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
book.book Page 8 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM
Energy Usage
DRIVING4.19
Energy UsageDisplaying Energy Usage
Touch the Energy app on the top of the
touchscreen to display a graph showing
how much energy Model S has been
using.
The graph visually shows energy consumption
and projected range. The projected range is
based on consumption over the last tenth of a
mile.
Heavy acceleration and high speed driving
cause peaks on the graph as Model S uses more
energy. Slowing down causes dips. Points at
which more energy was gained than used
(causing surplus energy to be regenerated and
fed back to the battery) are shown in green.
To change the graph’s scale, use standard
touchscreen finger gestures to pinch or expand
the display. You can show the energy used over
the past 10, 25, or 50 km. You can also change
the graph’s scale by touching Controls >
Settings > Apps > Energy.
NOTE: You can also display this graph on the
instrument panel by using the scroll button on
the steering wheel (see page 4.3).
Driving Tips to Maximize Range
Maximizing your driving range uses the same
driving habits that you use to conserve fuel in a
gasoline-powered vehicle.
Energy consumption depends on driving habits
and environmental conditions (such as cold
weather and hilly roads). To get the maximum
mileage from a charge, you should:
•Keep in mind that driving at high speeds
(such as on a freeway) decreases range.
•Avoid frequent and rapid acceleration.
•Instead of using the brake to slow down,
move your foot off the accelerator.
Whenever M odel S is moving and your foot
is off the accelerator, regenerative braking
slows down Model S and feeds surplus
energy back to the Battery (see page 4.21).
•Keep tires at the recommended inflation
pressures (see page 7.3).
•Lighten your load by removing any
unnecessary cargo.
•Limit the use of resources such as heating
and air conditioning. Using seat heaters to
keep warm is more efficient than heating
the cabin.
The power meter on the instrument panel and
the Energy app (see page 4.19) provide
feedback on energy usage. With this feedback,
you will soon become familiar with how driving
habits and environmental conditions impact
how much energy Model S is using.
book.book Page 19 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM
Touchscreen - Settings
USING THE TOUCHSCREEN5.7 1.Adjust settings associated with installed
apps (applications). Apps that have no
settings that you can adjust at this time are
grayed out.
2.Create driver profiles (see page 4.2)
3.Language & Units
Adjust how Model S displays:
•Language: Set the language used when
Model S displays alerts, notification
messages, and navigation instructions (if
equipped).
NOTE: When you change the language,
you experience a brief delay as Model S
shuts down and restarts the touchscreen.
•Region: Choose a region to define the
formatting convention used to display
dates (mm dd yy/dd-mm-yy, etc) and
decimal separators (5.123, 5,123, etc).
•Distance: Miles or kms can be shown on
the range display, speedometer, energy
chart, trip meters, Google map searches
and navigation routes.
•Time: 12 or 24 hour format.
•Temperature:
oF or oC.
•Charging Units: Display energy (kWh) or
distance (miles/kms).
•Range: Rated range (based on ECE R101
testing), or Ideal range (based on the
assumption of driving in ideal conditions
at a steady speed of 89 km/h on a flat
road, and using no additional energy
(seat heaters, air conditioning, etc).
4.Ve h i c l e
•Drive-away Door Lock: If on, all doors
automatically lock whenever you drive
Model S over 8 km/h (see page 2.5).
•Walk-away Door Lock: If on, all doors
automatically lock when you walk away
from Model S, carrying the key with you
(see page 2.5). Available only if Model S is
equipped with the optional tech package.
•Child-Protection Locks: If on, safety locks
prevent the rear doors and the liftgate
from being opened from inside Model S.
•Auto-Present Handles: If on, door handles
extend automatically whenever you
approach Model S carrying a key,
whether locked or unlocked (see
page 2.4.•Mirror Auto-Tilt: If on, exterior mirrors tilt
downward when reversing (see
page 4.5). Available only if Model S is
equipped with the optional tech package.
•Headlights After Exit: If on, headlights
stay on for two minutes after you exit, or
until you lock Model S (see page 4.13).
•Range Mode: If on, Model S conserves
energy by limiting the power of the
climate control system. Cabin heating and
cooling may be less effective.
5.Safety & Security
Turn various safety and security features on
and off:
•Passenger Airbag (see page 3.17).
•Alarm, and security options Model S is
equipped with (see page 5.22).
•Remote access by Tesla’s mobile
applications (see page 5.25).
6.HomeLink
Use HomeLink to control RF-enabled
garage doors, lights, or security systems
(see page 5.23).
