high TESLA MODEL S 2014 Quick Guide (Europe)
Page 6 of 52
Instructions for Transporters
Use a Flatbed Only
Use a flatbed trailer only, unless otherwise specified by Tesla. Do not transport Model Swith the tires directly on the ground.Caution: Damage caused by transporting
is not covered by the warranty.Caution: To transport Model S, follow the
instructions exactly as described next.
Disable Self-Leveling (air suspension
vehicles only)
If Model S is equipped with Smart Air Suspension, it automatically self-levels, evenwhen power is off. To prevent damage, youmust activate Jack mode to disable self-
leveling:
1. Touch Controls > Driving on the
touchscreen.
2. Press the brake pedal, then touch Very
High to maximize height.
3. Touch Jack.
When Jack mode is active,
Model S displays this indicator
light on the instrument panel,
along with a message telling you
that active suspension is
disabled.
Note: Jack mode cancels when Model S is
driven over 7 km/h.
Warning: Failure to activate Jack mode
on a Model S equipped with Smart Air
Suspension can result in the vehicle becoming loose during transport, which
may cause significant damage.Activate Tow Mode
Model S may automatically shift into Park
when it detects the driver leaving the vehicle, even if it has previously been shifted intoNeutral. To keep Model S in Neutral (which
disengages the parking brake), you must use
the touchscreen to activate Tow mode:
1. Shift into Park.
2. Press the brake pedal, then on the
touchscreen, touch Controls > E-Brake &
Power Off > Tow Mode .When Tow mode is active, Model S
displays this indicator light on the
instrument panel, along with a
message telling you that Model S is
free-rolling.
Note: Tow mode cancels when Model S is
shifted into Park.
Caution: If the electrical system is not
working, and you therefore cannot
release the electric parking brake,
attempt to quick start the 12V battery.
For instructions, call Tesla. If a situation
occurs where you cannot disengage the
parking brake, use tire skids or transport
Model S for the shortest possible distance
using wheeled dollies. Before doing so,
always check the dolly manufacturer’s specifications and recommended load
capacity.
Roadside Assistance
4Model S Quick Guide
Page 11 of 52
Child Safety SeatsGuidelines for Seating ChildrenYou must restrain infants and small children using a child safety seat appropriate for the child’sage, weight, and size. Never seat a child in a child safety seat or a booster seat on the front
passenger seat when the airbag is activated. To disable the front passenger seat airbag, see
Disabling the Passenger Front Airbag on page 21. Carefully follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child safety seat.Warning: Never use a rearward facing child restraint on a seat protected by an ACTIVE
AIRBAG in front of it. DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the child can occur. Refer to the
following label fitted to both sides of the passenger sunvisor.
If your Model S is equipped with the optional Tesla built-in rear facing child seats, these seats are
child safety seats and are designed only for children within a specific height and weight range
(see Tesla Built-In Rear Facing Child Seats on page 15).
Choosing a Child Safety Seat
Refer to the tables below for guidelines on the type of seat belt installed and ISOFIX installed
child restraint you should use based on the weight of the child.
Seat Belt Installed Child Restraints
Mass GroupFront PassengerRear OutboardRear CentreGroup 0up to 10 kgLUUGroup 0+up to 13 kgLUUGroup 19 - 18 kgUF*U, UFU, UFGroup II15 - 25 kgUF*U, UFU, UFGroup III22 - 36 kgUF*U, UFU, UFU: Universal rear facing child restraint
UF: Universal forward facing child restraint
L: Suitable for these particular child restraints - Maxi-Cosi Cabrio/Cabriofix E4 04443517 or
Takata Mini E4 04443717
*: Seat must be placed in rearmost highest position.
NOTE: Attach booster seats using seat belts only (do not use ISOFIX).
Safety Information
Safety Information9
Page 24 of 52
Inflation EffectsWhen 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’s forward vision is notobscured.
If airbags have inflated, or if your vehicle has been in an accident, always have the airbags,seat belt pre-tensioners and any associated
components checked and, if necessary,
replaced by Tesla.
