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Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking may be limited if the Battery is too cold. As you continue to drive,
the Battery warms up and regenerative power
increases (see Regenerative Braking on page
67).
Note: Limited regenerative braking can be
avoided if you allow enough time to precondition your vehicle or use scheduleddeparture before your drive, as mentioned
previously.
Blue Snow
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Warning: To avoid burns resulting from prolonged use, individuals who have peripheral
neuropathy, or whose capacity to feel pain is limited because of diabetes, age, neurological injury, or some other condition, should exercise caution when using the climate control
system and seat heaters.
Note: The climate control system is powered by the high voltage battery. Therefore, prolonged use
decreases driving range.
Climate Controls
Using the Touchscreen129
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Charging
Electric Vehicle Components
High Voltage Components
1. Front Motor (All-Wheel Drive vehicles only)
2. Air Conditioning Compressor
3. Battery Coolant Heater
4. Forward Junction Box
5. High Voltage Cabling
6. On-board Charger
7. DC-DC Converter
8. Cabin Heater
9. High Voltage Battery
10. Charge Port
11. Rear Motor
Warning:
The high voltage system has no user serviceable parts. Do not disassemble, remove
or replace high voltage components, cables or connectors. High voltage cables are typically colored orange for easy identification.Warning: Read and follow all instructions provided on the labels that are attached to Model S.
These labels are there for your safety.Warning: In the unlikely event that a fire occurs, immediately contact your local fire
emergency responders.
Electric Vehicle Components
160Model S Owner
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Battery Information
About the Battery
Model S has one of the most sophisticated
battery systems in the world. The most
important way to preserve the Battery is to LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE PLUGGED IN when
you are not using it. This is particularly
important if you are not planning to drive Model S for several weeks. When plugged in,
Model S wakes up when needed to
automatically maintain a charge level that
maximizes the lifetime of the Battery.
Note: When left idle and unplugged, your
vehicle periodically uses energy from the Battery for system tests and recharging the
12V battery when necessary.
There is no advantage to waiting until the
Battery
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Battery Warnings and CautionsWarning: The Battery has no parts that an
owner or a non-Tesla authorized service technician can service. Under no
circumstances should you open or tamper
with the Battery. Always contact Tesla to arrange for Battery servicing.Caution: If the Battery
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the Battery. For example, if you are sitting in
Model S and using the touchscreen while
parked and plugged in, Model S draws energy
from the wall outlet instead of the Battery.Caution: The connector end of the charge
cable can damage the paint if dropped
onto the vehicle.
During Charging
During charging, the charge port light pulses
green, and the instrument panel displays the
charging status. The frequency at which the charge port light pulses slows down as thecharge level approaches full. When charging is
complete, the light stops pulsing and is solid
green.
Note: If Model S is locked, the charge port
light does not light up.
If the charge port light turns red while
charging, a fault is detected. Check the
instrument panel or touchscreen for a
message describing the fault. A fault can
occur due to something as common as a power outage. If a power outage occurs,
charging resumes automatically when power
is restored.
Note: When charging, particularly at high
currents, the refrigerant compressor and fan
operate as needed to keep the Battery cool.
Therefore, it is normal to hear sounds during charging.
Note: Air conditioning performance is
generally not affected by charging. However,
under certain circumstances (for example, you
are charging at high currents during a
particularly warm day), the air coming from
the vents may not be as cool as expected and
a message displays on the instrument panel.
This is normal behavior and ensures that the Battery stays within an optimum temperature
range while charging to support longevity and
optimum performance.
Warning: Never spray liquid at a high
velocity (for example, if using a pressure
washer) towards the charge port while
charging. Failure to follow these
instructions can result in serious injury or
damage to the vehicle, charging
equipment, or property.
Stopping Charging
Stop charging at any time by disconnecting
the charge cable or touching Stop Charging
on the touchscreen.
Note: To prevent unauthorized unplugging of
the charge cable, the charge cable latch remains locked and Model S must be unlockedor able to recognize your key before you can
disconnect the charge cable.
To disconnect the charge cable:
1. Press and hold the button on the
connector handle to release the latch.
Alternatively, unlock the vehicle by
opening a door, using a key fob, or
touching Stop Charging on the
touchscreen. These methods unlock the
charge port as well.
2. Pull the connector from the charge port.
3. Push the charge port door closed.
Note: If Model S is equipped with a motorized
charge port door, it automatically closes shortly after you remove the charge cable.Caution: Tesla strongly recommends
leaving Model S plugged in when not in
use. This maintains the Battery at the
optimum level of charge.
Manually Releasing Charge Cable
If the usual methods for releasing a charge
cable from the charge port (using the charge
handle release button, touchscreen, or mobile
app) do not work, carefully follow these steps:
1. Ensure that Model S is not actively
charging by displaying the charging
screen on the touchscreen. If necessary,
touch Stop Charging .
2. Open the rear trunk.
3. Open the
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Charging Status
The following illustration is provided for demonstration purposes only and may vary slightly
depending on the software version and market region.
1. Charging status information. For example, when Model S is charging, it displays the time
remaining until fully charged at the currently selected charge level. When a charging session is
scheduled, it displays when charging starts.
2. Total estimated driving distance (or energy) available. To choose between displaying distance
or energy percentage, touch Controls > Display > Energy Display .
Note: A portion of the battery image may appear blue. This indicates that a small portion of
the energy stored in the battery is not available because the battery is cold. This is normal and
no reason for concern. When the battery warms up, the blue portion no longer displays.
3. Charging rate per hour.
4. Estimated increase in driving distance (or energy) achieved so far in this charging session.
5. Current supplied/available from the connected power supply (see Changing Charge Settings
on page 166).
6. Voltage supplied by the charge cable.
Note: If Model S is charging and detects unexpected
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SuspensionFrontIndependent, 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 hour or higherVoltage and Polarity12V negative (-) ground
Battery - High Voltage
TypeLiquid-cooled lithium ion (Li-ion)Nominal Voltage350 V DCTemperature RangeDo not expose Model S to ambient
temperatures above 140