Tesla S 2012 User manual

EMERGENCY RESPONSE
GUIDE
This guide is intended only for use by trained and certified rescuers and first responders. It assumes that readers have a comprehensive understanding of how
safety systems work and have completed the appropriate training and certification required to safely handle rescue situations. Therefore, this guide provides only
the specific information required to understand and safely handle the fully electric Model S in an emergency situation. It describes how to identify ModelS, and
provides the locations and descriptions of its high voltage components, airbags, inflation cylinders, seat belt pre-tensioners, and high strength materials used in
its body structure. This guide includes the high voltage disabling procedure and any safety considerations specific to Model S. Failure to follow recommended
practices or procedures can result in serious injury or death.
The high voltage battery is the main energy source. Model S does not have a traditional gasoline or diesel engine and therefore does not have a fuel tank.
2012 - 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS
P/N: SC-15-94-001
IDENTIFYING MODEL S...................................................................................1
BADGING.....................................................................................................................................1
LARGE SCREEN..................................................................................................................... 2
CHARGE PORT....................................................................................................................... 2
HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS ..................................................................3
OVERVIEW OF HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS................................................... 3
HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY................................................................................................ 4
DC-DC CONVERTER ........................................................................................................... 5
HIGH VOLTAGE CABLING................................................................................................. 6
CHARGERS................................................................................................................................7
DRIVE UNIT.............................................................................................................................. 8
LOW VOLTAGE SYSTEM ................................................................................9
12V BATTERY........................................................................................................................... 9
DISABLING HIGH VOLTAGE........................................................................10
FIRST RESPONDER CUT LOOP - FRONT TRUNK ..............................................10
CUTTING THE FIRST RESPONDER LOOP - FRONT TRUNK .......................... 11
FIRST RESPONDER DISCONNECT POINT - REAR PILLAR (NEWER
MODELS ONLY) ....................................................................................................................12
CUTTING THE FIRST RESPONDER DISCONNECT POINT - REAR PILLAR
(NEWER MODELS ONLY)................................................................................................13
STABILIZING MODEL S................................................................................. 14
AIRBAGS AND SUPPLEMENTARY RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) ..... 15
AIRBAGS...................................................................................................................................15
AIRBAG INFLATION CYLINDERS.................................................................................15
SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONERS ......................................................................................16
REINFORCEMENTS........................................................................................ 17
NO-CUT ZONES............................................................................................... 18
RESCUE OPERATIONS ................................................................................. 19
FULLY OR PARTIALLY SUBMERGED VEHICLES .................................................19
PUSHING ON THE FLOOR PAN....................................................................................19
FIREFIGHTING ..................................................................................................................... 20
HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY - FIRE DAMAGE ......................................................... 20
LIFTING MODEL S .......................................................................................... 21
OPENING MODEL S ...................................................................................... 22
USING THE KEY...................................................................................................................22
OPENING DOORS...............................................................................................................22
OPENING REAR DOORS WITH NO POWER.........................................................22
OPENING THE TRUNK......................................................................................................23
OPENING THE HOOD (FRONT TRUNK) .................................................................23
HIGH VOLTAGE LABELS ............................................................................. 24
INDEX ................................................................................................................. 25

EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE
1
BADGING
Model S has three main badges to distinguish it.
IDENTIFYING MODEL S
IDENTIFYING MODEL S

EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE
2
IDENTIFYING MODEL S
LARGE SCREEN
Model S has a large 17” touchscreen.
Instrument panel Touchscreen
CHARGE PORT
Model S has a charge port that is integrated into the taillight on
the rear left side fender.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE
3
OVERVIEW OF HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS
1. Battery
2. DC-DC converter
3. High voltage cabling (colored orange)
4. 10 kW on-board master charger
5. Drive unit
6. Charge port
7. OPTIONAL: 10 kW on-board slave
charger
WARNING: Regardless of the disabling procedure you use, ALWAYS ASSUME THAT ALL HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS ARE ENERGIZED! Cutting, crushing or touching
high voltage components can result in serious injury or death.
HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS
HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS
WARNING: The SRS control unit has a backup power supply with a discharge time of approximately ten seconds.
WARNING: After deactivation, the high voltage circuit requires two minutes to deplete.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE
4
HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY
Model S is equipped with a floor-mounted 400 volt lithium-ion high voltage battery. Never breach the high voltage battery when lifting
from under the vehicle. When using rescue tools, also pay special attention to ensure that you do not breach the floor pan.
HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS
High voltage battery is located below the floor
WARNING: Regardless of the disabling procedure you use, ALWAYS ASSUME THAT ALL HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS ARE ENERGIZED! Cutting, crushing or touching
high voltage components can result in serious injury or death.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE
5
DC-DC CONVERTER
The DC-DC converter is located in the front right wheel well, on the right side of the firewall. It transforms the high voltage current from
the 400 volt battery to low voltage to charge the Model S 12 volt battery. High voltage is present at the DC-DC converter. Use caution
when cutting in this area during a dash lift (dash roll) procedure—use work-around techniques, if necessary.
HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS
DC-DC converter is located on the
right side, towards the front
WARNING: Regardless of the disabling procedure you use, ALWAYS ASSUME THAT ALL HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS ARE ENERGIZED! Cutting, crushing or touching
high voltage components can result in serious injury or death.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE
6
HIGH VOLTAGE CABLING
High voltage cabling is highlighted in dark orange in the following illustration.
High voltage cabling is routed under the rear seats and inside the rocker panel on the right side front
HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS
WARNING: Regardless of the disabling procedure you use, ALWAYS ASSUME THAT ALL HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS ARE ENERGIZED! Cutting, crushing or touching
high voltage components can result in serious injury or death.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE
7
CHARGERS
Model S has one (standard) or two (optional) chargers under the rear seat. These chargers convert the AC current from a charging
station to DC for charging the high voltage battery. A High Voltage Junction Box, located between the chargers, routes any surplus
energy from regenerative braking back to the battery.
Charger(s) are located under the
rear seat
HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS
Master charger
(under rear right
side seat)
OPTIONAL:
Slave charger (under
rear left side seat)
High Voltage
Junction Box
WARNING: Regardless of the disabling procedure you use, ALWAYS ASSUME THAT ALL HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS ARE ENERGIZED! Cutting, crushing or touching
high voltage components can result in serious injury or death.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE
8
DRIVE UNIT
The drive unit is located between the rear wheels under the floor pan of the Model S. It converts the DC current from the high voltage
battery into the 3-phase AC current that the electric motor uses to power the wheels.
Drive unit is located between the rear wheels
HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS
WARNING: Regardless of the disabling procedure you use, ALWAYS ASSUME THAT ALL HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS ARE ENERGIZED! Cutting, crushing or touching
high voltage components can result in serious injury or death.