Cleaning the Interior
Frequently inspect and clean the interior to maintain its appearance and to prevent
premature wear. If possible, immediately wipe up spills and remove marks. For general
cleaning, wipe interior surfaces using a soft
cloth (such as
microfiber) dampened with a
mixture of warm water and mild non-
detergent cleaner (test all cleaners on a
concealed area before use). To avoid streaks,
dry immediately with a soft lint-free cloth.
Interior Glass
Do not scrape, or use any abrasive cleaning
fluid on glass or mirrored surfaces. This can
damage the reflective surface of the mirror
and the heating elements in the rear window.
Airbags
Do not allow any substance to enter an airbag
cover. This could
affect correct operation.
Dashboard and Plastic Surfaces
Do not polish the upper surfaces of the
dashboard. Polished surfaces are
reflectiveand could interfere with your driving view.
Leather Seats
Leather is prone to dye-transfer which can
cause discoloration, particularly on light colored leather. White and tan leather iscoated with an anti-soiling treatment. Wipespills as soon as possible using a soft cloth
moistened with warm water and non-
detergent soap. Wipe gently in a circular
motion. Then wipe dry using a soft, lint-free
cloth. Using detergents or commercially
available leather cleaners and conditioners is
not recommended because they can discolor or dry out the leather.
Polyurethane Seats
Wipe spills as soon as possible using a soft
cloth moistened with warm water and non-
detergent soap. Wipe gently in a circular
motion. After cleaning, allow the seats to air
dry.
Cloth Seats
Wipe spills as soon as possible using a soft
cloth moistened with warm water and non-
detergent soap. Wipe gently in a circular
motion. Then wipe dry using a soft, lint-free
cloth. Vacuum the seats as needed to remove
any loose dirt.
Carpets
Avoid over-wetting carpets. For heavily soiled
areas, use a diluted upholstery cleaner.
Seat Belts
Extend the belts to wipe. Do not use any type
of detergent or chemical cleaning agent.
Allow the belts to dry naturally while
extended, preferably away from direct
sunlight.
Tesla Built-In Rear Facing Child Seats
Vacuum the seats to remove any loose dirt. Wipe the seats with a soft cloth dampened
with warm water. You can also use an upholstery cleaner designed for automotive
use. Extend the belts to wipe. Allow the belts
to dry naturally, preferably away from direct
sunlight.
Touchscreen and Instrument Panel
Clean the touchscreen and instrument panel
using a soft lint-free cloth
specificallydesigned to clean monitors and displays. Do not use cleaners (such as a glass cleaner) and
do not use a wet wipe or a dry statically- charged cloth (such as a recently washed
microfiber). To wipe the touchscreen without
activating buttons and changing settings, you
can enable clean mode. Touch Controls >
Displays > Clean Mode . The display darkens to
make it easy to see dust and smudges.
Chrome and Metal Surfaces
Polish, abrasive cleaners or hard cloths can
damage the
finish on chrome and metal
surfaces.
Cautions for Interior Cleaning
Caution: Using solvents (including
alcohol), bleach, citrus, naphtha, or silicone-based products or additives on
interior components can cause damage.Caution: Statically-charged materials can
cause damage to the touchscreen or
instrument panel.Warning: If you notice any damage on an
airbag or seat belt, contact Tesla
immediately.Warning: Do not allow any water,
cleaners, or fabric to enter a seat belt
mechanism.Warning: Exposure to chemical cleaners
can be hazardous and can irritate eyes
Cleaning
Maintenance155
Warning: Do not operate the washers
while cleaning Model S. Windshield
washer
fluid can irritate eyes and skin.
Read and observe the washer fluidmanufacturer
Removing the Maintenance PanelTo check
fluid levels, remove the maintenance
panel:
1. Open the hood.
2. Pull the maintenance panel upward to
release the clips that hold it in place.
Caution: The maintenance panel protects
the front trunk from water. When re-
attaching, make sure it is fully seated.
Checking Battery Coolant
If the quantity of
fluid in the cooling system
drops below the recommended level, the
instrument panel displays a warning message.
