Overview........................................................................................ 2Interior Overview........................................................................ 2Exterior Overview....................................................................... 3
Opening and Closing................................................................. 4Doors............................................................................................... 4
Keyless Locking and Unlocking 4Using the Key 4Using Exterior Door Handles 6Using Interior Door Handles 6Interior Locking and Unlocking 6Child-protection Lock 7Drive-away Locking 7Walk-away Locking 7Unlocking When the Key Doesn't Work 7Opening Interior Doors with No Power 8
Windows........................................................................................ 9
Opening and Closing 9Locking Rear Windows 9
Rear Trunk................................................................................... 10
Opening 10Closing 10Adjusting the Opening Height 10Interior Release 11Opening with No Power 11
Front Trunk.................................................................................. 12
Opening 12Closing 12Interior Emergency Release 13Opening with No Power 13
Glove Box..................................................................................... 14
Opening and Closing 14
Sunroof.......................................................................................... 15
Opening and Closing 15
Cup Holders................................................................................. 16
Opening and Closing 16
Seating and Safety Restraints.............................................. 17Front and Rear Seats............................................................... 17
Correct Driving Position 17Adjusting the Driver’s Seat 17Seat Heaters 18Folding Rear Seats 18Raising Rear Seats 19Head Supports 19Seat Covers 19
Seat Belts.................................................................................... 20
Wearing Seat Belts 20Wearing Seat Belts When Pregnant 20Seat Belt Pre-tensioners 21Testing Seat Belts 21Seat Belt Warnings 21
Child Safety Seats.................................................................... 23
Guidelines for Seating Children 23Choosing a Child Safety Seat 24Seating Larger Children 25Installing Child Safety Seats 25Installing Seat Belt Retained Child Seats 25Installing LATCHChild Seats 26Attaching Upper Tether Straps 26Testing a Child Safety Seat 27Warnings - Child Safety Seats 27
Tesla Built-In Rear Facing Child Seats............................. 28
Usage Restrictions 28Opening 28Folding 28Seating a Child 30Warnings - Tesla Child Seats 30
Airbags......................................................................................... 32
Location of Airbags 32How the Airbags Work 33Types of Airbags 33Passenger Front Airbag 34Inflation Effects 35Airbag Warning Indicator 35Airbag Warnings 35
Driving.......................................................................................... 36Driver Profiles............................................................................ 36
Creating a Driver Profile 36Restoring a Driver’s Profile 36Saved Driver Settings 36
Steering Wheel.......................................................................... 37
Adjusting Position 37Adjusting Sensitivity 37Using Left Steering Wheel Buttons 37Using Right Steering Wheel Buttons 38Using Voice Commands 38Heated Steering Wheel 39Horn 39
Mirrors.......................................................................................... 40
Adjusting Exterior Side Mirrors 40Rear View Mirror 40
Starting and Powering Off.....................................................41
Starting Model S 41Powering Off 41
Gears............................................................................................. 42
Shifting Gears 42Leaving Model S in Neutral - Tow Mode 42
Instrument Panel...................................................................... 43
Instrument Panel Overview 43Indicator Lights 44
Lights............................................................................................ 47
Controlling Lights 47Headlight High Beams 49Headlights After Exit 50Cornering Lights 50Turn Signals 50Hazard Warning Flashers 50
Wipers and Washers................................................................ 51
Wipers 51Washers 51
Brakes........................................................................................... 52
Braking Systems 52Brake Wear 52Regenerative Braking 53Parking Brake 53
Traction Control........................................................................54
How It Works 54
Speed Assist............................................................................... 55
How Speed Assist Works 55Controlling Speed Assist 56Limitations and Inaccuracies 56
Lane Departure Warning....................................................... 57
How Lane Departure Warning Works 57Controlling Lane Departure Warning 57Limitations and Inaccuracies 57
Forward Collision Warning................................................... 58
How Forward Collision Warning Works 58Visual and Audible Feedback 58Controlling Forward Collision Warning 58Limitations 58
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control.............................................. 60
Operating Traffic Aware Cruise Control 60Instrument Panel Indicator Lights 62Changing the Set Speed 62Overtake Acceleration 63Canceling and Resuming 64Limitations 64
Park Assist.................................................................................. 66
How Park Assist Works 66Visual and Audio Feedback 66Controlling Audible Feedback 67Limitations and False Warnings 67Other Parking Aids 67
Hill Start Assist.......................................................................... 68
Trip Information........................................................................ 69
Displaying Trip Information 69
Getting Maximum Range...................................................... 70
Driving Tips to Maximize Range 70Energy App 70Saving Energy 70
Rear View Camera.....................................................................71
Camera Location 71
Using the Touchscreen........................................................... 72Touchscreen Overview...........................................................72
The Big Picture 72
Controls........................................................................................74
Controlling Model S Features 74
Settings.........................................................................................77
