2014 TESLA MODEL S Owner's manual (North America)

Adjusting Exterior Side MirrorsPress the button associated with the mirror
you want to adjust (left or right). The button's
light turns on and you can then press the dial
to move the mirror to the desired position.
Repeat for the other side mirror. If Model S is
equipped with the optional tech package, you
may need to touch SAVE on the touchscreen
to save the mirror adjustment in your driver
profile.
To fold exterior mirrors, press the center
button.
If Model S is equipped with the optional tech
package, the driver’s side mirror automatically
dims at night, in proportion to the level of
glare from the headlights of a vehicle behind
you (except when in Reverse gear). Also, both
exterior side mirrors have heaters that turn on and off with the rear window heater.
Mirror Auto-tilt When Reversing
If Model S is equipped with the optional tech
package, both exterior mirrors can
automatically tilt downward when backing up.
To adjust the auto-tilt position, shift into
Reverse, then adjust the mirrors as described above (press the button associated with themirror you want to adjust, then press the dial
to move the mirror to the desired position). Touch SAVE on the touchscreen to save the
mirror adjustment in your driver profile.
When you shift back into Drive, the mirrors tilt back to their normal (upward) position. But
now that you have adjusted them for backing
up, they automatically tilt to the selected
downward position whenever you shift into
Reverse.
You can turn the auto-tilt feature on or off using the touchscreen, Touch Controls >
Settings > Vehicle > Mirror Auto-Tilt .
Rear View Mirror
Except when in Reverse gear, the rear view mirror automatically dims in proportion to thelevel of glare from the headlights of a vehiclebehind you.
Mirrors
Driving39

Starting Model S
When you open a door, Model S powers on the instrument panel and touchscreen. Thecenter circle on the instrument panel displaysthe status of doors and the charge level, and
you can operate all controls.
To drive:
• PRESS THE BRAKE - the center circle on
the instrument panel changes to display
the speedometer, power meter, charge level, and selected gear (P, R, N, or D).
• SELECT A GEAR - all the way down for
Drive and all the way up for Reverse.
Everything you need to know when driving
Model S displays on the instrument panel.
Key Not Inside
If Model S does not detect a key when you
press the brake, the instrument panel displays
a message telling you that a key was not
detected.
Place the key in the center console cup holder
where Model S can best detect it.
If Model S still does not detect the key, try
holding it against the center console,
immediately below the 12V power socket (see 12V Power Socket on page 80). Or try using
another key. If another key does not work,
contact Tesla.
A number of factors can affect whether
Model S can detect the key. These include a
low battery in the key, interference from other
devices using radio signals, and objects
between the key and receiver.
Always keep the key with you. After driving,
you need it to restart Model S after it powers
off. And when you leave Model S, you must
bring it with you to lock Model S, either manually or automatically (see Walk-away
Locking on page 7).
Powering Off When you finish driving, shift into Park by
pressing the button on the end of the gear
selector. The parking brake automatically
engages and all systems keep operating.
When you leave Model S with the key, it
powers off automatically, turning off the
touchscreen and instrument panel.
Model S also powers off automatically after
being in Park for 15 minutes, even if you are
sitting in the driver’s seat.
Although usually not needed, you can power
off Model S while you are still sitting in the
driver’s seat. Touch Controls > E-Brake &
Power Off > Power Off . Model S automatically
powers back on again if you press the brake or touch anywhere on the touchscreen.
Note: Model S automatically shifts into Park
whenever you leave the vehicle, even if you
shift into Neutral before exiting. To keep
Model S in Neutral, see Leaving Model S in
Neutral - Tow Mode on page 41.
Starting and Powering Off
40Model S Owner's Manual

Shifting GearsWhen Model S is in Park, you must press the
brake to shift to another gear.
Move the lever up or down to change gears.
If you try to shift into a gear that the current
driving speed prohibits, you will hear a chime
and the gear does not change.
Reverse
Push the lever all the way up and release. You can only shift into Reverse when Model S is
stopped or moving less than 5 mph (8 km/h). If moving less than 1 mph (1.6 km/h), you must
press the brake.
Neutral
Push the lever up or down to the first position
and release to shift into Neutral. Neutral
allows Model S to roll freely.
If Model S is in Park and you use the
touchscreen to release the parking brake ( Controls > E-Brake & Power Off ), Model S
shifts into Neutral (see Parking Brake on page
59).
Model S automatically shifts into Park when you exit. To leave Model S in Neutral, use the
touchscreen to engage Tow mode (see Leaving Model S in Neutral - Tow Mode on
page 41).
Drive
Push the lever all the way down and release. You can shift into Drive when Model S isstopped or moving less than 5 mph (8 km/h)
in Reverse. If Model S is moving less than
1 mph (1.6 km/h), you must press the brake to shift into Drive.
Park
With Model S stopped, press the end of the gear selector. Whenever Model S is in Park,
the parking brake is applied.
Model S automatically shifts into Park
whenever you:
• Leave the vehicle.
• Connect a charge cable.
Leaving Model S in Neutral - Tow
Mode
Model S automatically shifts into Parkwhenever you finish driving and leaveModel S. To keep Model S in Neutral when youexit, allowing it to roll freely (for example,pulling onto a transporter, etc.), activate Tow
mode:
1. Shift into Park.
2. Press the brake pedal.
3. Touch Controls > E-Brake & Power Off >
Tow Mode .
Model S beeps, and shifts into Neutral (which
releases the parking brake).
When Tow mode is active, Model S
displays this indicator light on the
instrument panel, along with a
message telling you that Model S will
remain free rolling.
Note: In Tow mode, Model S does not shift
into a driving gear. To cancel Tow mode, shift into Park or touch Tow mode again. Towmode also cancels if you use the touchscreen
to apply the parking brake ( Controls > E-
Brake & Power Off > Parking Brake ).
Gears
Driving41

