Cleaning the Exterior
To prevent damage to the paint, immediately
remove corrosive substances (bird droppings, tree resin, dead insects, tar spots, road salt,industrial fallout, etc). Do not wait untilModel S is due for a complete wash. If
necessary, use denatured alcohol to remove
tar spots and stubborn grease stains, then
immediately wash the area with water and a
mild, non-detergent soap to remove the
alcohol.
Follow these steps when washing the exterior of Model S:
1. Rinse Thoroughly
Before washing, flush grime and grit from
the bodywork using a hose. Flush away accumulations of mud in areas where
debris easily collects (such as wheel arches and panel seams). If salt has beenused on the highways (such as duringwinter months), thoroughly rinse all tracesof road salt from the underside of the
vehicle.
2. Hand Wash
Hand wash Model S using a soft cloth and cold or lukewarm water containing a mild,
good quality car shampoo.
3. Rinse with Clean Water
After washing, rinse with clean water to
prevent soap from drying on the surfaces.
4. Dry Thoroughly and Clean Exterior Glass
After washing and rinsing, dry thoroughly with a chamois.
Clean windows and mirrors using an
automotive glass cleaner. Do not scrape,
or use any abrasive cleaning fluid on glass
or mirrored surfaces.Cautions for Exterior CleaningCaution: Do not use windshield treatment
fluids. Doing so can interfere with wiper
friction and cause a chattering sound.Caution: Do not use hot water and
detergents.Caution: In hot weather, do not wash in
direct sunlight.Caution: If using a pressure washer,
maintain a distance of at least 12" (30 cm) between the nozzle and the surface ofModel S. Keep the nozzle moving and do
not concentrate the water jet on any one area.Caution: Do not aim water hoses directly
at window, door or hood seals, or through wheel apertures onto brake components.Caution: Avoid using tight-napped or
rough cloths, such as washing mitts.Caution: If washing in an automatic car
wash, use Touchless car washes only. These car washes have no parts (brushes,etc.) that touch the surfaces of Model S.Using any other type of car wash could
cause damage that is not covered by the warranty.Caution: Do not used chemical based
wheel cleaners. These can damage the finish on the wheels.Caution: Avoid using a high pressure
power washer on the rear view camera or
parking sensors (if equipped) and do not
clean a sensor or camera lens with a
sharp or abrasive object that can scratch
or damage its surface.
Cleaning
118Model S Owner's Manual
Checking Brake FluidWarning: Contact Tesla immediately if
you notice increased movement of the
brake pedal or a significant loss of brake
fluid. Driving under these conditions can result in extended stopping distances orcomplete brake failure.The Brake indicator on the
instrument panel alerts you if the
quantity of fluid in the brake
reservoir drops below the
recommended level. If it displays
while driving, stop as soon as safety
permits by gently applying the
brakes. Do not continue driving.
Contact Tesla immediately.
Fluid Level Check
Tesla checks the brake fluid level at the
regularly scheduled maintenance intervals. To check it yourself, park Model S on level
ground. When Model S is cool, remove the maintenance panel (see Removing the
Maintenance Panel on page 123).
Check the fluid level visually by looking at the
outside marks on the side of the reservoir
without removing the filler cap.
The brake fluid level should always be
between the MIN and the MAX marks.
Note: Although brake fluid level drops slightly
during normal use as a result of brake pad wear, it should not drop below the MIN mark.
Topping Up the Brake Fluid
Do not top up your brake fluid. Tesla service does this when you bring Model S in for
regular servicing. The following instructions are provided for information purposes andfuture reference only:
1. Clean the filler cap before removing to
prevent dirt from entering the reservoir.
2. Unscrew the cap and remove.
3. Top up the reservoir to the MAX mark
using brake fluid meeting DOT3 or DOT4 specifications.
4. Replace the filler cap.Warning: Only use new fluid from a
sealed air-tight container. Never use previously used fluid or fluid from apreviously opened container—fluid
absorbs moisture which decreases
braking performance.Warning: Brake fluid is highly toxic. Keep
containers sealed and out of the reach of children. In the event of accidentalconsumption, seek medical attention
immediately.Caution: Brake fluid damages painted
surfaces. Immediately soak up any spills
with an absorbent cloth and wash the
area with a mixture of car shampoo and
water.
