Steering Mode: Adjust the amount of effort
required to turn the steering yoke (see Adjusting Steering Effort on page 47).
Auto Shift out of Park: Turn on if you want Model S to automatically choose the initial
driving gear (Drive or Reverse). See Gears on page 53.
Slip Start: Turn on to allow wheels to spin
(see Traction Control on page 69).
Suspension
Adjust the settings associated with the air suspension system. You can adjust the Ride Height and you can optimize ride and
handling by adjusting settings for Adaptive Suspension Damping. You can also save
locations at which you want the ride height to
automatically raise (helpful for increasing
ground clearance on steep driveways, etc.). See
Air Suspension on page 158.
Charging
View charging status and adjust settings
related to charging Model S (see Charging Instructions on page 179).
Autopilot
NOTE: Depending on market region, vehicle configuration, options purchased, and software version, your vehicle may not be equipped with all Autopilot features described below.
Customize how some of the Autopilot features operate to provide a safer and more
convenient driving experience. See
About Autopilot on page 84 for an overview of
Autopilot components and features.
Overview
NOTE: The entertainment options available vary depending on market region. Some entertainment features described may not be available in your market region.
The touchscreen displays the Entertainment window when you choose any of the
following apps:
Arcade: Want to game?
Depending on the game,
you may need to use the
steering yoke buttons or a
USB controller to play
arcade games.Theater: Play various video
streaming services (such as
Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, etc.)
while parked.
Toybox: Play in the Toybox
(see Toybox on page 152).Browser: Access the web
browser.WARNING: Use entertainment features only when Model S is parked. Always pay attention to road and traffic conditions when driving. Using these features while driving is illegal and very dangerous.
Toybox
Select This...To Do This...BoomboxJoy to the world! If Model S is equipped with a Pedestrian Warning System,
delight pedestrians with a variety of sounds from your vehicle
Inspecting and Maintaining
Tires
Regularly inspect the tread and side walls for
any sign of distortion (bulges), foreign
objects, cuts or wear.
WARNING: Do not drive Model S if a tire is damaged, excessively worn, or inflated to an incorrect pressure. Check tires regularly for wear, and ensure there are no cuts, bulges or exposure of the ply/cord structure.
Tire Wear
Adequate tread depth is important for proper
tire performance. Tires with a tread depth less
than
4/32” (3 mm) are more likely to
hydroplane in wet conditions and should not be used. Tires with a tread depth less than
5/32” (4 mm) do not perform well in snow
and slush and should not be used when driving in winter conditions.
Model S is originally fitted with tires that have
wear indicators molded into the tread
pattern. When the tread has been worn down
to
4/32” (3 mm), the indicators start to
appear at the surface of the tread pattern,
producing the
effect of a continuous band of
rubber across the width of the tire. For
optimal performance and safety, Tesla
recommends replacing tires before the wear indicators are visible.
Tire Rotation, Balance, and Wheel
Alignment
Tesla recommends rotating the tires every 6,250 miles (10,000 km) or if tread depth difference is 2/32 in (1.5 mm) or greater,
whichever comes first.
Unbalanced wheels (sometimes noticeable as
vibration through the steering yoke) affect
vehicle handling and tire life. Even with
regular use, wheels can get out of balance.
Therefore, they should be balanced as
required.
If tire wear is uneven (on one side of the tire
only) or becomes abnormally excessive,
check the alignment of wheels.
NOTE: When replacing only two tires, install
the new tires on the rear if your vehicle
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
DO NOT TRANSPORT WITH
WHEELS ON THE GROUND
The front and rear motors in Model S generate power when the wheels spin. Always
transport Model S with all four tires off the
ground. Ensure that the tires are unable to
spin at any time during transport.
WARNING: NEVER TRANSPORT YOUR VEHICLE WITH THE TIRES IN A POSITION WHERE THEY CAN SPIN. DOING SO CAN LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AND OVERHEATING. IN RARE CASES EXTREME OVERHEATING MAY CAUSE THE SURROUNDING COMPONENTS TO IGNITE.
Do not transport Model S using any method
that is not specified by Tesla. Adhere to the
instructions provided in the following sections
and observe all warnings and cautions provided. Damage caused by improper transporting of your vehicle is not covered by
the warranty.
