2015 TESLA MODEL S lights

10.Pay attention to alert messages that appear at the bottom center of the instrument panel. If
any alerts are in effect, you can view information about them by touching the alert icon
(exclamation mark) on the touchscreen’s status bar (the topmost area of the touchscreen).
11. Currently selected gear: Park, Reverse, Neutral, or Drive.
12. Dashed lines appear on the power meter if Model S is limiting power. The dashed lines appear
on the top portion when power available for acceleration is being limited, and on the bottom
portion when power that can be gained by regenerative braking is limited. Model S limits
power for many reasons. Here are just a few examples:
• Acceleration may be limited when the Battery is reaching a low state of charge or if the powertrain is hot.
• Both acceleration and regenerative braking may be limited when the ambient temperature is either very high or very low.
• Regenerative braking may be limited when the Battery is fully charged.
13. Date and time
Indicator Lights Indicator lights flash on briefly when you press the brake pedal to prepare for driving. Unless anindicator light applies to a current situation, they should turn off. If an indicator light fails to turnon or off, contact Tesla.
In addition to indicator lights, alerts display on the top or bottom center of the instrument panel.
If alerts are in effect, an alert icon (exclamation mark) displays on the top of the touchscreen.
Touch this icon to display a description of the alert.IndicatorDescriptionAirbag safety. If this indicator does not flash on briefly when Model S
prepares to drive, or if it remains on, contact Tesla immediately. See Airbag
Warning Indicator on page 35.A seat belt for an occupied seat is not fastened. Note: Depending on the
date of manufacture, rear seating positions may not be equipped with a seat
belt reminder. See Seat Belts on page 20.Front fog lights (optional). See Lights on page 47.Parking lights (side marker lights, tail lights, and license plate lights) are on.
See Lights on page 47.Headlight low beams are on.High beams are turned on, and either the vehicle is not equipped with Auto
High Beam, or Auto High-Beam is turned off. See Headlight High Beams on
page 49.
Instrument Panel
44Model S Owner's Manual

Controlling LightsTouch Controls on the bottom corner of the touchscreen to control most of the lights.
In addition to the lights that you can control from the touchscreen, Model S has convenience lights that turn on and off automatically based on what you are doing. For example, you will
notice interior lights, marker lights, tail lights, door handle lights, and puddle lights that turn on
when you unlock Model S, when you open a door, and when you shift into Park. They turn off
automatically after a minute or two or when you shift into a driving gear or lock Model S.
Lights
Driving47

1.If you turn on DOME lights, interior dome
(map) lights turn on when you unlock
Model S, open a door upon exiting, or shift into P (Park). They turn off after 60
seconds, when you lock Model S, or when you shift into a driving gear.
You can also turn an individual dome light
on or off by pressing its lens. If you
manually turn a dome light on, it turns off
when Model S powers off. If Model S was
already powered off when you manually
turned the light on, it turns off after 60
minutes.
2. If you turn on AMBIENT lights, the lights
on the door armrests turn on whenever
the headlights are on.
3. If you turn on AUTO HIGH BEAM, you can
set the headlights to temporarily switch to
low beam whenever high beams are on
and light is detected in front of Model S
(see Headlight High Beams on page 49).
4. DRL (Daytime Running Lights) operate
only when driving with the headlights off.
In jurisdictions where required by law (Canada), daytime running lights can not
be turned off.
5. If Model S is equipped with optional front
fog lights, touch to turn them on or off.
The Front Fog indicator displays
on the instrument panel
whenever the optional front fog
lights are on.
The fog lights operate only when the
headlights are on. Whenever headlights
are turned off, fog lights also turn off.
6. Exterior lights are set to AUTO each time
you start Model S. Touch these options to
temporarily change the exterior light
setting:
OFFAll exterior lights
(headlights, tail lights, side
marker lights, parking
lights, and license plate
lights) turn off until you
manually turn them back
on or until the next time
you drive Model S.PARKINGOnly the side marker
lights, parking lights, tail
lights and license plate
lights turn on.ONAll exterior lights
(headlights, tail lights, side
marker lights, parking
lights, and license plate
lights) turn on.AUTOAll exterior lights
(headlights, tail lights, side
marker lights, parking
lights, and license plate
lights) turn on
automatically when
driving in low lighting
conditions. If you change
to a different setting,
lights always revert to this
AUTO setting on your
next drive.
Note: Optional fog lights operate
automatically whenever the headlights are
on. When headlights are off, fog lights are
also off.
Lights
48Model S Owner's Manual

Headlight High BeamsPush the left-hand steering column lever away
from you. To cancel, pull the lever toward you.
If Model S is equipped with Driver Assistance
features, you can set the headlights to
automatically switch to low beam when there is light detected in front of Model S. To turn
this feature on, touch Controls > Auto High
Beam .
Note: Your chosen setting is retained until you
manually change it. It can also be saved in
your driver profile.
In situations where high beams are turned off
because Auto High Beam is turned on and
light is detected in front of Model S, you can temporarily turn high beams on by pulling the
lever all the way toward you.
The following indicator lights are visible on
the instrument panel when high beams are turned on:
High beams are turned on, and
either the vehicle is not equipped
with Auto High Beam, or Auto High- Beam is turned off.High beams are currently turned on, and Auto High Beam is ready to turn
off the high beams if light is
detected in front of Model S.High beams are temporarily turned
off because Auto High Beam is on
and is detecting light in front of
Model S. When light is no longer
detected, the high beams
automatically turn back on.
To flash the headlight high beams, pull the
lever fully toward you and release.
Warning: Auto High Beam is an aid only
and is subject to limitations and system
issues. It is the driver's responsibility to make sure that the headlights are alwaysadjusted as appropriate for the weather
conditions and driving circumstances.
Lights
Driving49