Fluid Reservoirs
124Model S Owner's Manual
Fuse Box 1Note: Access to fuse box 1 requires removal of components that must be performed by a Tesla
service technician. The following fuse list is provided only to assist you in determining if a fuse in this box needs to be replaced. Contact Tesla Service if one of these fuses needs to be replaced.FuseRatingCircuit Protected115 AWiper Park210 AHeadlight Leveling, Vanity Lights315 ASeat Heater, Second Row Right415 ASeat Heater, Second Row Middle515 ASeat Heater (Driver’s Seat)610 ANot Used720 AElectronic Parking Brake (Redundant)85 ASteering Module Column920 ABase Audio System1025 APanoramic Sunroof11OpenNot Used1215 ASeat Heater, Second Row Left135 ACabin HVAC Functions1415 ASeat Heater, First Row Left1515 ANot Used1620 AElectronic Parking Brake (Primary)1715 ACoolant Pump 2
Fuses
Maintenance127
Fuse Box 2FuseRatingCircuit Protected2825 AWindow Lift Motor (Right Rear)2910 AContactor Power3025 AWindow Lift Motor (Right Front)3115 AForward Camera/Active Safety3210 ADoor Controls (Right Side)3315 ANot Used3410 AForward Camera Defog3515 A12V Power Socket3610 AAir Suspension3725 AWindow Lift Motor (Left Rear)385 ADriver's Seat Memory3925 AWindow Lift Motor (Left Front)405 ARear Door Handles4110 ADoor Controls (Left Side)4230 APowered Liftgate435 APerm. Power Sensor, Brake Switch4410 ACharger (Charge Port)4520 APassive Entry (Horns)4630 ABody Controls (Group 2)475 AGlove Box Light, OBD-II4810 ABody Controls (Group 1)
Fuses
Maintenance129
Jacking Procedure
Follow the steps below to lift Model S. Ensure that any non-Tesla repair facility is aware of
these lifting points.
1. Position Model S centrally between the lift
posts.
2. If your Model S is equipped with Smart Air
Suspension, it automatically self-levels,even when power is off. Use thetouchscreen to set the suspension as
follows:
• Touch Controls > Suspension .
• Press the brake pedal, then touch Very High to maximize the height of
the suspension.
• Touch Jack to disable self-leveling.When Jack mode is active,
Model S displays this indicator
light on the instrument panel,
along with a message telling
you that active suspension is
disabled.
3. Position the lift arm pads under the body
rails at the locations illustrated. DO NOT
position the lift arm pads under the
Battery.
4. Adjust the height and position of the lift
arm pads to ensure they are correctly
located.
5. With assistance, raise the lift, ensuring the
lift arm pads remain in their correct
positions.Note: Jack mode cancels when Model S is
driven over 4.5 mph (7 km/h).
Warning: If your Model S is equipped with
Smart Air Suspension, it automatically
self-levels, even when power is off. You
MUST disable this system by engaging
Jack mode before lifting or jacking. If you do not disable Smart Air Suspension,
Model S can attempt to self-level, causing serious damage, bodily injury, or death.Warning: Never raise Model S when the
charge cable is connected, even if
charging is not in progress.Warning: Do not work on an incorrectly
supported vehicle. Doing so can cause
serious damage, bodily injury, or death.Caution: DO NOT lift from under the
Battery. Place the lift arm pads under the body rails only. The locations illustratedare the only approved lifting points forModel S. Lifting at any other points can
cause damage. Damage caused by lifting Model S is not covered by the warranty.
Jacking and Lifting
132Model S Owner's Manual
Brakes
Type
4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS)with Electronic Brake Force Distribution,
Integrated Advanced Stability Control
and Electronic Accelerator pedal actuated
regenerative braking systemCalipersFour piston fixedRotor Diameters (ventilated)Front: 13.98”/355 mm
Rear: 14.37”/365 mmFront Rotor thicknessNew: 1.26”/32 mm
Service limit: 1.18”/30 mmRear Rotor thicknessNew: 1.10”/28 mm
Service limit: 1.02”/26 mmFront Brake Pad Thickness (excluding back plate)New: 0.354”/9.0 mm
Service limit: 0.078”/2 mmRear Brake Pad Thickness (excluding back plate)New: 0.315”/8.0 mm
Service limit: 0.078”/2 mmElectronic Parking Brake (EPB) Pad Thickness
(excluding back plate). Electronic calipers self-
adjust for pad wear.New: 0.216”/5.5 mm
Service limit: 0.039”/1 mmParking brakeElectrically actuated parking brake
calipers
Suspension
FrontIndependent, double wishbone, air spring
or coil spring/telescopic damper, sway barRearIndependent, multi-link, air spring or coil
spring/telescopic damper, sway bar (air suspension vehicles only)For alignment values, see Wheel Alignment Values on page 143.
