How Park Assist Works
Model S has several sensors designed to detect the presence of objects nearby. When
moving slowly in Drive or Reverse, the sensors
alert you if an object is detected in close proximity to the front and rear of your
Model S.
Note: Depending on date of manufacture and options selected at time of purchase, someModel S vehicles are not equipped with theparking sensors.Warning: The Park Assist images provided
below are representative only. The exact
number and location of sensors may vary
depending on the date your Model S was
manufactured.
The sensors are activated when driving less
than 5 mph (8 km/h).
Warning: Never depend on Park Assist to
inform you if an area you are approaching is free of objects and/or people. Several
external factors can reduce the
performance of Park Assist, causingeither no readings or false readings (see
Limitations and False Warnings on page
58). Therefore, depending on Park Assist
to determine if Model S is approaching an obstruction can result in damage to the
vehicle and/or objects, and can
potentially cause serious injury. Always
inspect the area with your own eyes.
When reversing, perform shoulder checks and use all mirrors. Park assist does not
detect children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
animals, or objects that are moving, protruding, located too far above or
below the sensors, or too close or too far
from the sensors. Park Assist is for
guidance purposes only and is not intended to replace your own direct visual
checks. It is not a substitute for careful
driving.
Visual and Audio Feedback
When you shift to Reverse, the Park Assist
view displays on the left side of the instrument
panel, showing any objects that are in close
proximity to the front and rear of Model S.
This view closes when you shift into Drive
unless objects are detected close to the front
of the Model S, in which case the Park Assist
view closes automatically when your driving
speed exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h) . When
reversing, visual feedback also displays on the
touchscreen, immediately below the camera
view (see Rear View Camera on page 64).
You can manually close the park assist view on
the touchscreen by touching the X in the
upper left corner.
When driving with the Camera app displayed
on the touchscreen, you can switch to the
Park Assist view when driving at speeds below
5 mph (8 km/h) . Touch the button located in the upper left corner of the Camera appwindow. This is useful if you need assistance
with parallel parking.
If chimes are turned on (see Controlling
Audible Feedback on page 58), an audible
beep sounds as you approach an object. You
can temporarily mute the chime by pressing
the scroll wheel on the left side of the steering
wheel or by touching the mute button located
on the in the bottom left corner of the Park Assist view.
Note: If Model S is equipped with software
version 6.1 or newer, and you are driving with
the camera app displayed on the touchscreen,
you can switch to the Park Assist view by
touching the icon in the upper left corner of
Park Assist
Driving57
the camera app window. You must be drivingat speeds below 5 mph (8 km/h).
Note: If a sensor is unable to provide
feedback, the instrument panel displays an
alert message.Caution: Keep sensors clean from dirt,
debris, snow, and ice. Avoid using a high
pressure power washer on the sensors
and do not clean a sensor with a sharp or abrasive object that can scratch or
damage its surface.Caution: Do not install accessories or
stickers on or near the parking sensors.
Controlling Audible Feedback
You can use Park Assist with or without
audible feedback. To turn chimes on or
off,touch Controls > Settings > Safety &
Security > Park Assist Chimes.
You can also mute the chimes temporarily by
pressing the scroll wheel on the left side of the steering wheel or by touching the mute buttonin the bottom left corner of the Park Assist
view. The chimes are muted until you shift into
a
different gear or drive over 5 mph (8 km/h).
Limitations and False Warnings
The parking sensors may not function
correctly in these situations:
Camera Location
Model S is equipped with a rear view camera
located above the rear license plate.
Whenever you shift into Reverse, the
touchscreen displays the view from the
camera. Guide lines show your driving path
based on the position of the steering wheel. These guide lines adjust appropriately as you
move the steering wheel.
Note: Visual feedback from the parking
sensors displays below the camera image (see
Park Assist on page 57).
Note: Depending on date of manufacture and
options selected at time of purchase, some Model S vehicles are not equipped with
parking sensors.
Warning: Never depend on the rear view
camera to inform you if the area behind
you is free of objects and/or people when
reversing. The camera may not detect
objects or barriers that can potentially
cause damage or injury. In addition, several external factors can reduce the
performance of the camera, including a
dirty or obstructed lens. Therefore,
depending on the rear view camera to
determine if Model S is approaching an
obstruction can result in damage to the vehicle and/or objects, and can
potentially cause serious injury. Always
inspect the area with your own eyes.
When reversing, perform shoulder checks and use all mirrors. Use the camera forguidance purposes only. It is not intendedto replace your own direct visual checks
and is not a substitute for careful driving.
Cleaning the Camera
To ensure a clear picture, keep the camera
lens clean, and free of obstructions. Remove
any buildup of dirt by occasionally wiping the camera lens with a soft damp cloth.
Caution: Do not use chemical-based orabrasive cleaners. Doing so can damage
the surface of the camera lens.
Rear View Camera
64Model S Owner
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