Canceling and Resuming
To manually cancel Traffic-Aware Cruise
Control, briefly push the cruise control lever
away from you. The message on the
instrument panel turns off, but the set speed remains displayed until Model S powers off.
To resume cruising at the previously set
speed, briefly pull the cruise control lever
toward you.
Note: When Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
cancels, Model S does not coast. Instead,
regenerative braking slows down Model S in
the same way as when you move your foot off
the accelerator when driving without cruise
control (see Regenerative Braking on page
53).
Warning: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
may immediately cancel, or may not be available, in the following situations:
• You press the brake pedal.
• Your driving speed drops below 18 mph (30 km/h) in situations when
Model S does not detect a vehicle
ahead within the specified distance.
• You shift Model S out of Drive.
• The driver's seat belt is unbuckled.
• A door is opened.
• The view from the radar sensor or camera is obstructed. This could be
caused by dirt, mud, ice, snow, fog,
etc.
• The traction control setting is manually disabled or is repeatedly
engaging to prevent wheels from
slipping.
• The wheels are spinning while at a standstill.• The cruise control system is failing
and requires service.
When Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is unavailable or cancels, all cruise control
functionality is unavailable. Model S no longer drives consistently at a set speed
and no longer maintains a specified
distance from the vehicle ahead.Warning: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
can cancel unexpectedly at any time for
unforeseen reasons. Always watch the
road in front of you and stay prepared to
take appropriate action. It is the driver's responsibility to be in control of Model S
at all times.
Limitations
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is particularly
unlikely to operate as intended in the
following types of situations:
• The road has sharp curves.
• Visibility is poor (due to heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.).
• Bright light (oncoming headlights or direct sunlight) is interfering with the
camera's view.
• The radar sensor in the center of the front grill is obstructed (dirty, covered, etc.).
• The windshield area in the camera's field of view is obstructed (fogged over, dirty,
covered by a sticker, etc.).
Caution: If your Model S is equipped with
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, you must take your vehicle to Tesla Service if a
windshield replacement is needed. Failure
to do so can cause Traffic-Aware Cruise
Control to malfunction.Warning: Many unforeseen circumstances
can impair the operation of Traffic-Aware Cruise Control. Always keep this in mind
and remember that as a result, Traffic-
Aware Cruise Control may not slow down or may brake or accelerate Model S
inappropriately. Always drive attentively and be prepared to take immediate
action.Warning: Traffic-aware cruise control
may not brake/decelerate for stationary vehicles, especially in situations when youare driving over 50 mph (80 km/h) and a
vehicle you are following moves out of your driving path and a stationary vehicleor object is in front of you instead.
Always pay attention to the road ahead
and stay prepared to take immediate
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
64Model S Owner's Manual
How Park Assist Works
If Model S is equipped with the Park Assist option, Model S has several sensors designedto detect the presence of objects nearby.When moving slowly in Drive or Reverse, the
sensors alert you if an object is detected close to the front or rear bumper, respectively.Warning: The Park Assist images
provided below are representative only.
The exact number and location of sensors
may vary depending on the date your
Model S was manufactured.
The sensors are activated when driving less
than 5 mph (8 km/h).
Warning: Never depend on Park Assist to
inform you if an area you are approaching is free of objects and/or people. Several
external factors can reduce the
performance of Park Assist, causing
either no readings or false readings (see Limitations and False Warnings on page
67). Therefore, depending on Park Assist to determine if Model S is
approaching an obstruction can result indamage to the vehicle and/or objects,
and can potentially cause serious injury.
Always inspect the area with your own
eyes. When reversing, perform shoulder
checks and use all mirrors. Park assist
does not detect children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, animals, or objects that are moving, protruding, located too far above
or below the sensors, or too close or too far from the sensors. Park Assist is for
guidance purposes only and is not
intended to replace your own direct
visual checks. It is not a substitute for careful driving.
