Overview............................................ 2Interior Overview........................................................................ 2
Exterior Overview....................................................................... 3
Opening and Closing.....................4 Doors............................................................................................... 4
Keyless Locking and Unlocking 4Using the Key 4Using Exterior Door Handles 6Using Interior Door Handles 6Interior Locking and Unlocking 6Child-protection Lock 7Drive-away Locking 7Walk-away Locking 7Unlocking When the Key Doesn't Work 7Opening Interior Doors with No Power 8
Windows........................................................................................ 9
Opening and Closing 9Locking Rear Windows 9
Rear Trunk................................................................................... 10
Opening 10Closing 10Adjusting the Opening Height 10Interior Release 11Opening with No Power 11
Front Trunk.................................................................................. 12
Opening 12Closing 12Interior Emergency Release 13Opening with No Power 13
Glove Box..................................................................................... 14
Opening and Closing 14
Sunroof.......................................................................................... 15
Opening and Closing 15
Cup Holders................................................................................. 16
Opening and Closing 16
Seating and Safety
Restraints..........................................17 Front and Rear Seats............................................................... 17
Correct Driving Position 17Adjusting the Driver’s Seat 17Folding Rear Seats 18Raising Rear Seats 18Head Supports 18Seat Covers 18
Seat Belts......................................................................................19
Wearing Seat Belts 19Wearing Seat Belts When Pregnant 19Seat Belt Pre-tensioners 20Testing Seat Belts 20Seat Belt Warnings 20
Child Safety Seats.................................................................... 22
Guidelines for Seating Children 22Choosing a Child Safety Seat 23Seating Larger Children 24Installing Child Safety Seats 24Installing Seat Belt Retained Child Seats 24Installing LATCHChild Seats 25Attaching Upper Tether Straps 25Testing a Child Safety Seat 26Warnings - Child Safety Seats 26
Tesla Built-In Rear Facing Child Seats............................. 27
Usage Restrictions 27Opening 27Folding 27Seating a Child 29Warnings - Tesla Child Seats 29
Airbags.......................................................................................... 31
Location of Airbags 31How the Airbags Work 32Types of Airbags 32Passenger Front Airbag 33Inflation Effects 34Airbag Warning Indicator 34Airbag Warnings 34
Driving.............................................. 35Driver Profiles............................................................................ 35
Creating a Driver Profile 35Restoring a Driver’s Profile 35Saved Driver Settings 35
Steering Wheel..........................................................................36
Adjusting Position 36Adjusting Sensitivity 36Using Left Steering Wheel Buttons 36Using Right Steering Wheel Buttons 37Using Voice Commands 37Horn 38
Mirrors...........................................................................................39
Adjusting Exterior Side Mirrors 39Rear View Mirror 39
Starting and Powering Off................................................... 40
Starting Model S 40Powering Off 40
Gears.............................................................................................. 41
Shifting Gears 41Leaving Model S in Neutral - Tow Mode 41
Instrument Panel.......................................................................42
Instrument Panel Overview 42Indicator Lights 43
Lights............................................................................................ 46
Controlling Lights 46Headlight High Beams 48Headlights After Exit 48Cornering Lights 48Turn Signals 49Hazard Warning Flashers 49
Wipers and Washers...............................................................50
Wipers 50Washers 50
Speed Assist................................................................................ 51
How Speed Assist Works 51Controlling Speed Assist 52Limitations and Inaccuracies 52
Lane Departure Warning....................................................... 53
How Lane Departure Warning Works 53Controlling Lane Departure Warning 53Limitations and Inaccuracies 53
Park Assist.................................................................................. 54
How Park Assist Works 54Visual and Audio Feedback 54Controlling Audible Feedback 54Limitations and False Warnings 55Other Parking Aids 55
Trip Information........................................................................ 56
Displaying Trip Information 56
Getting Maximum Range....................................................... 57
Driving Tips to Maximize Range 57Saving Energy 57
Brakes........................................................................................... 58
Braking Systems 58Brake Wear 58Regenerative Braking 59Parking Brake 59
