How It WorksThe traction control system constantly
monitors the speed of the front and rear
wheels. If Model S experiences a loss of
traction, the system minimizes wheel spin by
controlling brake pressure and motor power.
By default, the traction control system is on.
Under normal conditions, it should remain on
to ensure maximum safety.This indicator flashes on the
instrument panel whenever the
traction control system is actively
controlling brake pressure and motor
power to minimize wheel spin. If the
indicator stays on, a fault is detected with the traction control system.
Contact Tesla Service.Warning: If the above indicator remains
illuminated in situations in which you have
not enabled Slip Start (described next), the traction control system may not be
operating correctly. Contact Tesla Service immediately.Warning: Traction control cannot prevent
collisions caused by driving dangerously
or turning too sharply at high speeds.
Allowing Wheel Slip
To allow the wheels to spin at a limited speed,
you can enable Slip Start. Slip Start can be
enabled only when Model S is moving
48 km/h or slower. Slip Start automatically
disables when the speed exceeds 80 km/h.
Under normal conditions, Slip Start should not
be enabled. Enable it only in circumstances where you deliberately want the wheels tospin, such as:
How Park Assist WorksModel S has several sensors designed todetect the presence of objects. When drivingslowly in Drive or Reverse (for example, when
parking), the sensors alert you if an object is detected in close proximity of your Model S.
Objects are only detected in the direction of
the gear you selected; front objects in Drive,
rear objects in Reverse.Warning: You may not be alerted if
Model S rolls freely in the opposite
direction of the gear you selected (for
example, you will not receive an alert if
Model S rolls backwards down a hill while
in Drive).
Note: Depending on date of manufacture and
options selected at time of purchase, some Model 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 slower
than 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, causing
either no readings or false readings (see
Limitations and False Warnings on page
65). 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 objects that are in close
proximity to the front and rear of Model S.
This view closes when you shift into Drive
unless an object is detected close to the front
of Model S, in which case the Park Assist view
closes automatically when your driving speed
exceeds 8 km/h. When reversing, visual
feedback also displays on the touchscreen,
immediately below the camera view (see Rear
View Camera on page 72). 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
8 km/h. Touch the button located in the upper
left corner of the Camera app window. This is
useful if you need assistance with parallel parking.
Park Assist
64Model S Owner
If chimes are turned on (see Controlling
Audible Feedback on page 65), 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 bottom left corner of the Park Assist
view.
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 .
To mute the chimes temporarily, press the
scroll wheel on the left side of the steering wheel or touch the mute button in the bottom
left corner of the Park Assist view. The chimesare muted until you shift into a
different gear
or drive over 8 km/h.
Limitations and False Warnings
The parking sensors may not function correctly in these situations:
premature wear and aging of various
components. Model S constantly monitors
powertrain fatigue and damage, and
notifiesyou if vehicle components need to be serviced.
Warning: Use Launch Mode only in
appropriate locations where there is no
cross
traffic or pedestrians present.
Launch Mode is designed for use on
closed circuit driving courses. It is the driver
The map displays superchargers
only.The map displays superchargers,
destination chargers, and visited
chargers. In situations where a
charging location may not be
reachable based on your currently
available driving range, its
associated icon on the map
displays as semi-transparent.
When you are at risk of driving beyond the
range of known charging locations, the
touchscreen displays a message giving you the opportunity to display a list of charging
locations that are within range. When you
select a charging location from the list,
Model S provides navigation instructions and
the turn-by-turn direction list displays the
predicted amount of energy that will remain
when you arrive at the charging destination.
In addition to the message that displays when
you are at risk of driving beyond the range of
known charging locations, a warning symbol
displays on the range assurance icon:
Touch to display a search list of
charging locations that are
estimated to be within your driving
range. Then touch a location in the
search list to navigate to it.Based on the amount of energy
remaining in your Model S, there
are no known charging locations
within your driving range.
Getting Maximum Range
Driving71
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. Lines show your driving path based
on the position of the steering wheel. These
lines adjust appropriately as you move the
steering wheel.
Note: Visual feedback from the parking
sensors displays on the instrument panel (see
Park Assist on page 64).
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 or
abrasive cleaners. Doing so can damage
the surface of the camera lens.
Rear View Camera
72Model S Owner
Note: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is a BETA
feature.
If your Model S is equipped with Driver
Assistance components (see About Driver
Assistance on page 73), and you have
purchased the optional Enhanced Autopilot or
Full Self-Driving Capability package, the forward looking cameras 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-AwareCruise Control maintains a set driving speed. When a vehicle is detected, Traffic-AwareCruise 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 manually applythe 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 Model S down 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
Control
To use
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, you must
be driving at least 30 km/h, unless a vehicle is
detected ahead of you. If a vehicle is detected ahead of you, you can use
Traffic-AwareCruise Control at any speed, even when
stationary, provided you are at least 150 cm
away from the vehicle.
The minimum set speed is 30 km/h. The
maximum set speed is 150 km/h. It is the
driver
brake/decelerate for stationary vehicles
or objects, especially in situations when
you are driving over 80 km/h and in situations where a vehicle you are
following moves out of your driving path and a stationary vehicle or object is in
front of you. Always pay attention to the
road ahead and stay prepared to take
immediate corrective action. Depending
on
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to avoid
a collision can result in serious injury or death. In addition,
Traffic-Aware Cruise
Control may react to vehicles or objects
that either do not exist or are not in the
lane of travel, causing Model S to slow down unnecessarily or inappropriately.
Warning: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
may be unable to provide adequate
speed control because of limited braking capability and hills. It can also misjudgethe distance from a vehicle ahead. Driving
downhill can increase driving speed, causing Model S to exceed your set speed
(and potentially the road