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Tesla Built In Rear Facing Child Seats
SEATING AND SAFETY RESTRAINTS 3.11
Tesla Built In Rear Facing Child SeatsUsage Restrictions
The Tesla built in rear facing child seats are child
restraint systems and are approved to United
Nations ECE Regulation R44.04 standards for
use by children in Mass Groups II and III,
weighing 15 - 36 kg. These seats must only be
used for children who are between 3 and 12
years old, and 98 - 135 cm tall.
Always ensure the top of the child’s head
cannot contact the vehicle and that the child is
seated comfortably with the seat belts
positioned and latched correctly. The child’s
pelvis must be held securely in place by the lap
belt. Follow all instructions provided and do
not use supplemental child safety seats in
these seats.
NOTE: To draw more air into the rear seating
areas, it is recommended that whenever a child
is seated in the Tesla built in rear facing child
seats, you set the climate control system to
draw outside air into Model S, instead of
recirculating the air. See page 5.9.
Opening
1.Remove the cover from the trunk floor and
pull the strap to lift the seat assembly
upward:
2.Push the seat assembly into position:3.Undo the Velcro strap:
4.Pull the handle to release the head supports
from the seat back, then pull the head
supports toward you to unfold them:
5.Raise the seat back to the upright position
and push until it locks into position. Visually
check to ensure that the retaining catches
are engaged:
6.Check that the seat back and seat base are
securely retained in the upright position by
trying to pull the seat back toward you.
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Tesla Built In Rear Facing Child SeatsTesla Built In Rear Facing Child Seats
3.12MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Folding
CAUTION: Before folding the seats,
fasten the seat belts to prevent them
from getting trapped in the seat
mechanism and being damaged.
1.Pull the handle to release the seat back and
pull the seat back fully forward:
2.Push the lever to release the head supports
from the seat back, then fold back onto the
seat:
3.Secure the Velcro strap:4.Pull the strap at the rear of the seat to fold
the seat assembly into the trunk floor:
5.Replace the cover on the trunk floor:
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Tesla Built In Rear Facing Child Seats
SEATING AND SAFETY RESTRAINTS 3.13
Seating a Child
The Tesla built in rear facing child seats are child
restraint systems and are approved to United
Nations ECE Regulation R44.04 standards for
use by children in Mass Groups II and III,
weighing 15 - 36 kg. These seats must only be
used for children who are between 3 and 12
years old, and 98 - 135 cm tall.
Always ensure the top of the child’s head
cannot contact the vehicle and that the child is
seated comfortably with the seat belts
positioned and latched correctly. Follow all
instructions provided and do not use
supplemental child safety seats in these seats.
NOTE: To draw more air into the rear seating
areas, it is recommended that whenever a child
is seated in the Tesla built in rear facing child
seats, you set the climate control system to
draw outside air into Model S, instead of
recirculating the air. See page 5.9.
1.Position the child in the seat with arms
through the loops of the seat belts.
2.Connect the two halves of the seat belt
tongue.
3.Insert the seat belt tongue latch into the
buckle and ensure it is securely fastened.
4.Adjust the shoulder belts so they run over
the top of the child’s shoulders and away
from the face.
5.Adjust the length of the buckle to ensure
the lower straps sit low on the child’s pelvis.
The child’s pelvis must be held firmly in
place.
6.Pull the lower straps until the child is
securely held in the seat.7.Slide the shoulder clips into place to ensure
the upper portion of the belts remain
positioned over the child’s shoulders.
To release, press the button on the buckle, and
separate the two halves of the seat restraint.
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Tesla Built In Rear Facing Child SeatsTesla Built In Rear Facing Child Seats
3.14MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Warnings - Tesla Child Seats
WARNING: The Tesla built in rear facing
seats are child restraint systems and are
approved to United Nations ECE Regulation
R44.04 standards for use by children in Mass
Groups II and III, weighing 15 - 36 kg. These
seats must only be used for children who are
between 3 and 12 years old, and
98 - 135 cm tall, provided the top of the child’s
head cannot contact the interior.