Instrument Panel OverviewNote: 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 thebrake 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 Charging Status on
page 98).
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 Steering
Wheel on page 36).
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 Indicator Lights on page
43).
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 Using Right Steering Wheel Buttons on page 37).
6. Door lock status
7. Odometer
8. Outside temperature
9. Total estimated driving distance (or energy) available. Instead of driving distance as shown
here, you can display the percentage of battery energy remaining. To do so, touch Controls >
Settings > Units & Format > Charging Units (see Settings on page 69).
Note: When anticipating when you need to charge, use range estimates as a general guideline
only.
Note: In cold weather, some of the stored energy in the Battery may not be available on your
drive because the Battery is too cold. When this happens, a portion of the Battery meter is
blue and the driving distance value has a snowflake image next to it. If Model S is plugged in,
you can heat your Battery using wall power by turning on climate control using the mobile
app. When the Battery warms up, the blue portion on the meter and the snowflake image are
no longer displayed.
Instrument Panel
42Model S Owner's Manual

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. Dashed lines appear on the power meter if Model S is limiting power. The dashed lines appear
on the top portion when power available for acceleration is being limited, and on the bottom
portion when power that can be gained by regenerative braking is limited. Model S limits
power for many reasons. Here are just a few examples:
• Acceleration may be limited when the Battery is reaching a low state of charge or if the powertrain is hot.
• Both acceleration and regenerative braking may be limited when the ambient temperature is either very high or very low.
• Regenerative braking may be limited when the Battery is fully charged.
13. Date and time
Indicator Lights Indicator lights flash on briefly when you press the brake pedal to prepare for driving. Unless anindicator light applies to a current situation, they should turn off. If an indicator light fails to turnon 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.IndicatorDescriptionAirbag safety. If this indicator does not flash on briefly when Model S
prepares to drive, or if it remains on, contact Tesla immediately. See Airbag
Warning Indicator on page 34.A seat belt for an occupied seat is not fastened. Note: Depending on the
date of manufacture, rear seating positions may not be equipped with a seat
belt reminder. See Seat Belts on page 19.Front fog lights (optional). See Lights on page 46.Parking lights (side marker lights, tail lights, and license plate lights) are on.
See Lights on page 46.Headlight low beams are on.Headlight high beams are on. See Headlight High Beams on page 48.Instrument Panel
Driving43

IndicatorDescriptionElectronic stability control systems are applying the brake to the relevant
wheel to prevent slippage (light flashes). See Traction Control on page 60.The traction control system has been disabled. See Traction Control on page
60.A Smart Air Suspension fault is detected. Contact Tesla. See Smart Air
Suspension on page 75.Smart Air Suspension’s automatic self-leveling is disabled. In other words,
Model S is in Jack mode and is ready to be lifted or pulled onto a transporter. Jack mode cancels when Model S is driven over 4.5 mph(7 km/h). See Smart Air Suspension on page 75.
The parking brake is manually applied. See Parking Brake on page 59.A parking brake fault is detected. Contact Tesla. See Parking Brake on page
59.An ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) fault is detected. See Brakes on page
58. Contact Tesla immediately.A brake system fault is detected or the brake fluid level is low. See Brakes
on page 58. Contact Tesla immediately.Tire pressure warning. The pressure of a tire is out of range. If a fault with
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is detected, the indicator
flashes. For a TPMS fault, contact Tesla. See Tire Care and Maintenance on
page 100.
A door or trunk is open. See Using Exterior Door Handles on page 6.Flashes green when the left turn signal is operating. Both turn signal
indicators flash green when the hazard warning flashers are operating.Instrument Panel
44Model S Owner's Manual

IndicatorDescription
Flashes green when the right turn signal is operating. Both turn signal
indicators flash green when the hazard warning flashers are operating.Model S is in Tow mode and can roll freely. It does not automatically shift
into Park when you exit. See Instructions for Transporters on page 142.Instrument Panel
Driving45

Controlling LightsTouch Controls on the bottom corner of the touchscreen to control most of the lights.
In addition to the lights that you can control from the touchscreen, Model S has convenience lights that turn on and off automatically based on what you are doing. For example, you will
notice interior lights, marker lights, tail lights, door handle lights, and puddle lights that turn on
when you unlock Model S, when you open a door, and when you shift into Park. They turn off
automatically after a minute or two or when you shift into a driving gear or lock Model S.
Lights
46Model S Owner's Manual