Customizing Model S 77Erasing Personal Data 79
Climate Controls.......................................................................80
Overview of Climate Controls 80Customizing Climate Control 81Ventilation 82Climate Control Operating Tips 82
Smart Air Suspension............................................................. 83
Manual Height Adjustments 83Location-Based Suspension 83Automatic Lowering 84Jack Mode 84
Media and Audio.......................................................................85
Overview 85AM and FM Radio 85XM Radio 85Internet Radio 85Media Settings 86Favorites 86My Music & Devices 86USB Connections 8712V Power Socket 87
Phone............................................................................................ 88
Bluetooth®Compatibility 88Pairing a Bluetooth Phone 88Importing Contacts 88Unpairing a Bluetooth Phone 88Connecting to a Paired Phone 89Making a Phone Call 89Receiving a Phone Call 89In Call Options 89
Maps and Navigation.............................................................. 90
Overview 90Using Maps 90Starting Navigation 90During Navigation 91Favorite Destinations 92Updated Maps 92
Calendar....................................................................................... 93
Overview 93Calendar and Navigation 94
Security Settings...................................................................... 95
About the Security System 95
HomeLink ®
Universal Transceiver.......................................96
About HomeLink 96Programming HomeLink 96Troubleshooting HomeLink 96
Connecting to Wi-Fi................................................................ 98
Software Updates.................................................................... 99
Loading New Software 99Viewing Release Notes 99
Mobile App............................................................................... 100
Model S Mobile App 100
Charging......................................................................................101Electric Vehicle Components..............................................101
High Voltage Components 101Charging Equipment 102
Battery Information............................................................... 103
About the Battery 103Battery Care 103
Charging Model S................................................................... 104
Opening the Charge Port 104Plugging In 104During Charging 105Stopping Charging 105Charge Port Light 105Changing Charge Settings 106Charging Status 107
Maintenance............................................................................. 108Maintenance Schedule..........................................................108
Service Intervals 108Daily Checks 108Monthly Checks 108Fluid Replacement Intervals 108High Voltage Safety 108
Tire Care and Maintenance................................................. 109
Maintaining Tire Pressures 109Inspecting and Maintaining Tires 110Replacing Tires and Wheels 111Tire Types 111Driving in Low Temperatures 112Using Tire Chains 112Tire Pressure Monitoring 112
Temporary Tire Repair...........................................................114
Tire Repair Kit 114Inflating with Sealant and Air 115Inflating with Air Only 116Replacing the Sealant Canister 117
Cleaning....................................................................................... 118
Cleaning the Exterior 118Cleaning the Interior 119Polishing, Touch Up, and Body Repair 120Using a Car Cover 120Floor Mats 120
Wiper Blades and Washer Jets.......................................... 121
Checking and Replacing Wiper Blades 121Cleaning Washer Jets 121Fluid Reservoirs....................................................................... 123
Removing the Maintenance Panel 123Checking Battery Coolant 123Checking Brake Fluid 124Topping Up Washer Fluid 125
Fuses............................................................................................ 126
Fuse Box Locations 126Replacing a Fuse 126Fuse Box 1 127Fuse Box 2 129Fuse Box 3 131
Jacking and Lifting................................................................. 132
Jacking Procedure 132
Parts and Accessories........................................................... 133
Parts, Accessories, and Modifications 133Body Repairs 133
Specifications........................................................................... 134Identification Labels.............................................................. 134
Vehicle Identification Number 134Emission Control Label 134
Vehicle Loading....................................................................... 135
Load Capacity Labeling 135Calculating Load Limits 136Towing a Trailer 137Roof Racks 137
Dimensions and Weights..................................................... 138
Exterior Dimensions 138Weights 139
Subsystems...............................................................................140
Motor 140Transmission 140Steering 140Brakes 141Suspension 141Battery - 12V 141Battery - High Voltage 142
Wheels and Tires.....................................................................143
Wheel Specifications 143Wheel Alignment Values 143Tire Specifications 144Understanding Tire Markings 145Uniform Tire Quality Grading 147Wheels and Tires Glossary 148
Roadside Assistance............................................................. 149Contacting Roadside Assistance...................................... 149Instructions for Transporters............................................. 150
Use a Flatbed Only 150Disable Self-Leveling (air suspension vehicles only) 150Activate Tow Mode 150Connect the Tow Chain 151Pull Onto the Trailer and Secure the Wheels 152
Consumer Information.......................................................... 153About this Owner Information........................................... 153
Illustrations 153Errors or Inaccuracies 153Location of Components 153Document Applicability 153Copyrights and Trademarks 154
Disclaimers................................................................................ 155
Vehicle Telematics/Data Recorders 155Quality Control 155California Proposition 65 155
Reporting Concerns............................................................... 156
Contacting Tesla 156Reporting Safety Defects - US 156Reporting Safety Defects - Canada 156
Declarations of Conformity................................................. 157
Key and Passive Unlocking System 157Tire Pressure Monitoring System 158Media Control Unit 158HomeLink 159Radio Frequency Information 159
Contents
Opening
To open the front trunk:
• Touch Controls > Front Trunk on the
touchscreen, or double-click the front
trunk button on the key.