Battery - 12V
Rating33 amp-hr or higherVoltage and Polarity12V negative (-) ground
Subsystems
Specifications141
Use a Flatbed Only
Use a flatbed trailer only, unless otherwise
specified by Tesla. Do not transport Model S with the tires directly on the ground.Caution: Damage caused by transporting
is not covered by the warranty.Caution: To transport Model S, follow the
instructions exactly as described next.
Disable Self-Leveling (air
suspension vehicles only)
If Model S is equipped with Smart Air
Suspension, it automatically self-levels, even when power is off. To prevent damage, you
must activate Jack mode to disable self- leveling:
1. Touch Controls > Suspension on the
touchscreen.
2. Press the brake pedal, then touch Very
High to maximize height.
3. Touch Jack.
When Jack mode is active,
Model S displays this indicator
light on the instrument panel,
along with a message telling you
that active suspension is
disabled.
Note: Jack mode cancels when Model S is
driven over 4.5 mph (7 km/h).
Warning: Failure to activate Jack mode
on a Model S equipped with Smart Air
Suspension can result in the vehicle becoming loose during transport, which
may cause significant damage.Activate Tow Mode
Model S may automatically shift into Park
when it detects the driver leaving the vehicle, even if it has previously been shifted into
Neutral. To keep Model S in Neutral (which disengages the parking brake), you must use
the touchscreen to activate Tow mode:
1. Shift into Park.
2. Press the brake pedal, then on the
touchscreen, touch Controls > Settings >
Service & Reset > Tow Mode .When Tow mode is active, Model S
displays this indicator light on the
instrument panel, along with a
message telling you that Model S is
free-rolling.
Note: Tow mode cancels when Model S is
shifted into Park.
Caution: If the electrical system is not
working, and you therefore cannot
release the electric parking brake,
attempt to quick start the 12V battery.
For instructions, call Tesla. If a situation
occurs where you cannot disengage the
parking brake, use tire skids or transport
Model S for the shortest possible distance
using wheeled dollies. Before doing so,
always check the dolly manufacturer’s specifications and recommended load
capacity.
Instructions for Transporters
150Model S Owner's Manual
AABS (Anti-lock Braking System) 52
Acceleration (dual motor) 74
access panel, removing 123accessoriesinstalling 133
plugging into power socket 87
air circulation 81
air conditioning 80
air distribution 81
air filter 82
air suspension 84
air vents 82
airbags 32
alarm 95
all-season tires 111
always connected, setting 70
anti-lock braking (ABS) 52
audioplaying files 85
steering wheel buttons 37
auto-raising suspension 83
B
backup camera 71
battery (12V)complete discharge 103
specifications 141Battery (high voltage)care of 103
coolant 123
specifications 142
temperature limits 103
battery (key), replacing 5
Bluetoothdevices, playing audio files from 86
general information 88
phone, pairing and using 88
body repairs 133
body touch up 120
brake fluid replacement 108
brakesfluid level 124
overview of 52
specifications 141
brightness of displays 77
C
cabin temperature control 80
calendar 93
California Proposition 65 155
camera (rear view) 71
car cover 120
car washes 118
carpets, cleaning 119
CE certifications 157
CHAdeMO 102
chains 112
change of ownership 79
charge port 104
charge port light 105chargingcharge settings 106
components and equipment 101
instructions 104
public charging stations 102
scheduling 106
status of 107child protectiondisabling liftgate and rear door handles 7
disabling rear window switches 9child seatscleaning 119
installing and using 23
Tesla built-in rear facing 28
cleaning 118
climate controls 80
climate ionizer 77
Cold Weather controls 74
collision avoidance 58
console12V power socket 87
cup holders 16
USB ports 87contact informationroadside assistance 149
Tesla 156coolantBattery, checking level of 123
Battery, replacement interval 108
copyrights 153, 154
cornering lights 50
Creep 74
cruise control 60
cup holders 16
customizing Model S 77
D dashboard overview 2
data recording 155
day mode 77
delivery mileage 155
devices
Index
160Model S Owner's Manual