Stop driving Model S as soon as safety
permits and contact Tesla.
Fluid Level Check
Tesla checks the Battery coolant level at the
regularly scheduled maintenance intervals.
On a single motor Model S, you can check the
fluid level visually. BUT DO NOT REMOVE THE
FILLER CAP AND DO NOT ADD FLUID. Doing
so can result in damage not covered by the
warranty.To check the
fluid level, park Model S
on level ground. When Model S is cool, remove
the maintenance panel (see Removing the
Maintenance Panel on page 159). The
fluidlevel can be seen by looking at the outside
marks on the side of the reservoir.
The fluid level should be between the MIN and
the MAX marks. If you notice that the fluidlevel has dropped significantly, contact Tesla
before using Model S.
Do Not Top Up Battery Coolant
Warning: Battery coolant can be
hazardous and can irritate eyes and skin.
Under no circumstances should you
remove the
filler cap and/or add coolant.
If the instrument panel warns you that the
fluid level is low, contact Tesla
immediately.
To maximize the performance and life of the
Battery, the cooling system uses a specificmixture of G-48 ethylene-glycol coolant
(HOAT). Contact Tesla for more specificinformation about the coolant.
Fluid Reservoirs
Maintenance159
Checking Brake FluidWarning: Contact Tesla immediately if
you notice increased movement of the brake pedal or a
significant loss of brakefluid. Driving under these conditions can
result in extended stopping distances or complete brake failure.
The Brake indicator on the
instrument panel alerts you if the
quantity of
fluid in the brake
reservoir drops below the
recommended level. If it displays
while driving, stop as soon as safety
permits by gently applying the
brakes. Do not continue driving.
Contact Tesla immediately.
Fluid Level Check
Tesla checks the brake
fluid level at the
regularly scheduled maintenance intervals. To
check it yourself, park Model S on level
ground. When Model S is cool, remove the
maintenance panel (see Removing the
Maintenance Panel on page 159).
Check the fluid level visually by looking at the
outside marks on the side of the reservoir
without removing the
filler cap.
The brake
fluid level should always be
between the MIN and the MAX marks.
Note: Although brake
fluid level drops slightly
during normal use as a result of brake pad
wear, it should not drop below the MIN mark.
Topping Up the Brake Fluid
Do not top up your brake
fluid. Tesla service
does this when you bring Model S in for
regular servicing. The following instructions
are provided for information purposes and future reference only:
1. Clean the filler cap before removing it to
prevent dirt from entering the reservoir.
2. Unscrew the cap and remove it.
3. Top up the reservoir to the MAX mark
using the appropriate brake
fluid.4. Replace the filler cap, ensuring it is fully
secured.
Warning: Only use new fluid from a
sealed air-tight container. Never use
previously used
fluid or fluid from a
previously opened container
Topping Up Washer FluidThe only reservoir into which you can add
fluid is the washer fluid reservoir, which is
located behind the front trunk. When the level
is low, a message displays on the instrument panel.
Caution: Do not add formulated washerfluids that contain water repellent or bug
wash. These fluids can cause streaking,
smearing, and squeaking or other noises.
Operate the washers periodically to check that
the nozzles are clear and properly directed.
See Wipers and Washers on page 58.
To top up the washer
fluid:
1. Open the hood.
2. Clean around the filler cap before opening
it to prevent dirt from entering the reservoir.
3. Open the
filler cap.
4.Fill the reservoir until the fluid level is
visible just below the filler neck.
5. Replace the filler cap.
Note: Some national or local regulations
restrict the use of Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are commonly
used as antifreeze in washer
fluid. Use a
washer fluid with limited VOC content only if it
provides adequate freeze resistance for all climates in which you drive Model S.
Caution: Under no circumstances do you
need to inspect or top up other fluidreservoirs. Two additional fluid reservoirs
are located next to the washer fluid, but
underneath the maintenance panel. In the
unlikely event that you see a message on the instrument panel that one of these
fluid levels is low, stop driving Model S as
soon as safe to do so, and contact Tesla.
