Driving Tips to Maximize RangeYou can maximize your driving range usingthe same driving habits that you use to
conserve fuel in a gasoline-powered vehicle. In
addition to driving habits, energy
consumption depends on environmental conditions (such as cold weather and hillyroads). To get the maximum mileage from a
charge:
• Avoid frequent and rapid acceleration. • Instead of using the brake to slow down, move your foot off the accelerator.
Whenever Model 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
Regenerative Braking on page 59).
• Keep tires at the recommended inflation pressures (see Tire Care and Maintenance
on page 100).
• 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. You can turn on Range mode toautomatically limit the power of theclimate control system (see Settings on
page 69).
The power meter on the instrument panel and
the Energy app provide feedback on energy
usage. With this feedback, you will soon become familiar with how driving habits andenvironmental conditions impact how muchenergy Model S is using.
Saving Energy
Model S has an energy-saving feature that
reduces the amount of energy being consumed when Model S is not in use. TouchControls > Displays > Energy Saving and
choose from the following options:
• OFF . All display systems remain powered
when Model S is not in use, providing the
most responsive experience. More energy
is consumed.
• NIGHTLY . Model S shifts to the energy-
saving mode at night (10 pm to 5 am).
• ON. Significantly less energy is consumed
whenever Model S is not in use. The start-
up time of the instrument panel and
Bluetooth could be slower.
• Always Connected . Preserves cell
connectivity when energy saving is active.
This allows the mobile app to connect toModel S more quickly, and provides
immediate 3G internet access when entering the car. Slightly more energy isconsumed.
Getting Maximum Range
Driving57
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
Overview of Climate ControlsThe 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 Customizing Climate Control on page 73).
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, market region, 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
optional cold weather package or
executive seats, you can also control seat
heaters in the rear seats as well as heated wipers by touching Controls > Cold
Weather (see Controls on page 67). When
equipped with executive seats, you can
control the seat and the backrest
separately in each second row passenger
seat.
2. Touch the up or down arrow to set the
cabin temperature (from LO, 63° F to
HI, 90° F/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.
3. Automatic/Manual climate control (see
Customizing Climate Control on page
73).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 and twice
for Max Defrost. 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.
Climate Controls
72Model S Owner's 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 at the regularly
scheduled maintenance intervals of every 12 months, or every 12,500 miles (20,000 km).
Climate Control Operating Tips
• To conserve energy, you can limit the power of the climate control system by
turning on Range Mode. Cabin heating and cooling may be less effective, butseat heaters turn on to compensate.
Touch Controls > Settings > Vehicle >
Range Mode .
• 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.
Climate Controls
74Model S Owner's Manual
Opening the Charge Port
The charge port is located on the driver’s side of Model S, behind a door that is part of therear tail light assembly.
Park Model S so that the charge cable easily
reaches the charge port.
With Model S unlocked, or a recognized key
nearby, press and release the button on a
Tesla charge cable.
If the cable you are using does not have this
button, touch Controls > Charge Port . Or, you
can touch the battery icon at the top of the
touchscreen, then from the Charging screen,
touch Open Charge Port .
To charge at a public charging station, attach
an adapter to the station’s chargingconnector. The most commonly usedadapter(s) for each market region aresupplied with Model S. Depending on thecharging equipment you are using, you may
need to start and stop charging using a control on the charging equipment.
Note: The charge port lights up white when
you open the charge port door. If you do not
connect a charge cable, the light eventually
turns off.
Note: If you do not insert the charge cable
into the charge port within a few minutes after
opening the charge port door, the latch
closes. If this happens, use the touchscreen to
open the charge port door.
Caution: The connector end of the charge
cable can damage the paint if dropped onto Model S.Caution: Do not attempt to force the
charge port door open. Doing so can
damage the latch. A damaged latch
cannot hold the door closed.
Plugging In
If desired, use the touchscreen to change the
charge limit and the charging current.
If you are using the Mobile Connector, plug it into the power outlet before plugging it into
Model S.
Align the connector to the charge port and
insert fully. When the connector is properly
inserted, charging begins automatically after Model S:
• Engages a latch that holds the connector in place.
• Shifts into Park (if it was in any other gear).
• Heats or cools the Battery, if needed. If the Battery requires heating or cooling,
you may notice a delay before charging begins.
Note: Whenever Model S is plugged in but not
actively charging, it draws energy from the wall instead of using energy stored in the
Battery. For example, if you are sitting in
Model S and using the touchscreen while it’s is
parked and plugged in, the energy being used
is drawn from the power outlet instead of the
Battery.
Charging Model S
Charging95
Inflating with Air Only
If you have a Tesla tire repair kit, follow these steps to inflate a tire with air:
1. Detach the power supply connector from
the rear of the compressor and plug it into
the 12V power socket located in Model S
on the front of center console.
2. Release the black air hose from the
compressor.
3. Attach the air hose to the valve and press
the lever down to secure it in place.
4. Ensure the compressor is lying on a level
surface with the pressure gauge facing to the side where you can read it.
5. To add air, turn on the compressor and
inflate until the desired pressure is
reached.
6. To release air, turn off the compressor,
then press and hold the red button until the desired pressure is reached.
Note: For your convenience, the tire repair kit
includes a selection of adapters that allow you to inflate other items. These adapters arelocated in a compartment on the back of thecompressor.
