1Tire category. P indicates that the tire is for passenger vehicles.2Tire width. This 3-digit number is the width (in millimeters) of the tire from sidewall
edge to sidewall edge.3Aspect ratio. This 2-digit number is the sidewall height as a percentage of the tread width. So, if the tread width is 205 mm, and the aspect ratio is 50, the sidewall height is
102 mm.4Tire construction. R indicates that the tire is of Radial ply construction.5Wheel diameter. This 2-digit number is the diameter of the wheel rim in inches.6Load index. This 2 or 3-digit number is the weight each tire can support. This number is not always shown.7Speed rating. When stated, indicates the maximum speed (in mph) at which the tire
can be used for extended periods. Q=99 mph (160 km/h), R=106 mph (170 km/h),
S=112 mph (180 km/h), T=118 mph (190 km/h), U=124 mph (200 km/h), H=130 mph
(210 km/h), V=149 mph (240 km/h), W=168 mph (270 km/h), Y=186 mph (300 km/h).8Tire composition and materials. The number of plies in both the tread area and the sidewall area indicates how many layers of rubber coated material make up the
structure of the tire. Information is also provided on the type of materials used.9Maximum tire load. The maximum load which can be carried by the tire.10Maximum permissible inflation pressure. This pressure should not be used for normal driving.11U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN). Begins with the letters DOT and indicates
that the tire meets all federal standards. The next 2 digits/letters represent the plant
code where it was manufactured, and the last 4 digits represent the week and year of
manufacture. For example, the number 1712 is used to represent the 17th week of 2012.
The other numbers are marketing codes used at the manufacturer’s discretion. This
information can be used to contact consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.12Treadwear grade. This number indicates the tire’s wear rate. The higher the treadwear number is, the longer it should take for the tread to wear down. A tire rated at 400, for
example, lasts twice as long as a tire rated at 200.13Traction grade. Indicates a tire’s ability to stop on wet roads. A higher graded tire should allow you to stop your vehicle in a shorter distance than a tire with a lower
grade. Traction is graded from highest to lowest as AA, A, B, and C.14Temperature grade. The tire’s resistance to heat is grade A, B, or C, with A indicating
the greatest resistance. This grading is provided for a correctly inflated tire, which is
being used within its speed and loading limits.
Wheels and Tires
146Model S Owner's Manual
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the tire
grading system developed by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires by tread wear,
traction and temperature performance. Tires
that have deep tread, and winter tires, are
exempt from these marking requirements.
Where applicable, quality grades are found on
the tire’s sidewall between the tread shoulder and maximum section width. For example:
• TREADWEAR 180
• TRACTION AA
• TEMPERATURE A
The quality grades are described next. Note: In addition to the marking requirements,
passenger car tires must conform to Federal Safety Requirements.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 wears one and
a half times better on a government test
course than a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends on the actual
conditions of their use, however, and can depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices, road characteristics, and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are: AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent a
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C might have poor traction performance.Warning: Defective tires are dangerous.
Do not drive if a tire is damaged,
excessively worn, or is inflated to an
incorrect pressure. The safety of the
vehicle and occupants can be adversely
affected. Check tires regularly for wear
and to ensure there are no cuts, bulges or
exposure of the ply/cord structure.Warning: The traction grade assigned to
the tire is based on straight-ahead
braking tests, and doesn’t include:acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire’s resistance tothe generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature cancause the tire to degenerate and reduce tirelife, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to the minimum
level of performance that all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel that exceed the
minimum requirements.
Warning: A tire’s temperature grade is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
Wheels and Tires
Specifications147
Wheels and Tires GlossaryAccessory WeightThe combined weight (in excess of those items replaced) of
items available as factory installed equipment.BeadThe inner edge of a tire that is shaped to fit to the rim and form an air tight seal. The bead is constructed of steel wires which
are wrapped, or reinforced, by the ply cords.Cold Tire PressureThe air pressure in a tire that has been standing in excess of three hours, or driven for less than one mile.Curb WeightThe weight of a standard vehicle, including any optional
equipment fitted, and with the correct fluid levels.Gross Vehicle WeightThe maximum permissible weight of a vehicle with driver,
passengers, load, luggage, and equipment.kPa (kilo pascal)A metric unit used to measure pressure. One kilo pascal equals
approximately 0.145 psi.Maximum Inflation PressureThe maximum pressure to which the tire should be inflated. This pressure is given on the tire side wall in psi (lbf/in).Caution: This pressure marked on the tire is the maximum
allowed by the tire manufacturer. It is not the pressure Tesla recommends using for Model S.Maximum Loaded Vehicle
WeightThe sum of curb weight, accessory weight, vehicle capacity
weight, and production options weight.Production Options WeightThe combined weight of options installed which weigh in
excess of 3 lb more than the standard items that they replaced, and are not already considered in curb or accessory weights.PSI (lbf/in)Pounds per square inch (the unit used to measure tirepressure).Recommended Tire Inflation
PressureTire inflation pressure, established by Tesla, which is based on the type of tires that are mounted on the vehicle at the factory.
