StartingWhen you open a door, Model S powers on
the instrument panel and touchscreen and you
can operate all controls.
To drive Model S:
1. PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL - Model S
powers on and is ready to drive.
2. SELECT A GEAR - Move the gear lever all
the way down for Drive and all the way up
for Reverse. See Shifting Gears on page
46.
Note: If Passive Entry is
off and you do not
press the brake pedal to start Model S within
approximately
five minutes, a message
displays on the instrument panel and you must use the key to lock then unlock Model S againbefore starting the vehicle.
Everything you need to know when driving
Model S displays on the instrument panel.
Key Not Inside
If Model S does not detect a key when you
press the brake, the instrument panel displays a message telling you that a key is not inside.
If you receive this message, place the key in
the center console cup holder where Model S can best detect it.
If Model S still does not detect the key, try
holding it against the center console,
immediately below the 12V power socket (see
12V Power Socket on page 122). Or try using
another key. If another key does not work, contact Tesla.
A number of factors can
affect whether
Model S can detect the key. These include a
low battery in the key, interference from other
devices using radio signals, and objects
between the key and receiver.
Always keep the key with you. After driving,
the key is needed to restart Model S after it powers
off. And when you leave Model S, you
must bring the key with you to lock Model S, either manually or automatically.
Powering
Off
When you finish driving, shift into Park by
pressing the button on the end of the gear
selector. The parking brake automatically
engages and all systems keep operating.
When you leave Model S with the key , it
powers
off automatically, turning off the
instrument panel and touchscreen.
Model S also powers
off automatically after
being in Park for 15 minutes, even if you are
sitting in the driver
IndicatorDescription
Parking lights (side marker lights, tail lights, and license plate lights) are on. See
Lights on page 53.Front fog lights (optional). See Lights on page 53.Rear fog lights. See Lights on page 53.Adaptive Front Lighting (if equipped). See Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
on page 56.Electronic stability control systems are actively minimizing wheel spin by
controlling brake pressure and motor power (indicator flashes). See Traction
Control on page 63. If this indicator stays illuminated, a fault is detected (contact
Tesla immediately).A Smart Air Suspension fault is detected. Contact Tesla. See Smart Air Suspension
on page 117.A brake system fault is detected or the brake fluid level is low. See Brakes on page
60. Contact Tesla immediately.Airbag safety. If this indicator does not flash on briefly when Model S prepares to
drive, or if it remains on, contact Tesla immediately. See Airbag Warning Indicator
on page 37.An ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) fault is detected. See Brakes on page 60.
Contact Tesla immediately.Instrument Panel
48Model S Owner
Controlling Lights
Touch Controls on the bottom corner of the touchscreen to control most of the lights.
In addition to the lights that you can control from the touchscreen, Model S has convenience lights that turn on and
off automatically based on what you are doing. For example, you will notice
interior lights, marker lights, tail lights, door handle lights, and puddle lights that turn on when you
unlock Model S, when you open a door, and when you shift into Park. They turn
off automatically
after a minute or two or when you shift into a driving gear or lock Model S.
Note: Depending on options chosen at time of purchase, some vehicles are not equipped with fog
lights.
Lights
Driving53
1.If you turn on DOME lights, all interior dome (map) lights turn on when you unlock Model S,
open a door upon exiting, or shift into P (Park). They turn off after 60 seconds, when you lock
Model S, or when you shift into a driving gear. If set to AUTO, dome lights turn on only when
little or no light is detected.
You can also manually turn an individual dome light on or
off by pressing its lens. If you
manually turn a dome light on, it turns off when Model S powers off. If Model S was already
powered off when you manually turned the light on, it turns off after 60 minutes.
2. If you turn on AMBIENT lights, the lights on the door armrests turn on whenever the
headlights are on.
3. If you turn on AUTO HIGH BEAM, high beam headlights turn on and
off automatically based
on whether or not light is detected in front of Model S (see High Beam Headlights on page
56).
4. Touch to turn fog lights (if equipped) on or
off. Fog lights operate only when low beam
headlights are on. Fog lights do not operate when headlights are turned off or when high
beam headlights are on.
The Front Fog indicator displays on the instrument panel whenever front fog
lights are on.The Rear Fog indicator displays on the instrument panel whenever rear fog
lights are on.
Note: Depending on the market region and vehicle options, your vehicle may not be equipped
with front and/or rear fog lights.
