both the instrument panel and
the touchscreen display the caller’s number or
name (if the caller is in your phone’s contact list
and Model S has access to your contacts, as
described on page 5.17).
Touch one of the options on the touchscreen, or
use the scroll wheel on the right side of the
steering wheel to Answer or Ignore the call (see
page 4.4).
In Call Options
When a call is in progress, you can display the
call menu on the instrument panel by pressing
the top button on the right side of the steering
wheel. Then use the scroll wheel to scroll
through and choose an option (see page 4.4).
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Electric Vehicle ComponentsElectric Vehicle Components
6.2MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
CHARGING
Electric Vehicle ComponentsHigh Voltage Components
1.Battery
2.DC-DC converter
3.High voltage cabling (colored orange)
4.10 kW on-board master charger
5.OPTIONAL: 10 kW on-board charger
6.Charge port
7.Drive unitWARNING: The high voltage system has
no user serviceable parts. Do not
disassemble, remove or replace high voltage
components, cables or connectors. High
voltage cables are colored orange for easy
identification.
WARNING: Read and follow all
instructions provided on the labels that
are attached to Model S. These labels are there
for your safety.
WARNING: In the unlikely event that a fire
occurs, immediately contact your local
fire emergency responders.
book.book Page 2 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM
Battery InformationBattery Information
6.4MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Battery InformationAbout the Battery
Model S has one of the most sophisticated
battery systems in the world. The most
important way to preserve the Battery is to
LEAVE YOUR MODEL S PLUGGED IN when you
are not using it. This is particularly important if
you are not planning to drive Model S for
several weeks. When plugged in, Model S wakes
up when needed to automatically maintain a
charge level that maximizes the lifetime of the
Battery.
There is no advantage to waiting until the
Battery’s level is low before charging. In fact,
the Battery performs best when charged
regularly.
Battery Care
Never allow the Battery to fully discharge. Even
when Model S is not being driven, its Battery
discharges very slowly to power the onboard
electronics. On average, the Battery discharges
at a rate of 1% per day. Situations can arise in
which you must leave Model S unplugged for an
extended period of time (for example, at an
airport when traveling). In these situations,
keep the 1% in mind to ensure that you leave the
Battery with a sufficient charge level. For
example, over a two week period (14 days), the
Battery discharges by approximately 14%.
Discharging the Battery to 0% may
permanently damage the Battery. To protect
against a complete discharge, Model S enters a
low-power consumption mode when the
charge level drops to 5%. In this mode, the
Battery stops supporting the onboard
electronics to slow the discharge rate to
approximately 4% per month. Once this
low-power consumption mode is active, it is
important to plug in Model S within two months
to avoid Battery damage.
NOTE: When the low-power consumption
mode is active, the auxiliary 12V battery is no
longer being charged and can completely
discharge within 12 hours. In the unlikely event
that this occurs, you may need to jump start or
replace the 12V battery before you can charge.
In this situation, contact Tesla.
Temperature Limits
Do not expose Model S to ambient
temperatures above 60° C or below -30° C for
more than 24 hours at a time.
Battery Warnings and Cautions
WARNING: The Battery has no parts that
an owner or a non-Tesla authorized
service technician can service. Under no
circumstances should you open or tamper with
the Battery. Always contact Tesla to arrange for
Battery servicing.
CAUTION: If the Battery’s charge level
falls to 0%, you must plug it in. If you leave
it unplugged for an extended period, it may not
be possible to charge Model S or use the
vehicle without jump starting or replacing the
12V battery. Leaving Model S unplugged for an
extended period can also result in permanent
Battery damage. If you are unable to charge
Model S, contact Tesla immediately.
CAUTION: The Battery requires no owner
maintenance. Do not remove the filler cap
and do not add fluid. If the instrument panel
warns you that the fluid level is low, contact
Tesla immediately.
At the end of its service life, the Battery
should be recycled. Contact Tesla for
recycling arrangements.
charging.fm Page 4 Monday, July 22, 2013 11:52 AM
Charging Model S
CHARGING6.7
Changing Charge Settings
The charge settings screen displays on the
touchscreen whenever the charge port door is
open.
To display charge settings at any time,
touch the Battery icon on the top of the
touchscreen, or touch Controls > Charging
(located in the upper right portion of the
Controls screen).
The following illustration is provided for
demonstration purposes only and may vary
slightly depending on the software version and
market region of your Model S.
1.Charge status messages (such as Charging
Scheduled, Charging In Progress) display
here.
2.Adjust the charge limit based on your
anticipated driving needs. Touch Set
Charge Limit, then drag the slider bar to the
desired charge level. You can charge to any
level from 50% to 100%. For daily driving,
charge between 50% and 90% to improve
battery longevity. Charge above 90% for
trips requiring maximum range. The setting
you choose applies to both immediate and
scheduled charging sessions.3.Location-specific schedule
With Model S in Park, set a specific time
when you want Model S to begin charging
at the current location. If, at the scheduled
time, Model S is not plugged in at the
location, it will start charging as soon as you
plug it in as long as you are plugging it in
within six hours of the scheduled time. If
you plug in after six hours, Model S does not
start charging until the scheduled time on
the next day. To override this setting, touch
Start Charging or Stop Charging (see
item 4). When you set a scheduled
charging time, Model S displays the set time
on the instrument panel and the
touchscreen.
