CAUTION: Do not aim water hoses directly at windows, door, or hood seals or at electronic modules or exposed cabling.
CAUTION: To avoid corrosive damage that may not be covered by the warranty, rinse away any road salt from the underside of the vehicle, wheel wells, and brakes. After cleaning the vehicle, dry the brakes by going on a short drive and applying the brakes multiple times.
CAUTION: Avoid using tight-napped or rough cloths, such as washing mitts. A high-quality microfiber cleaning cloth is recommended.
CAUTION: If washing in an automatic car wash, use touchless car washes only. These car washes have no parts (brushes, etc.) that touch the surfaces of Model S. Some touchless car washes use caustic solutions that, over time, can cause discoloration of decorative exterior trim. Avoid exposure to soaps and chemicals above pH 13. If unsure, check the product label or ask the staff at the car wash. Damage caused by improper washing is not covered by the warranty.
CAUTION: If washing in an automatic car wash, make sure the vehicle is locked. In addition, avoid using controls on the touchscreen that can result in accidentally opening doors or trunks while the vehicle is being washed. Any damage caused is not covered by the warranty.
CAUTION: Ensure the wipers are off
before washing Model S to avoid the risk of damaging the wipers.
CAUTION: Do not use chemical based wheel cleaners or pre-wash products. These can damage the finish on the wheels.
WARNING: Never spray liquid at a high velocity (for example, if using a pressure washer) towards the charge port while Model S is charging. Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious injury or damage to the vehicle, charging equipment, or property.
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 reflective and could interfere with your driving view.
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.
If equipped with leather seats, note that
leather is prone to dye-transfer which can
cause discoloration, particularly on light
colored leather. White and tan leather is
coated with an anti-soiling treatment. Using
detergents or commercially available leather
cleaners and conditioners is not
recommended because they can discolor or dry out the leather.
If equipped with polyurethane seats, be
careful with dyes, such as from clothing or
denim, that come into contact with the seats.
Over time, dyes can
diffuse into the seat
material and cause staining.
Vacuum cloth seats as needed to remove any
loose dirt.
Cleaning
195Maintenance
Removing the Maintenance
Panel
To 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
Your Battery coolant should not need to be
replaced for the life of your vehicle under
most circumstances. However, 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
DO NOT REMOVE THE FILLER CAP AND DO NOT ADD FLUID. Doing so can result in damage not covered by the warranty.
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 specific
mixture of G-48 ethylene-glycol coolant
(HOAT). Contact Tesla for more specific information about the coolant.
Checking Brake Fluid
WARNING: Contact Tesla immediately if you notice increased movement of the brake pedal or a significant loss of brake fluid. Driving under these conditions can result in extended stopping distances or complete brake failure.
A red 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 and health
at the regularly scheduled maintenance intervals.
Topping Up the Brake Fluid
Do not top up your brake fluid. 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
WARNING: Brake fluid is highly toxic. Keep containers sealed and out of the reach of children. In the event of accidental consumption, seek medical attention immediately.
CAUTION: Brake fluid damages painted surfaces. Immediately soak up any spills with an absorbent cloth and wash the area with a mixture of car shampoo and water.
Topping Up Windshield Washer Fluid
The only reservoir into which you can add fluid is the windshield washer fluid reservoir,
which is located behind the front trunk. When
the level is low, a message displays on the
instrument panel.
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.
While avoiding spilling, fill the reservoir
until the fluid level is visible just below the filler neck.
5.
Wipe up any spills immediately and wash
the affected area with water.
6.
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: Do not add formulated washer fluids that contain water repellent or bug wash. These fluids
can cause streaking, smearing, and squeaking or other noises.
WARNING: In temperatures below 40
Motor Type
Motor TypeLong RangePlaidFront and rear
motorAC permanent magnet
synchronous motor, liquid-
cooled, with variable frequency
driveAC permanent magnet synchronous motor, carbon-fiber-wrapped rotor, liquid-cooled,
with variable frequency drive (2x motors in
the rear)
Transmission
TypeLong RangePlaidFront transmissionSingle speed fixed gear,
7.5:1Single speed fixed gear, 7.5:1. Enhanced
lubricationRear transmissionSingle speed fixed gear,
9.0:1Independent single speed fixed gear, 7.5:1.
