If the touchscreen displays a message indicating that a software update was not
successfully completed, contact Tesla.
Charging
If Model S is charging when the software
update begins, charging stops. Charging
resumes automatically when the software
update is complete. If you are driving
Model S at the scheduled update time, the update is
canceled and must be rescheduled.
Viewing Release Notes
When a software update is complete, read the
release notes displayed on the touchscreen to
learn about changes or new features. To
display release notes about the current
version of your vehicle
Charging Status
Charging status displays on the instrument panel when the charge port door is open.
1.
Time remaining: The estimated time remaining to charge to your set limit (see Changing Charging Settings on page 182).
2.
Charging: The current power of the charger.
3.
Charging rate: The maximum current available from the attached charge cable.
4.
Range gained: Estimated increase in driving distance achieved in the charging session.
5.
Driving distance: Displays the total estimated driving distance or energy percentage
(depending on your display setting) available.
NOTE: To change how energy units are displayed, touch Controls > Display > Energy Display.
6.
Charge status: Charge status messages (such as Supercharging, Scheduled Charging)
display here (see Scheduled Charging and Scheduled Departure on page 184).
Opening the Charge Port
The charge port is located on the left side of Model S, behind a door that is part of the rear
tail light assembly. Park Model S to ensure
that the charge cable easily reaches the
charge port.
With Model S unlocked (or a recognized key is within range) and in Park, press and release
the button on the Tesla charge cable to open the charge port door.
NOTE: If the charge cable is close to the
charge port door, you can press the button on
the charge cable to open the charge port
door even when Model S is locked or a recognized key is not within range.
NOTE: The following image is provided for demonstration purposes only. Depending on market region, your charge port may be slightly di
2. While holding the public charging handle
in one hand and the adapter in the other
hand, press and hold the button on the
public charging handle and pull both
outwards, removing the handle and adapter at the same time.
NOTE: If the charging station handle
separates from the adapter, leaving the
adapter in
Model S, use the touchscreen
to unlock the charge port (touch the
charging icon on the overhead view of the
vehicle).
3.
Press and hold the charging handle button again to release the adapter from
the charging handle.
NOTE: The charge port automatically closes
within approximately 10 seconds of removing
the connector from the charge port.
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.
Pull the charge port
1.
Driving distance: Displays the total
estimated driving distance available.
2.
Set limit: Adjust the charge limit by
dragging the arrow below the battery to
indicate the level of charging you want.
The setting you choose applies to
immediate and scheduled charging
sessions.
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.
Stop charging: Touch to stop charging.
4.
Charge current at this location: The
current automatically sets to the
maximum current available from the
attached charge cable, unless it was previously reduced to a lower level. If
needed, touch
- or + to change the
current (for example, you may want to
reduce the current if you are concerned
about overloading a domestic wiring
circuit shared by other equipment). It is
not possible to set the charging current to
a level that exceeds the maximum
available from the attached charge cable.
When you change the current,
Model S remembers the location. If you charge at
the same location, you do not need to
change it again.
NOTE: If Model S is charging and detects
unexpected
Scheduled Charging and
Scheduled Departure
Toggle between Scheduled Departure and
Scheduled Charging by touching Controls > Charging > Switch to Scheduled Departure/Scheduled Charging.
Using Scheduled Charging
With Scheduled Charging selected, enable
the feature then set a daily time when you
want
Model S to start charging.
Using Scheduled Departure
When Scheduled Departure is displayed,
touch Schedule to set a daily time when you
want Model S to be ready to drive. Specify a
time, then touch Settings to enable either or
both of the following departure features:
Maintaining Tire Pressures
Keep tires inflated to the pressures shown on
the Tire and Loading Information label, even if
it
differs from the pressure printed on the tire
itself. The Tire and Loading Information label is located on the center door pillar and is
visible when the front door is open.
The Tire Pressure indicator
light on the instrument panel alerts you if one or
more tires is under- or over-inflated.
The Tire Pressure indicator light does not immediately turn off when you adjust tire pressure. After inflating the tire to the
recommended pressure, you must drive over
15 mph (25 km/h) for more than 10 minutes to
activate the Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), which turns
off the Tire Pressure
indicator light.
If the indicator light flashes for one minute
whenever you power on Model S, a fault with
the TPMS is detected (see TPMS Malfunction on page 192).
You can display tire pressures on the touchscreen by opening Controls > Service.
You can also choose whether you want to
display tire pressures using Bar or PSI by opening
Controls > Display > Tire Pressure.
WARNING: Under-inflation is the most common cause of tire failures and can cause a tire to overheat, resulting in severe tire cracking, tread separation, or blowout, which causes unexpected loss of vehicle control and increased risk of injury. Under-inflation also reduces the vehicle
Replacing a Tire Sensor
If the Tire Pressure warning indicator displays
frequently, contact Tesla to determine if a tire
sensor needs to be replaced. If a non-Tesla
Service Center repairs or replaces a tire, the
tire sensor may not work until Tesla performs
the setup procedure.
TPMS Malfunction
Model S has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction
indicator is combined with
the tire pressure indicator
light. When the system
detects a malfunction, the
indicator
flashes for
approximately one minute,
then remains continuously
lit. This sequence continues
upon subsequent vehicle
start-ups as long as the
malfunction exists. When
the TPMS malfunction
indicator is on, the system
might not be able to detect
or signal under-
or over-inflated tires as intended.
TPMS malfunctions can occur for a variety of reasons, including installing replacement or
alternate tires or wheels that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction indicator light
after replacing one or more tires or wheels on
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement tires or wheels allow the TPMS to continue to
function properly.
NOTE: If a tire has been replaced or repaired
using a different tire sealant than the one
available from Tesla, and a low tire pressure is
detected, it is possible that the tire sensor has
been damaged. Contact Tesla to have the
fault repaired as soon as possible.
Seasonal Tire Types
Summer Tires
Your vehicle may be originally equipped with
high performance summer tires or all season
tires. Tesla recommends using winter tires if
driving in cold temperatures or on roads
where snow or ice may be present. Contact
Tesla for winter tire recommendations.
WARNING: In cold temperatures or on snow or ice, summer tires do not provide adequate traction. Selecting and installing the appropriate tires for winter conditions is important to ensure the safety and optimum performance of your Model S.
All-Season Tires
Your Model S may be originally equipped with
all-season tires. These tires are designed to
provide adequate traction in most conditions year-round, but may not provide the same level of traction as winter tires in snowy or icy
conditions. All-season tires can be
identified
by “ALL SEASON" and/or "M+S” (mud and
snow) on the tire sidewall.
Winter Tires
Use winter tires to increase traction in snowy
or icy conditions. When installing winter tires,
always install a complete set of four tires at
the same time. Winter tires must be the same
diameter, brand, construction and tread
pattern on all four wheels. Contact Tesla for
winter tire recommendations.
Winter tires can be identified by a mountain/snowflake symbol on the
tire
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