WARNING: Do not read the touchscreen
while driving. Doing so increases the
likelihood of a collision. Everything you need to
know when driving is displayed on the
instrument panel.
book.book Page 7 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM
Climate ControlsClimate Controls
5.8MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Climate ControlsOverview of Climate Controls
The climate controls are always available at the bottom of the touchscreen. By default, climate
control is set to Auto On, which maintains optimum comfort in all but the most severe weather
conditions. When you adjust the temperature, the system automatically adjusts the heating, air
conditioning, air distribution, air circulation, and fan speed to maintain your selected temperature.
To override these settings, touch Auto On (see page 5.9).
The fan, heating, and air conditioning systems are powered by the Battery. Therefore, prolonged use
decreases driving range.
NOTE: The following illustration is provided for demonstration purposes only. Depending on vehicle
options, software version, and settings, the information displayed may be slightly different.
1.The front seats are equipped with heating
pads that operate at three levels from 3
(highest) to 1 (lowest).
When operating, the indicator turns red and
displays the setting number.
NOTE: If Model S is equipped with the cold
weather option, the three rear seats also
have seat heaters and all seat heaters can
be controlled by touching Controls > Cold
We a t h e r.
NOTE: Seat heaters use less Battery energy
than the climate control system.
2.Touch the up or down arrow to set the cabin
temperature (from LO, 17° C to HI, 32° C). To
apply a temperature setting to both the
driver and passenger side at the same time,
touch SYNC TEMP on the temperature
popup that appears when you touch an
arrow.
NOTE: You can display temperature in
either
oF or oC (Controls > Settings >
Language & Units).
3.Automatic/Manual climate control (see
page 5.9).4.The windshield defroster distributes air flow
to the windshield and operates the heating
and fan at their maximum level. Touch once
for Normal Defrost (icon turns blue). Touch
twice for Max Defrost (icon turns red).
When on, touch again to turn off and
restore the air distribution, heating, and fan
to their previous settings.
5.Turn climate control system on/off.
6.The rear window defroster warms up the
rear window* for 15 minutes, then
automatically shuts off.
*If Model S is equipped with the optional
tech package, exterior side mirrors are also
heated.
WARNING: To avoid burns resulting from
prolonged use, individuals who have
peripheral neuropathy, or whose capacity to
feel pain is limited because of diabetes, age,
neurological injury, or some other condition,
should exercise caution when using the climate
control system and seat heaters.
book.book Page 8 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM
Climate Controls
USING THE TOUCHSCREEN5.9
Customizing Climate Control
The climate control system is designed to automatically provide optimum comfort in most
situations. All you need to do is set the desired temperature, and the air conditioning, air
recirculation, air distribution, and fan speed automatically maintain your selected temperature.
To override the automatic setting, touch Auto On to view the individual settings. Then touch the
setting you want to change. When you change a setting, the Auto On icon turns from blue to gray
and Reset Auto is displayed instead.
1.Touch Reset Auto to change all settings
back to the their default values.
2.Touch A/C On or A/C off to turn the air
conditioning on and off, respectively.
Turning it off reduces cooling, and also
reduces the power used by the Battery.
Because Model S runs much quieter than a
gasoline-powered vehicle, you may notice
the sound of the compressor as it is
operating. To minimize noise, reduce the fan
speed or recirculate the air.
NOTE: Turning off air conditioning can
cause the windows to fog in some climate
conditions.3.Touch one of these icons to specify how air
is drawn into Model S:
4.Touch one of these icons to select where air
flows. You can choose more than one
location:
5.Touch and drag the slider to set the speed
of the fan.
NOTE: In high temperatures, it is more
efficient to operate the fan at a higher
speed. Doing so reduces the amount of
power needed by the air conditioning
system.
Outside air is drawn into Model S
(see page 5.10). Although less
efficient than recirculating the air in
very hot or low climate conditions,
this setting draws more air into the
rear seating areas, and is
recommended when occupants are
seated in the Tesla built in rear facing
child seats.
Air inside Model S is recirculated.
This prevents outside air (traffic
fumes) from entering but reduces
dehumidifying and cooling
performance. Recirculating the air is
the most efficient way to cool the
front cabin area but it is also the
loudest. To prevent the windshield
from fogging in some conditions,
briefly change the setting every hour
to draw in outside air.
Foot-level vents
Face-level vents
Windshield vents
book.book Page 9 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM
Climate ControlsClimate Controls
5.10MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Ventilation
Outside air is drawn into Model S through the
grill in front of the windshield. Keep the grill
clear of obstructions such as leaves and snow.
To direct the flow of air inside Model S, move
the interior vents up, down, or from side to side.
NOTE: You can direct the outer face level vents
toward the side windows to help defrost or
defog them.
Cabin Air Filter
Model S has an air filter that prevents pollen,
industrial fallout, road dust and other particles
from entering through the vents.
Tesla replaces the air filter every 40,000 km.
