Parts, Accessories, and
Modifications
Use only genuine Tesla parts and accessories. Tesla
performs rigorous testing on parts to ensure their
suitability, safety, and reliability. Purchase these parts
from Tesla, where they are professionally installed and
where you can receive expert advice about
modifications to Model S. Accessories are available for
purchase from Tesla stores or online at
www.tesla.com.
NOTE: Some accessories may not be available in your
market region.
Tesla is unable to assess parts manufactured by other distributors and therefore accepts no responsibility if
you use non-Tesla parts on
Model S.
WARNING: Installing non-approved parts and
accessories, or performing non-approved
modifications, can affect the performance of
Model S and the safety of its occupants. Any
damage caused by using or installing non-
approved parts, or by performing non-approved
modifications, is not covered by the warranty.
WARNING: Tesla does not accept liability for
death, personal injury or damage that occurs if you
use or install non-approved accessories or make
non-approved modifications.
Body Repairs
If your Model S is in a collision, contact Tesla or a Tesla-
approved Body Shop to ensure that it is repaired with genuine Tesla parts. Tesla has selected and approved
body shops that meet strict requirements for training, equipment, quality, and customer satisfaction.
Some repair shops and insurance companies might
suggest using non-original equipment or salvaged parts
to save money. However, these parts do not meet Tesla
BrakesSpecificationsFront Brake Pad Thickness (excluding back
plate)New: 0.41”/10.5 mm (MIN)Service limit: 0.09”/ 2.3 mmRear Brake Pad Thickness (excluding back plate)New: 0.33”/8.5 mm (MIN)Service limit: 0.11”/ 2.7 mmParking brakeElectrically actuated parking brake calipers
Suspension
SuspensionSpecificationsFrontIndependent, double wishbone, air spring with adaptive damper, stabilizer barRearIndependent, multi-link, air spring with adaptive damper, stabilizer bar
Battery - Low Voltage
Battery - Low VoltageSpecificationsRating6.9 amp hourVoltage15.5V
Battery - High Voltage
Battery - High VoltageSpecificationsTypeLiquid-cooled lithium ion (Li-ion)Nominal Voltage407 V DCTemperature RangeDo not expose Model S to ambient temperatures above 149
Vehicle normal load on the
tireLoad on an individual tire that is determined by distributing to each axle its share of
the curb weight, accessory weight, and normal occupant weight and dividing by two.
Pneumatic Radial Tire Definitions
Bead separationA breakdown of the bond between components in the bead.Bias ply tireA pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at alternate angles
substantially less than 90 degrees to the center line of the tread.CarcassThe tire structure, except tread and sidewall rubber which, that when inflated, bears the load.ChunkingThe breaking away of pieces of the tread or sidewall.CordThe strands forming the plies in the tire.Cord separationThe parting of cords from adjacent rubber compounds.CrackingAny parting within the tread, sidewall, or inner liner of the tire extending to cord material.Extra load tireA tire designed to operate at higher loads and higher inflation pressure than the
corresponding standard tire.GrooveThe space between two adjacent tread ribs.Inner linerThe layer(s) forming the inside surface of a tubeless tire that contains the inflating medium
within the tire.Inner liner
separationThe parting of the inner liner from cord material in the carcass.Load ratingThe maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a given inflation pressure.Maximum load
ratingThe load rating for a tire at the maximum permissible inflation pressure for that tire.Measuring rimThe rim on which a tire is fitted for physical dimension requirements.Open spliceAny parting at any junction of tread, sidewall, or inner liner that extends to the cord material.Outer diameterThe overall diameter of an inflated new tire.Overall widthThe linear distance between the exteriors of the sidewalls of an inflated tire, including
elevations due to labeling, decorations, or protective bands or ribs.PlyA layer of rubber-coated parallel cords.Ply separationA parting of rubber compound between adjacent plies.Pneumatic tireA mechanical device made of rubber, chemicals, fabric and steel or other materials, that,
when mounted on an automotive wheel, provides the traction and contains the gas or
fluid
that sustains the load.
Radial ply tireA pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at substantially 90
degrees to the center line of the tread.Reinforced tireA tire designed to operate at higher loads and at higher inflation pressures than the
corresponding standard tire.Section widthThe linear distance between the exteriors of the sidewalls of an inflated tire, excluding
elevations due to labeling, decoration, or protective bands.SidewallThe portion of a tire between the tread and bead.Sidewall separationThe parting of the rubber compound from the cord material in the sidewall.