Visual and Audio Feedback
When you shift to Reverse, the Park Assistview displays on the left side of the
instrument panel, showing any objects that
are in close proximity to the front and rear of
Model S. This view closes when you shift into
Drive unless objects are detected close to the front of the Model S, in which case the Park
Assist view closes automatically when your
driving speed exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h) . When reversing, visual feedback also displays on the
touchscreen, immediately below the camera
view (see Rear View Camera on page 71).
You can close this view manually by touching
the X in the upper left corner.
When driving with the Camera app displayed
on the touchscreen, you can switch to the Park Assist view when driving at speeds
below 5 mph (8 km/h) . Touch the button
located in the upper left corner of the Camera
app window. This is useful if you need
assistance with parallel parking.
If chimes are turned on (see Controlling
Audible Feedback on page 67), an audible
beep sounds as you approach an object. You
can temporarily mute the chime by pressing
the scroll wheel on the left side of the steering
wheel or by touching the mute button located
on the in the bottom left corner of the Park Assist view.
Note: If your vehicle is equipped with software
version 6.1 or newer, and you are driving with the camera app displayed on the touchscreen,
you can switch to the Park Assist view by
touching the icon in the upper left corner of the camera app window. You must be driving
at speeds below 5 mph (8 km/h) .
Note: If a sensor is unable to provide
feedback, the instrument panel displays an
alert message.
Park Assist
66Model S Owner's Manual
Caution: Keep sensors clean from dirt,
debris, snow, and ice. Avoid using a high
pressure power washer on the sensors
and do not clean a sensor with a sharp or abrasive object that can scratch ordamage its surface.Caution: Do not install accessories or
stickers on or near the parking sensors.
Controlling Audible Feedback
You can use Park Assist with or without
audible feedback. To turn chimes on or off,
touch Controls > Settings > Safety &
Security > Park Assist Chimes .
You can also mute the chimes temporarily by
pressing the scroll wheel on the left side of
the steering wheel or by touching the mute
button in the bottom left corner of the Park
Assist view. The chimes are muted until you
shift into a different gear or drive over 5 mph
(8 km/h).
Limitations and False Warnings
The parking sensors may not function
correctly in these situations:
• One or more of the parking sensors is damaged, dirty, or covered (such as mud,
ice, or snow).
• Object is located below approximately 8 inches (20 cm) (such as a curb or lowbarrier).
• Weather conditions (heavy rain, snow, or fog) are interfering with sensor operation.
• Object is thin (such as a sign post).
• A sensor’s operating range has been exceeded.
• Object is sound-absorbing or soft (such as powder snow).
• Object is sloped (such as a sloped embankment).
• Model S has been parked in, or being driven in, extremely hot or cold
temperatures.
• The sensors are affected by other electrical equipment or devices that
generate ultrasonic waves.
• Object is located too close to the bumper. • A bumper is misaligned or damaged.
• An object that is mounted to Model S is interfering with and/or obstructing the
sensor (such as a bike rack or a bumper
sticker).
Other Parking Aids
In addition to Park Assist, when shifted into
Reverse gear, the backup camera displays a
view of the area behind Model S. See Rear
View Camera on page 71.
Park Assist
Driving67
Camera LocationModel S is equipped with a rear view camera
located above the rear license plate.
Whenever you shift into Reverse, the
touchscreen displays the view from the
camera.
Note: If Model S is equipped with the optional
Park Assist feature, visual feedback from the
parking sensors displays below the camera image. See Park Assist on page 66.
Warning:
Never depend on the rear view
camera to inform you if the area behind
you is free of objects and/or people when
reversing. The camera may not detect
objects or barriers that can potentially cause damage or injury. In addition,several external factors can reduce the
performance of the camera, including a dirty or obstructed lens. Therefore,
depending on the rear view camera to determine if Model S is approaching anobstruction can result in damage to the
vehicle and/or objects, and can
potentially cause serious injury. Always
inspect the area with your own eyes.
