2017 TESLA MODEL S traction control

IndicatorDescription
Parking lights (side marker lights, tail lights, and license plate lights) are on. See
Lights on page 51.Front fog lights (optional). See Lights on page 51.Rear fog lights. See Lights on page 51.Adaptive Front Lighting. See Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) on page 54.
Electronic stability control systems are actively minimizing wheel spin by
controlling brake pressure and motor power (indicator flashes). See Traction
Control on page 59. If this indicator stays illuminated, a fault is detected (contact
Tesla immediately).Smart Air Suspension

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

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.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 cannot prevent
accidents caused by driving dangerously
or turning too sharply at high speeds.Warning: If the above indicator remains
illuminated in situations in which you have
not enabled Slip Start (described next), the traction control system may not be
operating correctly. Contact Tesla Service immediately.
Allowing Wheel Slip
To allow the wheels to spin at a limited speed,
you can enable Slip Start. Slip Start can be
enabled only when Model S is moving 30 mph
(48 km/h) or slower. Slip Start automatically
disables when the speed exceeds 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Under normal conditions, Slip Start should not
be enabled. Enable it only in circumstances where you deliberately want the wheels tospin, such as:

steering wheeladjusting position 39
adjusting sensitivity 39
buttons 39
heated 39
scroll bars 39
steering, automatic 76
summer tires 142
Summon 81
sunroof 15
suspension 111
suspension
specifications 165
T
telematics 177
temperatureBattery (high voltage), limits 133
cabin, controls for 105
heated steering wheel 41
outside 45
tie-down straps 174
tilt detection 125
Tire and Loading Information label 160
tire noise 142
Tire Pressure Monitoring SystemFCC certification 180
overview of 143
tire pressures, checking 139
tire repair kitinflating with air only 147inflating with sealant 146
replacing the sealant canister 148tiresall-season 142
balancing 140
chains 142
inspecting and maintaining 140
pressures, how to check 139
replacing 141
replacing a tire sensor 143
rotation 140
specification 167
summer 142
tire markings 168
tire sealant 145
winter 142
toll system transponders, attaching 158
tolls, avoiding 120
torque
specifications 164
touch up body 151
touchscreenclean mode 150
cleaning 150
Controls 98
overview 93
Settings 101
software updates 129Tow mode 173
towing 173
towing a trailer 161
towing eye, locating 174
towing instructions 173TPMSFCC certification 180
overview of 143
traction control 59
trademarks 175, 176
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control 70Traffic-Based Routing 120
trailer hitches 161
transmission
specifications 164
transponders, attaching 158
transporting 173
trip chart 65
trip meter 64
trip overview 120
trip planner 120
trunk, front 12
trunk, rearchild protection lock 7
disabling interior handle 7
TuneIn radio 114
turn signals 54
Typical range 101
U ultrasonic sensors 68
Unlock on Park 4
unlockingtrunk, front 12
trunk, rear 10
unlocking and locking doors 4
unlocking when key doesn