Page 47 of 186
IndicatorDescription
An ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) fault is detected. See Brakes on page 57.
Contact Tesla immediately.The parking brake is manually applied. See Parking Brake on page 58.A parking brake fault is detected. Contact Tesla. See Parking Brake on page 58.Vehicle Hold is actively applying the brakes. See Vehicle Hold on page 62.Tire pressure warning. The pressure of a tire is out of range. If a fault with the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is detected, the indicator flashes. For a TPMS
fault, contact Tesla. See Tire Care and Maintenance on page 139.A door or trunk is open. See Doors on page 4, Rear Trunk on page 10, or Front
Trunk on page 12.A seat belt for an occupied seat is not fastened. Note: Depending on the date of
manufacture, rear seating positions may not be equipped with a seat belt
reminder.See Seat Belts on page 19.The front passenger
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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 89).
Warning: Automatic Emergency Braking
is not designed to prevent a collision. At best, it can minimize the impact of a
frontal collision by attempting to reduce
your driving speed. Depending on Automatic Emergency Braking to avoid a
collision can result in serious injury or death.
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.
Brakes must be periodically inspected visually by removing the tire and wheel. For detailed
specifications and service limits for rotors and
brake pads, see Brakes on page 165.
Warning: Neglecting to replace worn
brake pads results in damage to the
braking system and can create a braking
hazard.
Brakes
Driving57
Page 165 of 186

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
Specifications165
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AABS (Anti-lock Braking System) 57
absolute speed limit 91
Acceleration (dual-motor) 98
access panel, removing 154accessoriesinstalling 158
plugging into power socket 115
adaptive headlights 54
air circulation 106
air conditioning 105
air distribution 106
air
filter 108
air suspension 111
air vents 108
airbag, front passenger, disabling 35
airbags 33
alarm 125
all-season tires 142
always connected, setting 65
anti-lock braking (ABS) 57
audioplaying files 112
steering wheel buttons 39
volume control 112
Auto High Beam 54
Auto Lane Change 79
auto-raising suspension 110
automatic emergency braking 88
Autopark 81
Autopilot 68
Autosteer 76
average range 65
B
backup camera 67
battery (12V)complete discharge 133specifications 165Battery (high voltage)care of 133
coolant 154
specifications 166
temperature limits 133
battery (key), replacing 5
blind spot warning 86
Bluetoothdevices, playing audio files from 115
general information 117
phone, pairing and using 117
body repairs 158
body touch up 151
brake
fluid replacement 138
brakesautomatic in emergencies 88fluid level 155brakes (continued)overview of 57specifications 165
brightness of displays 101
C Cabin Overheat Protection setting 101
cabin temperature control 105
Calendar app 124
camera 68
camera (rear view) 67
car cover 151
car status, displaying 39, 40
car washes 149
cargo volume 163
carpets, cleaning 150
CE
certifications 179
CHAdeMO 132
chains 142
change of ownership 104
charge port 134
charge port light 135
chargingcharge settings 135
components and equipment 131
instructions 134
public charging stations 132
scheduling 135
status of 137
charging locations, finding 120
child protectiondisabling liftgate and rear door handles 7
disabling rear window switches 9child seatscleaning 150
disabling front passenger airbag 35
installing and using 22
Tesla built-in rear facing 29
cleaning 149
climate controls 105
Cold Weather controls 98
collision avoidance assist 88
console12V power socket 115
cup holders 16
USB ports 115
consumption chart 65
contact informationroadside assistance 170coolantBattery, checking level of 154
Battery, replacement interval 138
copyrights 175, 176
Creep 98
cruise control 70
cup holders 16
Index
Index181