If Model S is equipped with Driver Assistance
components (see About Driver Assistance on
page 68) and you have purchased the optional Autopilot Tech Package, the forward lookingcamera and the radar sensor are designed to
determine when there is a vehicle in front of
you in the same lane. If the area in front of Model S is clear,
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
maintains a set driving speed. When a vehicle is detected,
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is
designed to slow down Model S as needed to maintain a selected time-based distance from
the vehicle in front, up to the set speed.
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control does not
eliminate the need to watch the road in front
of you and to apply the brakes when needed.
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is primarily
intended for driving on dry, straight roads,
such as highways and freeways. It should not
be used on city streets.
Warning: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is
designed for your driving comfort and
convenience and is not a collision warning or avoidance system. It is your
responsibility to stay alert, drive safely,
and be in control of the vehicle at all
times. Never depend on
Traffic-AwareCruise Control to adequately slow down
Model S. Always watch the road in front
of you and be prepared to take corrective
action at all times. Failure to do so can
result in serious injury or death.
Warning: Although Traffic-Aware Cruise
Control is capable of detecting
pedestrians and cyclists, never depend on
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to
adequately slow down Model S for them.
Always watch the road in front of you and be prepared to take corrective action at
all times. Failure to do so can result in
serious injury or death.
Warning: Do not use Traffic-Aware Cruise
Control on city streets or on roads where
traffic conditions are constantly changing.
Warning: Do not use Traffic-Aware Cruise
Control on winding roads with sharp
curves, on icy or slippery road surfaces,
or when weather conditions (such as
heavy rain, snow, fog, etc) make it
inappropriate to drive at a consistent
speed.
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control does
not adapt driving speed based on road
and driving conditions.
Operating Traffic-Aware Cruise
ControlThe instrument panel
displays a gray speedometer
icon on the left side of the
driving speed to indicate
that
Traffic-Aware Cruise
Control is available but the
cruising speed has not been
set. Unless a vehicle is
detected ahead of you, you
must be driving at least
5 mph (8 km/h) to use
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control.
If a vehicle is detected ahead
of you, you can use
Traffic-
Aware Cruise Control at any
speed, even when stationary.
When driving at your desired speed, set the
cruising speed by moving the cruise control
lever up or down (or pulling it
briefly toward
you), then releasing.
The speedometer icon on the
instrument panel turns blue
and displays the set speed to
indicate that
Traffic-AwareCruise Control is actively
maintaining the set speed.
You can now release the accelerator pedal and
allow Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to maintain
your set speed. When no vehicle is detected ahead,
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control maintains
the set speed. If a vehicle is detected, Traffic-
Aware Cruise Control maintains your chosen
following distance, up to the set speed,
accelerating and decelerating Model S as
needed. When the vehicle you are following is
no longer detected,
Traffic-Aware Cruise
Control accelerates back to the set speed.
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control also adjusts the
speed as appropriate when entering and
exiting curves.
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
70Model S Owner
alert and always pay attention to the area
in front of Model S so you can anticipate whether any action is required.Warning: Forward Collision Warning does
not operate when Model S is traveling less than 4 mph (7 km/h).Warning: Forward Collision Warning does
not provide a warning when the driver is already applying the brake.
Automatic Emergency Braking
The forward looking camera and the radar
sensor are designed to determine the distance
from any object (vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle,
or pedestrian) traveling in front of Model S.
When a frontal collision is considered
unavoidable, Automatic Emergency Braking is designed to apply the brakes to reduce the
severity of the impact, even if you are already
applying the brakes.
When Automatic Emergency Braking applies
the brakes, the instrument panel displays a visual warning and you
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 use 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
Maintenance149
NCC certifications 179
Neutral gear 44
night mode 101
O odometer 64
offset from speed limit 91
overhang dimensions 162
overtake acceleration 70
Owner Information, about 175, 176
P Park Assist 60
Park gear 44
parking brake 58
parking, automatic 81
parts replacement 158
personal data, erasing 104
phonesteering wheel buttons 40
using 117
PIN 37
power management 65
power socket 115
power windows 9
powering on and
off 43
Preconditioning 101
preferences, setting 101
public charging stations 132
R
radar 68
radio 112
Radio Frequency information 179
rain sensor 56
rangedisplayed on instrument panel 45
driving tips to maximize 65
regenerative braking 58
range assurance 65
Range mode 65
Range Mode 98
Rated range 101
re-routing 120
rear seats, folding and raising 18
rear view camera 67
rear window switches, disabling 9
Recent (Media Player) 114
Recents 119
regenerative braking 58
region format 101
relative speed limit 91
release notes 129
restarting the touchscreen
43
Reverse gear 44
RFID transponders 158
roadside assistance 170
roof racks 161
rotating tires 140
route overview 120
Ssafety informationairbags 36
child seats 27
rear facing child seats 32
seat belts 20seat beltscleaning 150
in a collision 20
overview of 19
pre-tensioners 20
wearing when pregnant 19
seat covers
18
seat heaters 105
seating capacity 160
seatsadjusting 17
heaters 105
Tesla built-in rear facing 29
security settings 125
sensors 68
service data recording 177
service intervals 138
Settings 101
Settings, erasing 104
shifting gears 44
Show Commute Advice 120
side collision avoidance 86
side collision warning 86
slip start 59
Smart Preconditioning 101
software reset 104
software updates 129
specificationscargo volume 163
dimensions 162
exterior 162
interior 162
motor 164
subsystems 164
tires 167
weights 163
wheels 167
speed assist 91
speed limit warning 91
stability control 59
starting 43
Statutory Plate 160
steering
specifications 164
Index
184Model S Owner