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
book.book Page 9 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM
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
book.book Page 12 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
ii
INDEXINDEX
safety information ......................................... 3-10
seat belt retained, installing ........................ 3-8
testing ................................................................ 3-10
upper tether straps ....................................... 3-10
cleaning
exterior
...............................................................7-12
interior ............................................................... 7-13
climate control
operating tips
.................................................. 5-10
overview .............................................................. 5-8
cold weather option .......................................... 4-15
console
armrests
............................................................ 2-14
cup holders ...................................................... 2-14
power socket ................................................... 5-16
USB ports .......................................................... 5-16
contact information
Tesla
.................................................................... 10-3
coolant
Battery (high voltage)
................................. 7-16
replacement of ................................................. 7-2
cornering lights ................................................... 4-13
cruise control ...................................................... 4-23
cup holders ........................................................... 2-14
current, charging .................................................. 6-7
customizing Model S ........................................... 5-6
D
DAB radio .............................................................. 5-13
dashboard overview ............................................. 1-2
data recording ..................................................... 10-2
de-icing ................................................................... 4-15
delivery mileage .................................................. 10-2
devices
Bluetooth, playing audio files
................... 5-15
connecting ....................................................... 5-16
playing audio files from ............................... 5-15
dimensions .............................................................. 8-5
dome (map) lights .............................................. 4-11
door handles
exterior
................................................................2-4
interior .................................................................2-4
door labels ............................................................... 8-3
doors
child protection locks
.................................... 2-5
drive-away locking .......................................... 2-5
interior rear, opening with no power ....... 2-6
locking and unlocking, key .......................... 2-2
locking and unlocking, touchscreen ........2-4
opening exterior, no power ......................... 2-5
opening, exterior handles .............................2-4
opening, interior handles ..............................2-4
unlocking when key does not work ......... 2-5
walk-away locking ........................................... 2-5
drive gear ................................................................4-7
drive-away locking ............................................... 2-5driver
profiles, creating
............................................. 4-2
seat adjustment ................................................3-2
seating position ................................................3-2
driving
energy gains
.................................................... 4-21
seating position ................................................3-2
starting Model S .............................................. 4-6
tips to maximize range ................................ 4-19
E
electric parking brake ....................................... 4-21
emergency flashers ............................................4-14
emergency rear door opening ........................ 2-6
energy
app
....................................................................... 4-19
displaying usage of .......................................4-19
gained from regenerative braking .......... 4-21
graph .................................................................. 4-19
range information ........................................... 4-8
tips to minimize usage of ........................... 4-19
event data recording ......................................... 10-2
exterior
car cover
........................................................... 7-14
cleaning ............................................................. 7-12
dimensions ..........................................................8-5
overview ...............................................................1-3
polishing, touch up, & repair ...................... 7-14
specifications .....................................................8-5
exterior lights, controlling ................................ 4-11
F
fan speed, interior ................................................ 5-9
favorites, adding and removing .................... 5-15
features, downloading new ........................... 5-24
flash drives
connecting
........................................................ 5-16
playing audio from ........................................ 5-15
flashers, warning .................................................4-14
flat tire repair ..........................................................7-8
floor mats ............................................................... 7-14
fluids
Battery (high voltage)
................................. 7-16
brake ................................................................... 7-17
replacement of ..................................................7-2
windshield washer ......................................... 7-18
fog lights ................................................................. 4-11
free rolling .............................................................. 4-7
front passenger detection ............................... 3-17
front suspension specifications .......................8-7
front trunk
closing
................................................................ 2-10
opening .............................................................. 2-10
book.book Page ii Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM
iii
INDEX
fuses
accessing ...........................................................7-16
fuse box 1 ......................................................... 7-20
fuse box 2 .......................................................... 7-21
fuse box 3 ......................................................... 7-22
fuse box locations ..........................................7-19
replacing ............................................................7-19
G
garage doors, opening .....................................5-23
gates, opening .....................................................5-23
GAWR ....................................................................... 8-4
gears, shifting ........................................................ 4-7
glove box ................................................................2-13
Gross Axle Weight Rating ................................ 8-4
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ........................... 8-4
ground clearance ................................................. 8-5
GVWR ....................................................................... 8-4
H
hazard warning flashers ................................... 4-14
head supports ........................................................ 3-3
headlights ............................................................... 4-11
after exit ............................................................ 4-13
cornering lights .............................................. 4-13
headlights, when cornering ............................ 4-13
heated wipers ...................................................... 4-15
heating
operating tips
................................................. 5-10
overview ............................................................. 5-8
height adjustments (suspension)
automatic
...........................................................5-11
Jack mode ..........................................................5-11
manual settings ................................................5-11
high voltage
Battery specifications
.................................... 8-7
components, overview of ............................. 6-2
safety .......................................................... 6-2, 7-2
hitches ...................................................................... 8-4
HomeLink
programming
..................................................5-23
using ...................................................................5-23
hood
closing
................................................................ 2-10
opening ............................................................. 2-10
horn ............................................................................4-4
I
Ideal range .............................................................. 4-8
identification number (VIN) ............................. 8-2
indicator lights
ABS
.................................................................... 4-20
air suspension ...................................................5-11
airbag ..................................................................3-18
Jack mode ..........................................................5-11
summary of ........................................................4-9tire pressure
....................................................... 7-3
traction control .............................................. 4-22
instrument panel
charging status
.................................................6-8
cleaning ............................................................. 7-13
indicator lights ................................................. 4-9
overview ............................................................. 4-8
power meter .................................................... 4-21
when car is off ................................................. 4-8
when driving ..................................................... 4-8
interior cleaning .................................................. 7-13
interior lights, controlling ................................. 4-11
interior overview .................................................... 1-2
interior temperature control ............................5-8
Internet radio ........................................................ 5-14
intrusion detection ............................................ 5-22
ISOFIX child seats, installing ............................3-9
J
J1772 ..........................................................................6-3
Jack mode .............................................................. 5-11
jacking Model S .................................................. 7-23
K
key
how to use .......................................................... 2-2
key not inside ................................................... 4-6
not detected ...................................................... 2-5
ordering extras ................................................. 2-3
replacing battery ............................................. 2-3
keyless entry ........................................................... 2-2
L
label
Statutory Plate ................................................. 8-4
Tire and Loading Information .....................8-3
lane change flash ................................................ 4-14
leather care ........................................................... 7-13
liftgate
adjust opening height
.................................... 2-8
closing .................................................................. 2-8
disabling interior handle ............................... 2-5
interior release ..................................................2-9
opening ................................................................ 2-8
opening, no power ..........................................2-9
lifting Model S ..................................................... 7-23
lights
convenience lights
......................................... 4-11
cornering lights .............................................. 4-13
exterior ............................................................... 4-11
fog lights ............................................................ 4-11
hazard warning ............................................... 4-14
headlights .......................................................... 4-11
headlights after exit ...................................... 4-13
interior ................................................................. 4-11
turn signals ....................................................... 4-14
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