• Pull the hood up.The door open indicator displays on
the instrument panel when the front
trunk is open. The image of the
Model S on the touchscreen Controls
window also displays the open trunk.
To open the front trunk in the unlikely
situation in which Model S has no electrical
power, see Opening with No Power on page
13.
Closing
The Model S body is made of lightweightaluminum. Therefore, the hood is not heavy
enough to latch under its own weight and
applying pressure on the front edge or center
of the hood can cause damage. To close the hood:
• Lower the hood fully until it touches the latch.
• Place both hands on the front of the hood in the areas shown, then press down
firmly to engage the latches.
• Lift the front edge of the hood to ensure it is fully closed.Caution: To prevent damage:
• Apply pressure only to the green areas illustrated above. Applying
pressure to the red areas can cause
damage.
• Do not close the hood with one hand. Doing so applies concentrated force
in one area and can result in a dent or crease.
• Do not apply pressure to the leading edge of the hood because this can
crease the edge.
• Do not slam or drop the hood.Warning: Do not drive with the hood
secured by the secondary catch alone.
Front Trunk
12Model S Owner's Manual
Guidelines for Seating ChildrenYour Model S seat belts in the front and second row seats are designed for adults and largerchildren. You must restrain infants and small children in the second row seats only, and you must use a suitable child safety seat appropriate for the child’s age, weight, and size. Never use child
safety seats in the front row passenger seat. Carefully follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child safety seat.
If your Model S is equipped with the optional Tesla built-in rear facing child seats, these seats arechild safety seats and are designed only for children within a specific height and weight range
(see Tesla Built-In Rear Facing Child Seats on page 28).
Child Safety Seats
Seating and Safety Restraints23
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
Seating Larger ChildrenIf a child is too large to fit into a child safety
seat, but too small to safely fit into the standard seat belts, use a booster seat
appropriate for the child’s age and size. Carefully follow the manufacturer’sinstructions to secure the booster seat usingthe seat belts. Do not use the LATCH systemto secure booster seats, even in situationswhere the booster seat is equipped with the
LATCH system.
Installing Child Safety Seats There are two general methods used to install
child safety seats:
• Seat belt retained - these seats are secured using the vehicle’s seat belts (see
Installing Seat Belt Retained Child Seats on page 25).
• LATCH retained - these seats can attach to anchor bars built into the vehicle’s rear
seats (see Installing LATCH Child Seats on
page 26).
Check the child safety seat manufacturer’s
instructions and the table on Child Safety
Seats on page 23 to determine which
installation method to use. Some child safety
seats can be installed using either method.
Always follow the child safety seat
manufacturer’s instructions.
Installing Seat Belt Retained Child Seats
First, make sure that the child falls into the
correct weight range for the seat.
Avoid dressing the child in bulky clothing anddo not place any objects between the childand the restraint system.
Adjust harnesses for every child, every trip.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
and the webbing is fully retracted. The ALR mechanism operates as a ratchet, winding in
slack and preventing the seat belt from
extending any further until it has been
completely rewound. When installing a child
safety seat, engage the belt's automatic locking retractor by pulling the seat belt
webbing until it is fully extended. The ALR
system engages only when the seat belt is at
its maximum extension point.
Note: An automatic locking retractor
disengages only when the seat belt is
unbuckled and fully retracted. The belt can
then be worn as a normal belt, sliding freely in
and out and locking tight only in an
emergency. Once disengaged, the belt must
be fully extended to re-engage the locking
mechanism whenever you install a child safety seat.
