Seat Heaters
All seats contain heating pads. In addition,
both front seats are ventilated. You can control seat heaters in all seating positions using the touchscreen.
WARNING: To avoid burns resulting from prolonged use, individuals who have peripheral neuropathy, or whose capacity to feel pain is limited because of diabetes, age, neurological injury, or some other condition, should exercise caution when using the climate control system and seat heaters.
Seat Covers
WARNING: Do not use seat covers in Model S. Doing so could restrict deployment of the seat-mounted side air bags if a collision occurs. Seat covers can also interfere with the occupant detection system that is used to determine the status of the passenger front airbag.
Front and Rear Seats
28MODEL S Owner
Controls - OverviewTouch Controls on the
bottom corner of the
touchscreen to control
features and customize
Model S to suit your
preferences. The Controls
window appears over the
map. Touch an option on the
Controls screen to display
the various settings and
options associated with the
chosen option. Swipe to
close.
NOTE: You can also access
Controls by touching
anywhere on the side of the
touchscreen closest to the
driver and swiping to the
right.
When an information icon
displays beside a specific
setting, touch it to display a
popup that provides helpful
details about the associated
setting.
1.
List of available settings. When you select
an item from this list, its associated settings display on the right side of the
screen.
2.
Settings area. The options available for
the chosen settings display here, and are
described next.
Shortcuts and Frequently Used Settings
When you touch Controls, the touchscreen
displays the following shortcuts and
frequently used settings:
1.
Create and access driver profiles (see Driver Profiles on page 44).
2.
Access HomeLink (see HomeLink Universal Transceiver on page 166),
display alerts (see Troubleshooting Alerts on page 232), and access settings for
Bluetooth (see Pairing a Bluetooth Phone on page 154) and networks (see Connecting to Wi-Fi on page 169).
3.
Commonly used controls.
4.
Adjust the position of the mirrors (see Mirrors on page 50) and steering yoke
(see Steering Yoke on page 47).
5.
Display the view from rear-facing camera
(touch to expand).
Pedals & Steering
Acceleration: Adjust the acceleration modes
of your vehicle. See Acceleration Modes on page 72.
Drag Strip Mode: Preconditions the vehicle
for improved performance in short distance racing (see
Drag Strip Mode on page 72).
Controls
128MODEL S Owner
Overview of Climate Controls
Climate controls are available at the bottom of the touchscreen. To turn the climate control
system on, touch the temperature icon. To turn it off, touch and hold the temperature or touch
the temperature icon to display the climate control popup, then touch the power button.
By default, climate control is set to Auto, which maintains optimum comfort in all but the most
severe weather conditions. When you adjust the cabin temperature in the Auto setting, the
system automatically adjusts the heating, air conditioning, air distribution, and fan speed to maintain the cabin at your selected temperature. Touch and hold the temperature to customize
settings in the climate control popup window. You can revert back to Auto at any time by
touching
Auto.
NOTE: The climate control system is powered by the high voltage Battery. Therefore, prolonged
use decreases driving range.
WARNING: To avoid burns resulting from prolonged use, individuals who have peripheral neuropathy, or whose capacity to feel pain is limited because of diabetes, age, neurological injury, or some other condition, should exercise caution when using the climate control system and seat heaters.
Adjusting Climate Control Settings
To override the Auto setting, touch the temperature, turn off the Auto setting, then adjust
settings by touching the icons that are no longer grayed out.
1.
Touch to turn the climate control system on or off.
2.
The fan tab contains settings to adjust the front fan and climate settings.
3.
Choose where air flows into the front cabin (windshield, face-level, or foot-level vents). You
can choose more than one location.
NOTE: When air is directed to the foot-level vents, air continues to flow to the windshield
vents to assist in defogging. When air is directed to the face-level vents, air does not flow to
the windshield.
Climate Controls
135Autopilot
NOTE: In addition to cooling the interior, the
air conditioning compressor also cools the
Battery. Therefore, in hot weather, the air
conditioning compressor can turn on even if
you turned it
off. This is normal because the
system
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
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
(UMC_a008)
Unable to charge - Wall plug temperature high
Wall outlet and wiring inspection recommended
High temperature detected by Mobile Connector alerts indicate the outlet used to charge is
becoming too warm, so charging has stopped to protect the outlet.
This is not typically an issue with your vehicle or your Mobile Connector, but rather an issue with the outlet. A warm outlet may be caused by a plug that is not fully inserted, a loose building
wiring connection to the outlet, or an outlet that is beginning to wear out.
To regain normal charge operation, make sure your adapter is fully plugged into the outlet. If
charging speed does not return to normal, contact an electrician to inspect the outlet and building wiring connections to the outlet and complete any repairs needed.
If the outlet is worn, it should be replaced with a high-quality outlet. Consider upgrading to a
Tesla Wall Connector for greater convenience and highest charging speed.
(UMC_a017)
Charge rate reduced - Wall plug temperature high
Wall outlet and wiring inspection recommended
High temperature detected by Mobile Connector alerts indicate the outlet used to charge is becoming too warm, so charging has been slowed to protect the outlet.
This is not typically an issue with your vehicle or your Mobile Connector, but rather an issue with the outlet. A warm outlet may be caused by a plug that is not fully inserted, a loose building
wiring connection to the outlet, or an outlet that is beginning to wear out.
To regain normal charge speed, make sure your adapter is fully plugged into the outlet. If
charging speed does not return to normal, contact an electrician to inspect the outlet and building wiring connections to the outlet and complete any repairs needed.
If the outlet is worn, it should be replaced with a high-quality outlet. Consider upgrading to a
Tesla Wall Connector for greater convenience and highest charging speed.
(VCBATT_a180)
Electrical system power reduced
Vehicle may shut down unexpectedly
The electrical system cannot maintain the voltage required to support all vehicle features.
If this alert is present while you are driving, it is possible your vehicle will shut down unexpectedly. It is also possible that your vehicle will not restart after the current drive.
If this alert is present when your vehicle is in Park or when it first wakes, it is possible your
vehicle may not have adequate electrical power to start driving. A separate vehicle alert may be
present to indicate that condition.
It is recommended that you eliminate or reduce your use of any nonessential features. This can
help your vehicle maintain adequate electrical power for essential functions.
If this alert remains active, it is recommended you schedule service immediately. Without
service, your vehicle may not drive, may shut down unexpectedly, or may not restart.
Troubleshooting Alerts
265Consumer Information