warning TESLA MODEL S 2015 Service Manual

Manually control the touchscreen’s
brightness and control its day (light
background) or night (dark background)
setting. When set to Auto, the
touchscreen automatically changes between Day and Night brightness
depending on the ambient lighting
conditions. To disable the touchscreen
momentarily for cleaning purposes, touch
Clean Mode . You can also put Model S
into an energy saving mode so it consumes less energy when not in use
(see Getting Maximum Range on page
70). Note that the Displays settings can
also be accessed from the Settings screen.
8. E-Brake & Power Off
You can manually:
• Apply and release the parking brake (see Parking Brake on page 53).
• Power off (see Powering Off on page
41).
9. Doors & Locks (see Using Interior Door
Handles on page 6)
10. Lights (see Lights on page 47)Warning: Do not read the touchscreen
while driving. Doing so increases the
likelihood of a collision. Everything you need to know when driving is displayed
on the instrument panel.
Controls
76Model S Owner's Manual

Manually control the touchscreen’s
brightness and control its day (light
background) or night (dark background)
setting. When set to Auto, the
touchscreen automatically changes between Day and Night brightness
depending on the ambient lighting
conditions. To disable the touchscreen
momentarily for cleaning purposes, touch
Clean Mode . You can also put Model S
into an energy saving mode so it consumes less energy when not in use
(see Getting Maximum Range on page
70). Note that the Displays settings can
also be accessed from the Controls
window.
7. HomeLink
If the HomeLink feature is available in your region, use it to control RF-enabled
garage doors, lights, or security systems
(see HomeLink ®
Universal Transceiver on
page 96).
8. Driver Assistance
If your vehicle is equipped with Driver Assistance features, you can control
features that can provide a safer driving experience
• Lane Departure Warning: If on, the steering wheel vibrates if a front
wheel passes over a lane marking and
the associated turn signal is off (see
Lane Departure Warning on page 57).
• Overtake Acceleration: If on when Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is
operating, Model S accelerates when you engage the turn signal to indicate
a move into the passing lane (see Traffic-Aware Cruise Control on page
60).
• Speed Assist: Control how speed limits are determined and how
warnings are issued when you exceed the speed limit (see Speed Assist on
page 55).
• Forward Collision Warning: Control when warnings display on the
instrument panel if Model S detects a
vehicle, bike, or pedestrian ahead and
a collision is considered likely unless
you take immediate corrective action
(see Forward Collision Warning on
page 58).
9. Service & Reset
Turn various service-related features on
and off:• Service Mode: If on, moves wiper blades to the service position to make
them easier to access when replacing
them. Model S must be in Park. See
Wiper Blades and Washer Jets on
page 121.
• Tire Pressure Monitor: Touch Reset
Sensors to reset the TPMS sensors
after replacing a wheel (see Resetting
the TPMS Sensors on page 113).
• Tow Mode: Activate Tow Mode to keep Model S in Neutral (see Leaving
Model S in Neutral - Tow Mode on
page 42).
• Factory Reset: Touch Erase & Reset to
erase all personal data (saved addresses, music favorites, etc.) and
restore all customized settings to
their factory defaults.
10. Manual
Display this owners manual.Warning: Do not read the touchscreen
while driving. Doing so increases the
likelihood of a collision.
Naming Model S
To further personalize your Model S, you can
name it. The name you give your Model S will appear in the mobile app. To name your
Model S, touch the Tesla “T” at the top center
of the touchscreen, then touch Name Your
Vehicle .
When you save, Name Your Vehicle is
replaced by the name you provided. You can
touch the name at any time to rename your
Model S.
Erasing Personal Data
You can erase all personal data (saved
addresses, music favorites, imported contacts,
HomeLink programming, etc.) and restore all
customized settings to their factory defaults.
This is useful when transferring ownership of
Model S. Touch Settings > Service & Reset >
Factory Reset > Erase & Reset . Before erasing,
Model S verifies your credentials by
prompting you to enter the user name and
password associated with your MY TESLA
account.
Settings
Using the Touchscreen79

Overview of Climate ControlsThe climate controls are always available at the bottom of the touchscreen. By default, climate
control is set to Auto On, which maintains optimum comfort in all but the most severe weather conditions. When you adjust the temperature, the system automatically adjusts the heating, air
conditioning, air distribution, air circulation, and fan speed to maintain your selected temperature.
To override these settings, touch Auto On (see Customizing Climate Control on page 81).
The fan, heating, and air conditioning systems are powered by the Battery. Therefore, prolonged use decreases driving range.
Note: The following illustration is provided for demonstration purposes only. Depending on
vehicle options, software version, market region, and settings, the information displayed may be
slightly different.1. The front seats are equipped with heating
pads that operate at three levels from 3
(highest) to 1 (lowest).
When operating, the indicator turns red
and displays the setting number.
Note: If Model S is equipped with the
optional cold weather package, you can
also control seat heaters in the rear seats
as well as heated wipers by touching
Controls > Cold Weather (see Controls on
page 74). When equipped with executive seats, you can control the seat and the
backrest separately in each second row
passenger seat.
2. Touch the up or down arrow to set the
cabin temperature (from LO, 63° F to
HI, 90° F/LO, 17° C to HI, 32° C). To apply
a temperature setting to both the driver
and passenger side at the same time,
touch SYNC TEMP on the temperature
popup that appears when you touch an
arrow.
3. Automatic/Manual climate control (see
Customizing Climate Control on page
81).4. The windshield defroster distributes air
flow to the windshield and operates the
heating and fan at their maximum level.
Touch once for Normal Defrost and twice
for Max Defrost. When on, touch again to
turn off and restore the air distribution,
heating, and fan to their previous settings.
5. Turn climate control system on/off.
6. The rear window defroster warms up the
rear window* for 15 minutes, then
automatically shuts off.
*If Model S is equipped with the optional
tech package, exterior side mirrors are
also heated.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.
Climate Controls
80Model S Owner's Manual

USB Connections
Your Model S has two USB connections
located on the front of the center console that
you can use to connect USB devices. You can
also use these connections to charge USB devices.
To play audio files stored on a connected USBdrive, see My Music & Devices on page 86.
Note: Do not connect multiple devices using a
USB hub. This can prevent connected devices from charging or from being recognized bythe touchscreen.
12V Power Socket
Your Model S has a power socket located on
the front of the center console. Power from
the socket is available whenever the
instrument panel and touchscreen are on.
The 12V power socket is suitable for
accessories requiring up to 15A or a maximum
of 180 watts.
Note: In situations where Model S is unable to
detect the key (low battery, interference, etc), place it immediately below the 12V power
socket where Model S can best detect it.
Warning: The power socket and an
accessory’s connector can become hot.
Media and Audio
Using the Touchscreen87

During Navigation
During navigation, the touchscreen displays the navigation route on the map. Dependingon the map’s zoom level, you might not be
able to see the entire route. But as you drive,
the map shows your location on the map.
Whenever a navigation route is active, you
can display an overview of the route by touching the route overview icon:The route overview icon is
available on the right side of the
search bar whenever a navigation
route is active. You can toggle
between North Up, Heading Up
and Route Overview (see Using
Maps on page 90). As you travel
on your navigation route, the zoom
level adjusts to display an overview
of the route between your current
location and your destination.
The touchscreen also displays a turn-by-turn
direction list that includes estimated driving time, arrival time, and an estimate of howmuch energy will remain when you arrive atyour destination (see Predicting Energy Usage
on page 91).
During navigation, the instrument panel also
displays the turn-by-turn directions and you
will hear spoken instructions.
Model S detects real-time traffic conditions
and automatically adjusts the estimated
driving and arrival times based on traffic conditions. In situations where traffic
conditions will delay your estimated time of
arrival and an alternate route is available,
Model S reroutes you to your destination. You
can turn this feature off by touching
Controls > Settings > Apps > Maps &
Navigation > Traffic-Based Routing > Off .
Note: Traffic-based navigation is a BETA
feature in Release 6.0.
When you display the traffic layer on the map,
green traffic lines display under the route line,
whereas yellow and red traffic lines display on
top of the route line to ensure that heavy
traffic areas are easy to identify.
Model S can also monitor traffic to your work
location (on weekday mornings) and to your
home location (on weekday evenings) and
advise you if there is a better route in
situations where traffic conditions will cause a delay. You can set the time savings required
before the advice is given by touching
Controls > Settings > Apps > Maps &
Navigation > Min Improvement for Commute
Advice .
Note: Commute advice is available only if you
have saved a Home and Work Location (see Favorite Destinations on page 92).
Predicting Energy Usage
When navigating to a destination, Model S helps you anticipate your charging needs bycalculating the amount of energy that willremain when you reach your destination. Thecalculation is an estimate based on drivingand environmental factors such as predicted
speed and elevation changes. The
touchscreen displays this calculation in the
lower right corner of the turn-by-turn
direction list.
Throughout your route, Model S monitors
energy usage and updates the calculation as
needed. A popup warning displays above the
calculated amount advising you when:
• A yellow warning displays when you should drive slowly to converse energy.
Model S predicts that you will have very little energy remaining when you reach
your destination. For tips on conserving energy, see Getting Maximum Range on
page 70.
• A red warning displays when you must charge Model S to reach your destination.
Model S also lets you know if you have
enough energy for a round trip. Tap the
battery icon at the bottom of the turn-by-turn
navigation list to determine if Model S has
enough energy to get to your destination and
then return back to your starting point.
When navigating, the energy app displays
real-time energy usage for the current trip.
See Getting Maximum Range on page 70.
Maps and Navigation
Using the Touchscreen91

About HomeLinkIf Model S is equipped with the optional tech
package, you can program the HomeLink ®
Universal Transceiver to operate up to three
garage doors, gates, lights, and security
systems that can transmit Radio Frequency
(RF) signals.
Programming HomeLink
1. Park Model S in front of the device you
want to program, and have the device’s
remote control ready.
2. Touch Controls > Settings > HomeLink on
the touchscreen.
3. Touch Add New HomeLink , then use the
onscreen keyboard to enter a name for
your HomeLink device.
4. Touch Program .
5. Follow the onscreen instructions.
Once programmed, you can operate the device by touching its corresponding
HomeLink icon on the touchscreen’s status bar. HomeLink remembers the location of
your programmed devices. When you approach a known location, the HomeLink
control on the touchscreen automatically
drops down. When you drive away, it
disappears.
Note: For security reasons, erase your
HomeLink settings if you sell Model S.Warning: Your device might open or
close during programming. Before
programming, make sure that the device is clear of any people or objects.Warning: Do not use the HomeLink
Universal Transceiver with a garage door that does not meet safety standards. Agarage door opener that cannot detectan object in its path and then
automatically stop and reverse, does not
meet these standards. Using a garage
door opener without these features
increases the risk of injury or death.
Troubleshooting HomeLink
When programming a HomeLink device, the touchscreen steps you through a two-part
programming process:
• First, Model S records the signal from the remote. The touchscreen instructs you to
stand in front of the car, point the remote
at the front bumper and press and hold
the button until the headlights flash.
When headlights flash, Model S has
learned the remote and you can touch
Continue on the touchscreen . If the
headlights do not flash, refer to the
guidelines below.
• Next, the device's receiver learns Model S. The touchscreen instructs you to press
the LEARN button on the garage door or
gate's receiver. If training the receiver
does not work, refer to the guidelines
below.
NOTE: Only devices that are equipped
with a “rolling code” remote need to learn
Model S. If you have a very old device that
is not equipped with a rolling code
remote, the device does not need to learn
Model S and you can skip this part. You
can also skip this step if your receiver is
Quick-Train compatible. The opener
should work.
Headlights do not flash
• Check the batteries in the remote. It is a good idea to replace the batteries before
you start programming.
• Hold the remote against the nose cone, with the button pressed, about 6 inches to
the left of the Tesla emblem. In some
cases you must hold the remote for up to
three minutes.
• Check compatibility of the remote by contacting the HomeLink manufacturer
( www.homelink.com ).
After programming, the device does not work
• Park Model S with its front bumper as close as possible to the HomeLink device
(garage door, gate, etc).
• Make sure you haven’t reached the device receiver's limit of learned remotes/cars.
Most receivers can learn up to five
remotes/cars. If the receiver's memory is
full, you must clear the memory and
restart the programming process. For
instructions on how to clear the receiver's
memory, refer to the owner
documentation provided with the
HomeLink device.
• Make sure you are pressing the receiver's LEARN button. Most receivers have twobuttons and a LED. One button is a RESET
button and the other is a LEARN button.
Pressing the LEARN button usually causes the LED to flash. For instructions on how
to put the receiver into learning mode, refer to the owner documentation
provided with the HomeLink device.
HomeLink ®
Universal Transceiver
96Model S Owner's Manual

High Voltage Components1.Battery
2. DC-DC converter and junction box
3. High voltage cabling (colored orange)
4. 10 kW on-board master charger
5. OPTIONAL: 10 kW on-board charger
6. Charge port
7. Drive unitWarning: The high voltage system has no
user serviceable parts. Do not
disassemble, remove or replace high
voltage components, cables or
connectors. High voltage cables are
colored orange for easy identification.Warning: Read and follow all instructions
provided on the labels that are attached to Model S. These labels are there for
your safetyWarning: In the unlikely event that a fire
occurs, immediately contact your local
fire emergency responders.
Electric Vehicle Components
Charging101

About the Battery
Model S has one of the most sophisticated
battery systems in the world. The most important way to preserve the Battery is to
LEAVE YOUR MODEL S PLUGGED IN when
you are not using it. This is particularly
important if you are not planning to drive
Model S for several weeks. When plugged in,
Model S wakes up when needed to
automatically maintain a charge level that
maximizes the lifetime of the Battery.
There is no advantage to waiting until the
Battery’s level is low before charging. In fact,
the Battery performs best when charged
regularly.
Note: If the Model S Battery becomes
completely discharged in a situation in which
towing is required, the owner is responsible for towing expenses. Discharge-related
towing expenses are not covered under the
Roadside Assistance policy.
Battery Care
Never allow the Battery to fully discharge.
Even when Model S is not being driven, its
Battery discharges very slowly to power the
onboard electronics. On average, the Battery discharges at a rate of 1% per day. Situations
can arise in which you must leave Model S
unplugged for an extended period of time (for
example, at an airport when traveling). In these situations, keep the 1% in mind to ensure
that you leave the Battery with a sufficient
charge level. For example, over a two week
period (14 days), the Battery discharges by
approximately 14%.
Discharging the Battery to 0% may
permanently damage the Battery. To protect against a complete discharge, Model S enters
a low-power consumption mode when the
charge level drops to 5%. In this mode, the
Battery stops supporting the onboard electronics to slow the discharge rate to
approximately 4% per month. Once this low-
power consumption mode is active, it is
important to plug in Model S within two
months to avoid Battery damage.
Note: When the low-power consumption
mode is active, the auxiliary 12V battery is no
longer being charged and can completely
discharge within 12 hours. In the unlikely event
that this occurs, you may need to jump start
or replace the 12V battery before you can
charge. In this situation, contact Tesla.Temperature Limits
For better long-term performance, avoid
exposing Model S to ambient temperatures above 140° F (60° C) or below -22° F (-30° C)
for more than 24 hours at a time.
Energy Saving Feature
Model S has an energy-saving feature that
reduces the amount of energy being consumed when Model S is not in use. Touch
Controls > Displays > Energy Saving . For more
information on maximizing range and saving
energy, see Getting Maximum Range on page
70.
Battery Warnings and CautionsWarning: The Battery has no parts that an
owner or a non-Tesla authorized service technician can service. Under no
circumstances should you open or
tamper with the Battery. Always contact Tesla to arrange for Battery servicing.Caution: If the Battery’s charge level falls
to 0%, you must plug it in. If you leave it
unplugged for an extended period, it may
not be possible to charge Model S or use
the vehicle without jump starting or
replacing the 12V battery. Leaving Model S unplugged for an extendedperiod can also result in permanent
Battery damage. If you are unable to
charge Model S, contact Tesla
immediately.Caution: The Battery requires no owner
maintenance. Do not remove the filler cap
and do not add fluid. If the instrument
panel warns you that the fluid level is low, contact Tesla immediately.
Battery Information
Charging103

Service Intervals
Regular maintenance is the key to ensuring
the continued reliability and efficiency of your
Model S.
Rotate the tires every 5000 miles (8000 km),
maintain the correct tire pressures, and take Model S to Tesla at the regularly scheduledmaintenance intervals of every 12 months, orevery 12,500 miles (20,000 km), whichever
comes first. It is also important to perform the
daily and monthly checks described below.
Model S must be serviced by Tesla-certified
technicians. Damages or failures caused by
maintenance or repairs performed by non-
Tesla certified technicians are not covered by
the warranty.
Daily Checks • Check the Battery’s charge level, displayed on the instrument panel.
• Check that all exterior lights, horn, turn signals, and wipers and washers are
working.
• Check the operation of the brakes, including the parking brake.
• Check the operation of the seat belts (see Seat Belts on page 20).
• Look for fluid deposits underneath Model S that might indicate a leak. It is
normal for a small pool of water to form
(caused by the air conditioning system’s dehumidifying process).
Monthly Checks • Check the mileage to determine if the tires need to be rotated (every
5000 miles/8000 km), and check the
condition and pressure of each tire (see
Tire Care and Maintenance on page 109).
• Check washer fluid level and top up if necessary (see Topping Up Washer Fluid
on page 125).
• Check that the air conditioning system is operating (see Climate Controls on page
80).Warning: Contact Tesla immediately if
you notice any significant or sudden drop in fluid levels or uneven tire wear.Fluid Replacement Intervals
Do not change or top up Battery coolant and
brake fluid yourself. Tesla service technicians replace fluids at the regularly scheduled
service intervals:
• Brake fluid. Every 2 years or 25,000 miles (40,000 km), whichever comes first.
• Battery coolant. Every 5 years or 62,500 miles (100,000 km), whichever
comes first.
Note: Any damage from opening the Battery
coolant reservoir is excluded from the warranty.
High Voltage Safety Your Model S has been designed and built
with safety as a priority. However, be aware of these precautions to protect yourself from the
risk of injury inherent in all high-voltage
systems:
• Read and follow all instructions provided on the labels that are attached to Model S.These labels are there for your safety.
• The high voltage system has no user- serviceable parts. Do not disassemble,
remove or replace high voltage components, cables or connectors. High
voltage cables are colored orange for
easy identification.
• If an accident occurs, do not touch any high voltage wiring, connectors, or
components connected to the wiring.
• In the unlikely event that a fire occurs, immediately contact your local fire
emergency responders.Warning: Always disconnect the charge
cable before working underneath Model S, even if charging is not in
progress.Warning: Keep your hands and clothing
away from cooling fans. Some fans
operate even when Model S is powered
off.Caution: Some fluids (battery acid,
Battery coolant, brake fluid, windshield
washer additives, etc.) used in motor
vehicles are poisonous and should not be
inhaled, swallowed, or brought into contact with open wounds. For your
safety, always read and follow
instructions printed on fluid containers.
Maintenance Schedule
108Model S Owner's Manual

Maintaining Tire PressuresKeep tires inflated to the pressures shown onthe Tire and Loading Information label, even ifit differs from the pressure printed on the tire
itself. The Tire and Loading Information label is located on the center door pillar and isvisible when the driver’s door is open.The Tire Pressure indicator light on
the instrument panel alerts you if
one or more tires is under- or over-
inflated.
The Tire Pressure indicator light does not
immediately turn off when you adjust tire
pressure. After inflating the tire to the
recommended pressure, you must drive over
25 mph (40 km/h) for more than 10 minutes to activate the Tire Pressure MonitoringSystem (TPMS), which turns off the TirePressure indicator light.
If the indicator light flashes for one minute whenever you power on Model S, a fault with
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is detected (see TPMS Malfunction on page
113).
Checking and Adjusting Tire Pressures
Follow these steps when tires are cold and
Model S has been stationary for over three
hours:
1. Remove the valve cap.
2. Firmly press an accurate tire pressure
gauge onto the valve to measure
pressure.
3. If required, add air to reach the
recommended pressure.
4. Re-check pressure by removing and re-
attaching the tire gauge.
5. If you added too much air, release air by
pressing the metal stem in the center of
the valve.
6. Recheck the pressure with the tire gauge
and adjust if necessary.
7. Replace the valve cap to prevent dirt from
entering. Periodically check the valve for damage and leaks.Warning: Under-inflation is the most
common cause of tire failures and can
cause a tire to overheat, resulting in
severe tire cracking, tread separation, or
blowout, which causes unexpected loss of vehicle control and increased risk ofinjury. Under-inflation also reduces
Battery range and tire tread life.Warning: Check tire pressures using an
accurate pressure gauge when tires are
cold. It takes only about one mile (1.6 km) of driving to warm up the tires sufficiently
to affect tire pressures. Parking the
vehicle in direct sunlight or in hot
weather can also affect tire pressures. If you must check warm tires, expectincreased pressures. Do not let air out of
warm tires in an attempt to match
recommended cold tire pressures. A hot tire at or below the recommended coldtire inflation pressure is dangerously
under-inflated.Warning: Do not use any tire sealant
other than the type provided in a Tesla tire repair kit. Other types can cause tire
pressure sensors to malfunction. If your Model S did not include a tire repair kit,
you can purchase one from Tesla Motors.
Tire Care and Maintenance
Maintenance109