Controlling the Passenger Front Airbag
Model Y has an occupancy sensor in the front passenger seat that controls the status of the front airbag.
NOTE: The occupancy classification system (OCS) meets the regulatory requirement of FMVSS 208 and
automatically detects when
inflating the passenger front airbag would be unnecessary or potentially harmful.
WARNING: Seating an infant in a rear facing child safety seat on a seat equipped with an operational airbag
can cause serious injury or death.
Object ClassificationOCS Passenger
Airbag Status*Indicator statusNotesEmptyOFFPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF ObjectOFF or ONPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or
PASSENGER AIRBAG ONDepends on material/
contents.Rear facing child seat
designed for children up to a
year oldOFFPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF20 lbs (9 kg) or lessForward facing child seatOFFPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF35 lbs (16 kg) or lessChild in a booster seatOFF or ONPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or
PASSENGER AIRBAG ON20-100 lbs (9-45 kg)*Large childOFF or ONPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or
PASSENGER AIRBAG ON 5th percentile female or
larger (by weight)ONPASSENGER AIRBAG ONOver approximately 100 lbs
(45 kg)
*If the passenger airbag status indicator does not match the situation, do not use the seat. The passenger must
ride in a
different seat. Contact Tesla Service.
NOTE: It takes approximately six seconds after you power on Model Y for the occupant classification system (OCS)
to report accurate status of the front passenger airbag. As a result, when you
first power on Model Y, even in
situations when it should be OFF because the seat is occupied by a weight of
20 lbs (9 kg) or less, it will take the
touchscreen approximately six seconds to display the status, PASS AIRBAG OFF. If it fails to do so, contact Tesla
Service and do not seat a child in the front passenger seating position.
To make sure the sensing system can correctly detect occupancy status, eliminate the following:
WARNING: If seating a child in the front passenger seat is legally permissible in your market region, it is the
driver
Inflation EffectsWARNING: When airbags inflate, a fine powder is
released. This powder can irritate the skin and
should be thoroughly flushed from the eyes and
from any cuts or abrasions.
After inflation, the airbags deflate to provide a gradual
cushioning
effect for the occupants and to ensure the
driver
5. If you turn on Auto High Beam, your vehicle
automatically switches from high beam headlights to low beam headlights when light is detected in front of
Model Y. See High Beam Headlights on page 54.
6.
If you turn on Headlights after Exit, the exterior lights
remain on for a short period of time after you stop driving and park
Model Y in low lighting conditions.
See
Headlights After Exit on page 54.
7.
If you turn on Steering Wheel Lights, the arrows
associated with the scroll buttons are backlit in low ambient lighting conditions.
Reading Lights
There are two reading lights in the second row seating
area, both above the door and next to the coat hangers (see
Coat Hangers on page 22). Turn an individual
reading light on or
off by pressing its lens. The reading
light will automatically turn
off when Model Y powers
off.
High Beam Headlights
Push the turn signal stalk away from you and release to turn the high beam headlights on continuously. To cancel, push the stalk away from you again.
To briefly flash the high beam headlights, pull the stalk
towards you and release.
The high beam headlights can automatically switch to low beam when there is light detected in front of
Model
Y (for example, from an oncoming vehicle). To turn this
feature on or
off, go to Quick Controls or touch Controls
> Lights > Auto High Beam.
NOTE: Your chosen setting is retained until you manually
change it.
In situations where Auto High Beam is turned on but the
high beams are turned
off because light is detected in
front of
Model Y, you can temporarily turn on the high
beams by pulling the turn signal stalk toward you.
NOTE: For vehicles manufactured after approximately
April 27, 2021,
Auto High Beam is automatically enabled
when Autosteer is engaged.
The following indicator lights are visible on the touchscreen to show the status of the headlights:
Low beam headlights are on.High beam headlights are on and Auto
High Beam is disabled or currently
unavailable.Auto High Beam is enabled and high
beams are on.