This information can be found on the Tire and Loading
Information label located on the door pillar.RimThe metal support for a tire, or tire and tube, upon which the
tire beads are seated.Vehicle Capacity WeightThe number of seats multiplied by 150 lbs plus the rated amount of load/luggage.
Wheels and Tires
148Model S Owner's Manual
Article XIV: The use of low-power radio-
frequency devices shall not influence aircraft security and interfere with legal
communications; interference phenomenon
discovered over time, should be immediately suspended, and improved to no interference
before use can continue. Legal
communications, referring to the provisions of
the Telecommunications Act of radio communications operations. Low-power radiocommunications shall tolerate radio wave
interference from radiated devices, legal or
industrial, scientific and medical.
Device Approval - Australia
Device Approval - Hong Kong
Device Approval - Japan
Tire Pressure Monitoring System FCC IDs: TZSTPMS201, Z9F-201FS43XIC ID: 11852A-201FS4X
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules and RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation issubject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by Tesla could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.
Device Approval - Japan
Media Control Unit
Device Approval - Japan
Device Approval - Australia
Declarations of Conformity
158Model S Owner's Manual
PPark Assist 66
Park gear 42
parking brake 53
parts replacement 133
passenger detection 34
passenger front airbag 34
personal data, erasing 79phonesteering wheel controls for 38
using 88
power management 70
power socket 87
power windows 9
powering on and off 41
preferences, setting 77
Proposition 65 155
public charging stations 102
R radio 85
radio frequency, FCC information 159
rain sensor 51
rangedisplayed on instrument panel 43
driving tips to maximize 70
regenerative braking 53
range mode 70
Range Mode 74
Rated range 77
rear seats, folding and raising 18
rear view camera 71
rear window switches, disabling 9
regenerative braking 53
region format 77
release notes 99
Reverse gear 42
roadside assistance 149
roof racks 137
rotating tires 110
S
safety defectsreporting (Canada) 156
reporting (U.S.) 156safety informationairbags 35
child seats 27
rear facing child seats 30
seat belts 21seat beltscleaning 119
in a collision 21
overview of 20
pre-tensioners 21
wearing when pregnant 20
seat covers 19
seat heaters 80
seating capacity 135seatsadjusting 17
heaters 80
Tesla built-in rear facing 28
security settings 95
service data recording 155
service intervals 108
Settings 77
Settings, erasing 79
shifting gears 42
Slacker 85
slip start 54
Smart Preconditioning 77
software reset 79
software updates 99
specificationsdimensions 138
exterior 138
subsystems 140
tires 144
weights 139
wheels 143
stability control 54
starting Model S 41
steering specifications 140
steering wheel 37
summer tires 111
sunroof 15
suspension 84
suspension specifications 141
T
telematics 155
telephonesteering wheel controls for 38
using 88temperatureBattery (high voltage), limits 103
cabin, controls for 80
outside 43
tires 147
tie-down straps 152
tilt detection 95
Tire and Loading Information label 135
tire noise 112
Tire Pressure Monitoring SystemFCC certification 158
overview of 112
tire pressures, checking 109
Index
Index163
tire repair kitinflating with air only 116
inflating with sealant 115
replacing the sealant canister 117tiresall-season 111
balancing 110
chains 112
industry glossary of terms 148
inspecting and maintaining 110
pressures, how to check 109
quality grading 147
replacing 111
replacing a tire sensor 113
rotation 110
specification 144
summer 111
temperature grades 147
tire markings 145
tire sealant 114
traction grade 147
treadwear grade 147
winter 112
touch up body 120
touchscreenclean mode 119
cleaning 119
Controls 74
overview 72
Settings 77
software updates 99
tow chain, connecting 151
Tow mode 150
towing 150
towing a trailer 137
towing instructions 150
TPMSFCC certification 158
overview of 112
traction control 54
trademarks 153, 154
traffic alerts 86
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control 60
trailer hitches 137
transmission specifications 140
Transport Canada, contacting 156
transporting 150
trip chart 70
trip information 69
trunk, front 12
trunk, rearchild protection lock 7
disabling interior handle 7
TuneIn 85
turn signals 50
U
uniform tire quality grading 147
Units & Format 77unlockingtrunk, front 12
trunk, rear 10
unlocking and locking doors 4
unlocking when key doesn't work 7
USB devicesconnecting 87
playing audio files from 86
USB ports 87
V
vehicle certification label 136
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 134
vehicle loading 135
vent, sunroof 15
ventilation 82
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 134
volume control 72
W
walk-away locking 7
Wall Connector 102
warning flashers 50
warning lights, summary of 44
washer fluid, topping up 125
washer jets, cleaning 121
washers, using 51
weight specifications 139
wheel chocks 152
wheelsalignment 110
replacing 111
specifications 143
Wi-Fi, connecting to 98
windshield washer fluid, topping up 125
winter tires 112
wiper blades, replacing 121
wipers and washers 51
wipers, de-icing 51
X
XM radio 85
Index
164Model S Owner's Manual