2016 TESLA MODEL S Owner's Manual

Replacing Tires and Wheels
Tires degrade over time due to the
effects of
ultraviolet light, extreme temperatures, high
loads, and environmental conditions. It is
recommended that tires are replaced every six
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 thosespecified are used, ensure that the load and
speed ratings marked on the tire equal or
exceed 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 139).
Warning: For your safety, use only tires
and wheels that match the original
specification (see Wheels and Tires on
page 169). 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

Winter Tires
Your Model S is not originally equipped with
winter tires. To increase traction in snowy or
icy conditions, consider installing winter tires.
When installing winter tires, always install a
complete set of four tires at the same time.
Winter tires must be the same size, brand,
construction and tread pattern on all four
wheels. Contact Tesla for winter tire
recommendations.Winter tires can be identified by amountain/snowflake symbol on the
tire

It is the driver

Tire Repair Kit
Your Model S has no spare tire. Depending on
the legislations that apply to the region in
which you purchased Model S, a tire repair kit
may or may not be included. If a tire repair kit
was not provided in Model S upon delivery,
you can purchase one from Tesla.
Note: Although Model S does not have a spare
tire, in the event of a
flat tire, Roadside
Assistance provides towing coverage for up to 50 miles.
The tire repair kit consists of a compressor
and a canister of tire sealant (enough to repair
one tire). When injected into a tire, the sealant
can penetrate a small puncture up to 1/4" (6 mm) to form a temporary repair.
Note: For punctures larger than 1/4” (6 mm),
severe tread damage, a damaged sidewall,
ripped tires or tires that have come
off the rim,
call Roadside Assistance.
Warning: The tire repair kit is a temporary
repair only. You must repair or replace a
damaged tire as soon as possible.Warning: Do not exceed 30 mph
(48 km/h) when driving with a tire that
has been temporarily repaired with sealant.Warning: Follow all directions and
warnings on the tire repair kit before
starting a repair.Caution: Do not drive on a deflated tire as
this can cause serious damage.Tire Sealant Canister
The tire sealant provided in the Tesla tire
repair kit is approved for use with Model S and is designed not to damage the TPMS (Tire
Pressure Monitoring System) sensors.
Therefore, you must replace it only with one of
the same type and capacity (see Replacing
the Sealant Canister on page 143). Tire
sealant canisters can be purchased from Tesla.
The tire sealant has an expiration date printed
on the outside of the canister. If the expiration
date has passed, the sealant might not work
as expected. Always replace an expired tire
sealant canister.Warning: Do not use any tire sealant
other than the one available from Tesla.
Doing so could cause tire pressure
sensors to malfunction.Warning: Always read and follow the
safety and handling instructions printed on the sealant canister.Warning: Keep tire sealant out of the
reach of children.Warning: Tire sealant can be harmful if it
contacts the eyes or if swallowed or
inhaled. If the sealant comes into contact with your eyes, immediately
flush with
water and seek medical attention if
irritation persists. If swallowed, do not
induce vomiting and seek medical assistance immediately. If inhaled, breathe
fresh air. Inhalation can cause drowsiness
and dizziness. If breathing is
affected,seek medical assistance immediately.
Temporary Tire Repair
140Model S Owner

Inflating with Sealant and Air
If you have a Tesla tire repair kit, follow these
steps to temporarily repair a small tire
puncture (less than 1/4”/6 mm)).
1. Stop Model S in a safe place away from
traffic and ask passengers to wait in a safe
area.
2. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers to
alert other road users.
3. If possible, position the wheel with the puncture at the bottom.
4. Detach the power supply connector from the back of the compressor and plug it
into the 12V power socket located on the
front of center console.
5. Release the clear plastic hose from the tire
compressor.
6. Remove the red cap and screw the end of the hose onto the tire

Inflating with Air Only
If you have a Tesla tire repair kit, follow these
steps to
inflate a tire with air:
1. Detach the power supply connector from the rear of the compressor and plug it into
the 12V power socket located in Model S
on the front of center console.
2. Release the black air hose from the compressor.
3. Attach the air hose to the valve and press the lever down to secure it in place.
4. Ensure the compressor is lying on a level
surface with the pressure gauge facing tothe side where you can read it.
5. To add air, turn on the compressor and
inflate until the desired pressure is
reached.
6. To release air, turn
off the compressor,
then press and hold the red button until
the desired pressure is reached.
Note: For your convenience, the tire repair kit
includes a selection of adapters that allow you to
inflate other items. These adapters are
located in a compartment on the back of the
compressor.
Caution: To avoid overheating, do not use
the compressor continuously for more
than eight minutes. Allow the compressor
to cool for 15 minutes between uses.Caution: The compressor runs slowly
when overheated from excessive use. Turn
it
off and allow it to cool.Temporary Tire Repair
142Model S Owner

Replacing the Sealant CanisterIf you have a Tesla tire repair kit, you can
purchase additional or replacement canisters
of tire sealant from Tesla.
Follow these steps to replace the canister in
your Tesla tire repair kit:
1. Unwrap the clear hose from the compressor. This hose is included with the
tire repair sealant canister.
2. Remove the canister cover by sliding it upward to release it from the compressor.
3. Remove the canister.
4. Insert the new canister and replace the
cover.
Temporary Tire Repair
Maintenance143

Cleaning the ExteriorTo 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 until
Model 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 been used on the highways (such as during
winter months), thoroughly rinse all traces of road salt from the underside of thevehicle.
2. Hand Wash
Hand wash Model S using a clean 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 treatmentfluids. 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 of
Model 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
144Model S Owner