When reversing, perform shoulder checks
and use all mirrors. Use the camera for
guidance purposes only. It is not intended to replace your own direct visual checks
and is not a substitute for careful driving.Cleaning the Camera
To ensure a clear picture, keep the camera
lens clean, and free of obstructions. Remove any buildup of dirt by occasionally wiping the
camera lens with a soft damp cloth.Caution: Do not use chemical-based or
abrasive cleaners. Doing so can damage
the surface of the camera lens.
Rear View Camera
Driving71
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 Day and Night brightness
depending on the ambient lighting
conditions. To disable the touchscreen
momentarily for cleaning purposes, touch
Clean Mode . 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
70). Note that the Displays settings can
also be accessed from the Controls
window.
7. HomeLink
If the HomeLink feature is available in your region, use it to control RF-enabled
garage doors, lights, or security systems
(see HomeLink ®
Universal Transceiver on
page 96).
8. Driver Assistance
If your vehicle is equipped with Driver Assistance features, you can control
features that can provide a safer driving experience
• Lane Departure Warning: If on, the steering wheel vibrates if a front
wheel passes over a lane marking and
the associated turn signal is off (see
Lane Departure Warning on page 57).
• Overtake Acceleration: If on when Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is
operating, Model S accelerates when you engage the turn signal to indicate
a move into the passing lane (see Traffic-Aware Cruise Control on page
60).
• Speed Assist: Control how speed limits are determined and how
warnings are issued when you exceed the speed limit (see Speed Assist on
page 55).
• Forward Collision Warning: Control when warnings display on the
instrument panel if Model S detects a
vehicle, bike, or pedestrian ahead and
a collision is considered likely unless
you take immediate corrective action
(see Forward Collision Warning on
page 58).
9. Service & Reset
Turn various service-related features on
and off:• 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 121.
• Tire Pressure Monitor: Touch Reset
Sensors to reset the TPMS sensors
after replacing a wheel (see Resetting
the TPMS Sensors on page 113).
• Tow Mode: Activate Tow Mode to keep Model S in Neutral (see Leaving
Model S in Neutral - Tow Mode on
page 42).
• Factory Reset: Touch Erase & Reset to
erase all personal data (saved addresses, music favorites, etc.) and
restore all customized settings to
their factory defaults.
10. Manual
Display this owners manual.Warning: Do not read the touchscreen
while driving. Doing so increases the
likelihood of a collision.
Naming Model S
To further personalize your Model S, you can
name it. The name you give your Model S will appear in the mobile app. To name your
Model S, touch the Tesla “T” at the top center
of the touchscreen, then touch Name Your
Vehicle .
When you save, Name Your Vehicle is
replaced by the name you provided. You can
touch the name at any time to rename your
Model S.
Erasing Personal Data
You can erase all personal data (saved
addresses, music favorites, imported contacts,
HomeLink programming, etc.) and restore all
customized settings to their factory defaults.
This is useful when transferring ownership of
Model S. Touch Settings > Service & Reset >
Factory Reset > Erase & Reset . Before erasing,
Model S verifies your credentials by
prompting you to enter the user name and
password associated with your MY TESLA
account.
Settings
Using the Touchscreen79
Maintaining Tire PressuresKeep tires inflated to the pressures shown onthe Tire and Loading Information label, even ifit differs from the pressure printed on the tire
itself. The Tire and Loading Information label is located on the center door pillar and isvisible when the driver’s door is open.The Tire Pressure indicator light on
the instrument panel alerts you if
one or more tires is under- or over-
inflated.
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 MonitoringSystem (TPMS), which turns off the TirePressure 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 TPMS Malfunction on page
113).
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. Re-check pressure by removing and re-
attaching 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 and 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 ofinjury. 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 about one mile (1.6 km) 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, expectincreased 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 coldtire 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.