Model Y is ready to turn off
the high beams if light is detected.
Auto High Beam is enabled but high beams
are not on because light is detected in front of
Model Y. When light is no longer
detected, high beams automatically turn
back on.
WARNING: Auto High Beam is an aid only and is
subject to limitations. It is the driver
NOTE: Headlights do not require adjustments when
temporarily driving into a region where the
traffic
direction is different (for example, driving in right-hand
traffic region, and then driving into a region with left-
hand
traffic).
WARNING: Proceed with caution when adjusting
headlights. Tesla has carefully calibrated the
position of the headlights to be in an optimum
position for most driving scenarios. Tesla
recommends that you do not adjust headlights
unless you are familiar with how headlights should
be adjusted. Once adjusted, you will be unable to
automatically restore them to their originally
calibrated position. Contact Tesla for assistance
when adjusting headlights.
Turn Signals
The turn signals flash three times or continuously,
depending on how far up or down you move the stalk.
Lightly push the turn signal stalk up or down for a
three-
flash sequence. For a continuous signal, push the stalk
fully up or down.
The turn signals stop operating when canceled by the steering wheel, by moving the stalk in the opposite direction, or lightly pushing the stalk in the same
direction once more.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lights up on the touchscreen when a turn
signal is operating.
Model Y also emits a
clicking sound.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lights up on the touchscreen when a turn
signal is operating.
Model Y also emits a
clicking sound.
WARNING: When actively using Traffic-Aware
Cruise Control, engaging a turn signal can cause
Model Y to accelerate in specific situations (see
Overtake Acceleration on page 89).
WARNING: When actively using Autosteer,
engaging a turn signal can cause Model Y to
change lanes (see Auto Lane Change on page
93).
Hazard Warning Flashers
To turn on the hazard warning flashers, press the button
located above the rear view mirror. All turn signals
flash.
Press the button again to turn off the hazard warning
flashers.
NOTE: Hazard warning flashers operate even when
Model Y cannot detect a key.
NOTE: The hazard warning light button is illuminated
whenever
Model Y is powered on.
Lights
55Driving
Braking SystemsWARNING: Properly functioning braking systems
are critical to ensure safety. If you experience a
problem with the brake pedal, brake calipers, or
any component of a Model Y braking system,
contact Tesla immediately.
Model Y has an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that
prevents the wheels from locking when you apply
maximum brake pressure. This improves steering control
during heavy braking in most road conditions.
During emergency braking conditions, the ABS
constantly monitors the speed of each wheel and varies
the brake pressure according to the grip available.
The alteration of brake pressure can be felt as a pulsing sensation through the brake pedal. This demonstrates that the ABS is operating and is not a cause for concern. Keep
firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsing.
The ABS indicator briefly flashes yellow on
the
touchscreen when you first start Model
Y. If this indicator lights up at any other
time, an ABS fault has occurred and the ABS is not operating. Contact Tesla. The
braking system remains fully operational
and is not
affected by an ABS failure.
However, braking distances may increase. Drive cautiously and avoid heavy braking.
If the touchscreen displays this red brake
indicator at any time other than
briefly
when you first start Model Y, a brake
system fault is detected, or the level of the
brake
fluid is low. Contact Tesla
immediately. Apply steady pressure and
keep the brakes
firm to bring the vehicle to
a stop when safe to do so.
The touchscreen displays this yellow brake
indicator if a brake booster fault is detected. Apply steady pressure and keep
the brakes
firm to stop the vehicle when
safety permits. Hydraulic Boost
Compensation will be active (see
Hydraulic
Boost Compensation on page 61).
Emergency Braking
In an emergency, fully press the brake pedal and
maintain
firm pressure, even on low traction surfaces.
The ABS varies the braking pressure to each wheel according to the amount of traction available. This prevents wheels from locking and ensures that you stop as safely as possible.