Traction Control....................................................................... 60
How It Works 60
Cruise Control............................................................................. 61
Operating Cruise Control 61Changing the Cruising Speed 61Canceling and Resuming 61
Hill Start Assist.......................................................................... 63
Rear View Camera................................................................... 64
Camera Location 64
Using the Touchscreen.............. 65Touchscreen Overview.......................................................... 65
The Big Picture 65
Controls........................................................................................ 67
Controlling Model S Features 67
Settings........................................................................................ 69
Customizing Model S 69
Climate Controls....................................................................... 72
Overview of Climate Controls 72Customizing Climate Control 73Ventilation 74Climate Control Operating Tips 74
Smart Air Suspension..............................................................75
Manual Height Adjustments 75Location-Based Suspension 75Automatic Lowering 76Jack Mode 76
Media and Audio....................................................................... 77
Overview 77AM and FM Radio Services 77XM Radio 77Internet Radio 77Media Settings 78Favorites 78My Music & Devices 79USB Connections 7912V Power Socket 80
Maps and Navigation............................................................... 81
Overview 81Using Maps 81Starting Navigation 81During Navigation 82Favorite Destinations 82Updated Maps 82
Phone............................................................................................ 83
Bluetooth®Compatibility 83Pairing a Bluetooth Phone 83Importing Contacts 83Unpairing a Bluetooth Phone 83Connecting to a Paired Phone 84Making a Phone Call 84Receiving a Phone Call 84In Call Options 84
Calendar....................................................................................... 85
Overview 85Calendar and Navigation 85
Security Settings...................................................................... 86
About the Security System 86
HomeLink ®
Universal Transceiver....................................... 87
About HomeLink 87Programming HomeLink 87Troubleshooting HomeLink 87
Connecting to Wi-Fi................................................................ 89
Software Updates.................................................................... 90
Loading New Software 90Viewing Release Notes 90
Mobile App...................................................................................91
Model S Mobile App 91Charging.......................................... 92
Electric Vehicle Components.............................................. 92
High Voltage Components 92Charging Equipment 93
Battery Information................................................................. 94
About the Battery 94Battery Care 94
Charging Model S..................................................................... 95
Opening the Charge Port 95Plugging In 95During Charging 96Stopping Charging 96Charge Port Light 96Changing Charge Settings 97Charging Status 98
Maintenance................................... 99
Maintenance Schedule........................................................... 99
Service Intervals 99Daily Checks 99Monthly Checks 99Fluid Replacement Intervals 99High Voltage Safety 99
Tire Care and Maintenance.................................................100
Maintaining Tire Pressures 100Inspecting and Maintaining Tires 101Replacing Tires and Wheels 102Using Tire Chains 103Tire Pressure Monitoring 103
Temporary Tire Repair......................................................... 105
Tire Repair Kit 105Inflating with Sealant and Air 106Inflating with Air Only 107Replacing the Sealant Canister 108
Cleaning..................................................................................... 109
Cleaning the Exterior 109Cleaning the Interior 110Polishing, Touch Up, and Body Repair 111Using a Car Cover 111Floor Mats 111
Wiper Blades and Washer Jets.......................................... 112
Checking and Replacing Wiper Blades 112Cleaning Washer Jets 112
Fluid Reservoirs........................................................................ 114
Removing the Maintenance Panel 114Checking Battery Coolant 114Checking Brake Fluid 115Topping Up Washer Fluid 116
Fuses............................................................................................. 117
Fuse Box Locations 117Replacing a Fuse 117Fuse Box 1 118Fuse Box 2 120Fuse Box 3 122Fuse Box 4 123
Jacking and Lifting................................................................. 124
Jacking Procedure 124
Parts and Accessories........................................................... 125
Parts, Accessories, and Modifications 125Body Repairs 125
Specifications............................... 126
Identification Labels.............................................................. 126
Vehicle Identification Number 126Emission Control Label 126
Vehicle Loading....................................................................... 127