Wheels and Tires
199Specifications
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 (or steering wheel) 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 203) 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 203. Exceeding these boundaries can lead to
significant damage and overheating that is not covered
by the warranty.
WARNING: Model S is equipped with high voltage
components that may be compromised as a result
of a collision (see High Voltage Components on
page 159). Before transporting Model S, it is
important to assume these components are
energized. Always follow high voltage safety
precautions (wearing personal protection
equipment, etc.) until emergency response
professionals have evaluated the vehicle and can
accurately confirm that all high voltage systems
are no longer energized. Failure to do so may
result in serious injury.
Instructions for Transporters
202MODEL S Owner
Vehicle Hold is currently unavailable due to system constraints. When stopping, use the brake pedal to bring your
vehicle to a complete stop and keep your vehicle stationary.
What to do:
Continue to your destination. Your vehicle is OK to drive.
If this alert persists throughout subsequent drives, schedule service at your earliest convenience. Your vehicle is OK
to drive in the meantime.
For more information, see Vehicle Hold on page 72.
DI_a250
Adaptive ride control disabled
Drive with caution
What this alert means:
The speed of your vehicle is limited to 90 mph (144 km/h) due to an issue with the Adaptive Suspension Damping
system.
The system cannot provide real-time adjustments to the suspension system to optimize both ride and handling, and
as a result your ride may be softer than usual.
What to do:
If this alert persists throughout subsequent drives, schedule service at your earliest convenience. Your vehicle is OK
to drive in the meantime.
This alert is accompanied by a red indicator light on the instrument panel. For more information, see Air Suspension
on page 129.
ESP_a118
Assist for low brake performance activated
To stop, keep brake pedal firmly pressed
What this alert means:
Hydraulic Fade Compensation is active. This brake assist function activates temporarily to make sure you have full
braking capability in conditions where reduced braking performance is detected by your vehicle.
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.
What to do:
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.
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.
Troubleshooting Alerts
238MODEL S Owner
summer tires: 177
Summon: 105
Summon Distance: 105
superchargers, displaying on map: 147
supercharging: 166
described: 166
idle fees: 166
pay-per-use fees: 166
suspension: 129
suspension specifications: 194
suspension, air: 129
suspension, auto-raising: 129
suspension, damping: 129
T
telematics: 261
temperature: 50, 61, 119, 161, 197
Battery (high voltage), limits: 161
cabin, controls for: 119
heated: 50
outside: 61
tires: 197
tesla profiles: 47
Teslacam: 135, 136
tie-down straps: 205
tilt/intrusion detection: 133
Tire and Loading Information label: 188
tire noise: 177
Tire Pressure Monitoring System: 175
overview of: 175
tire pressures, checking: 173
tire pressures, displaying: 173
tires: 173, 174, 176, 177, 194, 195, 197
all-season: 177
balancing: 174
chains: 177
inspecting and maintaining: 173
pressures, displaying: 173
pressures, how to check: 173
quality grading: 197
replacing: 174
replacing a tire sensor: 176
rotation: 174
specification: 194
summer: 177
temperature grades: 197
tire markings: 195
traction grade: 197
treadwear grade: 197
wheel configuration: 173
winter: 177
toll system transponders, attaching: 185
torque specifications: 192
touch up body: 180
touchscreen: 6, 8, 10, 143, 180
adding shortcuts: 10
cleaning: 180
customizing My Apps: 10
display settings: 6
frozen: 8
main: 6
overview: 6
rear: 6
reboot: 8
software updates: 143
unresponsive: 8
towing: 203, 206, 207
towing, instructions: 202
towing, transporting: 202
Toybox: 156
TPMS: 175
overview of: 175
Track Mode: 74
Tracking Disabled: 147
traction control: 69
trademarks: 259
Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control: 96
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control: 84
transmission specifications: 192
transponders, attaching: 185
Transport Canada, contacting: 264
Transport Mode: 203
transporting: 203
trip chart: 170
trip meter: 76
Trip Planner: 151
trunk, front: 22
trunk, rear: 20
turn signals, lights: 60
U
ultrasonic sensors: 81
uniform tire quality grading: 197
Unlock On Park: 18
unlocking: 17
USB devices, connecting: 25
USB flash drive: 133, 135, 136
USB ports, console: 25
Index