Security SettingsSecurity Settings
5.22MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Security SettingsAbout the Security System
If Model S does not detect a key nearby and a
locked door or trunk is opened, the horn beeps
and headlights and turn signals flash. To
deactivate the alarm, press any button on the
key.
You can manually enable or disable the alarm
system by touching Controls > Settings >
Safety & Security > Alarm. When set to on,
Model S activates its alarm one minute after the
doors lock and a recognized key is no longer
detected nearby.
If Model S is equipped with the optional
security package, it includes a battery-backed
siren. If the Tilt/Intrusion setting is on, this siren
sounds when Model S detects motion inside the
cabin or if it is raised (for example, with a tow
truck or jack) when doors are locked and a
recognized key is not detected. To turn the tilt
and intrusion detection system on or off, touch
Controls > Settings > Safety & Security >
Tilt/Intrusion.
NOTE: If you plan to leave something that
moves, such as a dog, inside your locked
Model S, remember to turn off the tilt/intrusion
system. Any type of motion detected inside
Model S activates the siren.
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Software UpdatesSoftware Updates
5.24MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Software UpdatesLoading New Software
Model S updates its software wirelessly,
providing new features throughout your term
of ownership. The first time you enter Model S
after an update is made available, a scheduling
window displays on the touchscreen.
NOTE: A software update can take up to two
hours to complete (an estimated time is
provided). Model S must be in Park when the
new software is being installed.
When a software update is available, a yellow
clock icon appears on the touchscreen’s status
bar.
1.Touch the up and down arrows to change
the installation time (if necessary). Then
touch Set For This Time to schedule the
installation. Once scheduled, the yellow
clock icon on the touchscreen’s status bar
becomes white.
2.To u c h Install Now to immediately start the
installation process.
You can reschedule the installation any time
before it begins. To do so, touch the clock icon
on the touchscreen’s status bar to display the
update window.
If Model S is charging when the software
update begins, charging stops. Charging
resumes automatically when the update is
complete. If you are driving Model S at the
scheduled update time, the update is canceled
and you need to reschedule.
If the touchscreen displays a message
indicating that a software update was not
successfully completed, contact Tesla.
Viewing Release Notes
When a software update is complete, learn
about the new features by displaying the
release notes. To display release notes at any
time touch the Te s l a “ T ” at the top center of
the touchscreen, then touch Release Notes.
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Charging Model S
CHARGING6.5
Charging Model SOpening the Charge Port
The charge port is located on the driver’s side
o f M o d e l S , b e h i n d a d o o r t h a t i s p a r t o f t h e r e a r
tail light assembly.
Park Model S so that the charge cable easily
reaches the charge port.
With Model S unlocked, or a recognized key
nearby, press and hold the button on a Tesla
charging cable.
If the cable you are using
does not have this
button, touch Controls >
Charge Port. Or, you can
touch the battery icon at
the top of the
touchscreen, then from
the Charging screen,
touch Open Charge
Port.
To charge at a public
charging station, attach
an adapter to the station’s charging connector.
The most commonly used adapter(s) for each
market region are supplied with Model S.
The charge port lights up white when you open
the charge port door. If you do not connect a
charging cable, the light eventually turns off.
NOTE: If you do not insert the charge cable into
the charge port within a few minutes after
opening the charge port door, the latch closes.
If this happens, use the touchscreen to open
the charge port door.
CAUTION: The connector end of the
charge cable can damage the paint if
dropped onto Model S.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to force the
charge port door open. Doing so can
damage the latch. A damaged latch
cannot hold the door closed.
Plugging In
If desired, use the touchscreen to change the
charge limit and the charging current (see
page 6.7).
If you are using the Mobile Connector, plug it
into the power outlet before plugging it into
Model S.
Align the connector to the charge port and
insert fully. When the connector is properly inserted,
charging begins after Model S:
•Engages a latch that holds the connector in
place.
•Shifts into Park (if it was in any other gear).
•Heats or cools the Battery, if needed. If the
Battery requires heating or cooling, you
may notice a delay before charging begins.
NOTE: Whenever Model S is plugged in but not
actively charging, it draws energy from the wall
instead of using energy stored in the Battery.
For example, if you are sitting in Model S and
using the touchscreen while it is parked and
plugged in, the energy being used is drawn
from the power outlet instead of the Battery.
During Charging
During charging, the charge port pulses green
and charging status displays on the instrument
panel (see page 6.8). The frequency at which
the charge port’s light pulses slows down as the
charge level approaches full. When charging is
complete, the light stops pulsing and is solid
green.
NOTE: If Model S is locked, the light around the
charge port does not light up.
If the light around the charge port lights up red
while charging, a fault is detected. Check the
instrument panel or touchscreen for a message
describing the fault. A fault can occur due to
something as common as a power outage. If a
power outage occurs, charging resumes
automatically when power is restored.
NOTE: When charging, particularly at high
currents, the refrigerant compressor and the
fan operate as needed to keep the Battery cool.
Therefore, it is normal to hear sounds during
charging.
Stopping Charging
You can stop charging at any time by
disconnecting the charge cable or touching
Stop Charging on the touchscreen.
To disconnect the charge cable:
1.Press the button on a Tesla connector to
release the latch.
2.Pull the connector from the charge port.
3.Push the charge port door closed.
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Charging Model SCharging Model S
6.6MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL To prevent unauthorized unplugging of the
charging cable, Model S must be unlocked or
able to recognize a key before you can
disconnect the charging cable.
NOTE: Model S stops charging whenever you
double-click the key. If you do not unplug
within 60 seconds, charging resumes.
CAUTION: Tesla strongly recommends
leaving Model S plugged in when not in
use. This maintains the Battery at the
optimum level of charge.
Charge Port Light
White The charge port door is
open and charge mode
is initiated.
Green - pulsing Charging is in progress.
Green - solid Charging is complete.
Red - flashing A fault was detected
and charging has
stopped. Check the
instrument panel or
touchscreen for a
message describing
the fault.
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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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Tire Care and Maintenance
MAINTENANCE7.5
Improving Tire Mileage
To improve the mileage you get from your tires,
maintain tires at the recommended tire
pressures (see page 7.3), observe speed limits
and advisory speeds, and avoid:
•Pulling away quickly, or hard acceleration.
•Fast turns and heavy braking.
•Potholes and objects in the road.
•Hitting curbs when parking.
•Contaminating tires with fluids that can
cause damage.
Replacing Tires and Wheels
Tires degrade over time due to the effects of
ultraviolet light, extreme temperatures, high
loads, and environmental conditions. It is
recommended that tires are replaced every six
years, or sooner if required.
Wheel rims and tires are matched to suit the
handling characteristics of the vehicle.
Replacement tires must comply with the
original specification. If tires other than those
specified are used, ensure that the load and
speed ratings marked on the tire (see
page 8.10) equal or exceed those of the original
specification.
Ideally, you should replace all four tires at the
same time. If this is not possible, replace the
tires in pairs (both front or both rear). When
replacing tires, always re-balance and check
the alignment of wheels.
For the specification of the original wheels and
tires installed on Model S, see page 8.8.
WARNING: For your safety, use only tires
and wheels that match the original
specification. Tires that do not match the
original specification can affect the operation
of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Asymmetric Tires
Model S tires are asymmetric and must be
mounted on the wheel with the correct sidewall
facing outward. The sidewall of the tire is
marked with the word OUTSIDE. When new
tires are installed, make sure that the tires are
correctly mounted on the wheels.
WARNING: Road holding is seriously
impaired if the tires are incorrectly
installed on the wheels.
Winter Tires
In snowy and icy conditions, consider installing
winter tires. Winter tires must be the same size,
brand, construction and tread pattern on all
four wheels. For recommendations on winter
tires, contact Tesla.
WARNING: On dry roads, winter tires
could have less traction than the
originally installed tires.
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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
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