Load Capacity Labeling 127Calculating Load Limits 128Towing a Trailer 129Roof Racks 129
Dimensions and Weights..................................................... 130
Exterior Dimensions 130Weights 131
Subsystems............................................................................... 132
Motor 132Transmission 132Steering 132Brakes 133Suspension 133Battery - 12V 133Battery - High Voltage 134
Wheels and Tires..................................................................... 135
Wheel Specifications 135Wheel Alignment Values 135Tire Specifications 136Understanding Tire Markings 137Uniform Tire Quality Grading 139Wheels and Tires Glossary 140
Roadside Assistance.................. 141
Contacting Roadside Assistance....................................... 141 Instructions for Transporters............................................. 142
Use a Flatbed Only 142Disable Self-Leveling (air suspension vehicles only) 142Activate Tow Mode 142Connect the Tow Chain 143Pull Onto the Trailer and Secure the Wheels 144
Consumer Information..............145
About this Owner Information.......................................... 145
Illustrations 145Errors or Inaccuracies 145Location of Components 145Document Applicability 145Copyrights and Trademarks 146
Disclaimers................................................................................ 147
Vehicle Telematics/Data Recorders 147Quality Control 147California Proposition 65 147
Reporting Concerns...............................................................148
Contacting Tesla 148Reporting Safety Defects - US 148Reporting Safety Defects - Canada 148
Declarations of Conformity................................................ 149
Key and Passive Unlocking System 149Tire Pressure Monitoring System 150Media Control Unit 150HomeLink 151Radio Frequency Information 151Contents
1.Exterior lights ( Lights on page 46)
2. Door handles ( Using Exterior Door
Handles on page 6)
3. Sunroof ( Sunroof on page 15)
4. Charge port ( Charging Model S on page
95)
5. Exterior mirrors ( Mirrors on page 39)
6. Front trunk ( Front Trunk on page 12)
7. Wheels and tires ( Wheels and Tires on
page 135)
8. Rear view camera ( Rear View Camera on
page 64)
9. Rear trunk/liftgate ( Rear Trunk on page
10)
10. Parking sensors ( Park Assist on page
54)
Exterior Overview
Overview3
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
1.Status bar
The top line displays provides shortcuts to
Charging, HomeLink, Driver Profiles,
vehicle information (the Tesla “T”),
software updates, Bluetooth ®
, and Wi-Fi
settings. The status symbols show outside
temperature, network signal strength,
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi settings, passenger
airbag status, and time. If an alert icon
(exclamation mark) is displayed, touch it
to see warning messages that are in
effect.
Note: The airbag status symbol displays
only when Model S is powered on.
2. Apps
There are several ways to display an app
in the main viewing area:
• Tap the app’s icon to display it in the top viewing area. If the app is alreadydisplayed, a second tap displays it infull-screen view (only some apps have a full-screen mode).
• Drag the app’s icon directly onto the top or bottom viewing area.
• Touch and hold the app’s icon to display a popup that lets you choose
whether to display the app in the top or bottom of the main viewing area.Media. See Media and Audio on
page 77.Maps/Navigation (if equipped).
See Using Maps on page 81.Calendar. See Calendar on page
85.Energy. See Getting Maximum
Range on page 57.Web. Access the Internet using
the web browser (if equipped).Camera. Display the area behind
Model S. This area also displays
automatically whenever you shift
into Reverse. See Rear View
Camera on page 64.Phone. See Phone on page 83.
3.Main viewing area
The main viewing area changes
depending on the app you have chosen
(in the example, the Nav and Media apps
are displayed). For some apps (such as
Nav and Web), you can zoom in and out
using standard touchscreen finger
gestures.
4. Maximize/minimize app
Touch the small rectangle to expand the
associated app to fill the entire main
viewing area (some apps are not
expandable). Touch again to display two
apps in half-screen view.
5. Controls
Touch to access all Model S controls and settings (doors, locks, lights, etc).
6. Climate controls (see Climate Controls on
page 72).
7. Volume control
Touch the up and down arrows to
increase or decrease the volume of the
speakers. You can also adjust the volume
using the scroll wheel on the left side of
the steering wheel.
8. Reverse the position of the two currently
displayed apps.Warning: Paying attention to road and
traffic conditions must always be the
driver's highest priority. To ensure the
safety of vehicle occupants as well as other road users, using the touchscreenshould be done only when road andtraffic conditions permit.
Touchscreen Overview
66Model S Owner's Manual
1.Adjust settings associated with installed
apps (applications). Apps that have no settings that you can adjust at this time
are grayed out.
2. Manage driver profiles (see Driver Profiles
on page 35).
3. Units & Format
Adjust how Model S displays:
• Distance: Miles or km 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: o
F or o
C.