Climate Control Operating Tips
•If the climate control system operates more
loudly than you prefer, reduce the fan speed
or adjust the air flow to draw in outside air
(instead of recirculating).
•In addition to cooling the interior, the air
conditioning system also cools the Battery.
Therefore, in hot weather, the air
conditioning system can turn on even if you
turned it off. This is normal because the
system’s priority is to cool the Battery to
ensure it stays within an optimum
temperature range to support long life and
optimum performance.
•To ensure the climate control system
operates efficiently, close all windows and
ensure that the exterior grill in front of the
windshield is free of ice, snow, leaves, and
other debris.
•To reduce the time it takes to reach a
comfortable temperature in hot weather,
drive with the windows slightly open for a
few minutes when you first start driving.
•In very humid conditions, it is normal for the
windshield to fog slightly when you first
turn on the air conditioning. This fog clears
within a few seconds.
•It is normal for a small pool of water to form
under Model S when parked. Extra water
produced by the dehumidifying process is
drained underneath.
book.book Page 10 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
i
INDEX
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ................. 4-20
access panel, removing .....................................7-16
accessories, installing ...................................... 7-24
accessories, plugging into power socket .5-16
air circulation ......................................................... 5-9
air conditioning
operating tips
................................................. 5-10
overview ............................................................. 5-8
air distribution ....................................................... 5-9
air filter ................................................................... 5-10
air suspension
automatic adjustments
.................................5-11
indicator lights ..................................................5-11
Jack mode ..........................................................5-11
manual settings ................................................5-11
air vents .................................................................. 5-10
airbags
after a collision
................................................3-18
front passenger, disabling ..........................3-17
how they work ................................................ 3-16
indicator lights .................................................3-18
inflation effects ...............................................3-18
location of .........................................................3-15
safety information ..........................................3-18
types of ............................................................. 3-16
alarm ........................................................................5-22
antifreeze ................................................................7-16
anti-lock braking (ABS) .................................. 4-20
audio
devices, connecting
...................................... 5-16
devices, playing from ....................................5-15
playing files .......................................................5-15
steering wheel buttons ................................. 4-3
automatic car washes ........................................ 7-12
B
backup camera ................................................... 4-24
battery (12V)
going flat
............................................................6-4
specifications .................................................... 8-7
Battery (high voltage)
care of
..................................................................6-4
coolant ................................................................7-16
discharge, impact of .......................................6-4
fluid check .........................................................7-16
general information ........................................6-4
specifications .................................................... 8-7
temperature limits ...........................................6-4
battery (key), replacing ..................................... 2-3
Bluetooth
audio devices, connecting
..........................5-15
general information .......................................5-17
phone, connecting .........................................5-18
phone, contacts and media ........................5-17
phone, disconnecting ...................................5-17
phone, pairing ..................................................5-17
phone, unpairing .............................................5-17body repairs
......................................................... 7-24
body touch up ..................................................... 7-14
brake fluid replacement ..................................... 7-2
brakes
anti-lock (ABS)
..............................................4-20
emergency braking ......................................4-20
fluid level ........................................................... 7-17
inspecting ........................................................4-20
regenerative braking .................................... 4-21
specifications ....................................................8-6
wear ...................................................................4-20
C
cabin temperature control ................................5-8
camera (rear view) ............................................ 4-24
capacity weight .....................................................8-3
car cover ................................................................ 7-14
car washes ............................................................. 7-12
carpets, cleaning ................................................. 7-13
chains ........................................................................7-6
charge cable
connecting
..........................................................6-5
disconnecting ....................................................6-5
charge current .......................................................6-7
charge levels ...........................................................6-7
charge port .............................................................6-5
charge port light .................................................. 6-6
charging
adapters
..............................................................6-3
charge port ........................................................6-5
connecting the charge cable ......................6-5
current setting ..................................................6-7
disconnecting the charge cable .................6-5
equipment summary ......................................6-3
High Power Wall Connector ........................6-3
instructions .........................................................6-5
light ...................................................................... 6-6
mobile equipment for ....................................6-3
public charging stations ................................6-3
set charge limit .................................................6-7
settings ................................................................6-7
status ....................................................................6-8
stopping ..............................................................6-5
charging schedule, setting ................................6-7
child protection
disabling liftgate
.............................................. 2-5
disabling rear door handles ......................... 2-5
locking rear windows ..................................... 2-7
child seats
choosing
.............................................................. 3-7
general guidelines ........................................... 3-7
installation methods .......................................3-8
installing multiple .............................................3-9
ISOFIX type, installing ...................................3-9
larger children ...................................................3-8
rear facing, opening ....................................... 3-11
rear facing, restrictions ................................ 3-11
rear facing, safety .......................................... 3-14
rear facing, seating a child ......................... 3-13
book.book Page i Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM