Tesla MODEL S User manual

MODEL S
OWNER’S MANUAL
Firmware Release 5.8.2
Owners Manual Cover EU 5.8.2.fm Page 1 Monday, December 9, 2013 11:55 AM

DOCUMENT APPLICABILITY
Features released in the most recent versions of software may not be described in this document but are
described in Release Notes. Display Release Notes on the touchscreen by touching the Tesla “T” at the top
center of the touchscreen, then touching the Release Notes link. If information provided in this document
conflicts with information in the Release Notes, the Release Notes take precedence.
ILLUSTRATIONS
The illustrations provided in this document are for demonstration purposes only. Depending on vehicle options,
software version and market region, the information displayed on the touchscreen in your Model S may appear
slightly different.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
All specifications and descriptions contained in this document are verified to be accurate at the time of printing.
However, because continuous improvement is a goal at Tesla, we reserve the right to make product
modifications at any time.
ERRORS OR OMISSIONS
To communicate any inaccuracies or omissions in this document, please send an email to:
[e-mail].
©2012-2013 TESLA MOTORS, INC. All rights reserved.
All information in this document and all MODEL S® software is subject to copyright and other intellectual property
rights of Tesla Motors, Inc. and its licensors. This material may not be modified, reproduced or copied, in whole or in
part, without the prior written permission of Tesla Motors, Inc. and its licensors. Additional information is available
upon request. The following are trademarks or registered trademarks of Tesla Motors, Inc. in the United States and
other countries:
HOMELINK® and the HOMELINK® house icon are registered trademarks of Johnson Controls, Inc. Bluetooth® is a
registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. iPhone® is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. Android™ and
Google Maps™ are trademarks of Google, Inc. Sirius, All other trademarks contained in this document are the
property of their respective owners and their use herein does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of their
products or services. The unauthorized use of any trademark displayed in this document or on the vehicle is strictly
prohibited.
TESLA TESLA MOTORS TESLA
ROADSTER
MODEL S
The full Owner’s Manual and Warranty documents are on
your Model S touchscreen (touch Controls > Settings >
Manual). These digital versions will continuously update as
the software on your car updates, ensuring that the latest
features are properly documented long after your purchase.
More information about your Model S is available at
www.teslamotors.com/mytesla.
Owners Manual Cover EU 5.8.2.fm Page 2 Monday, December 9, 2013 11:55 AM

Overview........................................4
Interior Overview....................................................................4
Exterior Overview...................................................................5
Opening and Closing....................6
Doors..................................................................................... 6
KeylessLockingandUnlocking6UsingtheKey6UsingExteriorDoorHandles7UsingInteriorDoorHandles8InteriorLockingandUnlocking8Child-protectionLocks8Drive-awayLocking8Walk-awayLocking8UnlockingWhentheKeyDoesn'tWork9OpeningInteriorDoorswithNoPower9 Windows.............................................................................. 10
OpeningfromtheExterior10OpeningandClosingfromtheInterior10LockingRearWindows10 Rear Trunk........................................................................... 11
Opening11Closing11AdjustingtheOpeningHeight11InteriorRelease12OpeningwithNoPower12 Front Trunk.......................................................................... 13
Opening13Closing13InteriorEmergencyRelease14OpeningwithNoPower14 Glove Box............................................................................ 15
OpeningandClosing15 Sunroof................................................................................ 16
OpeningandClosing16 Cup Holders......................................................................... 17
OpeningandClosing17
Seating and Safety Restraints... 18
Front and Rear Seats...........................................................18
CorrectDrivingPosition18AdjustingtheDriver’sSeat18FoldingRearSeats18RaisingRearSeats19HeadSupports19SeatCovers19 Seat Belts.............................................................................20
WearingSeatBelts20WearingSeatBeltsWhenPregnant20SeatBeltPre-tensioners21TestingSeatBelts21SeatBeltWarnings22 Child Safety Seats............................................................... 23
GuidelinesforSeatingChildren23ChoosingaChildSafetySeat23SeatingLargerChildren25InstallingChildSafetySeats25InstallingSeatBeltRetainedChildSeats25InstallingISOFIXChildSeats26AttachingUpperTetherStraps27TestingaChildSafetySeat27Warnings-ChildSafetySeats27 Tesla Built-In Rear Facing Child Seats................................ 27
UsageRestrictions27Opening28Folding28SeatingaChild30Warnings-TeslaChildSeats31 Airbags.................................................................................32
LocationofAirbags32HowtheAirbagsWork33TypesofAirbags33DisablingtheFrontPassengerAirbag34InflationEffects35AirbagWarningIndicator35AirbagWarnings35
Driving..........................................36
Driver Profiles...................................................................... 36
CreatingaDriverProfile36RestoringaDriver’sProfile36SavedDriverSettings36 Steering Wheel.................................................................... 37
AdjustingPosition37AdjustingSensitivity37UsingLeftSteeringWheelButtons37UsingRightSteeringWheelButtons38Horn38 Mirrors..................................................................................39
AdjustingExteriorSideMirrors39RearViewMirror39 Starting and Powering Off....................................................40
StartingModelS40PoweringOff40 Gears................................................................................... 41
ShiftingGears41LeavingModelSinNeutral-TowMode41 Instrument Panel..................................................................42
InstrumentPanelOverview42IndicatorLights43 Lights................................................................................... 47
ControllingLights47HeadlightHighBeams49HeadlightsAfterExit49CorneringLights49TurnSignals50HazardWarningFlashers50 Wipers and Washers............................................................51
Wipers51Washers51 Park Assist........................................................................... 52
HowParkAssistWorks52VisualandAudioFeedback52ControllingAudibleFeedback52LimitationsandFalseWarnings52OtherParkingAids53 Trip Information....................................................................54
DisplayingTripInformation54 Getting Maximum Range..................................................... 55
DrivingTipstoMaximizeRange55SavingEnergy55 Brakes..................................................................................56
BrakingSystems56BrakeWear56RegenerativeBraking57ParkingBrake57 Traction Control................................................................... 58
HowItWorks58 Cruise Control...................................................................... 59
OperatingCruiseControl59ChangingtheCruisingSpeed59CancelingandResuming59 Hill Start Assist.....................................................................59
Rear View Camera...............................................................61
CameraLocation61
Using the Touchscreen.............. 62
Touchscreen Overview........................................................ 62
TheBigPicture62 Controls................................................................................64
ControllingModelSFeatures64 Settings................................................................................ 66
CustomizingModelS66 Climate Controls.................................................................. 68
OverviewofClimateControls68CustomizingClimateControl69Ventilation70ClimateControlOperatingTips70 Smart Air Suspension.......................................................... 71
ManualHeightAdjustments71AutomaticHeightAdjustments71JackMode71 Media and Audio.................................................................. 72
Overview72AMandFMRadioServices72DABRadioServices72InternetRadio73MediaSettings73Favorites74MyMusic&Devices74USBConnections7512VPowerSocket75 Phone...................................................................................76
Bluetooth®Compatibility76PairingaBluetooth®Phone76ImportingContacts76UnpairingaBluetooth®Phone76ConnectingtoaPairedPhone77MakingaPhoneCall77ReceivingaPhoneCall77InCallOptions77UsingVoiceCommands77 Maps and Navigation........................................................... 78
Overview78UsingMaps78StartingNavigation78DuringNavigation78 Security Settings.................................................................. 79
AbouttheSecuritySystem79 HomeLink®Universal Transceiver....................................... 80
AboutHomeLink®80ProgrammingHomeLink®80
Connecting to Wi-Fi............................................................. 81
Software Updates................................................................ 82
LoadingNewSoftware82ViewingReleaseNotes82 Mobile App........................................................................... 83
ModelSMobileApp83
Charging...................................... 84
Electric Vehicle Components...............................................84
HighVoltageComponents84MobileChargingEquipment85HighPowerWallConnector85 Battery Information...............................................................86
AbouttheBattery86BatteryCare86 Charging Model S................................................................ 87
OpeningtheChargePort87PluggingIn87DuringCharging88StoppingCharging88ChargePortLight88ChangingChargeSettings89ChargingStatus90
Maintenance................................ 91
Maintenance Schedule........................................................ 91
ServiceIntervals91DailyChecks91MonthlyChecks91FluidReplacementIntervals91HighVoltageSafety91 Tire Care and Maintenance................................................. 92
MaintainingTirePressures92InspectingandMaintainingTires93ReplacingTiresandWheels94UsingTireChains95TirePressureMonitoring95 Temporary Tire Repair.........................................................97
TireRepairKit97InflatingwithSealantandAir98InflatingwithAirOnly99ReplacingtheSealantCanister100 Cleaning.............................................................................101
CleaningtheExterior101CleaningtheInterior102Polishing,TouchUp,andBodyRepair103UsingaCarCover103FloorMats103 Wiper Blades and Washer Jets..........................................104
CheckingandReplacingWiperBlades104CleaningWasherJets104 Fluid Reservoirs................................................................. 105
RemovingtheMaintenancePanel105CheckingBatteryCoolant105CheckingBrakeFluid106ToppingUpWasherFluid107 Fuses................................................................................. 108
FuseBoxLocations108ReplacingaFuse108FuseBox1109FuseBox2110FuseBox3112FuseBox4112 Jacking and Lifting............................................................. 114
JackingProcedure114 Parts and Accessories....................................................... 115
Parts,Accessories,andModifications115BodyRepairs115
Specifications............................116
Identification Labels........................................................... 116
VehicleIdentificationNumber116 Vehicle Loading................................................................. 117
LoadCapacityLabeling117CalculatingLoadLimits118TowingaTrailer118 Dimensions and Weights................................................... 119
ExteriorDimensions119Weights120 Subsystems....................................................................... 121
Motor121Transmission121Steering121Brakes121Suspension122Battery-12V122Battery-HighVoltage122 Wheels and Tires............................................................... 123
WheelSpecifications123WheelAlignmentValues123TireSpecifications124UnderstandingTireMarkings125
Roadside Assistance................127
About Roadside Assistance...............................................127
ContactingRoadsideAssistance127RegionalRoadsideAssistanceNumbers127 Instructions for Transporters.............................................. 129
UseaFlatbedOnly129DisableSelf-Leveling(airsuspensionvehiclesonly)129ActivateTowMode129ConnecttheTowChain130PullOntotheTrailerandSecuretheWheels131
Consumer Information............. 132
Disclaimers........................................................................ 132
VehicleTelematics/DataRecorders132QualityControl132AboutthisOwnerInformation132 Reporting Concerns........................................................... 134
ContactingTesla134 Declarations of Conformity.................................................135
KeyandPassiveUnlockingSystem135TirePressureMonitoringSystem135HomeLink135RadioFrequencyInformation135
Contents

1. Interior doors (Using Interior Door Handles on
page 8)
2. High beams (Headlight High Beams on page
49), Turn signals (Turn Signals on page 50),
Wipers and washers (Wipers and Washers on
page 51).
3. Cruise control (Cruise Control on page 59)
4. Steering wheel buttons - left (Using Left
Steering Wheel Buttons on page 37)
5. Instrument panel (Instrument Panel Overview
on page 42)
6. Steering wheel buttons - right (Using Right
Steering Wheel Buttons on page 38)
7. Gear selector (Shifting Gears on page 41)
8. Touchscreen (Touchscreen Overview on page
62)
9. Glove box button (Glove Box on page 15)
10. Power window switches (Opening and Closing
from the Interior on page 10)
11. Exterior mirror adjustment switches (Mirrors on
page 39)
12. Seats (Front and Rear Seats on page 18)
13. Steering column adjuster (Steering Wheel on
page 37)
14. Horn (Horn on page 38)
15. Brakes (Brakes on page 56)
16. Hazard warning lights (Hazard Warning
Flashers on page 50)
17. Cabin climate control (Climate Controls on
page 68)
18. Cup holders (Cup Holders on page 17)
Interior Overview
4 Model S Owner's Manual

1. Exterior lights (Lights on page 47)
2. Door handles (Using Exterior Door Handles on
page 7)
3. Sunroof (Sunroof on page 16)
4. Charge port (Charging Model S on page 87)
5. Exterior mirrors (Mirrors on page 39)
6. Front trunk (Front Trunk on page 13)
7. Wheels and tires (Wheels and Tires on page
123)
8. Rear view camera (Rear View Camera on page
61)
9. Rear trunk/liftgate (Rear Trunk on page 11)
10. Parking sensors (Park Assist on page 52)
Exterior Overview
Overview 5

Keyless Locking and Unlocking
Model S has sensors that can recognize the
presence of a key. The sensors are located at each
end of the dash panel and behind the rear bumper,
and have a range of approximately three feet (one
meter).
If Model S is equipped with the optional tech
package, walking up to Model S when you have
your key with you automatically unlocks the doors.
Similarly, open the trunk by just walking up to Model
S with your key with you and press the switch
located under the trunk’s exterior handle.
Press a door handle, and it extends. Or, if the
AUTO-PRESENT HANDLES setting is turned on
(see Using Exterior Door Handles on page 7),
door handles extend automatically.
If you turn on the walk-away locking setting using
the touchscreen, Model S locks when you walk
away carrying your key with you (see Walk-away
Locking on page 8).
Using the Key
To quickly familiarize yourself with the key, think of
the key as a miniature version of Model S, with the
Tesla badge representing the front. The key has
three buttons that feel like softer areas on the
surface.
1. Trunk
• Double-click to open the rear trunk.
• If Model S is equipped with a powered
liftgate, double-click to close the rear trunk.
You can also single-click to stop the liftgate
when it is moving.
2. Lock/Unlock All
• Double-click to unlock doors and the rear
trunk. Hazard warning lights flash twice
and door handles extend.
• Single-click to lock doors and trunks (all
doors and trunks must be closed). Hazard
warning lights flash once and door handles
retract.
• Press and hold to lower all windows.
3. Front trunk (also called the “frunk”)
• Double-click to open the front trunk.
You do not need to point the key at Model S, but
you must be within operating range (which varies
depending on the strength of the key’s battery). If
Model S is unable to detect the key, the
touchscreen displays a message indicating that a
key is not inside. Place the key where Model S can
best detect it, which is below the 12V power socket
(see Key Not Inside on page 40).
Radio equipment on a similar frequency can affect
the key. If this happens, move the key at least
30 cm away from other electronic devices (phone,
laptop, etc). If the key does not work, you may need
to change its battery. If the key’s battery is
discharged, you can open Model S by following the
unlocking procedure. See Unlocking When the Key
Doesn't Work on page 9.
Doors
6 Model S Owner's Manual

Caution: Remember to bring the key with you
when you drive. Although you can drive Model
S away from its key, you will be unable to
power it back on after it powers off.
Caution: Protect the key from impact, high
temperatures, and damage from liquids. Avoid
contact with solvents, waxes and abrasive
cleaners.
Replacing the Key Battery
The key’s battery lasts for approximately a year.
When the battery is low, a message displays on the
instrument panel. Follow these steps to replace it:
1. Place the key, button side down, on a soft
surface.
2. Release the battery using a small flat bladed
tool.
3. Remove the battery by pushing it toward the
center of the key to release it from the front
retaining clips.
4. Insert the new battery (type CR2032) with the
‘+’ side facing up. Avoid touching the flat
surfaces of the battery, and wipe the battery
clean before fitting. Finger marks can reduce
battery life.
5. Align the battery, then press the key and
battery together until they snap into place.
Getting More Keys
If you lose a key or require an additional one,
contact. Model S can recognize up to three keys.
When ordering a new key for Model S, take all
available keys with you for reprogramming.
Using Exterior Door Handles
A light press on a door handle extends it, provided
Model S detects a valid key nearby.
If Model S is equipped with the optional tech
package, you can set the door handles to extend
automatically whenever you approach the driver’s
side carrying the key. On the touchscreen, touch
Controls > Settings > Vehicle > Auto-Present
Handles > On.
Insert your hand into the handle and pull to open the
door.
Door handles retract if you do not use them within
one minute after they extend. Just press a handle to
extend it again. Door handles also retract a minute
after the last door closes, when Model S begins
moving, and when you lock Model S.
Note: To preserve battery life, Model is designed to
temporarily disable the Auto-Present Handles
feature when:
• The key has been out of range for more than 24
hours.
• The key remains within range for five minutes
after all doors have been closed.
In these cases, extend the handles by touching the
driver’s door handle or pressing the unlock button
on the key. There is no need to reset the setting.
The next time you approach Model S, provided the
above conditions do not apply, handles
automatically extend.
Whenever a door is open, the Door Open
indicator displays on the instrument
panel. The image of the Model S on the
touchscreen Controls window also shows
which door or trunk is open.
Doors
Opening and Closing 7

Using Interior Door Handles
Pull the interior door handle toward you to open the
door.
Note: To prevent children from opening rear doors
using the interior handles, use the touchscreen
(Controls > Settings > Vehicle > Child Protection
Locks) to turn on the child-protection locks (see
Child-protection Locks on page 8).
Interior Locking and Unlocking
From inside Model S, you can use the touchscreen
to lock or unlock doors and trunks, provided a valid
key is inside the vehicle. Touch Controls > Lock/
Unlock. The current lock status displays on the
bottom left of the instrument panel.
Note: If a door or trunk is still open when you lock
Model S, it locks when you close it.
Child-protection Locks
Model S has child-protection locks on the rear doors
and liftgate to prevent them from being opened
using interior handles. Use the touchscreen to turn
child protection locks on or off. Touch Controls >
Settings > Vehicle > Child Protection Locks.
Note: It is recommended that you turn child-
protection locks on whenever children are seated in
the rear seats.
Drive-away Locking
Model S can automatically lock all doors (including
the trunks) whenever your driving speed exceeds 8
km/h. To turn this feature on or off, touch
Controls > Settings > Vehicle > Drive-Away Door
Lock.
Walk-away Locking
If Model S is equipped with the optional tech
package, Model S doors and trunks can
automatically lock whenever you walk away carrying
the key.
To turn this feature on or off, touch Controls >
Settings > Vehicle > Walk-Away Door Lock.
Note: If all doors are closed and you double-click
the key to unlock Model S, walk-away locking is
temporarily suspended until the next time you use
the key to lock Model S. This allows you to keep
Model S unlocked in your garage.
Doors
8 Model S Owner's Manual

Unlocking When the Key Doesn't
Work
If Model S does not unlock when you walk up to it,
or when you press the unlock button on your key,
the key’s battery may be dead. If this is the case,
you can still unlock and drive Model S.
To unlock Model S (and disable the security alarm),
position the key near the base of the passenger side
windshield wiper, as shown.
To drive Model S, place the key against the center
console, immediately below the 12V power outlet,
then press and hold the brake pedal to turn Model S
on.
For instructions on how to replace the key’s battery,
see Replacing the Key Battery on page 7.
Note: Unlocking Model S using this method
disables walk-away locking. You must manually re-
enable walk-away locking after replacing the key’s
battery.
Opening Interior Doors with No
Power
If Model S has no electrical power, front doors open
as usual using the interior door handles. To open
the rear doors, fold back the edge of the carpet
below the rear seats to expose the mechanical
release cable. Pull the mechanical release cable
toward the center.
Doors
Opening and Closing 9

