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Braking and Stopping
Braking Systems
Warning: 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 X braking system, contact Tesla
immediately.
Model X 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 brie
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Caution: If the brakes are not functioning
properly, stop the vehicle as soon as safety permits and contact Tesla Service.
See Park on page 63 for information on
using the Park button to stop the vehicle
in case of emergency.Warning: Always maintain a safe driving
distance from the vehicle in front of you
and be cautious in hazardous driving
conditions. Do not rely on brake disc
wiping or hydraulic fade compensation to act as a substitute for adequate braking.
Regenerative Braking
Whenever Model X is moving and your foot is
off the accelerator, regenerative braking slows
down Model X 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 X (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.
Warning: In snowy or icy conditions
Model X may experience traction loss
during regenerative braking, particularly
when in the Standard setting and/or not
using winter tires. Tesla recommends
using the Low setting (see To Set the
Regenerative Braking Level on page 77)
in snowy or icy conditions to help
maintain vehicle stability.
The Energy app displays real-time feedback
on the amount of energy being gained by
regenerative braking. You can also display the
power meter on either side of the instrument
panel by choosing Energy using the scroll
button on the steering wheel (see Steering
Wheel on page 56).
The amount of energy fed back to the Battery using regenerative braking can depend on thecurrent state of the Battery and the charge
level setting that you are using. For example,
regenerative braking may be limited if the Battery is already fully charged or if the
ambient temperature is too cold.
Note: If regenerative braking is limited, a
dashed yellow line displays on the power
meter.
To Set the Regenerative Braking Level
You can use the touchscreen to change the
level of regenerative braking:
1. Touch Controls > Driving > Regenerative
Braking .
2. Choose from two levels:
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Use the touchscreen to manually release the
parking brake (which also shifts Model X into Neutral):
1. Touch Controls > Safety & Security .
2. Press the brake pedal, then touch Parking
Brake . If Model X was previously in Park, it
shifts into Neutral.When you use the touchscreen to
manually apply the parking brake,
the red parking brake indicator lights
up on the instrument panel.If the parking brake experiences an
electrical issue, the amber parking brake indicator lights up and a fault
message displays at the top of the
instrument panel.Caution: In the unlikely event that
Model X loses electrical power, you
cannot access the touchscreen and are
therefore unable to release the parking
brake. Contact Tesla.
Brake Wear
Model X 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 Subsystems on page 215.
Additionally, Tesla recommends cleaning and
lubricating the brake calipers every year or
12,500 miles (20,000 km) if in an area where
roads are salted during winter months.
Warning: Neglecting to replace worn
brake pads damages the braking system
and can result in a braking hazard.
Braking and Stopping
Driving79
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Traction Control
How It Works The traction control system constantly
monitors the speed of the front and rear
wheels. If Model X 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 yellow indicator
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Vehicle Hold
When Model X is stopped, Vehicle Hold can
continue to apply the brakes even after you
remove your foot from the brake pedal. When
driving on a hill or on a
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1.Connect the wiring on the brake controller
to the appropriate locations on the 4-pin
pigtail connector included with your
Model X.
1 - Brake control output to trailer
2 - Ground
3 - Brake On Signal
4 - 12V Power (20A)
2. Remove the cover located under the
dashboard in the driver
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Towing Guidelines
Model X is designed primarily as a passenger-
carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer puts additional load on the motor(s), drive train,
brakes, tires, and suspension and significantly
decreases range. If you decide to tow a trailer,
proceed with caution and follow these general
guidelines:
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Attaching and Removing the Ball
Mount
The Model X towing package does not include
a ball mount. You must purchase a ball mount
suitable for the type of trailer you are towing. The Model X hitch receiver supports a ballmount up to 8” with a rise of up to 0.75”. Do
not use any type of drop ball mount.
To attach a ball mount:
1. If necessary, remove the cotter pin from
the locking bolt and slide the locking bolt out of the hitch assembly.
2. Slide the ball holder into the hitch
assembly.
3. Align the hole in the ball holder with the
one in the hitch assembly.
4. Slide the locking bolt through the hitch
assembly/ball holder.
5. Insert the cotter pin in the hole at the end
of the locking bolt.
To remove a ball mount:
1. Remove the cotter pin from the locking
bolt and slide the locking bolt out of the
ball holder/hitch assembly.
2. Pull the ball holder out of the hitch
assembly.
Electrical Connections
Regulations require all trailers to be equipped
with tail lights, brake lights, side marker lights,
and turn signals. To provide power for trailer
lighting, a built-in seven-way wiring connector (SAE J560) is attached near the tow hitch.Most trailer wiring plugs can be attached tothis connector.
1. Reverse Lights (Purple)
2. 12V Power (Red or Black)
3. Right Turn Signal and Brake Light (Green)
4. Brake Controller Output (Blue)
5. Tail Lights and Running Lights (Brown)
6. Left Turn Signal and Brake Light (Yellow)
7. Ground (White)
Note: It is the driver