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Cleaning the Exterior
To prevent damage to the paint, immediately
remove corrosive substances (bird droppings, tree resin, dead insects, tar spots, road salt,
industrial fallout, etc.). Do not wait until
Model S is due for a complete wash. If
necessary, use denatured alcohol to remove
tar spots and stubborn grease stains, then
immediately wash the area with water and a
mild, non-detergent soap to remove the alcohol.
Keep the exterior cameras free of dirt,
condensation, or obstructions. These
substances can cause unclear pictures or
Autopilot and safety features to stop working
(see
Cleaning a Camera on page 194).
Follow these steps when washing the exterior
of Model S:
1.
Rinse Thoroughly
Before washing, flush grime and grit from
the vehicle using a hose. Flush away
accumulations of mud in areas where
debris easily collects (such as wheel wells
and panel seams). If salt has been used on the highways (such as during winter months), thoroughly rinse all traces of road salt from the underside of the vehicle, wheel wells, and brakes.
2.
Hand Wash
Hand wash Model S using a clean soft
cloth and cold or lukewarm water
containing a mild, high-quality car shampoo.
CAUTION: Some cleaners and car shampoos contain chemicals that can cause damage or discoloration, especially to plastic trim pieces, lamps, or camera lenses. For example, some car cleaning formulas contain hydroxide or other highly alkaline or caustic ingredients that can damage exterior components. Damage or discoloration resulting from cleaning products is not covered by the warranty.
3.
Rinse with Clean Water
After washing, rinse with clean water to
prevent soap from drying on the surfaces.4.
Dry Thoroughly and Clean Exterior Glass
After washing and rinsing, dry thoroughly
with a chamois. If necessary, dry the
brakes by going on a short drive and applying the brakes multiple times.
Clean windows and mirrors using an
automotive glass cleaner. Do not scrape,
or use any abrasive cleaning
fluid on glass
or mirrored surfaces.
Cleaning a Camera
To ensure a clear picture, the camera lens
must be clean and free of obstructions.
Remove any build-up of dirt or debris by
spraying water onto the camera lens with a
spray bottle or pressure washer.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove dirt or debris by wiping an exposed lens with your hands or a cloth. This debris can damage the surface of the lens when rubbed against it during wiping.
CAUTION: Do not use chemical-based or abrasive cleaners. Doing so can damage the surface of the lens.
Cautions for Exterior Cleaning
CAUTION: Do not wash in direct sunlight.CAUTION: Do not use windshield treatment fluids. Doing so can interfere with wiper friction and cause a chattering sound.
CAUTION: Do not use hot water, detergents, or highly alkaline or caustic cleaning products, especially those containing hydroxide.
CAUTION: If using a pressure washer, maintain a distance of at least 12" (30 cm) between the nozzle and the surface of Model S. Avoid aiming the water jet directly at parking sensors (if equipped). Keep the nozzle moving and do not concentrate the water jet on any one area.
Cleaning
194MODEL S Owner
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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
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For more information on troubleshooting Mobile Connector or Wall Connector status lights, refer to the product
Page 252 of 281
For more information on troubleshooting Mobile Connector or Wall Connector status lights, refer to the product
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(CP_a055)
Charging equipment communication lost
Check power source and charging equipment
Charging stopped because communication between the vehicle and the external charging
equipment was interrupted.
Confirm whether the external charging equipment is powered by looking for any status lights,
displays, or other indicators on the equipment.
If the equipment is not powered, try to restore the external charging equipment
Page 255 of 281
For more information, see Stopping Charging on page 181.
For more information on charging, see Charging Instructions on page 179.
(CP_a057)
Charging equipment reports error
Check equipment for error code or message
Charging was interrupted because the external charging equipment has reported a fault that
prevents the vehicle from charging.
Inspect the external charging equipment and look for status lights, displays, or other status
indicators on the equipment. Consult the equipment owner
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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
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For more information on troubleshooting Mobile Connector or Wall Connector status lights, refer to the product