WARNING: Do not use supplemental
child restraint systems, including booster
seats, in the Tesla built in rear facing child seats.
WA R N I N G : A l ways e n s u re t h at t h e to p o f
the child’s head cannot touch the
headliner and that the child is seated
comfortably with the seat belts correctly
fastened.
WARNING: Follow all instructions and
heed all warnings related to the Tesla
built in rear facing child seats. Failure to do so
can compromise occupant safety.
WARNING: Read all safety warnings and
labels attached to the seats.
WARNING: Do not leave children
unattended in Model S, even if the child is
secured in a child safety seat or a Tesla built in
rear facing child seat. In hot weather, the
interior temperature can reach dangerous
levels that can result in dehydration, serious
injury or death.
WARNING: Do not remove o r replace the
fabric on a Tesla built in rear facing child
seat. The covers are an integral part of the
restraint’s performance and should not be
removed or replaced with any other type than
those supplied by Tesla.
WARNING: If the Tesla built in rear facing
child seats have been worn in an
accident, they must be inspected or replaced
by Tesla, even if damage is not obvious.
WARNING: Before allowing a child to ride
in the Tesla built in rear facing child seats,
check that the seat is securely held in the
upright position by trying to pull the seat back
toward you.WARNING: Do not remove the built in
rear facing child seats for any reason,
including cleaning. To ensure safety of
occupants, removal and installation must be
performed by qualified Tesla service
technicians.
WARNING: Do not make modifications or
additions that can interfere with the
operation of the Tesla built in rear facing child
seats.
WARNING: To prevent injury, ensure all
loose items (bags, luggage, etc) are
secured. In an accident, or during hard braking
and sharp turns, loose items could cause injury.
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Airbags
SEATING AND SAFETY RESTRAINTS 3.15
AirbagsLocation of Airbags
Airbags are located in the approximate areas
shown here. Airbag warning information is
printed on the sun visors.
1.Passenger knee airbag
2.Passenger front airbag
3.Side airbags
4.Curtain airbags
5.Driver’s knee airbag
6.Driver’s front airbag
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AirbagsAirbags
3.16MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
How the Airbags Work
Inflation of airbags depends on the rate at
which the vehicle’s cabin changes speed in a
collision. The rate of deceleration determines
whether airbags inflate.
Airbags inflate instantly with considerable
force accompanied by a loud noise. The inflated
bag, together with the seat belts, limits
movement of occupants to reduce the risk of
injury.
Front airbags are not ordinarily designed to
inflate in rear collisions, rollovers, minor front or
side collisions, heavy braking, or driving over
bumps and potholes. Therefore, significant
superficial damage can occur to the vehicle
without the airbags inflating or, conversely, a
relatively small amount of structural damage
can cause airbags to inflate.
If you are planning to modify your vehicle for a
person with disabilities in a way that may affect
the airbag system, contact Tesla.
Types of Airbags
Advanced
front
airbagsThe front airbags are advanced
airbags designed to reduce airbag
related injuries to children or small
adults who ride in front. On the
driver’s side, the front airbag
works with a seat position sensor
that adjusts the inflation level
based on the seating position of
the occupant. For safety of infants
and small children, the front
passenger airbag can be disabled
as described on page 3.17.
Knee
airbagsKnee airbags and the front airbags
work together. The knee airbags
limit the forward motion of the
front seat occupants by restricting
leg movement, thereby positioning
the occupants so that the front
airbags work more effectively.
Side
airbagsSide airbags protect the thorax
region of the torso and the pelvis
and inflate only if a severe side
impact occurs. Airbags on the
non-impacted side do not inflate.
Curtain
airbagsCurtain airbags help protect the
head and ordinarily inflate only if a
severe side impact occurs or if the
vehicle rolls over. The airbags on
the non-impacted side do not
inflate.
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Airbags
SEATING AND SAFETY RESTRAINTS 3.17
Disabling the Front Passenger
Airbag
When a child is seated in the front passenger
seat (even though the child is seated in a child
safety seat or booster seat), you must ensure
the front passenger airbag is turned off. This
prevents the airbag from injuring the child if a
collision occurs.
NOTE: Rear seats are the preferred location for
seating children in child safety seats.
To turn the passenger airbag on or off, touch
Controls > Settings > Safety & Security >
Passenger Airbag.The ON/OFF status of the front passenger
airbag displays in the upper right corner of the
touchscreen.
You can also turn the passenger airbag on or off
by touching the status indicator, shown above.
If the status shows the airbag as on, even if you
have turned it off (or vice versa), contact Tesla
immediately.
NOTE: Model S has a capacitive touchscreen
and may not respond to your touch if you are
wearing standard gloves. If the touchscreen is
not responding, remove gloves or wear gloves
with conductive fingertips for use with
capacitive touchscreens.
WARNING: If the control for the
passenger airbag does not appear to be
functioning, do not seat any passenger in the
front seat. Contact Tesla immediately to have
the vehicle inspected and if necessary, repaired.
WARNING: Never seat a child in a child
safety seat or a booster seat on the front
passenger seat when the airbag is activated.
Doing so can cause serious injury or death.
WARNING: Do not use seat covers on
Model S. Doing so could restrict
deployment of the side air bags if an
accident occurs. It can also reduce the
accuracy of the occupant detection system.
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AirbagsAirbags
3.18MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Inflation Effects
When airbags inflate, a fine powder is released.
This powder can irritate the skin and should be
thoroughly flushed from the eyes and from any
cuts or abrasions.
After inflation, the airbags deflate to provide a
gradual cushioning effect for the occupants
and to ensure the driver’s forward vision is not
obscured.
If airbags have inflated, or if your vehicle has
been in an accident, always have the airbags,
seat belt pre-tensioners and any associated
components checked and, if necessary,
replaced by Tesla.
In a collision, in addition to the airbags inflating:
•Doors unlock and the door handles extend.
•Hazard warning lights turn on.
•Interior lights turn on.
•High voltage is disabled.
To restore Battery power, use the touchscreen
to manually power off Model S (see page 4.6),
then press the brake to power it back on again.
Airbag Warning Indicator
The airbag indicator on the instrument
panel remains lit if the airbag system is
malfunctioning. The only time this
indicator should light up is briefly when
Model S first starts up, in which case it turns off
within a few seconds. If it remains lit, contact
Tesla immediately and do not drive.
Airbag Warnings
All occupants, including the driver,
should always wear their seat belts
whether or not an airbag is also provided at
their seating position to minimize the risk of
severe injury or death in the event of a crash.
Front seat occupants should not place
their arms over the airbag module, as an
inflating bag can cause fractures or other
injuries.
WARNING: Do not use seat covers on
Model S. Doing so could restrict
deployment of the side air bags if an
accident occurs. It can also reduce the
accuracy of the occupant detection system.
WARNING: Airbags inflate with
considerable speed and force, which can
cause injury. To limit injuries, ensure that
occupants are wearing seat belts and are
correctly seated, with the seat positioned as far
back as possible.
WARNING: Do not use a child safety seat
or seat young children on a seat with an
operational airbag in front of it. Doing so can
cause injury or death if the airbag inflates.
WARNING: To ensure correct inflation of
the side airbags, maintain an
unobstructed gap between an occupant’s torso
and the side of Model S.
WARNING: Passengers should not lean
their heads against the doors. Doing so
can cause injury if a curtain airbag inflates.
WARNING: Do not allow passengers to
obstruct the operation of an airbag by
placing feet, knees or any other part of the
body on or near an airbag.
WARNING: Do not attach or place objects
on or near the front airbags, the side of
the front seats, the headliner at the side of the
vehicle, or any other airbag cover that could
interfere with inflation of an airbag. Objects can
cause serious injury if the vehicle is in a crash
severe enough to cause the airbag to inflate.
WARNING: Following inflation, some
airbag components are hot. Do not touch
until they have cooled.
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