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