In a collision, in addition to the airbags
inflating:
• Doors unlock and the door handles extend.
• Hazard warning lights turn on.
• Interior lights turn on.
• High voltage is disabled.
To restore Battery power, use the touchscreen to manually power off Model S, then press thebrake to power it back on again.
Airbag Warning IndicatorThe airbag indicator on the
instrument panel remains lit if the
airbag system is malfunctioning. The
only time this indicator should light
up is briefly when Model S first starts
up, in which case it turns off within a few seconds. If it remains lit, contact
Tesla immediately and do not drive.Airbag WarningsWarning: All occupants, including the
driver, should always wear their seat
belts, whether or not an airbag is also
provided at their seating position, to
minimize the risk of severe injury or death
in the event of a collision.Warning: Front seat occupants should
not place their arms over the airbag
module, as an inflating bag can cause
fractures or other injuries.Warning: 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.Warning: Airbags inflate with
considerable speed and force, which can
cause injury. To limit injuries, ensure that
occupants are wearing seat belts and are
correctly seated, with the seat positioned
as far back as possible.Warning: Do not use a child safety seat or
seat young children on a seat with an operational airbag in front of it. Doing socan cause injury or death if the airbaginflates.Warning: To ensure correct inflation of
the side airbags, maintain an
unobstructed gap between an occupant’s
torso and the side of Model S.Warning: Passengers should not lean their
heads against the doors. Doing so can cause injury if a curtain airbag inflates.Warning: Do not allow passengers to
obstruct the operation of an airbag by
placing feet, knees or any other part of the body on or near an airbag.Warning: Do not attach or place objects
on or near the front airbags, the side of
the front seats, the headliner at the side of the vehicle, or any other airbag coverthat could interfere with inflation of an
airbag. Objects can cause serious injury if the vehicle is in a collision severe enoughto cause the airbag to inflate.Warning: Following inflation, some airbag
components are hot. Do not touch until
they have cooled.
Safety Information
22Model S Quick Guide
Page 26 of 52
Inspecting and Maintaining TiresRegularly inspect the tread and side walls for
any sign of distortion (bulges), cuts or wear.Warning: Do not drive Model S if a tire is
damaged, excessively worn, or inflated to
an incorrect pressure. Check tires
regularly for wear, and ensure there are
no cuts, bulges or exposure of the ply/
cord structure.
Tire Wear
Model S is originally fitted with tires that have wear indicators molded into the tread pattern.
When the tread has been worn down to
1.6 mm, the indicators start to appear at the
surface of the tread pattern, producing the effect of a continuous band of rubber across
the width of the tire.
Replace a tire as soon as an indicator band
becomes visible or the tread depth reaches the minimum permitted by law.
Tire Rotation, Balance, and Wheel Alignment
Tesla recommends rotating the tires every 8000 km.
Note: Do not rotate tires on the Performance
Plus models.
Unbalanced wheels (sometimes noticeable as
vibration through the steering wheel) affect
vehicle handling and tire life. Even with
regular use, wheels can get out of balance. Therefore, they should be balanced as
required.
If tire wear is uneven (on one side of the tire
only) or becomes abnormally excessive, check
the alignment of wheels.
Punctured Tires
A puncture eventually causes the tire to lose
pressure, which is why it is important to check
tire pressures frequently. Permanently repair
or replace punctured or damaged tires as
soon as possible. Do not drive with a
punctured tire, even if the puncture has not
caused the tire to deflate. A punctured tire
can deflate suddenly at any time.
Your tubeless tires may not leak when
penetrated, provided the object remains in the
tire. If, however, you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you suspecta tire is damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive slowly, while avoiding heavybraking or sharp steering and, when safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Arrange to have Model S
transported to a Tesla service center, or to a
nearby tire repair center.
Note: In some cases, you can temporarily
repair small tire punctures (under 6 mm) using
an optional tire repair kit available from Tesla. This allows you to slowly drive Model S to
Tesla or to a nearby tire repair facility.Warning: Do not drive Model S with a
punctured tire. Even if the punctured tire has not deflated, it can suddenly deflate
at any time.
