2015 TESLA MODEL S warning

Raising Rear Seats
Before raising a rear seat, make sure that the
seat belts are not trapped behind the
backrest.
Pull the seat back upward until it locks into
place.
To confirm that the seat back is locked in the upright position, try pulling it forward.Warning: Always ensure the seat backs
are locked in their upright position.
Failure to do so increases the risk of
injury.
Head Supports
Seats include integrated head supports thatcannot be adjusted or removed.
Seat Covers
Do not use seat covers on Model S. Doing so could restrict deployment of the side air bagsif an accident occurs. It can also reduce theaccuracy of the occupant detection system.
Front and Rear Seats
Seating and Safety Restraints19

Wearing 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.
To securely hold child safety seats, all
passenger seating positions are equipped with
an automatic locking retractor (ALR) that, by pulling the seat belt beyond the length
needed for a typical adult occupant, locks the
belt into place until the seat belt is unbuckled
(see Installing Seat Belt Retained Child Seats
on page 25).
The seat belt reel automatically locks to prevent movement of occupants if Model Sexperiences 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 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, re-fasten 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 Fasten a Belt
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 theshoulder portion of the belt between thebreasts 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 event of an accident.
Seat Belts
20Model 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

Warning: Avoid contaminating a seat
belt’s components with any chemicals,
liquids, grit, dirt or cleaning products. If a
seat belt fails to retract or latch into the
buckle, it must be replaced immediately.
Contact Tesla.Warning: Do not make modifications or
additions that can prevent a seat belt
mechanism from taking up slack, or that
can prevent a seat belt from being
adjusted to remove slack. A slack belt
greatly reduces occupant protection.Warning: Do not make modifications that
can interfere with the operation of a seat
belt, or that can cause a seat belt to
become inoperable.Warning: When seat belts are not in use,
they should be fully retracted and not hanging loose. If a seat belt does not fullyretract, contact Tesla.
Seat Belts
22Model S Owner's Manual

Choosing a Child Safety Seat
All children age 12 and under should ride in the rear (second row) seats. Always use a child safety seat suitable for a young child’s age and weight.InfantsToddlersYoung
childrenAgeBirth to 1 year*Over 1 year*4 years and
older, and
less than 57
in. (145 cm)
tallWeightUp to at least 20 lbs (9 kg)*Over 20 lbs (9 kg) (minimum)
and up to 40 lbs (18 kg)*Over 40 lbs
(18 kg)Type of child
safety seatRear facing (or convertible)Forward facing (or
convertible)*Seat belt
retained
booster
seatSeat positionRear facing only*Forward facing*Forward
facingRecommended
attachment
methodIf combined weight of child
and safety seat is up to 65 lbs
(29 kg), attach using either
LATCH** (lower anchor only)
or the seat belt only.*** If
combined weight of child and
safety seat is over 65 lbs
(29 kg), attach using the seat
belt only.***If combined weight of child
and safety seat is up to 65 lbs
(29 kg), attach using either
LATCH** (both lower anchors
and top tether anchor), or the
seat belt and upper tether
strap.*** If combined weight of
child and safety seat is over
65 lbs (29 kg), attach using the
seat belt and upper tether
strap.***Attach
booster
seats using
the seat
belt only.* Many child safety seats currently available allow children to ride rear-facing using the child
safety seat’s integrated 5-point harness for a longer period of time BASED UPON SPECIFIC HEIGHT AND WEIGHT LIMITS. Keep your child in a rear facing seat for as long as possible.CHECK THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS AND CAREFULLYFOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS
** LATCH - Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. In Canada, this is also called Lower Universal Anchorage System (LUAS), or CANFIX.
*** Subject to instructions provided by the child safety seat manufacturer.Warning: Laws that govern how and where children should be carried when traveling in a
vehicle are subject to change. It is the driver’s responsibility to keep up to date on, and
comply with, all current regulations in the region(s) where Model S is driven.To check the child passenger safety laws for your state, go to: http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/childsafety_laws.html.
Child Safety Seats
24Model S Owner's Manual