Opening from the Exterior
To open windows from outside Model S, press and
hold the unlock button on the key.
Opening and Closing from the
Interior
Press down on a switch to lower the associated
window all the way down. Window switches operate
at two levels. To lower a window partially, hold the
switch and release when the window is at the
desired position.
Similarly, pull a switch to raise the associated
window. This also operates at two levels—when
raising, hold the switch and release when the
window is at the desired position.
Warning: Before closing a power window, it is
the driver’s responsibility to ensure that all
occupants, especially children, do not have
any body parts extended through the window’s
opening. Failure to do so can cause serious
injury.
Warning: When leaving Model S, always take
your key with you. Leaving the key in Model S
allows all doors, windows, and controls to be
fully operational and can cause hazardous,
unauthorized or unintentional use of Model S.
Locking Rear Windows
To prevent passengers from using the rear window
switches, press the rear window lock switch. The
switch light turns on. To unlock rear windows, press
the switch again.
Warning: To ensure safety, it is recommended
that you lock the rear windows whenever
children are seated in the rear seats.
Warning: Never leave children unattended in
Model S.
Windows
10 Model S Owner's Manual

Opening
To open the rear trunk, do one of the following:
• Touch Controls > Trunk on the touchscreen.
• Double-click the Trunk button on the key.
• Press the switch located under the exterior
handle (if not equipped with the optional tech
package, you must first unlock Model S).
When the liftgate is open, the instrument
panel displays the Door Open indicator
light. The image of the Model S on the
touchscreen Controls window also
displays the open trunk.
To stop a powered liftgate while it is moving, single-
click the Trunk button on the key. Then, when you
double-click the Trunk button, it moves again, but in
the opposite direction (provided it was not almost
entirely open or closed when you stopped it). For
example, if you single-click to stop the liftgate while
it is opening, when you double-click, it closes.
To open the trunk in the unlikely situation in which
Model S has no electrical power, see Opening with
No Power on page 12.
Closing
To close the trunk, pull down on the liftgate and
push firmly, ensuring it is fully closed.
If Model S is equipped with the optional tech
package, you can close the powered liftgate by:
• Double-clicking the trunk button on the key.
• Touch Controls > Trunk on the touchscreen.
• Pressing the switch located on the underside of
the liftgate (see Adjusting the Opening Height
on page 11).
If a powered liftgate senses an obstruction when
closing, it automatically opens and sounds two
chimes. Remove the obstruction and try closing it
again. If it cannot close the second time, powered
operation is temporarily disabled. Manually closing it
restores powered operation.
Note: The power closing feature is also temporarily
disabled if you leave the powered liftgate open for
more than an hour.
Adjusting the Opening Height
If Model S is equipped with a powered liftgate, you
can adjust its opening height to make it easier to
reach:
1. Open the liftgate, then lower it to the desired
opening height.
2. Press and hold the button on the underside of
the liftgate for two seconds until you hear a
confirmation beep.
3. Confirm that you have set it to the desired
height by closing the liftgate, then reopening it.
Rear Trunk
Opening and Closing 11

Interior Release
To open the trunk from inside Model S, press the
interior release switch and push the liftgate up.
If Model S is equipped with the optional tech
package, you do not need to push it up. When you
press the release switch, it opens, and when you
pull the switch, it closes.
Note: The interior release switch is disabled if the
child-protection locks are turned on (see Child-
protection Locks on page 8), or if Model S is
moving.
Opening with No Power
If Model S has no electrical power, you can open
the rear trunk from inside. Use the mechanical
release cable located on the underside of the
liftgate, next to the interior light.
1. Remove the cover by pulling its lower edge
very firmly toward you.
2. Pull the cable to release the latch.
3. Push the liftgate open.
Rear Trunk
12 Model S Owner's Manual

Opening
To open the front trunk:
• Touch Controls > Front Trunk on the
touchscreen, or double-click the front trunk
button on the key.
• Pull the hood up.
The door open indicator displays on the
instrument panel when the front trunk is
open. The image of the Model S on the
touchscreen Controls window also
displays the open trunk.
To open the front trunk in the unlikely situations
where Model S has no electrical power, see
Opening with No Power on page 14.
Closing
Lower the hood, then place both hands on the front
of the hood as shown. Press down firmly with both
hands to engage the latches. Lift the front edge of
the hood to ensure it is fully closed.
Caution: Slamming or dropping the hood can
cause damage, and does not ensure that it is
properly closed.
Warning: Do not drive with the hood secured
by the secondary catch alone.
Front Trunk
Opening and Closing 13

Interior Emergency Release
An interior release button inside the front trunk
allows a person locked inside to get out. This
release button is active whenever Model S is
stationary.
Press the interior release button to open the front
trunk, then push up on the hood.
Note: The button glows for several hours after a
brief exposure to ambient light.
Opening with No Power
If Model S has no electrical power, or if you are
unable to open the front trunk using the touchscreen
or key, pull the mechanical release lever located
below the glove box. This releases the primary
catch.
Then push down on the secondary catch lever and
lift the hood. You may need to push the hood down
slightly to release the pressure against the
secondary catch.
Front Trunk
14 Model S Owner's Manual

Opening and Closing
To open the glove box, press the switch located to
the right of the touchscreen. If you leave the glove
box open for five minutes, its light automatically
turns off.
Note: The glove box locks whenever Model S is
locked externally, using the key or walk-away
locking. It does not lock when Model S is locked
using the touchscreen.
Warning: When driving, keep the glove box
closed to prevent injury to a passenger if a
collision or sudden stop occurs.
Glove Box
Opening and Closing 15

Opening and Closing
If your Model S is equipped with a sunroof, touch
Controls > Sunroof on the touchscreen to operate
it. Drag, or tap on, the sunroof slider bar, or touch
the image of the sunroof and drag it. The sunroof
moves to the selected position.
Touch OPEN once to open the sunroof to its
comfort position (80% open to minimize wind noise).
Or, move the sunroof to the comfort position by
dragging the slider bar to the indent position. If you
find wind noise (which varies depending on driving
speed) excessive, even with the sunroof in the
comfort position, open a window slightly.
Touch OPEN twice to open the sunroof fully.
Touch CLOSE to fully close the sunroof.
If the sunroof’s safety mechanism detects any
obstruction, it does not close. If, after removing the
obstruction, it still does not close, touch and hold
CLOSE to override the sunroof’s anti-trap
mechanism.
Touch VENT to open the sunroof slightly.
To stop the sunroof from moving at any time, touch
the image of the sunroof.
Warning: Do not allow occupants to extend
any part of their body through the sunroof.
Doing so can cause serious injury from flying
debris, tree branches, or other obstructions.
Warning: Before closing the sunroof, ensure
that occupants, especially children, do not
have any body part extended through the
sunroof opening. Failure to do so can cause
serious injury.
Caution: Remove snow and ice before
opening the sunroof. Opening a sunroof
covered in snow and ice can cause damage.
Caution: Do not carry objects in Model S that
protrude through the sunroof. Doing so can
damage the sunroof’s seals and anti-trap
mechanism.
Sunroof
16 Model S Owner's Manual

Opening and Closing
To expose a cup holder, slide back the armrest.
Cup Holders
Opening and Closing 17