Caution: To avoid overheating, do not use
the compressor continuously for more than eight minutes. Allow the compressorto cool for 15 minutes between uses.Caution: The compressor runs slowly
when overheated from excessive use.
Turn it off and allow it to cool.
Temporary Tire Repair
Maintenance107
Cleaning the InteriorFrequently inspect and clean the interior to
maintain its appearance and to prevent premature wear. If possible, immediately wipe
up spills and remove marks. For general
cleaning, wipe interior surfaces using a soft cloth (such as micro fiber) dampened with amixture of warm water and mild non-detergent cleaner (test all cleaners on a
concealed area before use). To avoid streaks,
dry immediately with a soft lint-free cloth.
Interior Glass
Do not scrape, or use any abrasive cleaning
fluid on glass or mirrored surfaces. This can
damage the reflective surface of the mirror
and the heating elements in the rear window.
Airbags
Do not allow any substance to enter an airbag
cover. This could affect correct operation.
Dashboard and Plastic Surfaces
Do not polish the upper surfaces of the
dashboard. Polished surfaces are reflective
and could interfere with your driving view.
Leather Seats
Leather is prone to dye-transfer which can cause discoloration, particularly on light
colored leather. White and tan leather is
coated with an anti-soiling treatment. Wipe
spills as soon as possible using a soft cloth
moistened with warm water and non-
detergent soap. Wipe gently in a circular
motion. Then wipe dry using a soft, lint-free
cloth. Using detergents or commercially
available leather cleaners and conditioners is
not recommended because they can discolor or dry out the leather.
Cloth Seats
Wipe spills as soon as possible using a soft cloth moistened with warm water and non-
detergent soap. Wipe gently in a circular motion. Then wipe dry using a soft, lint-free
cloth. Vacuum the seats as needed to remove
any loose dirt.
Carpets
Avoid over-wetting carpets. For heavily soiled
areas, use a diluted upholstery cleaner.Seat Belts
Extend the belts to wipe. Do not use any type
of detergent or chemical cleaning agent. Allow the belts to dry naturally while
extended, preferably away from direct sunlight.
Tesla Built-In Rear Facing Child Seats
Vacuum the seats to remove any loose dirt.
Wipe the seats with a soft cloth dampened
with warm water. You can also use an
upholstery cleaner designer for automotive use. Extend the belts to wipe. Allow the belts
to dry naturally, preferably away from direct
sunlight.
Touchscreen and Instrument Panel
Clean the touchscreen and instrument panel using a soft lint-free cloth specificallydesigned to clean monitors and displays. Donot use cleaners (such as a glass cleaner) and
do not use a wet wipe or a dry statically- charged cloth (such as a recently washed
microfiber). To wipe the touchscreen without
activating buttons and changing settings, you
can enter screen cleaning mode. Touch
Controls > Displays > Enter Screen Cleaning .
The display darkens to make it easy to see
dust and smudges.
Chrome and Metal Surfaces
Polish, abrasive cleaners or hard cloths can
damage the finish on chrome and metal surfaces.
Cautions for Interior CleaningWarning: If you notice any damage on an
airbag or seat belt, contact Tesla
immediately.Warning: Do not allow any water,
cleaners, or fabric to enter a seat belt
mechanism.Caution: Using solvents (including
alcohol), bleach, citrus, naphtha, or
silicone based products or additives on
interior components can cause damage.
Cleaning
110Model S Owner's Manual
Bluetooth, playing audio files 79
connecting 79
playing audio files from 79
dimensions 130
dome (map) lights 46
door handles 6
door labels 127
doors 4
Drive gear 41
drive-away locking 7driverprofiles 35
seat adjustment 17driver assistancestaying inside lane markings 53
staying within speed limits 51drivingseating position 17
starting Model S 40
tips to maximize range 57
E
electric parking brake 59
emergency flashers 49
emergency rear door opening 8
emission label 126
energygained from regenerative braking 59
range information 42
tips to minimize usage of 57
energy saving mode 57
event data recording 147
exteriorcar cover 111
cleaning 109
dimensions 130
lights 46
overview 3
polishing, touch up, & repair 111
F
fan speed, interior 73
favorites, adding and removing 78
FCC certifications 149
features, downloading new 90
firmware (software) updates 90
flash drives, playing audio files from 79
flashers, warning 49
flat tire repair 105
floor mats 111
fluidsreplacement intervals 99
reservoirs, checking 114
fog lights 46
front passenger detection 33
front trunk 12fuseslocation of 117
removing access panel 114
G
garage doors, opening 87
gates, opening 87
GAWR 128
gears 41
glove box 14
Gross Axle Weight Rating 128
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 128
ground clearance 130
GVWR 128
H
hazard warning flashers 49
head supports 18
headlightsafter exit 48
cornering lights 48
heated wipers 50
heating 72
height adjustments (suspension)auto-raising 75
automatic and manual settings 76
disabling (Jack mode) 76high voltageBattery specifications 134
components 92
safety 99
Hill Start Assist 63
hitches 129
HomeLinkFCC certification 151
programming and using 87
hood 12
horn 38
I
IC certifications 149
Ideal range 69
identification labels 126
indicator lights, summary of 43
instrument panelcharging status 98
cleaning 110
overview of 42
Index
Index153