Interior Emergency Release
An interior release button inside the front
trunk allows a person locked inside to get out.
This release button is active whenever Model S is stationary.
Press the interior release button to open thefront trunk, then push up on the hood.
Note: The button glows for several hours after
a brief exposure to ambient light.
Opening with No Power
If Model S has no electrical power, or if you
are unable to open the front trunk using the
touchscreen or key, pull the mechanical
release lever located below the glove box (not
available on newer models). This releases the
primary catch.
Then push down on the secondary catch lever and lift the hood. You may need to push thehood down slightly to release the pressureagainst the secondary catch.
Front Trunk
Opening and Closing13
Opening and Closing
To open the glove box, press the switch located on the side of the touchscreen. If you
leave the glove box open for five minutes, its
light automatically turns off.
Note: The glove box locks whenever Model S
is locked externally, using the key or walk- away locking. It does not lock when Model S is
locked using the touchscreen.
Warning: When driving, keep the glove
box closed to prevent injury to a
passenger if a collision or sudden stop
occurs.
Glove Box
14Model S Owner's Manual
Seat Belt Pre-tensionersThe front seat belts are equipped with
pre ‑tensioners that work in conjunction with
the airbags in a severe frontal collision. The
pre ‑tensioners automatically retract both the
seat belt anchor and the seat belt webbing, reducing slack in both the lap and diagonalportions of the belts, resulting in reducedforward movement of the occupant.
If the pre-tensioners and airbags did notactivate in an impact, this does not mean they
malfunctioned. It usually means that the
strength or type of force needed to activate them was not present.
Warning: Once the seat belt pre-
tensioners have been activated, they
must be replaced. After any accident,
have the airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners and any associated components checkedand, if necessary, replaced.Testing Seat Belts
To confirm that seat belts are operating
correctly, perform these three simple checks
on each seat belt.
1. With the seat belt fastened, give the
webbing nearest the buckle a quick pull. The buckle should remain securely locked.
2. With the belt unfastened, unreel the
webbing to its limit. Check that unreeling is free from snags, and visually check thewebbing for wear. Allow the webbing toretract, checking that retraction is smoothand complete.
3. With the webbing half unreeled, hold the
tongue plate and pull forward quickly. The
mechanism should lock automatically and
prevent further unreeling.
If a seat belt fails any of these tests, contact Tesla immediately.
Seat Belt WarningsWarning: Seat belts should be worn by all
occupants at all times, even if driving for a very short distance. Failure to do so
increases the risk of injury or death if an
accident occurs.Warning: Secure small children in a
suitable child safety seat. Always follow
the child safety seat manufacturer's
instructions when installing.Warning: Ensure that all seat belts are
worn correctly. An improperly worn seat
belt increases the risk of injury or death if
an accident occurs.Warning: Do not wear seat belts over
hard, fragile or sharp items in clothing, such as pens, keys, eyeglasses, etc. The
pressure from the seat belt on such items can cause injury.Warning: Seat belts should not be worn
with any part of the strap twisted.Warning: Each seat belt assembly must
be used by one occupant only. It is
dangerous to put a seat belt around a
child being carried on an occupant’s lap.Warning: Seat belts that have been worn
in an accident must be inspected or
replaced by Tesla, even if damage to the
assembly is not obvious.Warning: Seat belts that show signs of
wear (such as fraying), or have been cut or damaged in any way, must be replacedby Tesla.
Seat Belts
Seating and Safety Restraints21
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 87). 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 42.
Starting and Powering Off
Driving41
Headlights After ExitWhen you stop driving and park Model S in
low lighting conditions, the exterior lights
automatically turn on. They automatically turn
off after two minutes or when you lock Model S.
You can turn this feature on and off using the
touchscreen. Touch Controls > Settings >
Vehicle > Headlights After Exit .
Cornering Lights
If Model S is equipped with the optional tech package, LED cornering lights broaden the
beam of the headlights when you drive
through a corner.Turn Signals
Move the left-hand steering column lever up(before turning right) or down (before turning
left).
The turn signals stop operating when
canceled by the steering wheel, or when you return the lever to the central position.
The corresponding turn signal
indicator lights up on the instrument
panel when a turn signal is
operating. You also hear a clicking
sound.Warning: If Model S is equipped with both
Autopilot and the Tech Package option, engaging a turn signal can cause Model S
to accelerate when using Traffic-Aware
Cruise Control in specific situations. See Overtake Acceleration on page 63.
Lane Change Flash
To indicate a lane change, quickly press the
lever up or down against the spring pressure, then release. The corresponding turn signalflashes three times.
Hazard Warning Flashers
To turn on the hazard warning flashers, press
the button located on the side of the
touchscreen closest to the steering wheel. All turn signals flash. Press again to turn off.
Note: Hazard warning flashers operate even
without a Model S key nearby.
Lights
50Model S Owner's Manual
1.Adjust settings associated with installed
apps (applications). Settings associated with apps that are either unavailable on
your Model , or have no settings that you
can adjust at this time, are grayed out.
2. Manage driver profiles (see Driver Profiles
on page 36).
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 Format: 12 or 24 hour.
• Temperature: o
C or o
F.
• Energy & Charging: Display remaining energy and charging units as either a
percentage of battery energy
remaining, or as an estimate of the
distance that you can drive. When you choose Distance, you can display
mileage based on 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 walkaway 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 50).
• Mirror Auto-Tilt: If on, exterior mirrors tilt downward when reversing (see Mirrors on page 40). 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 if
Model 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 40).
• Ionizer: If on, the air ionizer freshens the air in the cabin.
• Smart Preconditioning: If on, Model S predicts your driving schedule and
adjusts the temperature of the cabin and the Battery so the vehicle is
comfortable and ready to drive. It may take some time for Model S to
learn your driving habits.
5. Safety & Security
Turn various safety and security features
on and off:
• Active safety devices Model S is equipped with, such as Park Assist
Chimes (see Park Assist on page 66).
• Alarm, and security options Model S is equipped with (see Security Settings
on page 95).
• Remote access by Tesla’s mobile applications (see Mobile App on page
100).
6. Displays
Settings
78Model S Owner's Manual
USB Connections
Your Model S has two USB connections
located on the front of the center console that
you can use to connect USB devices. You can
also use these connections to charge USB devices.
To play audio files stored on a connected USBdrive, see My Music & Devices on page 86.
Note: Do not connect multiple devices using a
USB hub. This can prevent connected devices from charging or from being recognized bythe touchscreen.
12V Power Socket
Your Model S has a power socket located on
the front of the center console. Power from
the socket is available whenever the
instrument panel and touchscreen are on.
The 12V power socket is suitable for
accessories requiring up to 15A or a maximum
of 180 watts.
Note: In situations where Model S is unable to
detect the key (low battery, interference, etc), place it immediately below the 12V power
socket where Model S can best detect it.
Warning: The power socket and an
accessory’s connector can become hot.
Media and Audio
Using the Touchscreen87
About the Security System
If Model S does not detect a key nearby and a locked door or trunk is opened, an alarmsounds and headlights and turn signals flash.
To deactivate the alarm, press any button on
the key.
To manually enable or disable the alarm
system, touch Controls > Settings > Safety &
Security > Alarm . When set to on, Model S
activates its alarm one minute after the doors
lock and a recognized key is no longer
detected nearby.
Security Settings
Using the Touchscreen95