Correct Driving Position
The seat, head support, seat belt and airbags work
together to maximize your safety. Using these
correctly ensures greater protection.
Position the seat so you can wear the seat belt
correctly, while being as far away from the front
airbag as possible:
1. Sit upright with both feet on the floor and the
seat back reclined no more than 30 degrees.
2. Make sure you can easily reach the pedals and
that your arms are slightly bent when holding
the steering wheel. Your chest should be at
least 25 cm from the center of the airbag cover.
3. Place the shoulder section of the seat belt mid-
way between your neck and your shoulder. Fit
the lap section of the belt tightly across your
hips, not across your stomach.
Model S seats include integrated head supports that
cannot be adjusted or removed.
Adjusting the Driver’s Seat
1. Adjust lumbar support.
2. Adjust backrest.
3. Move seat forward/backward.
4. Adjust the seat’s height and tilt angle.
Warning: Do not adjust seats while driving.
Doing so increases the risk of a collision.
Warning: Riding in a moving vehicle with the
seat back reclined can result in serious injuries
in a collision, as you could slide under the lap
belt or be propelled into the seat belt. Ensure
your seat back is reclined no more than 30
degrees when the vehicle is moving.
Folding Rear Seats
Model S has a split rear seat that can fold forward.
Before folding, remove items from the seats and the
rear foot well. To allow the rear seat backs to fold
Front and Rear Seats
18 Model S Owner's Manual

completely flat, you may need to move the front
seats forward.
To fold a rear seat, press the corresponding lever
and fold the seat forward.
Raising Rear Seats
Before raising a rear seat, make sure that the seat
belts are not trapped behind the backrest.
Pull the seat back upward until it locks into place.
To confirm that the seat back is locked in the upright
position, try pulling it forward.
Warning: Always ensure the seat backs are
locked in their upright position. Failure to do so
increases the risk of injury.
Head Supports
Seats include integrated head supports that cannot
be adjusted or removed.
Seat Covers
Do not use seat covers on Model S. Doing so could
restrict deployment of the side air bags if an
accident occurs. It can also reduce the accuracy of
the occupant detection system.
Front and Rear Seats
Seating and Safety Restraints 19

Wearing Seat Belts
Using seat belts and child safety seats is the most
effective way to protect occupants if a collision
occurs. Therefore, wearing a seat belt is required by
law in most jurisdictions.
Both the driver and passenger seats are equipped
with three-point inertia reel seat belts. Inertia reel
belts are automatically tensioned to allow occupants
to move comfortably during normal driving
conditions.
The seat belt reel automatically locks to prevent
movement of occupants if Model S experiences a
force associated with hard acceleration, braking,
cornering, or an impact in a collision.
The seat belt reminder on the instrument
panel alerts you if a seat belt for an
occupied seat is not fastened. If the belt
remains unfastened, the reminder flashes
and an intermittent chime sounds. If all
occupants are buckled up and the
reminder stays on, re-fasten seat belts to
ensure they are correctly latched. Also
remove any heavy objects (such as a
briefcase) from an unoccupied seat. If the
reminder light continues to stay on,
contact Tesla.
To Fasten a Belt
1. Ensure correct positioning of the seat (for
correct driving position, see Correct Driving
Position on page 18).
2. Draw the belt out smoothly, ensuring the belt
lays flat across the pelvis, chest and mid-point
of your collar bone, between the neck and
shoulder.
3. Insert the latch plate into the buckle and press
together until you hear a click indicating it is
locked in place.
4. Pull the belt to check that it is securely
fastened.
5. Pull the diagonal part of the belt toward the reel
to remove excess slack.
To Release a Belt
Hold the belt near the buckle to prevent the belt
from retracting too quickly, then press the button on
the buckle. The belt retracts automatically. Ensure
there is no obstruction that prevents the belt from
fully retracting. The belt should not hang loose. If a
seat belt does not fully retract, contact Tesla.
Wearing Seat Belts When Pregnant
Do not put the lap or shoulder sections of the seat
belt over the abdominal area. Wear the lap section
of the belt as low as possible across the hips, not
the waist. Position the shoulder portion of the belt
between the breasts and to the side of the
abdomen. Consult your doctor for specific guidance.
Warning: Never place anything between you
and the seat belt to cushion the impact in the
event of an accident.
Seat Belts
20 Model S Owner's Manual