Caution: Do not spill washer fluid on
body panels. Doing so can cause damage.Wipe up spills immediately and wash theaffected area with water.Warning: In temperatures below 4
Parts, Accessories, and
Modifications
Use only genuine Tesla parts and accessories.
Tesla performs rigorous testing on parts to
ensure their suitability, safety, and reliability.
Purchase these parts from Tesla, where they
are professionally installed and where you can
receive expert advice about
modifications to
Model S. Accessories are available for
purchase from Tesla stores or online at
www.tesla.com/shop .
Tesla is unable to assess parts manufactured
by other distributors and therefore accepts no
responsibility if you use non-Tesla parts onModel S.
Warning: Installing non-approved parts
and accessories, or performing non- approved
modifications, can affect the
performance of Model S and the safety of
its occupants. Any damage caused by
using or installing non-approved parts, or by performing non-approved
modifications, is not covered by the
warranty.
Warning: Tesla does not accept liability
for death, personal injury or damage that
occurs if you use or install non-approved
accessories or make non-approved
modifications.
Body Repairs
If Model S is in a collision, contact Tesla to
ensure that it is repaired with genuine Tesla
parts. Tesla has selected and approved body
shops that meet strict requirements for
training, equipment, quality, and customer satisfaction.
Some repair shops and insurance companies
might suggest using non-original equipment
or salvaged parts to save money. However,
these parts do not meet Tesla
Load Capacity Labeling
It is important to understand how much weight your Model S can safely carry. Thisweight is called the vehicle capacity weight
and includes the weight of all occupants, cargo and any additional equipment added toyour Model S since it was manufactured.
Two labels attached to the center door pillar
indicate how much weight Model S can safely
carry. Labels are visible when the front door is
open.
1. Tire and Loading Information Label
2. Statutory Plate
Warning: Overloading Model S has an
adverse effect on braking and handling,
which can compromise your safety or cause damage.Caution: Never load more than 136 kg in
the front trunk. Doing so can cause
damage.Caution: Never load more than 175 lbs
(80 kg) on the rear load floor (above the
lower trunk compartment) or more than
130 lbs (60 kg) in the lower trunk
compartment. Doing so can cause
damage.Caution: Never store large amounts of
liquid in Model S. A significant spill can
cause electrical components to
malfunction.Tire and Loading Information Label
The Tire and Loading Information label
provides:
When Transporting Model SAlways transport Model S with all four tires
offthe ground. A flatbed truck or comparable
transport vehicle is recommended. A wheel lift
and dolly can be used only when transporting
Model S for a maximum of 15 miles (25 km), provided the driving speed does not exceed45 mph (70 km/h). When transporting,
whether on a
flatbed truck or using a wheel
lift and dolly, Model S can face either direction.
Do not transport Model S using any other method unless
specified by Tesla. Follow the
steps provided and observe all warnings and
cautions. Damage caused by transporting your
vehicle is not covered by the warranty.
Note: The following illustrations are for
demonstration purposes only.
Warning: Model S is equipped with high
voltage components (see High Voltage
Components on page 138). Before
transporting Model S as a result of an
event (such as a collision) that may have
compromised a high voltage component, it is important to assume that these
components are energized. Always follow
high voltage safety precautions (wearing
personal protective equipment, etc.) until
emergency response professionals have
evaluated the vehicle and can accurately
confirm that all high voltage systems are
no longer energized. Failure to do so may
result in serious injury or death.
Disable Self-Leveling (air
suspension vehicles only)
If Model S is equipped with Smart Air
Suspension, 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.
Note:
Jack mode cancels when Model S is
driven over 4 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. Chock the tires or otherwise ensure
Model S is stable.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal, then on
the touchscreen touch Controls >
Settings > Service & Reset > Tow Mode >
ON .
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.
To cancel Tow Mode, shift Model S into Park.
Caution: If the electrical system is not
working, and you therefore cannot release
the electric parking brake, attempt to
jump start the 12V battery. For
instructions, call Tesla Roadside
Assistance. If a situation occurs where
you cannot disengage the parking brake,
use a self-loading dolly or tire skates.
Before doing so, always check the
manufacturer