NOTE: Tesla is not liable or responsible for
reimbursing services not dispatched through
Tesla Roadside Assistance.
Approved Methods for
Transporting
A flatbed truck or comparable transport
vehicle is the recommended method of
transporting
Model S. The vehicle can face
either direction when using a flatbed.
If Model S must be transported without a flatbed truck, then wheel lifts and dollies must
be used to ensure that all four wheels are off
of the ground. This method may only be used
for a maximum of 35 miles (55 km), and must
not exceed the manufacturer speed rating of
the dollies. With this method, Tesla
recommends the vehicle faces forward so that
the front wheels are lifted and the rear wheels
are on dollies.
NOTE: Transporting Model S with the front
wheels on dollies is not recommended, but
may be done if an external
steering yoke lock
is applied and care is taken to prevent the
front wheels from spinning.
CAUTION: DO NOT TRANSPORT YOUR VEHICLE IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE OF ANY OF THE WHEELS SPINNING.
CAUTION: Enable Transport Mode (see Activate Transport Mode on page 219) before winching Model S onto a flatbed truck. If Transport Mode is not available or the touchscreen is not accessible, self-loading dollies or tire skates must be used to load the vehicle into the approved transportation position. Tesla is not responsible for any damage caused by or during the transport of Model S, including personal property damage or damage caused by using self-loading dollies or tire skates.
NOTE: Transport Mode is only intended to
allow for winching Model S onto a flatbed truck or repositioning the vehicle out of a
parking space. While in Transport Mode, the
tires are allowed to rotate slowly (under
3 mph or 5 km/h) and for a very short distance
(less than 30 feet or 10 meters). See Activate Transport Mode on page 219. Exceeding
these boundaries can lead to significant
damage and overheating that is not covered
by the warranty.
Instructions for Transporters
218MODEL S Owner
Take immediate control of the steering yoke and maintain control until you reach your
destination. Your vehicle is OK to drive.
In most cases, Autosteer will not be available for the rest of your current drive. To reset it, you
will need to bring the vehicle to a complete stop and shift into Park. When you shift into Drive to travel to your next destination, Autosteer should again be available.
Please note that the minimum speed to initiate Autosteer when there is no vehicle detected
ahead of you and while driving on a road with visible lane markings is 18 mph (30 km/h), unless
certain vehicle and environmental conditions are met.
If a vehicle is detected ahead of you:
brakes: 208
cargo volume: 208
dimensions: 206
exterior: 206
High Voltage Battery: 210
interior: 206
motor: 208
steering: 208
subsystems: 208
suspension: 210
tires: 210
transmission: 208
wheels: 210
speed assist: 126
speed limit warning: 126
stability control: 69
starting: 51
steering specifications: 208
steering, automatic: 93
summer tires: 192
Summon: 111
Summon Distance: 111
superchargers, displaying on map: 142
supercharging: 184
described: 184
idle fees: 184
pay-per-use fees: 184
suspension specifications: 210
T
telematics: 226
temperature: 48, 60, 135, 177, 213
Battery (high voltage), limits: 177
cabin, controls for: 135
heated: 48
outside: 60
tires: 213
Teslacam: 77
tie-down straps: 221
tilt/intrusion detection: 161
Tire and Loading Information label: 204
tire noise: 193
Tire Pressure Monitoring System: 191
overview of: 191
tire pressures, checking: 188
tires: 188, 189, 190, 192, 193, 210, 211, 213
all-season: 192
balancing: 189
chains: 193
inspecting and maintaining: 189
pressures, how to check: 188
quality grading: 213
replacing: 190
replacing a tire sensor: 192
rotation: 189
specification: 210
summer: 192
temperature grades: 213
tire markings: 211
traction grade: 213
treadwear grade: 213
wheel configuration: 188
winter: 192
toll system transponders, attaching: 202
torque specifications: 208
touch up body: 196
touchscreen: 6, 170, 196
cleaning: 196
main: 6
rear: 6
software updates: 170
touchscreens: 6
overview of: 6
towing: 219
towing instructions: 218
Toybox: 152
TPMS: 191
overview of: 191
Tracking Disabled: 142
traction control: 69
trademarks: 224
Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control: 101
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control: 87
transmission specifications: 208
transponders, attaching: 202
Transport Canada, contacting: 229
Transport Mode: 219
transporting: 218, 219
Index