brake TESLA MODEL S 2012 Owner Safety Information

1OWNER SAFETY INFORMATIONCONTENTS
CONTENTS
BRAKE WEAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
CHECK THESE LABELS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
MAINTAIN PROPER TIRE PRESSURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
TEMPORARY TIRE REPAIR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
INSPECTING AND MAINTAINING TIRES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
REPLACING TIRES AND WHEELS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
TIRE AND WHEEL SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
UNDERSTANDING TIRE MARKINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
WHEELS AND TIRES GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
VEHICLE LOAD LIMIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
VEHICLE TELEMATICS/DATA RECORDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
CONTACTING TESLA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 CORRECT DRIVING POSITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
ADJUSTING THE DRIVER’S SEAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
LOCATION OF AIRBAGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
TYPES OF AIRBAGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
FRONT PASSENGER DETECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
INFLATION EFFECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
USING SEAT BELTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
THREE SEAT BELT TESTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
HEAD SUPPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
ABOUT CHILD SAFETY SEATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
CHOOSE A SUITABLE CHILD SAFETY SEAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
TWO WAYS TO INSTALL CHILD SAFETY SEATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
SAFETY SEATS FOR LARGER CHILDREN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
INSTALLING SEAT BELT RETAINED CHILD SAFETY SEATS . . . . . 9
INSTALLING LATCH-RETAINED CHILD SAFETY SEAT . . . . . . . . . 10
UPPER TETHER STRAPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
TEST BEFORE SEATING A CHILD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
OPENING THE TESLA REAR FACING CHILD SEATS . . . . . . . . . . . 12
STORING THE TESLA REAR FACING CHILD SEATS . . . . . . . . . . . 13
SEATING A CHILD IN THE TESLA REAR FACING CHILD SEATS . 14
BRAKING SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
P/N: 1016750-00-A REV: AE
For printed information on how to use the main features of Model S and how to
perform basic maintenance procedures, see the document titled “A QUICK GUIDE
FOR OWNERS,” included in your owner documentation package.

5OWNER SAFETY INFORMATION
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 will deflate to provide a gradual cushioning effect
for the occupants and to ensure the driver’s forward vision is not obscured.
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 airbags inflating:
• doors unlock and the door handles extend
• hazard warning lights switch on
• interior lights switch on
• battery power is disabled
To restore Battery power, use the touchscreen to turn the vehicle OFF, then
turn it back on again by pressing the brake.
WARNINGS:
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 crash.
Front seat occupants should not place their arms over the airbag module,
as an inflating bag can cause fractures or other injuries.
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 as far back as possible. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends a minimum
distance of 10 inches (25 cm) between an occupant’s chest and an airbag.
Do not use a child safety seat or seat young children on a seat with an
operational airbag in front of it. Doing so can cause serious injury or death
if an airbag inflates.
To ensure correct inflation of the side airbags, maintain an unobstructed
gap between an occupant’s torso and the side of Model S.
Passengers should not lean their heads against the doors. Doing so can
cause injury if a curtain airbag inflates.
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.
Do not attach or place objects on or near the frontal airbag modules, the
side of the front seats, the headliner at the side of the vehicle, or near any
other airbag cover that could interfere with inflation of the airbag system.
Any such objects could cause harm if the vehicle is in a crash severe
enough to cause the airbag to inflate.
Following inflation, some airbag components are hot. Do not touch until
they have cooled.
AIRBAGS

15OWNER SAFETY INFORMATION
BRAKING SYSTEMSModel S is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that prevents
the wheels from locking when you apply maximum brake pressure. This
allows you to maintain steering control during heavy braking on most road
conditions.
During emergency braking conditions, the ABS constantly monitors the
speed of each wheel and varies the brake pressure according to the
grip available. The alteration of brake pressure can be felt as a pulsing
sensation through the brake pedal. This demonstrates that ABS is
operating and is no cause for concern. Keep firm and steady pressure on
the brake pedal while experiencing the pulsation.
Model S continuously monitors its brake systems and alerts you if a fault is
detected:
An ABS fault is detected. The brakes remain fully
operational and are not affected by an ABS failure.
However, braking distances may increase and wheels
may lock under heavy braking. Contact Tesla.A brake system fault is detected or the brake fluid
level is low. Contact Tesla immediately.
BRAKE WEARModel S brake pads are equipped with wear indicators. A wear indicator is
a thin metal strip attached to the brake pad that squeals as it rubs against
the rotor when the pad wears down. This squealing sound serves as a
reminder that you need to replace your brake pads. To stop the squealing,
contact Tesla to have your brakes inspected, and if necessary to have new
brake pads installed. If you don’t replace the brake pads, you will soon
hear a grinding sound. This metal on metal grinding can damage your
braking system, and in turn, create a braking hazard.
WARNINGS:
In an emergency, fully press the brake pedal. DO NOT pump the brake
pedal. ABS does this for you and by pumping the foot brake yourself, you
interfere with ABS operation, which can increase braking distance.
Contact Tesla if the movement of the brake pedal has increased, or if you
notice a significant loss of brake fluid. Driving under such conditions could
result in extended stopping distances or complete brake failure.
BRAKING SYSTEM