1. Exterior lights (Lights on page 48)
2. Door handles ( Using Exterior Door Handles on page 6)
3. Sunroof (optional) ( Sunroof on page 15)
4. Charge port ( Charging Instructions on page 130)
5. Autopilot-equipped vehicles only: Forward looking camera ( About Driver Assistance on page
65)
6. Exterior mirrors ( Mirrors on page 40)
7. Autopilot-equipped vehicles only: Radar sensor (hidden from view in the above image)( About
Driver Assistance on page 65)
8. Hood/Front trunk ( Front Trunk on page 12)
9. Wheels and tires ( Wheels and Tires on page 169)
10. Rear view camera ( Rear View Camera on page 64)
11. Rear trunk/liftgate ( Rear Trunk on page 10)
12. Ultrasonic sensors ( Park Assist on page 57 and About Driver Assistance on page 65)
Exterior Overview
Overview3
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
How It WorksThe traction control system constantly
monitors the speed of the front and rear
wheels. If Model S experiences a loss of
traction, the system minimizes wheel spin by
controlling brake pressure and motor power.
By default, the traction control system is
always active. Under normal conditions, it should remain active to ensure maximum
safety.
On standard (single motor) Model S vehicles,
traction control can be turned
off at any time.
Turn it off only in circumstances where you
deliberately want the wheels to spin, such as
when Model S is stuck in snow or mud.
On a dual motor Model S, you can enable slip
start to allow the wheels to spin at a limited speed. Slip start can be enabled only when
Model S is moving 20 mph (32 km/h) or
slower. Slip start automatically disables when
the speed exceeds 40 mph (64 km/h).
This indicator flashes on the
instrument panel whenever the
traction control system is actively
controlling brake pressure and motor
power to minimize wheel spin. If the
indicator stays on, a fault is detected with the traction control system.
Contact Tesla Service.Warning: Traction control can not prevent
accidents caused by driving dangerously
or turning too sharply at high speeds.Warning: If the above indicator remains
illuminated without turning off traction
control (single motor vehicles) or
enabling slip start (dual motor vehicles), the traction control system may not be
operating correctly. Contact Tesla Service immediately.
Disabling Traction Control (single motor
vehicles)
Under normal conditions, the traction control
system should remain enabled. Disable it only
in circumstances where you deliberately want
the wheels to spin, such as:
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:
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
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
WeightsCurb Weight* - 604,407 lbs1,999 kgCurb Weight* - 704,555 lbs2,066 kgCurb Weight* - 70D4,720 lbs2,141 kgCurb Weight* - 85/P854,630 lbs2,100 kgCurb Weight* - 85D4,848 lbs2,199 kgCurb Weight* - P85D4,963 lbs2,251 kgCurb Weight* - 90D4,848 lbs2,199 kgCurb Weight* - P90D4,963 lbs2,251 kgGVWR** - 605,710 lbs2,590 kgGVWR** - 705,710 lbs2,590 kgGVWR** - 70D5,732 lbs2,600 kgGVWR** - 85/P855,710 lbs2,590 kgGVWR** - 85D5,820 lbs2,640 kgGVWR** - P85D5,886 lbs2,670 kgGVWR** - 90D5,820 lbs2,640 kgGVWR** - P90D5,886 lbs2,670 kgGross Vehicle Weight Distribution -19" wheelsFront: 2,425 lbs
Rear: 3,285 lbsFront: 1,100 kgRear: 1,490 kgGross Vehicle Weight Distribution -
21" wheelsFront: 2,612 lbs
Rear: 3,097 lbsFront: 1,185 kgRear: 1,405 kgGross Axle Weight Rating- Front2,813 lbs1,276 kgGross Axle Weight Rating- Front
(Performance Plus models)2,723 lbs1,235 kgGross Axle Weight Rating - Rear: 19"
wheels3,307 lbs1,500 kgGross Axle Weight Rating - Rear: 21"
wheels3,131 lbs1,420 kgTrailer TowingNot permissible*Curb Weight = weight of the vehicle with correct fluid levels, no occupants and no cargo
**GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
Dimensions and Weights
Specifications165