2014 TESLA MODEL S traction control

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

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

Braking SystemsModel S has an anti-lock braking system
(ABS) that prevents the wheels from locking
when you apply maximum brake pressure. This improves steering control during heavy
braking in most road conditions.
During emergency braking conditions, the
ABS constantly monitors the speed of each
wheel and varies the brake pressure according
to the grip available.
The alteration of brake pressure can be felt as
a pulsing sensation through the brake pedal.
This demonstrates that the ABS is operating
and is not a cause for concern. Keep firm and
steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsing.The ABS indicator flashes briefly on
the instrument panel when you first
start Model S. If this indicator lights
up at any other time, an ABS fault
has occurred and the ABS is not
operating. Contact Tesla. The
braking system remains fully
operational and is not affected by an
ABS failure. However, braking
distances may increase.If the instrument panel displays this
indicator at any time other than
displaying briefly when you first start
Model S, a brake system fault is
detected or the brake fluid level is
low. Contact Tesla immediately.Emergency Braking
In an emergency, fully press the brake pedal
and maintain firm pressure, even on low
traction surfaces. The ABS varies the braking pressure to each wheel according to the
amount of traction available. This prevents wheels from locking and ensures that you
stop as safely as possible.Warning: Do not pump the brake pedal.
Doing so interrupts operation of the ABS
and can increase braking distance.Warning: Always maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you and be aware of hazardous driving conditions.
While the ABS can improve stopping
distance, it cannot overcome the laws of physics. It also does not prevent the
danger of hydroplaning (where a layer of
water prevents direct contact between
the tires and the road).
Brake Wear
Model S brake pads are equipped with wearindicators. A wear indicator is a thin metalstrip attached to the brake pad that squeals as
it rubs against the rotor when the pad wears
down. This squealing sound indicates that the
brake pads have reached the end of their
service life and require replacement. To stop
the squealing, contact Tesla Service.
Warning: Neglecting to replace worn
brake pads results in damage to the
braking system and can create a braking
hazard.
Brakes
58Model S Owner's Manual

How It WorksThe traction control system constantly
monitors the difference in speed between the
front and rear wheels. If Model S experiences a
loss of traction, the traction control system
minimizes wheel spin by controlling brake
pressure and motor power.The electronic stability control
indicator displays on the instrument
panel whenever the traction control
system is actively controlling brake
pressure and motor power.Warning: Traction control does not
prevent accidents caused by driving
dangerously or turning too sharply at
high speeds.
Turning Off
Under normal conditions, you should leave
traction control on. Turn it off only in
circumstances where you deliberately want the wheels to spin, such as:
• Starting on a loose surface, such as gravel or snow.
• Driving in deep snow, sand or mud. • Rocking out of a hole or deep rut.
To turn traction control off, touch Controls >
Driving > Traction Control > Off .
The Traction Control Off indicator
displays at the top center of the
touchscreen whenever the traction
control system is turned off.
Although traction control turns on again
automatically the next time you start Model S,
turn it on using the touchscreen as soon as
the circumstances that required you to turn it off have passed.
Traction Control
60Model S Owner's Manual

1.Close
Touch the circled X in the top left corner
of a window to close it (or you can touch anywhere outside the window).
2. Sunroof
If Model S is equipped with a sunroof,
touch to adjust its position (see Sunroof
on page 15).
3. Driving
• Suspension If Model S is equipped with Smart AirSuspension, touch to manually raise orlower Model S (see Smart Air
Suspension on page 75). Model S
must be powered on, or you must
press the brake pedal before you can change suspension settings. Smart Air
Suspension causes Model S to self- level, even when powered off.
Therefore, when lifting or towing, you
must disable self-leveling (see Jack
Mode on page 76 and Jacking and
Lifting on page 124).
• Steering mode
Adjust the amount of effort requiredto turn the steering wheel. Sport feels
more responsive whereas Comfort
feels easier to drive and park (see
Steering Wheel on page 36).
• Regenerative braking
When you release the accelerator
when driving, regenerative braking slows Model S and feeds any surplusenergy back to the Battery. If set to
Low, Model S does not slow down as
quickly, but you may experience less
range (see Regenerative Braking on
page 59).
Note: Regardless of the setting, the
energy gained by regenerative
braking is reduced if the Battery is full, or if it is extremely cold or hot(the surplus energy is used to heat orcool the Battery).
• Traction Control
If you turn off Traction Control, a
warning message displays on the
instrument panel. The off setting stays
in effect for the current drive only (see Traction Control on page 60).
• CreepWhen on, Model S slowly moves
forward when in Drive and backward in Reverse when you release the brake
(similar to a conventional vehicle with an automatic transmission). You can
adjust this setting only when Model S is in Park.
4. Cold Weather
If Model S is equipped with the cold weather option, you can control all seatheaters and the heated wipers. Note that
you can also control the front driver and
passenger seats using the main climate
control panel located on the bottom of
the touchscreen (see Climate Controls on
page 72).
5. Trips
View and reset the trip meters that
summarize how far you have driven (see
Trip Information on page 56).
6. Displays
Manually control the touchscreen’s
brightness and control its Day (light
background) or Night (dark background)
setting. When set to Auto, the
touchscreen automatically changes
between the Day and Night setting
depending on the ambient lighting
conditions. You can also put Model S into
an energy saving mode so it consumes
less energy when not in use (see Getting
Maximum Range on page 57). Note that
the Displays settings can also be accessed
from the Settings screen.
7. E-Brake & Power Off
You can manually:
• Apply and release the parking brake (see Parking Brake on page 59).
• Power off (see Powering Off on page
40).
• Keep Model S in Neutral by activating Tow Mode (see Leaving Model S in
Neutral - Tow Mode on page 41).
8. Doors & locks (see Using Interior Door
Handles on page 6)
9. Lights (see Lights on page 46)Warning:
Do not read the touchscreen
while driving. Doing so increases the
likelihood of a collision. Everything you need to know when driving is displayed
on the instrument panel.
Controls
68Model S Owner's Manual

