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:
Note: If you press the brake when Autopark is
actively parking Model S, the parking process pauses until you press the Resume button onthe touchscreen.
Note: Autopark detects potential
perpendicular parking spaces that are at least
9.5 feet (2.9 meters) wide with a vehicle
parked on each side. Autopark detects parallelparking spaces that are at least 20 feet (6
meters), but less than 49 feet (15 meters) long.
Autopark does not operate on angled parking spaces.Warning: Never depend on Autopark tofind a parking space that is legal, suitable,
and safe. Autopark may not always detect
objects in the parking space. Always
perform visual checks to
confirm that a
parking space is appropriate and safe.
Warning: When Autopark is actively
steering Model S, the steering wheel
moves in accordance with Autopark
Note: Manually lowering the suspension toStandard or Low while at a saved location alsoremoves the auto-raising location.
Automatic Lowering
When Model S is moving above typical
driveway or parking lot speeds, Smart Air
Suspension automatically lowers ride height to improve aerodynamics and handling. For most
average speed driving, the suspension is
automatically set to Standard. As described
above, when you make manual height adjustments, the suspension automatically
lowers at increased driving speeds.
When carrying loads, Smart Air Suspension
also maintains a level height between the front
and rear.
You can adjust the speed at which the Air
Suspension automatically transitions to the LOW ride height by touching Controls >Suspension > Automatic Lowering on the
touchscreen. This setting is saved to your
Driver
Profile.
Note: You can temporarily override the ride
height by pressing the brake pedal, touching
an air suspension control in Controls >
Suspension, and then manually choosing a
ride height. Your suspension
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
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
164Model S Owner
Use a Flatbed OnlyUse a
flatbed trailer only, unless otherwisespecified by Tesla. Do not transport Model S
with the tires directly on the ground.
Caution: Damage caused by transporting is not covered by the warranty.Caution: To transport Model S, follow theinstructions exactly as described next.
Disable Self-Leveling (air
suspension vehicles only)
If Model S is equipped with Smart AirSuspension, it automatically self-levels, even
when power is
off. To prevent damage, you
must activate Jack mode to disable self- leveling:
1. Touch Controls > Suspension on the touchscreen.
2. Press the brake pedal, then touch Very High to maximize height.
3. Touch Jack.
When Jack mode is active,
Model S displays this indicator
light on the instrument panel,
along with a message telling you
that active suspension is
disabled.
Note: Jack mode cancels when Model S is
driven over 4.5 mph (7 km/h).
Warning: Failure to activate Jack mode on
a Model S equipped with Smart Air Suspension can result in the vehicle
becoming loose during transport, which
may cause
significant damage.
Activate Tow Mode
Model S may automatically shift into Park
when it detects the driver leaving the vehicle,
even if it has previously been shifted into Neutral. To keep Model S in Neutral (which
disengages the parking brake), you must use
the touchscreen to activate Tow mode:
1. Shift into Park.
2. Press the brake pedal, then on the touchscreen, touch Controls > Settings >
Service & Reset > Tow Mode.When Tow mode is active, Model S
displays this indicator light on the
instrument panel, along with a
message telling you that Model S is
free-rolling.
Note: Tow mode cancels when Model S is
shifted into Park.
Caution: If the electrical system is not
working, and you therefore cannot
release the electric parking brake,
attempt to quick start the 12V battery. For
instructions, call Tesla. If a situation
occurs where you cannot disengage the
parking brake, use tire skids or transport Model S for the shortest possible distance
using wheeled dollies. Before doing so,
always check the dolly manufacturer
data recording 177
day mode 98
declarations of conformity 179
delivery mileage 177devicesBluetooth, playing audio files 111
connecting 111
playing audio
files from 110
dimensions 161
display brightness 98
dome (map) lights 48
door handles 6
door labels 159
Door Unlock Mode 6
doors 4
doors, opening 4
Drive gear 42
drive-away locking 7
driverprofiles 35
seat adjustment 17driver assistanceAuto Lane Change 76
automatic emergency braking 85
Autopark 78
Autosteer 73
blind spot warning 83
collision avoidance assist 85
forward collision warning 85
overtake acceleration 67
overview 65
settings for 98
side collision avoidance 83
side collision warning 83
staying inside lane markings 83
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control 67
drivingseating position 17
starting 41
tips to maximize range 62
E
electric parking brake 55
emergency
flashers 52
emergency rear door opening 8
emission label 158
energygained from regenerative braking 55
range information 43
energy & charging setting 98
Energy app 62
energy saving mode 62
Erase & Reset 101
event data recording 177
exteriorcar cover 150
cleaning 148exterior (continued)dimensions 161
lights 48
overview 3
polishing, touch up, & repair 150
F
factory defaults, restoring 101
factory reset 101
fan speed, interior 103
favorite destinations 118
Favorites 115
Favorites (Media Player) 110
FCC
certifications 179
features, downloading new 126
ferries, avoiding 117
firmware (software) updates 126flash drives, playing audio files from 110flashers, warning 52flat tire repair 144floor mats 150
fluidsreplacement intervals 137
reservoirs, checking 153
fog lights 48
forward collision warning 85
front passenger detection 33
front trunk 12
G
garage doors, opening 123
gates, opening 123
GAWR 159
gears 42
glove box 14
Gross Axle Weight Rating 159
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 159
ground clearance 161
GVWR 159
H hazard warning
flashers 52
head supports 18
headlightsadaptive 51
after exit 51
high beams 51
heated wipers 53
heating 102
height adjustments (suspension)auto-raising 106
automatic and manual settings 107
disabling (Jack mode) 107
Index
182Model 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