Always follow the detailed instructions provided by the child safety seat
manufacturer. General guidelines are provided
below.
1. Place the child safety seat in Model S, and
fully extend the seat belt. Route and
buckle the seat belt in accordance with the child safety seat manufacturer’s
instructions.
2. Allow the seat belt to retract, and remove
all slack in the seat belt while firmly
pushing the child safety seat into the Model S seat.
3. If the seat belt retained child safety seat
has an upper tether, attach it to the back of the seat (see Attaching Upper Tether
Straps on page 26).
Child Safety Seats
Seating and Safety Restraints25
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
How the Airbags WorkInflation of airbags depends on the rate at
which the vehicle’s cabin changes speed in a collision. The rate of deceleration determineswhether airbags inflate.
Airbags inflate instantly with considerable force accompanied by a loud noise. The
inflated bag, together with the seat belts,
limits movement of occupants to reduce the
risk of injury.
Front airbags are not ordinarily designed to inflate in rear collisions, rollovers, minor frontor side collisions, heavy braking, or driving
over bumps and potholes. Therefore,
significant superficial damage can occur to
the vehicle without the airbags inflating or,
conversely, a relatively small amount of
structural damage can cause airbags to
inflate.
If you are planning to modify your vehicle for
a person with disabilities in a way that may
affect the airbag system, contact Tesla.Types of AirbagsAdvanced
front
airbagsThe front airbags are
advanced airbags designed to
reduce airbag related injuries
to children or small adults who
ride in the front seats. On the
driver’s side, the front airbag
works with a seat position
sensor that adjusts the
inflation level based on the
seating position of the
occupant. On the passenger’s side, the airbag responds to a
sensing system in the seat
that determines whether or
not the passenger side front
airbag inflates, and optimizes
the inflation level based on the
weight of the occupant
(described below).Knee
airbagsKnee airbags and the front
airbags work together. The
knee airbags limit the forward
motion of the front seat
occupants by restricting leg
movement, thereby
positioning the occupants so
that the front airbags work
more effectively.Side
airbagsSide airbags protect the
thorax region of the torso and
the pelvis. They inflate only if
a severe side impact occurs.
Side airbags on the non-
impacted side do not inflate.Curtain
airbagsCurtain airbags help protect
the head and typically inflate
only if a severe side impact
occurs, or if the vehicle rolls
over. Curtain airbags on the
non-impacted side do not
inflate.
Airbags
Seating and Safety Restraints33
Passenger Front Airbag
Model S has an occupancy sensor in the front passenger seat that controls the status of theairbags based on the weight of the occupant.Passenger airbag status displays in the top
right corner of the touchscreen to indicate
whether the airbag will inflate (on) or not
inflate (off) if a collision occurs.
Note: The occupancy sensor system meets the
regulatory requirement of FMVSS 208 and automatically detects when inflating the
passenger front airbags would be unnecessary or potentially harmful.
Front passenger seat
occupancy*Passenger airbag
statusEmptyOFFInfant in child safety
seat (up to 20 lbs/
9kg)OFFChild or small
occupant
(20-100 lbs/9-45 kg)ON or OFFHeavy object/
occupantON*Values are approximate. Occupants whose
weight is close to the low weight threshold
can cause the status to occasionally turn on and off depending on seating position and
physique.
If the status shows the airbag as permanently
on, even when the seat is empty and the seat
belt is unbuckled, contact Tesla immediately.
To make sure the sensing system can
correctly detect occupancy status, eliminate
the following:
• Objects lodged under the seat.
• Heavy objects sitting on the seat (briefcase, large purse).
• Objects wedged between the seat back and seat cushion.
• Cargo interfering with the seat.
• After market items attached to, or sitting on, the seat (covers, mats, blankets, etc.).
These conditions can interfere with the
occupancy sensor. If you have eliminated the above possibilities, and the airbag status is
still incorrect, ask passengers to ride in the rear seats and contact Tesla to have the
airbag system checked.
Note: The front passenger seat’s sensing
system affects the operation of the passenger front and side airbags only. Other passengercurtain airbag is not affected.Warning: Never seat a child in a child
safety seat or a booster seat on the front
passenger seat when the airbags are
activated.Warning: Do not use seat covers on
Model S. Doing so could restrict
deployment of the side air bags if an
accident occurs. It can also reduce the
accuracy of the occupant detection
system.
Airbags
34Model S Owner's Manual