ESP TESLA ROADSTER 2008 Owners Manual

Important notes about this manual
1-3
Introduction and consumer information
Important notes about this manualRead this manual firstThis owners manual contains a great deal of
information you need to know about a Tesla
Roadster. We urge you to read it carefully and
familiarize yourself with the vehicle before
driving.
For your own safety, follow the instructions
and warnings contained in this manual.
Ignoring them could result in damage to the
vehicle or personal injury to you or others.
Vehicle damage caused by failure to follow
instructions is not covered by the New
Ve h i c l e L i m i t e d Wa r ra n t y.
Keep this manual in your Roadster as a
reference for the safe and enjoyable use of
your Tesla Roadster. Should you sell your
vehicle, be sure to provide this manual to the
new owner.
All specifications and descriptions are
accurate at the time of printing. Because
improvement is a constant goal at Tesla
Motors, we reserve the right to make changes
at any time, without notice and without
obligation.
This manual applies to all 2008 Tesla
Roadsters. As a result, you may find some
explanations for equipment or options not
installed on your vehicle. When required,
Tesla Motors distributes an addendum to
provide updated information.
An effective way to find the information you
need is to use the index at the back of this
manual. If you are unable to find the
information you need, note that the following additional documents are included in your
owners package and therefore the content
may be elsewhere:
• Audio and Navigation Guides - describes
how to use the audio and navigation
systems
• Touch Screen Users Manual - describes
how to use the screens to display
important information while parking,
driving, and char ging the vehicle
• Charging Your Vehicle - describes how to
use the High Power Connector to charge
your vehicle.
• High Power Connector Installation
Manual - provides pla nning guidelines for
the installation of the High Power
Connector as well as step-by-step
installation instructions. This manual is
included with the delivery of the High
Power Connector.
• Roadside Assistance Guide - describes
the Tesla Motors Roadside Assistance
program and provides instructions on
how to transport the vehicle
• Warranty Booklet - details the New
Ve h i c l e L i m i t e d Wa r ra n t y
• Tire Warranty - details the warranty for
the vehicle’s tires
In addition to these documents, Tesla Motors
may include an addendum in your owners
package if your vehicle specifications differ
from those in this manual. If you are missing a
document, contact Tesla Motors.
Copyright and trademarks© 2008 TESLA MOTORS INC. All rights re-
served. This material may not be reproduced
or copied, in whole or in part, without the
written permission of Tesla Motors, Inc.
“Tesla MotorsTM” and “Tesla RoadsterTM” are
trademarks of Tesla Motors, Inc. “HomeLink®”
is a registered trademark of Johnson
Controls, Inc. iPod® is a registered trademark
of Apple Computer, Inc. Havoline® is a
registered trademark of Chevron or its
affiliates. TORX® is a registered trademark of
Textron, Inc. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners. Symbols glossaryThe following symbols used within this
manual call your attention to specific types of
information:
WARNING: Indicates a situation in
which serious bodily injury or death
could result if the warning is ignored.
S
Caution: Indicates a situation in which
bodily injury or damage to your vehicle,
or both, could result if the caution is ignored.
Identifies items that must be disposed
of safely to prevent unnecessary
damage to the environment.
Note: A note provides useful supporting
information and sometimes suggests how to
make better use of your vehicle.
Roadster OHB.book Page 3 Th ursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM

General information about charging5-2
Charging your vehicle
Charging your vehicle
General information about chargingImportant!
Caution: If the Battery’s charge level
falls to 0%, it must be plugged in
immediately. Failure to do so can
permanently damage the Battery and this
damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. Also, if you allow the
Battery to fall to a critically low level it may
not be possible to charge the vehicle. If you
are unable to charge the vehicle, contact
Te s l a M o t o r s .
WARNING: The Battery has no parts
that an owner, or a non-Tesla authorized
technician can service. Under no
circumstances should you open or tamper
with the Battery. Always contact Tesla Motors
to arrange for Battery servicing
.S
At the end of its service life, the Battery
will be recycled. Contact Tesla Motors
for recycling arrangements.
The BatteryThe Tesla Roadster’s Battery provides power
to the motor as well as all the other electrical
systems on the vehicle, such as lights,
instruments, audio system, etc.
The Battery is one of the largest and most
advanced battery packs in the world,
consisting of several thousand lithium-ion
battery cells that store enough energy for the
vehicle to travel over 200 miles without
recharging.
Note: Actual range will vary based on driving
style. The vehicle consumes more energy if
you are driving aggressively, driving up hills, or are using more resources such as air
conditioning. Also, over time, the Battery
experiences a gradual loss of capacity,
inherent in all lithium-ion batteries. So, as
your vehicle ages, the ca
pacity of the Battery
declines.
As you drive your vehicle, the level of charge
in the Battery is depleted and you’ll need to
recharge it. The Roadster’s built-in charging
system allows you to easily recharge it by
connecting an electrical power supply to the
vehicle’s charging port.
Designed to be plugged inThe Tesla Roadster is de signed to be plugged
in when not in use. This ensures that the next
time you use the vehicle, it is fully charged
and ready to go. There is no advantage to
waiting until battery level is low before
charging. In fact, by plugging it in every night,
you eliminate the risk of damage that could
be caused by over-discharging the battery.
When plugged in, the vehicle takes care of
itself, preserving battery life by managing the
charge level and keeping the Battery at an
ideal temperature. The vehicle wakes up
every 24 hours and, if needed, automatically
initiates the charging process to keep the
Battery at an optimum charge level.
If you’re not driving your vehicle every day,
see Storing your vehicle, page 5-3 .
Leaving the vehicle unpluggedEven when you’re not driving the vehicle, the
Battery will slowly lose its charge. Therefore,
when you’re not using the vehicle, you should
leave it plugged in. However, situations may
arise in which you must leave the vehicle
unplugged for an extended time (for
example, at an airport when travelling for a
couple of weeks). If this is the case, it is your
responsibility to ensure that the Battery does
not become fully depleted. Charge the
Battery to a maximum level before leaving it,
and keep in mind that when the vehicle is left
unplugged, the Battery’s charge level will
drop to a level of approximately 50% within
the first week, and then decline at a rate of
approximately 5% each subsequent week.
Plan accordingly to ensure that the Battery
never approaches a level of 0%.
Over-discharge can permanently damage the
Battery.
If for some reason, you are unable to keep the
vehicle plugged in when it is not being used,
it is up to you to preserve battery life by
paying attention to the charge level and the
temperature (see bulleted list below). If
leaving your vehicle unplugged for more than
24 hours, follow these do’s and don’ts to
avoid prematurely decreasing the life of your
vehicle’s Battery:
• DO leave the vehicle plugged in whenever
possible.
• DO maintain at least a 15% charge level in
the Battery if leaving it unplugged for
more than 48 hours.
Roadster OHB.book Page 2 Th ursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM

Driving basics
6-5
Driving your vehicle
Hand brake
WARNING: Do not apply the hand
brake when the vehicle is moving. This
could result in a loss of control and may
damage the rear brakes.
S
The hand brake operates on the rear wheels
only, and is totally independent of the foot
operated hydraulic brake system.
To apply the hand brake, pull the lever fully
upwards.
If the starter switch is in the ON
position and the hand brake is
applied, the warnin g indicator in the
instrument panel illuminates and the Touch
Screen will display the main Parked screen.
Caution: If the hand brake is applied
when the brakes are hot (such as after
prolonged or frequent hard use), care should
be taken that the hand brake is securely
engaged. As the brake discs cool, the amount
of brake force applied by the lever will
reduce. To release the hand brake, pull the lever up
slightly, depress the button (shown in
illustration) and fully lower the lever. The
warning indicator will extinguish and the
Touch Screen will display a Drive screen.
Braking
WARNING: After driving through heavy
rain, some loss of braking response may
be experienced. As soon as safety permits,
apply the brakes to generate heat and dry the
brake components. Never drive the vehicle
through deep water - doing so can cause
damage and void the New Vehicle Limited
Wa r ra n t y.
S
The brakes operate through dual circuits. If
one circuit fails, the other continues to
function, but brakin g performance is
reduced. If greater pedal effort, or longer
stopping distances are experienced, the car
should not be driven and Tesla Motors should
be contacted as soon as possible. The brakes are servo-assisted, but only when
the starter switch is in the ON position and
the electrical systems are operating. Without
servo assistance, greater pedal effort is
required to control the vehicle, resulting in
longer stopping distances.
Regenerative brakingWhenever the vehicle is moving and your
foot is off the accelerator, regenerative
braking slows the vehicle and feeds energy
back to the battery. By anticipating your
stops and simply removing your foot from
the accelerator to slow down, you can take
advantage of the energy gains of
regenerative braking. A visual display on the
instrument panel provides real-time
feedback of the vehicle’s regenerative
braking. See
LCD panel, page 6-11 .Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS)
WARNING: ABS cannot overcome the
physical limitations such as stopping
the vehicle in too short a distance, turning the
vehicle at high speeds, or the lack of grip on
the road’s surface.
S
WARNING: Do not take risks when
driving in the hope that ABS will correct
errors of judgement. In all cases it is the
driver's responsibility to drive with due care
and attention.
S
Your vehicle is equipp ed with an anti-lock
braking system (ABS) that prevents the
wheels from locking when maximum brake
BRAKE
TR0005
Roadster OHB.book Page 5 Th ursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM

Instruments
6-13
Driving your vehicle
Charge indicator. Flashes amber when
the vehicle is charging.
Charge indicator. Illuminates red when
the charging port door is open and
the vehicle is not charging.
Caution: Never run the vehicle until the
Battery is fully depleted. If the Battery
is fully depleted, all electrical systems on the
vehicle are inoperable and the vehicle can not
be driven.
Tire pressure indicator. Illuminates
when the pressure of a tire is out of
range. If a fault with the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) is detected, the
warning indicator flas hes. Check the Touch
Screen for more information.
Seat belt warning. Illuminates
whenever the driver’s seat belt is
unbuckled and the starter switch is in the ON
position. Also, an audible sound will be heard
for six seconds if the starter switch is turned
to the ON position and the drivers seat belt is
unbuckled. If the car is driven more than a
tenth of a mile with the driver’s seat belt
unbuckled, you’ll hear a warning tone.
Airbag warning. Illu minates during the
system check that occurs when the
starter switch is turned to the ON position.
This indicator should extinguish within
approximately six seconds. If the light fails to
illuminate, or fails to extinguish after six
seconds, a fault has occurred and you must
contact Tesla Motors. Warning: If the airbag indicator is
illuminated, the airbag system will be
deactivated. Contact Tesla Motors
immediately. In the event of an accident the
airbags may not inflate.
S
Non-critical fault. Illuminates yellow
when a non-critical fault is detected.
For example, when power is reduced due to
high temperature. Bring the vehicle to Tesla
Motors for servicing as soon as possible.
Critical fault. Illuminates red when a
critical fault is detected. This is usually
accompanied by the inability to drive the
vehicle and a shutdown of all electrical
systems. Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so, and contact Tesla Motors.
Traction control. Illuminates when the
traction control has been manually
deactivated and will il luminate briefly in
situations where traction control is in use.
Cruise control. Illuminates when the
cruise control system is operating.
Frost warning. Illuminates when the
temperature outside the vehicle falls
below 37º F (3º C). Extinguishes when the
temperature raises again to
exceed 41º F (5º C).
Gear position indicatorsWhen the starter switch is turned to the ON
position, the gear po sition indicators
sequentially (and briefly) illuminate red and then green. When the start-up sequence is
complete, the indicator corresponding to the
currently selected gear (
N) remains
illuminated green. For more information, see
Selecting gears, page 6-3 .FAULTFAULTTCCRUISEPRND
Roadster OHB.book Page 13 Thursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM

Interior temperature control7-6
Comfort and convenience
3. Switch on both the heating and air conditioning.
4. Rotate the heating control for maximum heat.
When the windshield has fully cleared, adjust
the controls as required.Seat heatersThe seat heaters operate only when the
starter switch is in the ACC or ON position.
Note: The seat heaters must be reselected
each time the starter switch is turned to the
ON position.
Press the respective button to operate the
required seat heater. The seat heaters can be
operated at two different levels:
• Press once to operate at a high level. The
switch indicator will illuminate amber.
• Press again to operate at low level. The
switch indicator will illuminate green. •
Press again to switch off.
The seat heaters are thermostatically
controlled to maintain a constant
temperature. The indicator in the switch
remains illuminated until either the seat
heater is manually turned off or the starter
switch is turned to the OFF position.
Note: Although the seat heaters consume
energy from the Battery, they require less
energy than the cabin heater.TR0021 Roadster OHB.book Page 6 Th ursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM

Maintenance9-2
Maintenance and care
Maintenance and care
MaintenanceGeneral informationRegular maintenance is the key to ensuring
the continued reliability and efficiency of
your vehicle.
Maintenance is the owner's responsibility and
you must ensure that the appropriate
maintenance is carried out when required
and according to the recommendations
specified by Tesla Motors.Routine maintenanceTake your vehicle to Tesla Motors at the
regularly scheduled maintenance intervals of
every 12 months, or every 12,000 miles,
whichever comes first.
Maintenance and service must be performed
by Tesla-certified technicians. Damages or
failures caused by maintenance or repairs
performed by non-Tesla certified technicians
are not covered under the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
Service interval indicatorWhen the key is inserted and the starter
switch turned to the ACC position, the Touch
Screen momentarily displays the distance to
the next service interval.
In addition, this information can be displayed
by selecting the Info icon on the Touch
Screen when the vehicle is parked. For
details, refer to the Touch Screen Users
Manual provided in your owners package.
Owner maintenance
WARNING: Any significant or sudden
drop in fluid levels, or uneven tire wear
should be rectified immediately.
S
In addition to the routine maintenance
performed by Tesla Motors, a few simple
checks must be carried out more frequently.
Advice is given on the pages that follow.Daily checks• Operation of lights, horn, turn indicators,
wipers, washers and warning indicators
• Operation of seat belts and brakes
• Check for fluid deposits underneath the
vehicle that might indicate a leakWe e k l y c h e c k s•Brake fluid level. Refer to Brake fluid,
page 10-4 .
• Windshield washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluid, page 10-5 .
• Battery coolant. Refer to Battery coolant,
page 10-5.
• Condition and pressure of each tire. Refer
to Wheels and tires, page 11-4 .
• Operation of the air conditioning. Refer to
Interior temperature control, page 7-4.
Roadster OHB.book Page 2 Th ursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM

Wheels and tires11-8Technical specificationsIn addition to the marking requirements,
passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements.
Note: Your vehicle is equipped with
directional tires. Therefore, you can see the
tire markings only on the outside of the
passenger tires. TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example; a tire graded 150 would wear
one and a half times as well on a government
test course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends on the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices,
and differences in road characteristics and
climate.Tra c t i o n
WARNING: The traction grade assigned
to this tire is based on straight-ahead
braking tests, and does not include;
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak
traction characteristics.
S
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are; AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent
a tire’s ability to stop on a wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Te m p e r a t u r e
WARNING: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire
failure.S
The temperature grades are A (the highest),
B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to
the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires
must meet under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.Tire care
WARNING: Defective tires are
dangerous. Do not drive if any tire is
damaged, is excessively worn, or is inflated to
an incorrect pressure.
S
Always consider tire conditions when driving,
and regularly inspect the tread and side walls
for any sign of distorti on (bulges), cuts or
wear.
The way you drive has a significant influence
on your safety and on the life of your tires.
Cultivate good habits for your own benefit:
• Observe posted speed limits.
• Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.
• Avoid potholes and objects in the road.
• Do not run over curbs or hit the tire
against the curb when parking.
Caution: Avoid contaminating tires with
vehicle fluids that can cause damage.Tire pressure information
WARNING: If the vehicle has been
parked in strong sunlight or used in high
ambient temperatures, do not reduce the tire
pressures. Move the vehicle into the shade and
allow the tires to cool before checking.
S
Correctly inflated tires will ensure that you
enjoy the best combination of vehicle range,
tire life, ride comfort and road handling.
Tire pressure should be checked when the
tires are cold. Inflate each tire to the pressure
recommended by Tesla Motors on the vehicle
placard, or tire inflation pressure label.
As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that
illuminates a tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
Roadster OHB.book Page 8 Th ursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM

Wheels and tires
11-9
Technical specifications
pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop
and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces
Battery range and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping
ability.
The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached a level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS tire pressure telltale.Checking tire pressures
WARNING: Tire pressures should be
checked using an accurate pressure
gauge when cold. Under-inflation is the most
common cause of tire failures and may result
in severe tire cracking, tread separation or
“blowout”, with unexpected loss of vehicle
control and increased risk of injury.
S
Check the pressures when the tires are cold.
Be aware that it only takes 1 mile (1.5 km) of
driving to warm up the tires sufficiently to
affect the tire pressures. If it is necessary to
check the tires when they are warm, you
should expect the pressures to have
increased. Do not let air out of warm tires in
an attempt to match the recommended cold
tire pressures.
Note: When adjusting tire pressures, you can
display tire pressure values on the Touch
Screen’s tire pressure screen. However, the values displayed by the Touch Screen will not
be updated until you place the car in drive
long enough for the tire pressure monitoring
sensors to take new readings. For details,
refer to the Touch Screen Users Manual
provided in your owners package.
Always inflate your tires to the Tesla Motors
recommended inflation pressure even if it is
different from the maximum inflation
pressure information found on the tire itself.
For the correct tire pressures, refer to
Specifications and tire pressures, page 11-4
.
The following procedure should be used to
check and adjust tire pressures: 1. Remove the cap from the valve, then firmly press the tire gauge onto the valve
and measure the pressure.
2. If required add air to reach the required pressure.
3. Check the pressure by removing the tire gauge and then re-attaching it.
Note: Failure to remove and re-attach the
gauge to the valve could cause the gauge
to show an incorrect reading.
4. If too much air is added, air can be released by pushing on the metal stem in
the center of the valve.
5. Recheck the pressure with the tire gauge and adjust if necessary.
6. Refit the valve cap.
Va l ve sFit the valve caps securely to prevent dirt
from entering the valve. Periodically check
the valve for damage and leaks.
Tire wear
WARNING: The tires should be
regularly checked for wear and to make
sure that there are no cuts, bulges or
exposure of the ply/cord structure. Do not
drive with tires which are worn or damaged.
The safety of the vehicle and occupants will
be adversely affected.p
Tires fitted as original equipment have wear
indicators moulded into the tread pattern.
When the tread has been worn down to 1/16”
(inch). the indicators start appearing at the
surface of the tread pattern, producing the
effect of a continuous band of rubber across
the width of the tire.
A tire must be replaced as soon as an
indicator band becomes visible or the tread
depth reaches the minimum permitted by
legislation.
TR0080
Roadster OHB.book Page 9 Th ursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM

Wheels and tires11-12
Technical specifications
Dynamic tire pressure
monitoringThe Touch Screen can display the pressure
and temperature for each tire.Touch the information icon on the main
parked screen to display the ‘Info’
screen.
Touch the Tires option to display the data
being received by the sensors adjacent to the
respective wheel. A blue wheel indicates an acceptable
operating pressure for the tire.
A red wheel indicates that the pressure is
below the recommended operating pressure,
and that action must be taken to rectify the
issue.
Note:
If the vehicle has been driven, the
temperature of the tires will have increased
and hence the pressure of the air in the tire
will also have increased. Tire pressures should
only be checked when the tires are cold. See
Checking tire pressures, page 11-9 .
Touch EXIT icon to return to the previous
screen. iRoadster OHB.book Page 12 Thursday, October 2, 2008 8:59 AM