Tire Care and Maintenance
Maintenance109
Replacing Tires and Wheels
Tires degrade over time due to the effects of
ultraviolet light, extreme temperatures, high loads, and environmental conditions. It isrecommended that tires are replaced everysix years, or sooner if required.
Wheel rims and tires are matched to suit the
handling characteristics of the vehicle. Replacement tires must comply with the
original specification. If tires other than those
specified are used, ensure that the load and speed ratings marked on the tire equal orexceed those of the original specification.
Ideally, you should replace all four tires at the
same time. If this is not possible, replace the
tires in pairs (both front or both rear). When
replacing tires, always re-balance and check
the alignment of wheels.
If you replace a wheel, the TPMS (Tire
Pressure Monitoring System) sensors need to
be reset to ensure they provide accurate
warnings when tires are under- or over-
inflated (see Resetting the TPMS Sensors on
page 113).Warning: For your safety, use only tires
and wheels that match the original
specification (see Wheels and Tires on
page 143). Tires that do not match the original specification can affect the
operation of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).Warning: Never exceed the speed rating
of your vehicle's tires. The speed rating is
shown on the sidewall of your tires (see
Understanding Tire Markings on page
145).Asymmetric Tires
Model S tires are asymmetric and must be mounted on the wheel with the correctsidewall facing outward. The sidewall of thetire is marked with the word OUTSIDE. When
new tires are installed, make sure that the tires
are correctly mounted on the wheels.Warning: Road holding is seriously
impaired if the tires are incorrectly
installed on the wheels.
Tire Types
Summer Tires
Your Model S may be originally equipped with high performance summer tires. These tires
are designed for maximum dry and wet road performance. Summer tires do not performwell in winter conditions. Tesla recommendsusing winter tires if driving in cold
temperatures or on roads where snow or ice
may be present. Contact Tesla for winter tire recommendations.
Warning: In cold temperatures or on
snow or ice, summer tires do not provide
adequate traction. Selecting and installing the appropriate tires for winter conditionsis important to ensure the safety andoptimum performance of your Model S,
even when equipped with dual motors.
All-Season Tires
Your Model S may be originally equipped with all-season tires. These tires are designed to
provide adequate traction in most conditions
year-round, but may not provide the same
level of traction as winter tires in snowy or icy
conditions. All-season tires can be identified by “ALL SEASON" and/or "M+S” (mud and
snow) on the tire sidewall.
Tire Care and Maintenance
Maintenance111
for the TPMS to trigger the Tire PressureWarning on the instrument panel.
Resetting the TPMS Sensors
After replacing one or more wheels, the TPMS sensors must be reset to ensure tire pressurewarnings are accurate. However, note that theTPMS sensors do not need to be reset after
replacing a tire or rotating wheels.
Note: When changing to 21" wheels
(Performance Plus models), the TPMS may
generate false tire pressure warnings. Bring
Model S to a Tesla Service center for further
adjustment.
Note: Do not reset the TPMS sensors in an
attempt to clear tire pressure warnings.
To reset TPMS sensors:
1. Inflate all tires to their recommend
pressures, as indicated on the Tire and Loading Information label located on the
driver’s door pillar.
2. Get ready to drive for ten minutes, then,
on the Model S touchscreen, touch
Controls > Settings > Service & Reset >
Tire Pressure Monitor > Reset Sensors .
3. Follow the onscreen instructions.
Replacing a Tire Sensor
If the Tire Pressure warning indicator displays frequently, contact Tesla to determine if a tiresensor 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 atire, the tire sensor will not work until Tesla
performs the setup procedure.
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 tire pressure
indicator light. When the system
detects a malfunction, the indicator
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 under- and over-
inflated tires as intended.
TPMS malfunctions can occur for a variety of reasons, including installing replacement oralternate tires or wheels that prevent theTPMS from functioning properly. Alwayscheck the TPMS malfunction indicator light
after replacing one or more tires or wheels on
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement
tires or 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.
Tire Care and Maintenance
Maintenance113