• Charging Units: Display charging units as either the percentage of battery
energy remaining, or distance
remaining.
• Range Display: Display estimated range as either:
• Rated - based on EPA testing. • Ideal - assumes ideal driving conditions based on driving at a
steady speed of 55 mph
(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.
4. Vehicle
• Drive-away Door Lock: If on, all doors automatically lock whenever you
drive Model S over 5 mph (8 km/h)
(see Drive-away Locking on page 7).
• Walk-away Door Lock: If on, all doors automatically lock when you walk
away from Model S, carrying the key
with you (see Walk-away Locking on
page 7). Available only if Model S is
equipped with the optional tech
package.
• Child-Protection Lock: If on, safety locks prevent the rear doors and theliftgate 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 orunlocked (see Using Exterior Door
Handles on page 6). Note that to
preserve battery life, Model is
designed to temporarily disable the
Auto-Present Handles feature when
the key has been out of range for
more than 48 hours, or if the key
remains within range for five minutes
after all doors have been closed.
• Headlights After Exit: If on, headlights stay on for two minutes after you exit,
or until you lock Model S (see
Headlights After Exit on page 48).
• Tire Pressure Monitor: Touch Reset
Sensors to reset the TPMS sensors
after replacing a wheel (see Resetting
the TPMS Sensors on page 103).
• Range Mode: If on, Model S conserves energy by limiting the power of theclimate control system. Cabin heatingand cooling may be less effective, butseat heaters turn on to compensate.
• Service Mode: If on, moves wiper blades to the service position to make
them easier to access when replacing
them. Model S must be in Park. See
Wiper Blades and Washer Jets on
page 112.
• Mirror Auto-Tilt: If on, exterior mirrors tilt downward when reversing (see Mirrors on page 39). Available only if
Model S is equipped with the optional tech package.
• Mirror Auto-Fold: If on, exterior mirrors fold when you lock Model S
with the key or walk-away locking. They extend automatically when you return to Model S. Available only ifModel S is equipped with both folding
mirrors (newer models) and the
optional tech package. For newer
Model S vehicles, you can also fold
mirrors manually by touching the
center mirror control button (see
Mirrors on page 39).
• Automatic Lowering: If Model S is equipped with Smart Air Suspension,you can set the speed at which the
suspension automatically transitions to a lower ride height (see Smart Air
Suspension on page 75).
5. Safety & Security
Turn various safety and security features
on and off:
Settings
70Model S Owner's Manual
My Music & DevicesTo play audio files from a USB-connectedflash drive or a Bluetooth-connected device,
touch Media > Browse > My Music & Devices .
The name of the device will be displayed.
Touch the song, album, or playlist you want to
play and Media Player starts playing and
displays the Now Playing screen.
To play the next song in the selected playlist
or album, touch the previous or next arrows on the touchscreen, or use the left steering
wheel (see Using Left Steering Wheel Buttons
on page 36).
USB Connected Flash Drives
Connect a flash drive to one of the USB connections (see USB Connections on page
79). Touch Media > Browse > My Music &
Devices , then touch the name of the flash
drive and the song you want to play.
Note: To play media from a USB connection,
Model S recognizes flash drives only. To play media from other types of devices (such as aniPod), connect using Bluetooth (if supportedby the device).
Bluetooth ®
Connected Devices
If you have a Bluetooth-capable device such
as a phone, that is paired and connected to
Model S (see Pairing a Bluetooth Phone on
page 83), you can play audio files stored on
it, and you can stream a music service (for example, Pandora or Spotify). Touch Media >
Browse > My Music & Devices , then touch the
name of your Bluetooth-connected device.
Your Bluetooth device begins playing the
audio file that was currently active on your
device, and the touchscreen displays the Now
Playing screen.
To change the track playing, touch the previous or next icons on the touchscreen, or
use the left steering wheel controls.
Note: To play media from a Bluetooth-
connected device, ensure that access to the device’s media is turned on. See Phone on
page 83.USB Connections
Your Model S has two USB connections
located on the front of the center console. Use these connections to connect USB drives. Youcan also use these connections to charge USBdevices.
To play audio files stored on a connected USBdrive, see My Music & Devices on page 79.
