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Adjusting Exterior Side Mirrors
Press the button associated with the mirror
you want to adjust (left or right). The button
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StartingWhen you open a door, Model S powers on
the instrument panel and touchscreen. The
instrument panel displays the status of doors
and the charge level, and you can operate all
controls.
To drive:
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Shifting GearsWhen Model S is in Park, you must press the
brake to shift to another gear.
Move the lever up or down to change gears.
If you try to shift into a gear that the current
driving speed prohibits, you will hear a chime
and the gear does not change.
Reverse
Push the lever all the way up and release. You
can only shift into Reverse when Model S is
stopped or moving less than 5 mph (8 km/h).
If moving less than 1 mph (1.6 km/h), you must
press the brake.
Neutral
Push the lever up or down to the
first position
and release to shift into Neutral. Neutral allows
Model S to roll freely.
If Model S is in Park and you use the
touchscreen to release the parking brake
(Controls > E-Brake & Power
Off), Model S
shifts into Neutral (see Parking Brake on page
55).
Model S automatically shifts into Park when
you exit. To leave Model S in Neutral, use the touchscreen to engage Tow mode (see
Keeping Your Vehicle in Neutral (Tow Mode)
on page 42).
Drive
Push the lever all the way down and release.
You can shift into Drive when Model S is
stopped or moving less than 5 mph (8 km/h)
in Reverse. If Model S is moving less than 1 mph (1.6 km/h), you must press the brake toshift into Drive.
Park
With Model S stopped, press the end of the
gear selector. Whenever Model S is in Park, the
parking brake is applied.
Model S automatically shifts into Park
whenever you:
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Instrument Panel Overview
The instrument panel changes depending on whether Model S is:
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IndicatorDescriptionFront fog lights (optional). See Lights on page 48.Electronic stability control systems are actively minimizing wheel spin by controlling
brake pressure and motor power (indicator flashes). See Traction Control on page 56.
If this indicator stays illuminated, a fault is detected (contact Tesla immediately).Smart Air Suspension
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IndicatorDescriptionElectronic stability control systems are no longer minimizing wheel spin (i.e. on a single
motor vehicle, the traction control system has been turned off, or on a dual-motor
vehicle, Slip Start has been enabled). See Traction Control on page 56.Model S is in Tow mode and can roll freely. It does not automatically shift into Park
when you exit. See Instructions for Transporters on page 172.Trailer mode (if equipped) is active.Flashes green when the left turn signal is operating. Both turn signal indicators flashgreen when the hazard warning flashers are operating.Flashes green when the right turn signal is operating. Both turn signal indicators flashgreen when the hazard warning flashers are operating.Instrument Panel
Driving45
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Instrument Panel - DrivingWhen Model S is driving (or ready to drive), the instrument panel shows your current drivingstatus and a real-time visualization of the road as detected by Model S
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7. Pay attention to important alert messages that display here. If any alerts are in effect, you can
view information about them by touching the alert icon (exclamation mark) on the touchscreen