Call 1-877-79TESLA (1-877-798-3752)
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
INSTRUCTIONS FOR TRANSPORTERS
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Roadside AssistanceTesla Roadside Assistance is available to you, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, throughout the United
States and Canada for the duration of your warran ty period. To contact Roadside Assistance, call
1-877-79TESLA (1-877-798-3752) .
Advise the representative of the vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, mileage,
your location, and the nature of the problem. The VIN is on the upper dashboard on the driver’s side
of your vehicle and is visible through the windshield.
Roadside Assistance covers transportation of Model S for up to 50 miles in the event of a flat tire.
However, owners are responsible for transportation expenses if the Battery is over-discharged. For
a complete description of the terms and conditions of the Tesla Roadside Assistance Program, refer
to the policy that was provided to yo u by Tesla when you purchased Model S.
It is your responsibility to provide vehicle transporters with instructions on how to transport Model S.
Use a Flatbed Only
Use a flatbed trailer only, unless otherwise specified by
Tesla. Do not transport Model S with the tires directly on
the ground. To transport Model S, follow the instructions
exactly as described.
Damage caused by transporting Model
S is not covered by the warranty.
Disable Self-Leveling (air suspension vehicles only)
If Model S is equipped with Active Air Suspension, it automatically self-levels, even when power is
off. To prevent damage, use the touchscreen to ac tivate Jack mode, which disables self-leveling:
1. To u c h CONTROLS on the bottom left of the touchscreen.
2. Press the brake pedal, then touch Controls > Driving > Very High to maximize height.
3. To u c h Jack.
When Jack mode is active, Model S displays this indicator light on the instrument
panel, along with a message telling you that active suspension is disabled.
NOTE: Jack mode cancels when Model S is driven over 4.5 mph (7 km/h).
C A U T I O N : Fa i l u re t o a c t i v a t e J a c k m o d e o n a M o d e l S e q u i p p e d w i t h a c t i ve a i r s u s p e n s i o n c a n
result in the vehicle becoming loose during transport, which may cause significant damage.
Activate Tow Mode
Model S may automatically shift into Park when it detects the driver leaving the vehicle, even if it has
previously been shifted into Neutral. To keep Model S in Neutral (which disengages the parking
brake), you must use the touchscreen to activate Tow mode:
1. Shift into Park.
2. Press the brake pedal, then on the touchscreen, touch Controls > E-Brake & Power Off >
To w M o d e .
When Tow mode is active, Model S displays this indicator light on the instrument panel,
along with a message telling you that Model S is free-rolling.
NOTE: Tow mode cancels when Model S is shifted into Park.
CAUTION:
If the electrical system is not working, an d you therefore cannot release the electric
parking brake, attempt to quick start the 12V battery. For instructions, call the number noted
on the previous page. If a situ ation occurs where you cannot disengage the parking brake, use
tire skids or transport Model S for the shortest possible distance using wheeled dollies. Before doing
so, always check the dolly manufacturer’s sp ecifications and recommended load capacity.
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Seat BeltsSeat Belts
6MODEL S
SAFETY INFORMATION
Seat BeltsWearing Seat Belts
Using seat belts and child safety seats is the
most effective way to protect occupants if a
collision occurs. Therefore, wearing a seat belt
is required by law in most jurisdictions.
Both the driver and passenger seats are
equipped with three-point inertia reel seat
belts. Inertia reel belts are automatically
tensioned to allow occupants to move
comfortably during normal driving conditions.
The seat belt reel automatically locks to
prevent movement of occupants if Model S
experiences a force associated with hard
acceleration, braking, cornering, or an impact in
a collision.
The seat belt reminder on the
instrument panel alerts you if a seat belt
for an occupied front seat is not
fastened. If the belt remains unfastened, the
reminder flashes and an intermittent chime
sounds. If all occupants are buckled up and the
reminder stays on, refasten seat belts to ensure
they are correctly latched. Also remove any
heavy objects (such as a briefcase) from an
unoccupied seat. If the reminder light continues
to stay on, contact Tesla.
To F a s t e n a B e l t
1. Ensure correct positioning of the seat.
2. Draw the belt out smoothly, ensuring the
belt lays flat across the pelvis, chest and
mid-point of your collar bone, between the
neck and shoulder.
3. Insert the latch plate into the buckle and
press together until you hear a “click”
indicating it is locked in place. 4.
Pull the belt to check that it is securely
fastened.
5. Pull the diagonal part of the belt toward the
reel to remove excess slack.
To Release a Belt
Hold the belt near the buckle to prevent the
belt from retracting too quickly, then press the
button on the buckle. The belt retracts
automatically. Ensure there is no obstruction
that prevents the belt from fully retracting. The
belt should not hang loose. If a seat belt does
not fully retract, contact Tesla.
Wearing Seat Belts When Pregnant
Do not put the lap or shoulder sections of the
seat belt over the abdominal area. Wear the lap
section of the belt as low as possible across the
hips, not the waist. Position the shoulder
portion of the belt between the breasts and to
the side of the abdomen. Consult your doctor
for specific guidance.