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

WipersTo wipe the windshield, rotate the end of the
left-hand steering column lever away from
you. You can choose from four levels:
• 1st: Auto with low rain sensitivity.*
• 2nd: Auto with high rain sensitivity.*
• 3rd: Continuous, slow.
• 4th: Continuous, fast.
For a single wipe, press and release the end of the lever.
If the wipers are set to Auto and the sensor
detects no water, the wipers do not wipe.
When you operate the wipers, headlights automatically turn on (if they are not onalready).
*Model S has a rain sensor located on the
inside of the windshield at the base of the interior mirror. When wipers are set to Auto,
the frequency at which they wipe depends on
how much water the sensor detects. When
wipers are set to the 2nd level, the sensor is
more sensitive.
To extend the life of wiper blades, remove ice from the windshield before turning wipers on.
Ice has sharp edges that can damage the
rubber on the blades.
Periodically check and clean the edge of the
wiper blade. If damaged, replace the blade
immediately. For details on checking and
replacing wiper blades, see Wiper Blades and
Washer Jets on page 121.
Caution:
In harsh climates, ensure that the
wiper blades are not frozen or adhered to
the windshield.De-icing Wipers
To make wiper blades easy to access so you
can remove any ice and snow, shift Model S
into Park, then use the touchscreen to move
them to the service position. Touch Controls >
Settings > Service & Reset > Service Mode >
ON . When parking in cold outdoor climates, it
is helpful to leave Model S with the wipers in
the service position. In this position, they are
closer to the defrost vent, allowing you to thaw them by directing air from the climatecontrol system towards the windshield.
Note: Wipers automatically return to their
normal position when you shift Model S out of
Park.
If Model S is equipped with the cold weather
option, you can de-ice wipers by touching Controls > Cold Weather > Heated Wipers .
The heated wipers automatically turn off after
heating the wipers for 15 minutes.
Washers
Press the button on the end of the left
steering column lever to spray washer fluid onto the windshield. You can press this buttonat two levels. Press partially for a single wipe,
without any washer fluid. Press fully for both
wipe and wash. When washing the windshield,
the wipers will perform two wipes after you
release the button, then a third wipe a few seconds later.
Periodically top up washer fluid (see Topping
Up Washer Fluid on page 125).
De-icing Washer Nozzles
If Model S is equipped with the cold weather
option, washer nozzles have de-icers that turn on whenever the ambient temperature nearsfreezing, or when you turn on the heatedwipers ( Controls > Cold Weather > Heated
Wipers ). The washer de-icers turn off when
the heated wipers turn off (after 15 minutes),
provided the temperature is warm enough to
prevent freezing.
Wipers and Washers
Driving51

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
52Model S Owner's Manual

Regenerative Braking
Whenever Model S is moving and your foot is off the accelerator, regenerative braking slows
down Model S and feeds any surplus energy
back to the Battery.
By anticipating your stops and simply removing your foot from the accelerator to
slow down, you can take advantage of
regenerative braking to increase driving range. Of course, this is no substitute for
regular braking when needed for safety.
Note: If regenerative braking is aggressively
slowing Model S, such as on a steep descent,
brake lights turn on to alert other road users
that you are slowing down.
The power meter on the instrument panel displays real-time feedback on the amount of
energy being gained by regenerative braking.
The amount of energy fed back to the Battery
using regenerative braking can depend on the current state of the Battery and the charge
level setting that you are using. If regenerative braking is limited, a dashed yellow line
displays on the power meter. For example,
regenerative braking may be limited if the
Battery is already fully charged or if the
ambient temperature is low.
To Set the Regenerative Braking Level
You can use the touchscreen to change thelevel of regenerative braking:
1. Touch Controls > Driving > Regenerative
Braking .
2. Choose from two levels:
•
Standard . Provides the maximum
amount of regenerative braking. When you release the accelerator,
Model S slows down faster, reducing
the need to use the brakes.
• Low . Limits the amount of
regenerative braking. When you
release the accelerator, Model S takes longer to slow down and coastsfurther.
Parking Brake The parking brake automatically engages
whenever you shift Model S into Park, and
releases whenever you shift into any other
gear.
Note: The parking brake operates on the rear
wheels only, and is independent of the foot-
operated brake system.
Use the touchscreen to manually release the parking brake (which also shifts Model S intoNeutral):
1. Touch Controls > E-Brake & Power Off .
2. Press the brake pedal, then touch Parking
Brake. If Model S was previously in Park, it
shifts into Neutral.
The parking brake indicator lights up on the instrument panel whenever
you use the touchscreen to manually
apply the parking brake.If an electrical issue occurs with the
parking brake, an amber parking
brake fault message displays at the
top center of the touchscreen.Caution: In the unlikely event that
Model S loses electrical power, you
cannot release the parking brake.
Brakes
Driving53