Note: In some regions, there is no control for the front fog lights. They operate in conjunction
with the headlights and turn on only in situations where low beam headlights are on.
5. If Model S is equipped with a coil suspension system, you can adjust the angle of the
headlights to accommodate the load you are carrying. You may need to lower the angle of theheadlights to avoid blinding oncoming drivers in situations when you are carrying a
significantamount of weight in the rear trunk. After touching LEVEL, drag the slider to the desired
position:
0Headlights are not lowered. No change is needed when all front and rear seats are
occupied and only the front trunk is laden.1Headlights are lowered one level. Suitable when the front and rear seats are occupied and the rear trunk is laden.2Headlights are lowered two levels. Suitable when carrying heavy loads.
Note: Headlight adjustments are not available if Model S is equipped with Smart Air
Suspension because Model S levels automatically.
Lights
54Model S Owner
Braking SystemsWarning: Properly functioning braking
systems are critical to ensure safety. If you experience a problem with the brake
pedal, brake caliper, or any component of
a Model S braking system, contact Tesla
immediately.
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 beaware 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).
Automatic Emergency Braking automatically
applies full braking in situations where a
collision is considered imminent (see Automatic Emergency Braking on page 94).
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
replace the brake pads, 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 170.
Warning:
Neglecting to replace worn
brake pads damages the braking system
and can result in a braking hazard.
Regenerative Braking
Whenever Model S is moving and your foot is
off the accelerator, regenerative braking slows
down Model S and feeds any surplus energy
back to the Battery.
By anticipating your stops and reducing or
removing pressure from the accelerator pedal
to slow down, you can take advantage of regenerative braking to increase driving range.
Of course, this is no substitute for regular
braking when needed for safety.
Note: If regenerative braking is aggressively
slowing Model S (such as when your foot is
completely
off the accelerator pedal at
highway speeds), the brake lights turn on to
alert others that you are slowing down.
Brakes
60Model S Owner
1.Status bar
The top line displays provides shortcuts to lock/unlock Model S, to access HomeLink (if equipped) and Driver
Profiles, display vehicle information (the Tesla “T”), download software
updates, display network strength and Bluetooth
Touch the zoom icons in the top right area to
zoom the map in and out on your current or
chosen location. Touch the North/Heading Up icon to center the map on your current
location and change the orientation of the
map:North Up - North is always at the
top of the screen.Heading Up - The direction you are
heading is always at the top of the
screen. The map rotates when you
change direction. This icon has an
integrated compass that indicates
the direction you are driving.
You can rotate the map in any direction using
your fingers. When you rotate the map in a
clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, or
move the map up, down, left, or right, the
North/Heading Up icon turns gray and no
longer tracks your position. (The message
"Tracking Disabled" is displayed next to the North/Heading Up icon.) To re-enable
tracking, and adjust the orientation of the map
so that North, or the direction you are
traveling, is at the top of the screen, touch the
North/Heading Up icon again. The North/
Heading Up icon is reenabled, and the
message, "North Up" or "Heading Up" is
displayed.
Note: To keep tracking enabled, zoom in or
out using only the zoom icons or by pinching
your
fingers. To disable tracking, move the
map in any direction.
To maximize the size of the map, the
touchscreen
About the Security SystemIf Model S does not detect a key nearby and a
locked door or trunk is opened, an alarm sounds and the headlights and turn signals
flash. To deactivate the alarm, press any
button on the key.
To manually enable or disable the alarm
system, touch Controls > Settings > Safety &
Security > Alarm . When set to ON, Model S
activates its alarm one minute after you exit,
the doors lock, and a recognized key is no
longer detected.
If your Model S is equipped with the optional security package, it includes a battery-backed
siren that sounds in situations where a locked door or trunk is opened and Model S does notdetect a key nearby. If the Tilt/Intrusion
setting is on, the siren also sounds if Model S
detects motion inside the cabin or if the
vehicle is moved or tilted (for example, with a
tow truck or jack). To temporarily turn the Tilt/
Intrusion detection system
off, touch
Controls > Settings > Safety & Security > Tilt/
Intrusion > OFF . The Tilt/Intrusion setting is
enabled every time Model S is unlocked.
Note: If you plan to leave something that
moves, such as a dog, inside your locked
Model S, remember to turn
off Tilt/Intrusion .
Motion detected inside Model S activates the
siren.
Note: The Alarm must be on to enable Tilt/
Intrusion .
Security Settings
132Model S Owner