WARNING: Never place anything
between you and the seat belt to cushion
the impact in the ev ent of an accident.
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Tires and WheelsTires and Wheels
18MODEL S
Tires and WheelsMaintaining Tire Pressures
Keep tires inflated to the pressures shown on
the Tire and Loading Information label located
on the driver’s door pillar (even if it differs from
the pressure printed on the tire itself).
The Tire Pressure indicator light does not
immediately turn off when you adjust tire
pressure. After inflating the tire to the
recommended pressure, you must drive over 25
mph (40 km/h) for more than 10 minutes to
activate the Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), which turns off the Tire Pressure
indicator light.
If the indicator light flashes for one minute
whenever you power on Model S, a fault with
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is
detected (see page 21).
Checking and Adjusting Tire Pressures
Follow these steps when tires are cold and
Model S has been stationary for over three
hours:
1. Remove the valve cap.
2. Firmly press an accurate tire pressure
gauge onto the valve to measure pressure. 3.
If required, add air to reach the
recommended pressure.
4. Recheck pressure by removing and
reattaching the tire gauge.
5. If you added too much air, release air by
pressing the metal stem in the center of the
valve.
6. Recheck the pressure with the tire gauge
and adjust if necessary.
7. Replace the valve cap to prevent dirt from
entering. Periodically check the valve for
damage and leaks.
WARNING: Under-inflation is the most
common cause of tire failures. It can
cause a tire to overheat, resulting in severe tire
cracking, tread separation, or blowout, which
causes unexpected loss of vehicle control and
increased risk of injury . Under-inflation also
reduces Battery range and tire tread life.
WARNING: Check tire pressures using an
accurate pressure gauge when tires are
cold. It takes only one mile of driving to warm
up the tires sufficiently to affect tire pressures.
Parking the vehicle in direct sunlight or in hot
weather can also affect tire pressures. If you
must check warm tires, expect increased
pressures. Do not let air out of warm tires in an
attempt to match recommended cold tire
pressures. A hot tire at or below the
recommended cold tire inflation pressure is
dangerously under-inflated.
WARNING: Do not use any tire sealant
other than the type provided in a Tesla
tire repair kit. Other types can cause tire
pressure sensors to malfunction. If your
Model S did not include a tire repair kit, you can
purchase one from Tesla Motors.
Inspecting and Maintaining Tires
Regularly inspect the tread and side walls for
any sign of distortion (bulges), cuts or wear.
WARNING: Do not drive Model S if a tire
is damaged, excessively worn, or inflated
to an incorrect pressure. Check tires regularly
for wear, and ensure there are no cuts, bulges or
exposure of the ply/cord structure.
The Tire Pressure indicator light on
the instrument panel alerts you if
one or more tires is under- or
over-inflated.
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Tires and Wheels
SAFETY INFORMATION21
CAUTION: Using non-recommended tire
chains, or using tire chains on other sized
tires, can damage the suspension, body,
wheels, and/or brake lines. Damage caused by
using non-recommended tire chains is not
covered by the warranty.
CAUTION: Ensure that tire chains cannot
touch suspension components or brake
lines. If you hear the chains making
unusual noises that would indicate contact with
Model S, stop and investigate immediately.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
Each tire should be checked monthly when
cold and inflated to the recommended
pressures that are printed on the Tire and
Loading Information label located on the
d r i ve r ’s d o o r p i l l a r (s e e p a g e 1 8 ) . I f yo u r ve h i c l e
has tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle pl acard or tire inflation
pressure label, determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that displays a low tire pressure
telltale (Tire Pressure Warning) on the
instrument panel when one or more of your
tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the Tire Pressure indicator light displays
on the instrument panel alerting you of low tire
pressure, stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure (see page 18). Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire
to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and
tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.
If Model S detects a fault with the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS),
this indicator flashes for one minute
whenever you power on Model S.
NOTE: Installing accessories that are not
approved by Tesla can interfere with the TPMS
system.
WARNING: The TPMS is not a substitute
for proper tire maintenance, including
manually checking tire pressures and regularly
inspecting the condition of tires. It is the
driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level for the TPMS to trigger the
Tire Pressure Warning on the instrument panel.
TPMS Malfunction
Model S has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure
indicator light. When
the system detects a malfunction, the indicator
light flashes for approximately one minute after
Model S powers on, and then remains
continuously lit. This sequence continues upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the
malfunction exists.
When the TPMS malfunction indicator is on, the
system might not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions can occur for a variety of reasons,
including installing replacement or alternate
tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check
the TPMS malfunction indicator light after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
NOTE: If a tire has been replaced or repaired
using a different tire sealant than the one
available from Tesla, and a low tire pressure is
detected, it is possible that the tire sensor has
been damaged. Contact Tesla to have the fault
repaired as soon as possible.
Replacing a Tire Sensor
If the Tire Pressure wa rning indicator displays
frequently, contact Tesla to determine if a tire
sensor needs to be replaced. Tire sensors must
be replaced by a Tesla service technician who
can perform a brief setup procedure. If a
non-Tesla service center repairs or replaces a
tire, the tire sensor will not work until Tesla
performs the setup procedure.
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