4.Touch to open the charge port door or to
start (or stop) charging.
5.The current automatically sets to the
maximum current available from the
attached charging cable, unless it was
previously reduced to a lower level.
For 3-phase charging, the available
current represents the current per
phase (up to 32 amps). During
charging, the right status flag
displays the 3-phase symbol in front
of the displayed current.
If needed, touch the up/down arrows to
change the current (for example, you may
want to reduce the current if you are
concerned about overloading a domestic
wiring circuit shared by other equipment).
It is not possible to set the charging current
to a level that exceeds the maximum
available from the attached charge cable.
When you change the current, Model S
remembers the location. So if you
subsequently charge at the same location,
you do not need to change it again.
NOTE: Reducing the current increases
charging time.
book.book Page 7 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM
Maintenance ScheduleMaintenance Schedule
7.2MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance ScheduleService Intervals
Regular maintenance is the key to ensuring the
continued reliability and efficiency of your
Model S.
Take Model S to Tesla at the regularly scheduled
maintenance intervals of every 12 months, or
every 20,000 kms, whichever comes first.
Model S must be serviced by Tesla-certified
technicians. Damages or failures caused by
maintenance or repairs performed by non-Tesla
certified technicians are not covered by the
warranty.
Fluid Replacement
Do not change or top up Battery coolant and
brake fluid yourself. Tesla service technicians
replace fluids at the regularly scheduled service
intervals:
•Brake fluid - every 2 years or 40,000 kms,
whichever comes first.
•Battery coolant - every 4 years or
80,000 kms, whichever comes first.
NOTE: Any damage from opening the Battery
coolant reservoir is excluded from the warranty.
Daily and Monthly Checks
In addition to the regularly scheduled
maintenance performed by Tesla, you should
carry out a few simple checks more frequently.
Daily Checks
•Check the Battery’s charge level, displayed
on the instrument panel.
•Check that all exterior lights, horn, turn
signals, and wipers and washers are
working.
•Check the operation of the brakes,
including the parking brake.
•Check the operation of the seat belts
(see page 3.5).
•Look for fluid deposits underneath Model S
that might indicate a leak. It is normal for a
small pool of water to form (caused by the
air conditioning system’s dehumidifying
process).
Monthly Checks
•Check the condition and pressure of each
tire (see page 7.3).
•Check washer fluid level and top up if
necessary (see page 7.18).
•Check that the air conditioning system is
operating (see page 5.9).
CAUTION: Contact Tesla immediately if
you notice any significant or sudden drop
in fluid levels or uneven tire wear.
High Voltage Safety
Your Model S has been designed and built with
safety as a priority. However, be aware of these
precautions to protect yourself from the risk of
injury inherent in all high-voltage systems:
•Read and follow all instructions provided on
the labels that are attached to Model S.
These labels are there for your safety.
•The high voltage system has no
user-serviceable parts. Do not disassemble,
remove or replace high voltage
components, cables or connectors. High
voltage cables are colored orange for easy
identification.
•If an accident occurs, do not touch any high
voltage wiring, connectors, or components
connected to the wiring.
•In the unlikely event that a fire occurs,
immediately contact your local fire
emergency responders.
WARNING: Always disconnect the charge
cable before working underneath
Model S, even if charging is not in progress.
WARNING: Keep your hands and clothing
away from cooling fans. Some fans
operate even when Model S is powered off.
WARNING: Some fluids (battery acid,
Battery coolant, brake fluid, windshield
washer additives, etc.) used in motor vehicles
are poisonous and should not be inhaled,
swallowed, or brought into contact with open
wounds. For your safety, always read and follow
instructions printed on fluid containers.
Dispose of used fluids and other
chemicals at authorized waste disposal
sites. It is illegal to pollute drains, waterways or
soil.
book.book Page 2 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM
Tire Care and Maintenance
MAINTENANCE7.3
Tire Care and MaintenanceMaintaining Tire Pressures
Keep tires inflated to the pressures shown on
the Tire and Loading Information label located
on the driver’s door pillar (even if it differs from
the pressure printed on the tire itself).
The Tire Pressure indicator light on the
instrument panel alerts you if one or
more tires is under- or over-inflated.
The Tire Pressure indicator light does not
immediately turn off when you adjust tire
pressure. After inflating the tire to the
recommended pressure, you must drive over
40 km/h for more than 10 minutes to activate
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS),
which turns off the Tire Pressure indicator light.
If the indicator light flashes for one minute
whenever you power on Model S, a fault with
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is
detected (see page 7.6).
Checking and Adjusting Tire Pressures
Follow these steps when tires are cold and
Model S has been stationary for over three
hours:
1.Remove the valve cap.
2.Firmly press an accurate tire pressure
gauge onto the valve to measure pressure.
3.If required, add air to reach the
recommended pressure.
4.Re-check pressure by removing and
re-attaching the tire gauge.