Testing a Child Safety SeatBefore seating a child, always make sure thechild safety seat is not loose:
1. Hold the child safety seat by the belt path
and try to slide the safety seat from side
to side and front to back.
2. If the seat moves more than one inch
(2.5 cm), it is too loose. Tighten the belt
or reconnect the LATCH retained child
safety seat.
3. If you are unable to reduce slack, try a
different seat location or try another child
safety seat.
Warnings - Child Safety SeatsWarning: Extreme hazard! Do not seat a
child on the front passenger seat even if
you are using a child safety seat. This seat has an airbag in front of it. Although this
airbag is disabled when Model S detects a lightweight passenger, do not rely on
technology to protect your child.Warning: Do not use a forward facing
child safety seat until your child weighs
over 20 lbs (9 kg) and can sit
independently. Up to the age of two, a child's spine and neck are not sufficientlydeveloped to avoid injury in a frontal
impact.Warning: Do not allow a baby or infant to
be held on a lap. All children should be
restrained in an appropriate child safety
seat at all times.Warning: To ensure children are safely
seated, follow all instructions provided in this document and by the manufacturerof the child safety seat.Warning: Children should ride in a rear
facing child safety seat using the seat’s
integrated 5-point harness for as long as
possible.Warning: Do not use seat belt extenders
when installing a child safety seat or booster seat.Warning: When seating larger children,
make sure the child's head is supported and the child’s seat belt is properlyadjusted and fastened. The shoulder
portion of the belt must be away from the face and neck, and the lap portion mustnot be over the stomach.Warning: Never attach two child safety
seats to one anchor point. In a collision,one anchor point may be incapable of
securing both seats.Warning: Child restraint anchorages are
designed to withstand only those loads imposed by correctly fitted child
restraints. Under no circumstances are
they to be used for adult seatbelts,
harnesses, or for attaching other items or equipment to the vehicle.Warning: Always check harnesses and
tether straps for damage and wear.Warning: Do not use seat belt extenders
on a seat belt that is being used to install
a child safety seat or booster seat.Warning: Never leave a child unattended,
even if the child is secured in a child
safety seat.Warning: Never use a child safety seat
that has been involved in an accident.
Have the seat inspected or replaced as a
described in the child safety seat
manufacturer’s instructions.
Child Safety Seats
Seating and Safety Restraints27

Seating a ChildThe Tesla built-in rear facing child seats arechild restraint systems and must only be used
for children over 37" (94 cm) tall and
weighing between 35 and 77 lbs (16.2 to 35.2
kg).
Always ensure the top of the child’s head
cannot contact the vehicle and that the child
is seated comfortably with the seat belts positioned and latched correctly. The child’spelvis must be held securely in place by thelap belt. Follow all instructions provided anddo not use supplemental child safety seats inthese seats.
Note: Whenever a child is seated in the Tesla
built-in rear facing child seats, it is
recommended that you set the climate control
system to draw outside air into Model S
instead of recirculating the air. This draws
more air into the rear seating areas.
1. Position the child in the seat with arms
through the loops of the seat belts.
2. Connect the two halves of the seat belt
tongue.
3. Insert the seat belt tongue into the buckle
and ensure it is securely fastened.
4. Adjust the shoulder belts so they run over
the top of the child’s shoulders and away
from the face.
5. Connect the chest clip and adjust it to be
as high as possible without causing the
shoulder belts to touch the child’s neck.
6. Pull the lower straps until the child is
securely held in the seat.
7. Slide the shoulder clips into place to
ensure the upper portion of the belts
remain positioned over the child’s
shoulders.
To release, press the button on the buckle,
release the chest clip, and separate the two
halves of the seat restraint.
Warnings - Tesla Child Seats
Warning: The Tesla built-in rear facing
seats are child restraint systems and must
only be used for children over 37"
Tesla Built-In Rear Facing Child Seats
30Model S Owner's Manual

(94 cm) tall and weighing between 35and 77 lbs (16.2 to 35.2 kg).Warning: Do not use supplemental child
restraint systems, including booster seats,
in the Tesla built-in rear facing child seats.Warning: Always ensure that the top of
the child’s head cannot touch the vehicle and that the child is seated comfortablywith the seat belts correctly fastened.Warning: Follow all instructions and heed
all warnings related to the Tesla built-in
rear facing child seats. Failure to do so
can compromise occupant safety.Warning: Read all safety warnings and
labels attached to the seats.Warning: Do not leave children
unattended in Model S, even if the child is secured in a child safety seat or a Tesla
built-in rear facing child seat. In hot
weather, the interior temperature can reach dangerous levels that can result in
dehydration, serious injury or death.Warning: Do not remove or replace the
fabric on a Tesla built-in rear facing child
seat. The covers are an integral part of the restraint’s performance and shouldnot be removed or replaced with any
other type than those supplied by Tesla.Warning: If the Tesla built-in rear facing
child seats have been worn in an
accident, they must be inspected or
replaced by Tesla, even if damage is not
obvious.Warning: Before allowing a child to ride in
the Tesla built-in rear facing child seats, check that the seat is securely held in theupright position by trying to pull the seat
back toward you.Warning: Do not remove the built-in rear
facing child seats for any reason,
including cleaning. To ensure safety of
occupants, removal and installation must
be performed by qualified Tesla service
technicians.Warning: Do not make modifications or
additions that can interfere with the
operation of the Tesla built-in rear facing
child seats.Warning: To prevent injury, ensure all
loose items (bags, luggage, etc.) are
secured. In an accident, or during hard
braking and sharp turns, loose items
could cause injury.
Tesla Built-In Rear Facing Child Seats
Seating and Safety Restraints31