Braking Systems
Model S has an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that prevents the wheels from locking when
you apply maximum brake pressure. This
improves steering control during heavy
braking in most road conditions.
During emergency braking conditions, the
ABS constantly monitors the speed of each
wheel and varies the brake pressure according
to the grip available.
The alteration of brake pressure can be felt as
a pulsing sensation through the brake pedal.
This demonstrates that the ABS is operating
and is not a cause for concern. Keep
firm and
steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsing.
The ABS indicator flashes briefly on
the instrument panel when you firststart Model S. If this indicator lights
up at any other time, an ABS fault
has occurred and the ABS is not
operating. Contact Tesla. The braking system remains fully operational and
is not
affected by an ABS failure.
However, braking distances may increase.
If the instrument panel displays this
indicator at any time other than
displaying
briefly when you first start
Model S, a brake system fault is
detected or the brake
fluid level is
low. Contact Tesla immediately.
Emergency Braking
In an emergency, fully press the brake pedal
and maintain
firm pressure, even on low
traction surfaces. The ABS varies the braking
pressure to each wheel according to the
amount of traction available. This prevents
wheels from locking and ensures that you stop
as safely as possible.
Warning: Do not pump the brake pedal.
Doing so interrupts operation of the ABS
and can increase braking distance.Warning: Always maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you and be
aware of hazardous driving conditions.
While the ABS can improve stopping
distance, it cannot overcome the laws of physics. It also does not prevent the
danger of hydroplaning (where a layer of
water prevents direct contact between the tires and the road).
If Model S is equipped with Autopilot
hardware, Automatic Emergency Braking
automatically applies full braking in situations
where a collision is considered imminent (see
Automatic Emergency Braking on page 86).
Brake Wear Model S brake pads are equipped with wear
indicators. A wear indicator is a thin metal
strip attached to the brake pad that squeals as it rubs against the rotor when the pad wears
down. This squealing sound indicates that the
brake pads have reached the end of their
service life and require replacement. To stop
the squealing, contact Tesla Service.
Warning: Neglecting to replace worn
brake pads results in damage to the
braking system and can create a braking
hazard.
Brakes
54Model S Owner
Overview
Touch the Media icon to listen to the radio or
play audio
files. The touchscreen displays the
Media Player. Media Player has two tabs. Use the Browse tab to select what you want to
play and use the Now Playing tab to view and
control what is currently playing. You can play
AM and FM radio (including HD), and XM
satellite radio (if Model S is equipped with the optional sound package). You can also play
Internet radio (such as TuneIn), and audio
filesfrom a Bluetooth-connected device or a USB-
connected flash drive.
Volume Control To adjust the media volume, roll the scroll
wheel on the left side of the steering wheel up
or down. To mute the volume, tap the scroll
wheel.
Note: The scroll wheel adjusts the volume for
media, navigation instructions and phone calls
based on what is currently in use. As you
adjust volume, the instrument panel displays
the volume level and whether you are
adjusting volume for media, navigation or phone.
Note: Muting the volume during a phone call
also mutes the microphone.
AM and FM Radio Model S provides AM and FM radio services.
These can be selected from the Browse tab or using the Source Picker, located in the upper
right corner of the Media Player window.
You can manually tune the radio to any
frequency by touching and dragging the
channel selector bar on the Now Playing
screen. The channel selector bar allows you to
move from one available radio station to the next.
XM Radio If Model S is equipped with the optional sound
studio package, you can listen to XM radio, a
subscription-based satellite radio service. To
receive XM radio channels, you must provide
the radio service provider with the radio ID for
your touchscreen.
To view the radio ID:
1. Select the XM radio source.
2. Tune it to channel 0.
3. The Radio ID displays in the station information area.
To select an XM radio channel, you can either
manually scroll through the channel numbers, or you can browse the channels by category.
To browse by category, touch Browse >
Radio > XM Satellite Radio.
Note: On some vehicles, XM radio is available
only if Model S is equipped with both the
optional sound studio package and the panoramic roof. To optimize aerodynamics,
Model S does not have an external antenna. The internal antenna is compatible only with
the transparent panoramic roof.
Media and Audio
110Model S Owner
Fuse Box LocationsThree fuse boxes are located under the
maintenance panel, located in the front trunk.
For instructions on how to remove this panel,
see Removing the Maintenance Panel on page
149.
1. Fuse box 1 (see Fuse Box 1 on page 153).
DO NOT replace these fuses. If one of
them fails, contact Tesla.
2. Fuse box 2 (see Fuse Box 2 on page 155).
3. Fuse box 3 (see Fuse Box 3 on page 157).
Replacing a Fuse
To remove a fuse box cover, press the plastic
tabs on either side.
Identify the fuse protecting the affectedcircuit. Refer to the label on the inside of the
fuse box cover or the fuse tables provided in this section.
Pull the fuse to remove it. A break in the wire
inside the fuse indicates that the fuse has
blown.
Note: Do not replace fuses in fuse box 1, and do not remove or replace any relays. If one of
these fails, contact Tesla.
Warning: Always manually power Model Soff before replacing a fuse (see PoweringOff on page 41).
Caution: Only use Tesla-approved
replacement fuses of the same rating and
specification. Using an incorrect fuse can
damage the electrical system and result in a
fire.
Caution: If a replacement fuse blows after
installation, contact Tesla to have the
electrical system checked.
Fuses
152Model S Owner
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)
Battery - 12V
Rating33 amp-hr or higherVoltage and Polarity12V negative (-) ground
Subsystems
Specifications167
AABS (Anti-lock Braking System) 54
Acceleration (dual motor) 94
access panel, removing 149accessoriesinstalling 159
plugging into power socket 113
air circulation 105
air conditioning 104
air distribution 105
air
filter 107
air suspension 109
air vents 107
airbags 31
alarm 121
all-season tires 137
always connected, setting 62
anti-lock braking (ABS) 54
audioplaying files 110
steering wheel buttons 37
volume control 110
Auto High Beam 51
Auto Lane Change 77
auto-raising suspension 108
automatic emergency braking 85
Autopark 79
Autopilot 65
Autosteer 74
B backup camera 64
battery (12V)complete discharge 129specifications 167Battery (high voltage)care of 129
coolant 149
specifications 168
temperature limits 129
battery (key), replacing 5
blind spot warning 83
Bluetoothdevices, playing audio files from 112
general information 114
phone, pairing and using 114
body repairs 159
body touch up 146
brake
fluid replacement 134
brakesautomatic in emergencies 85fluid level 150
overview of 54
specifications 167
brightness of displays 99
C
cabin temperature control 104
calendar 119
California Proposition 65 180
camera (rear view) 64
car cover 146
car washes 144
cargo volume 164
carpets, cleaning 145
CE
certifications 182
CHAdeMO 128
chains 138
change of ownership 103
charge port 130
charge port light 131
chargingcharge settings 132
components and equipment 127
instructions 130
public charging stations 128
scheduling 132
status of 133child protectiondisabling liftgate and rear door handles 7
disabling rear window switches 9child seatscleaning 145
installing and using 22
Tesla built-in rear facing 27
cleaning 144
climate controls 104
climate ionizer 99
clock 37
Cold Weather controls 94
collision avoidance assist 85
console12V power socket 113
cup holders 16
USB ports 113contact informationroadside assistance 174
Tesla 181coolantBattery, checking level of 149
Battery, replacement interval 134
copyrights 178, 179
Creep 94
cruise control 68
cup holders 16
customizing 99
D
dashboard overview 2
data recording 180
day mode 99
declarations of conformity 182
Index
Index185