5.If you added too much air, release air by
pressing the metal stem in the center of the
valve.
6.Recheck the pressure with the tire gauge
and adjust if necessary.
7.Replace the valve cap to prevent dirt from
entering. Periodically check the valve for
damage and leaks.
WARNING: Under-inflation is the most
common cause of tire failures. It can
cause a tire to overheat, resulting in severe tire
cracking, tread separation, or blowout, which
causes unexpected loss of vehicle control and
increased risk of injury. Under-inflation also
reduces Battery range and tire tread life.
WARNING: Check tire pressures using an
accurate pressure gauge when tires are
cold. It takes only one mile of driving to warm
up the tires sufficiently to affect tire pressures.
Parking the vehicle in direct sunlight or in hot
weather can also affect tire pressures. If you
must check warm tires, expect increased
pressures. Do not let air out of warm tires in an
attempt to match recommended cold tire
pressures. A hot tire at or below the
recommended cold tire inflation pressure is
dangerously under-inflated.
WARNING: Do not use any tire sealant
other than the type provided in a Tesla
tire repair kit. Other types can cause tire
pressure sensors to malfunction. If your
Model S did not include a tire repair kit, you can
purchase one from Tesla Motors.
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Tire Care and MaintenanceTire Care and Maintenance
7.4MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Inspecting and Maintaining Tires
Regularly inspect the tread and side walls for
any sign of distortion (bulges), cuts or wear.
WARNING: Do not drive Model S if a tire
is damaged, excessively worn, or inflated
to an incorrect pressure. Check tires regularly
for wear, and ensure there are no cuts, bulges or
exposure of the ply/cord structure.
Tire Wear
Model S is originally fitted with tires that have
wear indicators molded into the tread pattern.
When the tread has been worn down to 1.6 mm,
the indicators start to appear at the surface of
the tread pattern, producing the effect of a
continuous band of rubber across the width of
the tire.
Replace a tire as soon as an indicator band
becomes visible or the tread depth reaches the
minimum permitted by law.
Tire Rotation, Balance, and Wheel
Alignment
Tesla recommends rotating the tires every
8000 kms. After rotating, always check and
adjust tire pressures.
NOTE: Do not rotate tires on the Performance
Plus models.
Unbalanced wheels (sometimes noticeable as
vibration through the steering wheel) affect
vehicle handling and tire life. Even with regular
use, wheels can get out of balance. Therefore,
they should be balanced as required.
If tire wear is uneven (on one side of the tire
only) or becomes abnormally excessive, check
the alignment of wheels.
Punctured Tires
A puncture eventually causes the tire to lose
pressure, which is why it is important to check
tire pressures frequently. Permanently repair or
replace punctured or damaged tires as soon as
possible. Do not drive with a punctured tire,
even if the puncture has not caused the tire to
deflate. A punctured tire can deflate suddenly
at any time.
Your tubeless tires may not leak when
penetrated, provided the object remains in the
tire. If, however, you feel a sudden vibration or
ride disturbance while driving, or you suspect a
tire is damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive slowly, while avoiding heavy
braking or sharp steering and, when safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Arrange to have Model S
transported to Tesla or to a nearby tire repair
center.
In some cases, you can temporarily repair small
tire punctures (under 6 mm) using an optional
tire repair kit available from Tesla. This allows
you to slowly drive Model S to Tesla or to a
nearby tire repair facility (see page 7.8).
WARNING: Do not drive Model S with a
punctured tire. Even if the punctured tire
has not deflated, it can suddenly deflate at any
time.
Flat Spots
If Model S is stationary for a long period in high
temperatures, tires can form flat spots. When
Model S is driven, these flat spots cause a
vibration which gradually disappears as the
tires get warm and regain their original shape.
To minimize the flat spots during storage,
inflate tires to the maximum pressure indicated
on the tire wall, then, before driving, release air
to adjust tire pressure to the recommended
levels.
Driving in Low Ambient Temperatures
Tire performance reduces in low ambient
temperatures, resulting in reduced grip and an
increased susceptibility to damage from
impacts. Performance tires can temporarily
harden when cold, causing you to hear
rotational noise for the first few miles until the
tires warm up. Contact Tesla for winter tire
recommendations.
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Subsystems
SPECIFICATIONS8.7
Suspension
Battery - 12V
Battery - High Voltage
Front Independent, double wishbone
Air spring or coil spring/telescopic damper
Sway bar
Rear Independent
Multi-link
Air spring or coil spring/telescopic damper
Sway bar (air suspension vehicles only)
For alignment values, see page 8.8.
Ty p e E X I D E U 1 R 3 7 0 X P W
Maintenance free, sealed for life
Rating 35 amp-hr
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 320 A
Voltage and Polarity 12V negative (-)
Type Liquid-cooled Lithium ion (Li-ion)
Rating 60 or 85 kWh (at beginning of life)
Voltage and Polarity 366V DC
Negative (-) ground
Temperature Range Do not expose the High Voltage Battery to
ambient temperatures above 60° C or below -30°
C for more than 24 hours at a time.
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