Dry sump lubrication
Steering
SteeringSpecificationsTypeVariable ratio rack and pinion with electronic power steering,
speed sensitiveNumber of turns lock to lock2.33Turning Circle (curb to curb)40.3 ft/12.3 m
Brakes
BrakesSpecifications
Type
4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with
Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Integrated
Advanced Stability Control and Electronic Accelerator
pedal actuated regenerative braking systemCalipersFront: Four piston, fixedRear: Single piston, floatingRotor Diameters (ventilated)Front: 14.96”/380 mmRear: 14.37”/365 mmFront Rotor thicknessNew: 1.26”/32 mmService limit: 1.18”/30 mmRear Rotor thicknessNew: 1.10”/28 mm
Subsystems
208MODEL S Owner
BrakesSpecificationsService limit: 1.02”/26 mmFront Brake Pad Thickness (excluding
back plate)New: 0.41”/10.5 mm (MIN)Service limit: 0.09”/ 2.3 mmRear Brake Pad Thickness (excluding
back plate)New: 0.33”/8.5 mm (MIN)Service limit: 0.11”/ 2.7 mmParking brakeElectrically actuated parking brake calipers
Suspension
SuspensionSpecificationsFrontIndependent, double wishbone, air spring with adaptive damper, stabilizer barRearIndependent, multi-link, air spring with adaptive damper, stabilizer bar
Battery - Low Voltage
Battery - Low VoltageSpecificationsRating6.9 amp hourVoltage15.5V
Battery - High Voltage
Battery - High VoltageSpecificationsTypeLiquid-cooled lithium ion (Li-ion)Nominal Voltage407 V DCTemperature RangeDo not expose Model S to ambient temperatures above 149
WARNING: Model S is equipped with high voltage components that may be compromised as a result of a collision (see High Voltage Components on page 175). Before transporting Model S, it is important to assume these components are energized. Always follow high voltage safety precautions (wearing personal protection 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.
Disable the Self-Leveling Air
Suspension System
NOTE: If Model S has no 12V power, you need
an external 12V power supply to use the
touchscreen. See
If Vehicle Has No Power on page 222.
Your Model S is equipped with an air
suspension system that automatically self-
levels the vehicle, 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, and then touch Very High to maximize height.
3.
Touch Controls > Service > Jack Mode.
NOTE: Jack mode cancels when driving
speed exceeds 4 mph (7 km/h).
Activate Transport Mode
Transport Mode keeps the parking brake
disengaged while winching Model S onto a flatbed truck. When active, Transport Mode
displays a message indicating that the vehicle
will remain free-rolling. The following are
required to enable Transport Mode:
(DI_a201)
Regenerative braking temporarily reduced
Regen will increase as vehicle is driven
Regenerative braking performance has been temporarily reduced to below 65% of its full capacity. The exact reduction is indicated by the dashed lines on the power meter.
While this alert is present, the deceleration rate of the vehicle due to regenerative braking will be reduced and more brake pedal application will be required to slow the vehicle (similar to
what is needed in a gas-powered, non-electric, vehicle).
This alert is expected under the following conditions:
Continue to press the brake pedal as you normally would, and do not "pump" (repeatedly press and release) the pedal as this will interrupt the function.
This alert will clear when your vehicle comes to a stop or you are no longer pressing the brake pedal. It may still be displayed for up to 5 seconds afterward.
When this assist function activates, you may feel the brake pedal pull away from your foot and notice a strong increase in brake pressure. You may also hear a pumping sound coming from the
brake hydraulic unit at the front of the vehicle. This will usually last for a few seconds, depending
on road surface and vehicle speed. This is completely normal and does not indicate any issue
with your vehicle.
Reduced braking performance is usually temporary, and can occur for a number of reasons
including high brake temperatures after heavy brake use, or driving in extremely cold or wet
conditions. It can also indicate that your brake pads or rotors have worn to the point that
normal replacement is needed.
If you continue to experience reduced braking performance which does not improve over time, please contact Tesla service at your convenience for a brake inspection.
For more information, see Hydraulic Fade Compensation on page 67.
(PCS_a017)
Charging stopped - Power lost while charging
Check power source and charging equipment
Power has been lost during charging. This could result from the charging equipment losing
power from the source (for example, a wall outlet) or from an issue with the charging
equipment.
This alert is often accompanied by other alerts that can help you identify and troubleshoot the issue. Start by investigating any other displayed alerts that relate to charging issues.
Alternatively, you can check Mobile Connector or Wall Connector status lights to confirm power
to the device, and also refer to the product owner