TESLA MODEL S 2018 Owner's Guide
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The second row seats have integrated non-
removable head supports that can not be
adjusted.
Seat Heaters The front seats are equipped with heating
pads that operate at three levels from 3
(highest) to 1 (lowest). To operate the seat heaters, see Climate Controls on page 111.
If Model S is equipped with the optional cold
weather package, you can also control seat
heaters in all rear seating positions, as well as
heated wipers and washer nozzles by
touching Controls > Cold Weather (see
Controls on page 104).Warning: To avoid burns resulting from
prolonged use, individuals who have
peripheral neuropathy, or whose capacity
to feel pain is limited because of diabetes,
age, neurological injury, or some other
condition, should exercise caution when
using the climate control system and seat heaters.
Seat Covers
Warning: Do not use seat covers in
Model S. Doing so could restrict
deployment of the seat-mounted side air
bags if a collision occurs.
Front and Rear Seats
20Model S Owner
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Wearing Seat BeltsUsing 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.
To securely hold child safety seats, all
passenger seating positions are equipped with
an automatic locking retractor (ALR) that, by
pulling the seat belt beyond the length
needed for a typical adult occupant, locks the
belt into place until the seat belt is unbuckled
(see Installing Seat Belt Retained Child Seats
on page 27).
The seat belt reel automatically locks to
prevent movement of occupants if Model S experiences a force associated with hardacceleration, 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 (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.
Seat Belts
Seating and Safety Restraints21
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Warning: Never place anything between
you and the seat belt to cushion the
impact in the event of a collision.
Seat Belt Pre-tensioners
The front seat belts are equipped with
pre
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dangerous to put a seat belt around a
child being carried on an occupant
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Guidelines for Seating Children
You must restrain infants and small children using a child safety seat appropriate for the child
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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 RestraintsMass GroupFront Passenger*Rear OutboardRear CenterGroup 0up to 10 kgXUUGroup 0+up to 13 kgL**UUGroup I9 - 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.
X: Seating position is not suitable for children in this mass group.
* It is the driver
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ISOFIX* Installed Child Restraints
Mass GroupSize ClassFixtureRear Outboard
ISOFIX PositionGroup 0up to 10 kgER1
Note: Attach
booster seats
using seat belts
only (do not use ISOFIX).IL
Group 0+up to 13 kg
ER1ILA, CDR2ILA, CCR3ILA, C
Group I9 - 18 kg
DR2ILBCR3ILBBF2IUF, ILB, DB1F2XIUF, ILB, DAF3IUF, ILB, DIL: Suitable for any semi-universal child restraint (any rear or forward facing restraint with
support leg).
IUF: Suitable for any universal child restraint (forward facing with tether).
ARecommendation: Takata Mini E4 04443717.
BRecommendation: Takata Midi E4 04444204.
CRecommendation: Maxi-cosi
Cabriofix/Easyfix E4 04443517.
DRecommendation: Maxi-cosi
Pearl/Familyfix E4 043908.
Note: ISOFIX is the international standard for attachment points for child safety seats in
passenger vehicles.
Note: If the combined weight of the child and the child safety seat is over 29 kg, Tesla
recommends attaching the safety seat using the seat belt and upper tether strap. In addition to
safety, this has the added
benefit of ensuring the seat belt reminder does not stay lit. Always
follow the child safety seat manufacturer
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Seating Larger ChildrenIf a child is too large to
fit into a child safety
seat, but too small to safely fit into the
standard seat belts, use a booster seat
appropriate for the child
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Install ISOFIX child safety seats in the
outboard seating positions only. Use only a seat belt retained seat in the center position.
To install a ISOFIX child safety seat, slide the
safety seat latches onto the anchor bars until
they click into place. Carefully read and follow
the instructions provided by the child safety
seat manufacturer.
Once installed, test the security of the installation before seating a child. Attempt to twist the child safety seat from side to side
and try to pull it away from the seat, then
check to ensure the anchors remain securely
in place.
Note: Lower LATCH anchors should not be
used with child seats or booster seats that
have an integrated safety belt in situations
where the combined weight of the child plus
the child restraint is more than 65 lbs (29 kg). In these situations, use the safety belt instead.
Attaching Upper Tether Straps If an upper tether strap is provided, attach its
hook to the anchor point located on the back of the rear seats.
Note: The location of anchor points may not
be readily visible but can be found by
identifying a slice in the seat
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Always position single-strap tethers to run
over the top of the head support.
Note: To prevent the single-strap tether from
moving side to side, the top of the head support deforms.
Testing a Child Safety Seat
Before seating a child, always make sure the
child safety seat is not loose:
1. Hold the child safety seat by the belt path
and try to slide the safety seat from side
to side and front to back.
2. If the seat moves more than 2.5 cm, it is
too loose. Tighten the belt or reconnect
the ISOFIX retained child safety seat.
3. If you are unable to reduce slack, try a
different seat location or try another child
safety seat.
Child Safety Seat Warnings
Warning: Never seat a child in a child
safety seat or a booster seat on the front
passenger seat when the airbag is
activated. Doing so can cause serious injury or death.Warning: Never use a rearward facing
child restraint on a seat protected by an
active airbag. Doing so can cause serious
injury or death. Refer to the warning label
located on the sun visor.Warning: Child restraint systems are
designed to be secured in vehicle seatsby lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-shoulder belt. Children could be
endangered in a crash if their child restraints are not properly secured in the
vehicle.Warning: According to collision statistics,
children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seating positions
than in the front seating positions.Warning: Do not use a forward facing
child safety seat until your child weighs
over 9 kg and can sit independently. Up
to the age of two, a child