If Model S is equipped with Driver Assistance
components (see About Driver Assistance on
page 65) 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
Driver Assistance67
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
148Model S Owner
nose cone, removing 173
O
occupancy sensor 33
odometer 61
overhang dimensions 161
overtake acceleration 67
Owner Information, about 175, 176
P
Park Assist 57
Park gear 42
parking brake 55
parking, automatic 78
parts replacement 157
passenger detection 33
passenger front airbag 33
personal data, erasing 101phonesteering wheel buttons 38
using 113
PIN 35
power management 62
power socket 112
power windows 9
powering on and
off 41
Preconditioning 98
preferences, setting 98
Proposition 65 177
public charging stations 129
R
radar 65
radio 108
Radio Frequency information 179
rain sensor 53
rangedisplayed on instrument panel 43
driving tips to maximize 62
regenerative braking 55
range assurance 62
Range mode 62
Range Mode 95
Rated range 98
re-routing 117
rear seats, folding and raising 18
rear view camera 64
rear window switches, disabling 9
Recent (Media Player) 110
Recents 115
regenerative braking 55
region format 98
release notes 126
Reverse gear
42
RFID transponders 157
roadside assistance 171
roof racks 160
rotating tires 139
route overview 117
S safety defects, reporting 178safety informationairbags 34
child seats 26
rear facing child seats 30
seat belts 21
satellite radio 109
seat beltscleaning 149
in a collision 20
overview of 19
pre-tensioners 20
wearing when pregnant 19
seat covers
18
seat heaters 102
seating capacity 159
seatsadjusting 17
heaters 102
Tesla built-in rear facing 27
security settings 122
sensors 65
service data recording 177
service intervals 137
Settings 98
Settings, erasing 101
shifting gears 42
Show Commute Advice 117
side collision avoidance 83
side collision warning 83
SiriusXM 109
slip start 56
Smart Preconditioning 98
software reset 101
software updates 126
specificationscargo volume 162
dimensions 161
exterior 161
interior 161
motor 163
subsystems 163
tires 166
weights 162
wheels 166
stability control 56
starting 41
steering
specifications 163
steering wheel
Index
184Model S Owner