Restricted Roads
Autosteer is intended for use on freeways and highways where access is limited by entry and
exit ramps. When using Autosteer on residential roads, a road without a centerdivider, or a road where access is not limited,
Autosteer limits the driving speed. The
maximum driving speed is calculated based
on the detected speed limit plus 5 mph (10 km/h). In situations where the speed limit
can not be detected, speed is limited to 45 mph (70 km/h). When Autosteer is
engaged on a restricted road, it reduces the
speed to be within these limits, even if the set
cruising speed is higher. The instrument panel
displays a message indicating that you are
driving on a restricted road. You can manually accelerate to exceed the limited speed, but
when you release the accelerator pedal,
Autosteer slows Model S to the limited speed.
When you leave the restricted road, or
disengage Autosteer by using the steering wheel, Model S resumes cruising at the set
speed.
Hold Steering Wheel Autosteer uses data from the camera, sensors,and GPS system to determine where to drive.
It also requires you to hold the steering wheel.
When entering a curve or driving at a high
speed, if Autosteer does not detect your
hands on the steering wheel, it displays the
following message on the instrument panel and eventually sounds a chime:
When you see this message, you may need totighten your grip on the steering wheel. When
your hands are detected, Autosteer resumes normal operation.
Note: Be careful not to apply any steering.
Doing so cancels Autosteer.
If Autosteer does not detect your hands on
the steering wheel, the Hold Steering Wheel
request escalates by sounding two additional chimes. The chimes increase in frequency until
Autosteer detects your hands. If no action is
taken, Autosteer begins to decelerate Model S
and displays the following message on the
instrument panel:
Autosteer will eventually decelerate Model S
to a full stop and then turn on the hazard
warning
flashers.
Take Over Immediately
In situations where Autosteer is unable to steer Model S, Autosteer sounds a warningchime and displays the following message on
the instrument panel:
When you see this message, TAKE OVER STEERING IMMEDIATELY.
Canceling Autosteer Autosteer cancels when:
Autopark shifts Model S into Drive or Reverse
(based on which button you pressed) and
drives into the parking space until the sensors have detected an obstacle, or Model S has
moved the maximum distance of 39 feet (12 meters), at which point parking is considered
completed and Autopark shifts Model S into Park.
Note: If you want Autopark to move Model S
multiple times in the same direction, up to the maximum of 39 feet (12 meters), press and
release the key
Inspecting and Maintaining TiresRegularly inspect the tread and side walls for
any sign of distortion (bulges), cuts or wear.Warning: Do not drive Model S if a tire is
damaged, excessively worn, or inflated to
an incorrect pressure. Check tires
regularly for wear, and ensure there are
no cuts, bulges or exposure of the ply/
cord structure.
Tire Wear
Adequate tread depth is important for proper
tire performance. Tires with a tread depth less
than 4/32” (3 mm) are more likely to
hydroplane in wet conditions and should not
be used. Tires with a tread depth less than
5/32” (4 mm) do not perform well in snow and
slush and should not be used when driving in
winter conditions.
Model S is originally
fitted with tires that have
wear indicators molded into the tread pattern. When the tread has been worn down to 4/32”(3 mm), the indicators start to appear at thesurface of the tread pattern, producing the
effect of a continuous band of rubber across
the width of the tire. For optimal performance and safety, Tesla recommends replacing tires
before the wear indicators are visible.
Tire Rotation, Balance, and Wheel Alignment
Tesla recommends rotating the tires every
5000 miles (8000 km).
Unbalanced wheels (sometimes noticeable as
vibration through the steering wheel)
affectvehicle handling and tire life. Even with regular
use, wheels can get out of balance. Therefore,
they should be balanced as required.
If tire wear is uneven (on one side of the tire
only) or becomes abnormally excessive, check
the alignment of wheels.
Note: When replacing only two tires, always
install the new tires on the rear.
Punctured Tires
A puncture eventually causes the tire to lose pressure, which is why it is important to check
tire pressures frequently. Permanently repair
or replace punctured or damaged tires as
soon as possible.
Your tubeless tires may not leak when
penetrated, provided the object remains in the tire. If, however, you feel a sudden vibration or
ride disturbance while driving, or you suspect a tire is damaged, immediately reduce yourspeed. Drive slowly, while avoiding heavy
braking or sharp steering and, when safe to do so, stop the vehicle. Arrange to have Model S
transported to a Tesla, or to a nearby tire
repair center.
Note: In some cases, you can temporarily
repair small tire punctures (under 1/4” (6
mm)) using an optional tire repair kit available
from Tesla. This allows you to slowly drive
Model S to Tesla or to a nearby tire repair
facility.Warning: Do not drive with a punctured
tire, even if the puncture has not causedthe tire to
deflate. A punctured tire candeflate suddenly at any time.
Flat Spots
If Model S is stationary for a long period in
high temperatures, tires can form
flat spots.
When Model S is driven, these flat spots cause
a vibration which gradually disappears as the
tires warm up and regain their original shape.
To minimize
flat spots during storage, inflatetires to the maximum pressure indicated on the tire wall. Then, before driving, release airto adjust tire pressure to the recommended
levels.
Improving Tire Mileage
To improve the mileage you get from your
tires, maintain tires at the recommended tire
pressures, observe speed limits and advisory
speeds, and avoid:
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
Removing the Maintenance Panel
To access fuses and check
fluid levels, remove
the maintenance panel:
1. Pull the rear edge of the maintenance panel upward to release the
five clips that
hold the panel in place.
2. Maneuver the maintenance panel toward the windshield to remove.
Caution: The maintenance panel protects
the front trunk from water. When re-
attaching, make sure it is fully seated.Checking Battery Coolant
If the quantity of
fluid in the cooling system
drops below the recommended level, the
instrument panel displays a warning message.
Stop Model S as soon as safety permits and
contact Tesla.
Fluid Level Check
Tesla checks the Battery coolant level at the
regularly scheduled maintenance intervals. On a single motor Model S, you can check it
yourself. To do so, park Model S on level
ground. When Model S is cool, remove the
maintenance panel (see Removing the
Maintenance Panel on page 149).
Check the fluid level visually by looking at the
outside marks on the side of the reservoir. DO
NOT REMOVE THE FILLER CAP AND DO NOT
ADD FLUID. Doing so can result in damage
not covered by the warranty.
The
fluid level should be between the MIN and
the MAX marks. If you notice that the fluidlevel has dropped significantly, contact Tesla
before using Model S.
Topping Up the Battery Coolant
Under no circumstances should you add
coolant. If the instrument panel warns you that
the
fluid level is low, contact Tesla
immediately.
To maximize the performance and life of the Battery, the cooling system uses a
specifictype of G-48 ethylene-glycol coolant (HOAT).
Contact Tesla for more specific information
about the coolant.
Fluid Reservoirs
Maintenance149
Use a Flatbed OnlyUse a
flatbed trailer only, unless otherwisespecified 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 theinstructions exactly as described next.
Disable Self-Leveling (air
suspension vehicles only)
If Model S is equipped with Smart AirSuspension, 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