Note: Do not connect multiple devices using a
USB hub. This can prevent connected devices from charging or from being recognized bythe touchscreen.
Media and Audio
Using the Touchscreen79
OverviewTouch the Map (or Nav) icon to view and
search for a location on Google Maps TM
. If
Model S is equipped with the navigation
option, the app is labeled Nav and onboard
maps are available. Onboard maps allow you to navigate to any location, even if a data
connection is not available. When you specify
a location, the touchscreen displays the route and provides turn-by-turn instructions. IfModel S is not equipped with the navigationoption, onboard maps are not available, but ifyou have a data connection, you can find and
display any location.
Using MapsTouch the search field, or speak a voice
command to specify a location (for details on
how to use voice commands, see Using Voice
Commands on page 37). You can enter or
speak an address, landmark, business, etc. You
can also touch PLACES and choose from a list
of recent locations and searches, favorite
destinations, Supercharger locations, and
charging stations you've visited. To mark a
destination as a Favorite, select its “pin” (from
search results or “Recents”), and then touch
the heart icon.
Touch the North/Heading Up icon to the right
of the search bar to center the map on your
car and have the map track your position as
you drive. The icon is blue when the map is tracking your position and by touching the
icon, you can change the orientation of the
map:North Up - North is always at the
top of the screen.Heading Up - The direction you are
heading is always at the top of the
screen. The map rotates when you
change direction.
You can rotate the map in any direction.
When you rotate the map you’ll notice the
icon turn gray, indicating the map is no longer
tracking your position. Touch the icon again to track your position.
Whenever the map is in the
Heading Up orientation (where
North is not at the top), a compass
appears on the map. The arrow on
the compass points North and the
text on the compass indicates the
direction you are driving. You can
touch the compass to switch to
North Up (described above).
Starting Navigation
1. Touch the Nav icon to display the map.
2. Touch the search bar to enter the
destination, then touch GO. You can also
use voice commands to specify the
destination (for details, see Using Voice
Commands on page 37). If you have a
data connection, you can start entering
the destination, then choose one of the
auto-complete entries that appear. For example, you can enter just the street,business name, or category (such as
hotels, coffee, etc). If you don’t have a data connection, you must enter completeand exact location information.
A list of matching destinations appears on
the left, and their corresponding pins
(with letters A, B, C, etc) appear on the
map.
Note: You can also touch PLACES and
choose a location from the list of Recent
locations and searches, Favorite locations, Supercharger locations, or Visited
Chargers.
3. Touch any destination in the list to
immediately start navigation, or touch the
lettered pin on the map to view the
destination popup, which also allows you
to place a phone call to the destination (in
situations where a phone number is
available).
Note: If you have set up your phone's calendar
to work with Model S, and a calendar event
includes a specific location, you are given the
option to navigate to the location (see
Calendar on page 85.
Maps and Navigation
Using the Touchscreen81
Loading New Software
Model S updates its software wirelessly,
providing new features throughout your term
of ownership. The first time you enter Model S after an update is made available, a
scheduling window displays on the
touchscreen.
Note: Some software updates can take from
two to three hours to complete. Model S must
be in P (Park) when the new software is being
installed. To ensure the fastest and most
reliable delivery of software updates, leave
the Wi-Fi turned on and connected whenever
possible (see Connecting to Wi-Fi on page
89).
When a software update is available, a yellow clock icon appears on the touchscreen’sstatus bar.
1. Touch the up and down arrows to change
the time you want the update to begin (if
necessary). Then touch Set For This Time
to schedule the update. Once scheduled,
the yellow clock icon on the touchscreen’s
status bar becomes white.
2. Touch Install Now to immediately start the
update process.
You can reschedule the update any time
before it begins. To do so, touch the clock icon on the touchscreen’s status bar to displaythe update window.
If Model S is charging when the software
update begins, charging stops. Charging resumes automatically when the update is
complete. If you are driving Model S at the scheduled update time, the update is canceled
and you need to reschedule.
If the touchscreen displays a message
indicating that a software update was not successfully completed, contact Tesla.
Viewing Release Notes
When a software update is complete, learn
about the new features by displaying the
release notes. To display release notes at any time touch the Tesla “T” at the top center of
the touchscreen, then touch Release Notes.
Software Updates
90Model S Owner's Manual