Fuse Box 1Note: Access to fuse box 1 requires removal of components that must be performed by a Tesla
service technician. The following fuse list is provided only to assist you in determining if a fuse in this box needs to be replaced. Contact Tesla Service if one of these fuses needs to be replaced.FuseRatingCircuit Protected15 AAccessory sensor, radio, USB hub25 AHeadlight leveling system (EU/China Coil Suspension vehicles only)35 AVanity lights, rear view mirror430 AOutboard rear seat heaters (cold weather option)515 ASeat heater (driver’s seat)620 ABase audio amplifier715 ASeat heater (front passenger seat)820 APremium audio amplifier925 ASunroof105 APassive safety restraints115 ASteering wheel switches125 ASensor for Drive mode and Yaw Rate (Stability/Traction Control)1315 AWiper park145 ADrive inverter1520 AElectric parking brake165 AParking sensors1720 AElectric parking brake
Fuses
118Model S Owner's Manual

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the tire
grading system developed by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires by tread wear,
traction and temperature performance. Tires
that have deep tread, and winter tires, are
exempt from these marking requirements.
Where applicable, quality grades are found on
the tire’s sidewall between the tread shoulder and maximum section width. For example:
• TREADWEAR 180
• TRACTION AA
• TEMPERATURE A
The quality grades are descibed next.
Note: In addition to the marking requirements,
passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 wears one and
a half times better on a government test course than a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends on the actual
conditions of their use, however, and can depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices, road characteristics, and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are: AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent a
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C might have poor traction performance.Warning: Defective tires are dangerous.
Do not drive if a tire is damaged,
excessively worn, or is inflated to an
incorrect pressure. The safety of the
vehicle and occupants can be adversely
affected. Check tires regularly for wear
and to ensure there are no cuts, bulges or
exposure of the ply/cord structure.Warning: The traction grade assigned to
the tire is based on straight-ahead
braking tests, and doesn’t include:acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire’s resistance tothe generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature cancause the tire to degenerate and reduce tirelife, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to the minimum
level of performance that all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel that exceed the
minimum requirements.
Warning: A tire’s temperature grade is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
Wheels and Tires
Specifications139

balancing 101
chains 103
industry glossary of terms 140
inspecting and maintaining 101
pressures, how to check 100
quality grading 139
replacing 102
replacing a tire sensor 104
rotation 101
specification 136
temperature grades 139
tire markings 137
tire sealant 105
traction grade 139
treadwear grade 139
winter 102
touch up body 111touchscreencleaning 110
Controls 67
overview 65
Settings 69
software updates 90
tow chain, connecting
143
Tow mode 142
towing 142
towing a trailer 129
towing instructions 142
TPMSFCC certification 150
overview of 103
traction control 60
trademarks 145, 146
traffic alerts 78
trailer hitches 129
transmission specifications 132
Transport Canada, contacting 148
transporting 142
trip information 56
trunk, front 12
trunk, rearchild protection lock 7
disabling interior handle 7
TuneIn 77
turn signals 49
U uniform tire quality grading 139
Units & Format 69
unlockingtrunk, front 12
trunk, rear 10
unlocking and locking doors 4
unlocking when key doesn't work 7
USB devicesconnecting 79
playing audio files from 79
USB ports 79
V
vehicle certification label 128
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 126
vehicle loading 127
vent, sunroof 15
ventilation 74
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 126
volume control 65
W walk-away locking 7
Wall Connector 93
warning flashers 49
warning lights, summary of 43
washer fluid, topping up 116
washer jets, cleaning 112
washers, using 50
weight specifications 131
wheel chocks 144wheelsalignment 101
replacing 102
specifications 135
Wi-Fi, connecting to 89
windshield washer fluid, topping up 116
winter tires 102
wiper blades, replacing 112
wipers and washers 50
wipers, de-icing 50
X
XM radio 77
Index
156Model S Owner's Manual