Flat Spots
If Model S is stationary for a long period in
high temperatures, tires can form flat spots. When Model S is driven, these flat spots causea vibration which gradually disappears as thetires warm up and regain their original shape.
To minimize the flat spots during storage,
inflate tires to the maximum pressure
indicated on the tire wall. Then, before driving, release air to adjust tire pressure to the
recommended levels.
Driving in Low Ambient Temperatures
Tire performance is reduced in low ambient temperatures, resulting in reduced grip and an
increased susceptibility to damage from
impacts. Performance tires can temporarily
harden when cold, causing you to hear
rotational noise for the first few miles until the tires warm up. Contact Tesla for winter tire
recommendations.
Safety Information
24Model S Quick Guide
Page 27 of 52
Improving Tire Mileage
To improve the mileage you get from your
tires, maintain tires at the recommended tire pressures, observe speed limits and advisory
speeds, and avoid:
• Pulling away quickly, or hard acceleration.
• Fast turns and heavy braking.
• Potholes and objects in the road.
• Hitting curbs when parking.
• Contaminating tires with fluids that can cause damage.
Replacing Tires and Wheels
Tires degrade over time due to the effects of
ultraviolet light, extreme temperatures, high loads, and environmental conditions. It is
recommended that tires are replaced every
six years, or sooner if required.
Wheel rims and tires are matched to suit the
handling characteristics of the vehicle.
Replacement tires must comply with the
original specification. If tires other than those
specified are used, ensure that the load and
speed ratings marked on the tire equal or
exceed those of the original specification.
Ideally, you should replace all four tires at the
same time. If this is not possible, replace the
tires in pairs (both front or both rear). When
replacing tires, always re-balance and check
the alignment of wheels.
If you replace a wheel, the TPMS (Tire
Pressure Monitoring System) sensors need to
be reset to ensure they provide accurate
warnings when tires are under- or over-
inflated (see Resetting the TPMS Sensors on
page 26).Warning: For your safety, use only tires
and wheels that match the original
specification. Tires that do not match the
original specification can affect the
operation of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).Asymmetric Tires
Model S tires are asymmetric and must be
mounted on the wheel with the correct sidewall facing outward. The sidewall of thetire is marked with the word OUTSIDE. When
new tires are installed, make sure that the tires
are correctly mounted on the wheels.Warning: Road holding is seriously
impaired if the tires are incorrectly
installed on the wheels.
Winter Tires
In snowy and icy conditions, consider installing winter tires. Winter tires must be the
same size, brand, construction and tread
pattern on all four wheels. For
recommendations on winter tires, contact Tesla.
Warning: On dry roads, winter tires could
have less traction than the originally
installed tires.
Safety Information
Safety Information25
Page 31 of 52
1Tire category. P indicates that the tire is for passenger vehicles.2Tire width. This 3-digit number is the width (in millimeters) of the tire from sidewall
edge to sidewall edge.3Aspect ratio. This 2-digit number is the sidewall height as a percentage of the tread width. So, if the tread width is 205 mm, and the aspect ratio is 50, the sidewall height is
102 mm.4Tire construction. R indicates that the tire is of Radial ply construction.5Wheel diameter. This 2-digit number is the diameter of the wheel rim in inches.6Load index. This 2 or 3-digit number is the weight each tire can support. This number is not always shown.7Speed rating. When stated, indicates the maximum speed (in mph) at which the tire
can be used for extended periods. Q=99 mph (160 km/h), R=106 mph (170 km/h), S=112
mph (180 km/h), T=118 mph (190 km/h), U=124 mph (200 km/h), H=130 mph (210
km/h), V=149 mph (240 km/h), W=168 mph (270 km/h), Y=186 mph (300 km/h).8Tire composition and materials. The number of plies in both the tread area and the sidewall area indicates how many layers of rubber coated material make up the
structure of the tire. Information is also provided on the type of materials used.9Maximum tire load. The maximum load which can be carried by the tire.10Maximum permissible inflation pressure. This pressure should not be used for normal driving.11U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN). Begins with the letters DOT and indicates
that the tire meets all federal standards. The next 2 digits/letters represent the plant
code where it was manufactured, and the last 4 digits represent the week and year of
manufacture. For example, the number 1712 is used to represent the 17th week of 2012.
The other numbers are marketing codes used at the manufacturer’s discretion. This
information can be used to contact consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.12Treadwear grade. This number indicates the tire’s wear rate. The higher the treadwear number is, the longer it should take for the tread to wear down. A tire rated at 400, for
example, lasts twice as long as a tire rated at 200.13Traction grade. Indicates a tire’s ability to stop on wet roads. A higher graded tire should allow you to stop your vehicle in a shorter distance than a tire with a lower
grade. Traction is graded from highest to lowest as AA, A, B, and C.14Temperature grade. The tire’s resistance to heat is grade A, B, or C, with A indicating
the greatest resistance. This grading is provided for a correctly inflated tire, which is
being used within its speed and loading limits.
Safety Information
Safety Information29
Page 39 of 52
Exclusions and Limitations
Warranty limitations This New Vehicle Limited Warranty does not cover any vehicle damage or malfunction directly or
indirectly caused by, due to or resulting from normal wear or deterioration, abuse, misuse, negligence, accident, improper maintenance, operation, storage or transport, including, but not
limited to, any of the following:
• Failure to take the vehicle to a Tesla Service Center or Tesla authorized repair facility upon discovery of a defect covered by this New Vehicle Limited Warranty and within the time
period established by your local law;
• Accidents, collisions, or objects striking the vehicle; • Any repair, alteration or modification of the vehicle, or the installation or use of fluids, parts or accessories, made by a person or facility not authorized or certified to do so;
• Improper repair or maintenance (other than that carried out at a Tesla Service Center or Tesla authorized repair facility), including use of fluids, parts or accessories other than those
specified in your owner documentation;
• Improper towing of the vehicle;
• Improper winch procedures; • Theft, vandalism, or riot;• Driving the vehicle off-road, over uneven, rough, damaged or hazardous surfaces, including but not limited to, curbs, potholes, unfinished roads, debris, or other obstacles, or in
competition, racing or autocross or for any other purposes for which the vehicle is not
designed;
• Overloading the vehicle;
• Using the vehicle as a stationary power source; and
• The environment or an act of God, including, but not limited to, exposure to sunlight, airborne chemicals, tree sap, animal or insect droppings, road debris (including stone chips), industry
fallout, rail dust, salt, hail, floods, wind storms, acid rain, fire, water, contamination, lightning,
explosion, earthquake, windstorm, deep water and other environmental conditions.
Additional limitations and exclusions
In addition to the above exclusions and limitations, and subject to your local law, this New Vehicle Limited Warranty does not cover any of the following:
• Any corrosion or paint defects including, but not limited to, the following: • Corrosion from defects in non-Tesla manufactured or supplied materials or workmanship causing perforation (holes) in body panels or the chassis from the inside out;
• Surface or cosmetic corrosion causing perforation in body panels or the chassis from the outside in, such as stone chips or scratches; and
• Corrosion and paint defects caused by, due to or resulting from accidents, paint matching, abuse, neglect, improper maintenance or operation of the vehicle, installationof an accessory, exposure to chemical substances, or damages resulting from an act of
God or nature, fire, or improper storage;
• Non-genuine Tesla parts or accessories or their installation, or any damage directly or indirectly caused by, due to or resulting from the installation or use of non-genuine Tesla
parts or accessories unless installed by Tesla or a person acting on behalf of or with the
written authorization of Tesla;
• Certain individual items associated with the vehicle, including, but not limited to the tires, Mobile Connector, High Power Wall Connector, any future connectors, and related charging
adapters, which have separate warranties subject to their own terms and conditions;
Warranty
Warranty37