WARNING: Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
interrupts operation of the ABS and can increase
braking distance.
WARNING: Always maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front of you and be aware of
hazardous driving conditions. While the ABS can
improve stopping distance, it cannot overcome the
laws of physics. It also does not prevent the
danger of hydroplaning (where a layer of water
prevents direct contact between the tires and the
road).
NOTE: Automatic Emergency Braking (see Automatic
Emergency Braking on page 118) may intervene to
automatically brake in situations where a collision is considered imminent. Automatic Emergency Braking is
not designed to prevent a collision. At best, it can
minimize the impact of a frontal collision by attempting to reduce your driving speed. Depending on Automatic
Emergency Braking to avoid a collision can result in serious injury or death. .
CAUTION: In emergency situations, if the brakes
are not functioning properly, press and hold the
Park button on the drive stalk to bring the vehicle
to a stop. Do not use this method to stop the
vehicle unless absolutely necessary.
Brake Disc Wiping
To ensure brakes remain responsive in cold and wet
weather,
Model Y is equipped with brake disc wiping.
When cold and wet weather is detected, this feature repeatedly applies an imperceptible amount of brake force to remove water from the surface of the brake discs.
Hydraulic Fade Compensation
Model Y is also equipped with hydraulic fade
compensation. This feature assists in monitoring brake system pressure and ABS activity for instances of reduced brake performance. If reduced brake
performance is detected (for example, as a result of
brake fade, or cold or wet conditions), you may hear a sound, feel the brake pedal pull away from your foot, and notice a strong increase in braking. Brake as you
normally would and continue to press the brake pedal
without releasing or "pumping".
CAUTION: If brakes are not functioning properly,
stop the vehicle when safety permits and contact
Tesla Service. See Park on page 52 for information
on using the Park button to stop the vehicle in
case of emergency.
WARNING: Always maintain a safe driving distance
from the vehicle in front of you and exercise
caution when driving conditions are hazardous.
Brake disc wiping and hydraulic fade
compensation is not a substitute for adequately
applying the brakes.
Braking and Stopping
60MODEL Y Owner
WARNING: Forward Collision Warning and
Automatic Emergency Braking (if equipped) do
not operate when driving at very low speeds (see
Collision Avoidance Assist on page 117). Do not
rely on these features to warn you, or to prevent or
reduce the impact of a collision.
NOTE: Your chosen setting is retained in your Driver
Profile until you manually change it.
Parking Brake
To engage the parking brake, touch Controls > Safety &
Security > Parking Brake. Follow the onscreen
instructions.
You can also engage the parking brake by
pressing and holding the button on the end of the drive
stalk while in Park.
NOTE: The parking brake operates on the rear wheels
only, and is independent of the pedal-operated brake
system.
WARNING: In snowy or icy conditions the rear
wheels may not have sufficient traction to prevent
Model Y from sliding down a slope, particularly if
not using winter tires. Avoid parking on hills in
snowy or icy conditions. You are always
responsible for parking safely.
WARNING: Your Model Y may display an alert if
the road is too steep to safely park on, or if the
parking brakes are not properly engaged. These
alerts are for guidance purposes only and are not a
substitute for the driver
How It Works
The traction control system constantly monitors the speed of the front and rear wheels. If
Model Y
experiences a loss of traction, the system minimizes wheel spin by controlling brake pressure and motor
power. By default, the traction control system is on. Under normal conditions, it should remain on to ensure
maximum safety.
This yellow indicator flashes on the
touchscreen whenever the traction control
system is actively controlling brake
pressure and motor power to minimize wheel spin. If the indicator stays on, a fault is detected with the traction control system. Contact Tesla Service.
WARNING: Traction control cannot prevent
collisions caused by driving dangerously or turning
too sharply at high speeds.
Disabling Traction Control
Under normal conditions, the traction control system should remain on. Turn it
off only in circumstances
where you deliberately want the wheels to spin, such as: