tires TESLA MODEL S 2016 Owner's Manual

1. Exterior lights (Lights on page 48)
2. Door handles ( Using Exterior Door Handles on page 6)
3. Sunroof (optional) ( Sunroof on page 15)
4. Charge port ( Charging Instructions on page 130)
5. Autopilot-equipped vehicles only: Forward looking camera ( About Driver Assistance on page
65)
6. Exterior mirrors ( Mirrors on page 40)
7. Autopilot-equipped vehicles only: Radar sensor (hidden from view in the above image)( About
Driver Assistance on page 65)
8. Hood/Front trunk ( Front Trunk on page 12)
9. Wheels and tires ( Wheels and Tires on page 169)
10. Rear view camera ( Rear View Camera on page 64)
11. Rear trunk/liftgate ( Rear Trunk on page 10)
12. Ultrasonic sensors ( Park Assist on page 57 and About Driver Assistance on page 65)
Exterior Overview
Overview3

Braking Systems
Model S has an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that prevents the wheels from locking when
you apply maximum brake pressure. This
improves steering control during heavy
braking in 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 the ABS is operating
and is not a cause for concern. Keep
firm and
steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsing.
The ABS indicator flashes briefly on
the instrument panel when you firststart Model S. If this indicator lights
up at any other time, an ABS fault
has occurred and the ABS is not
operating. Contact Tesla. The braking system remains fully operational and
is not
affected by an ABS failure.
However, braking distances may increase.
If the instrument panel displays this
indicator at any time other than
displaying
briefly when you first start
Model S, a brake system fault is
detected or the brake
fluid level is
low. Contact Tesla immediately.
Emergency Braking
In an emergency, fully press the brake pedal
and maintain
firm pressure, even on low
traction surfaces. The ABS varies the braking
pressure to each wheel according to the
amount of traction available. This prevents
wheels from locking and ensures that you stop
as safely as possible.
Warning: Do not pump the brake pedal.
Doing so interrupts operation of the ABS
and can increase braking distance.Warning: Always maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you and be
aware of hazardous driving conditions.
While the ABS can improve stopping
distance, it cannot overcome the laws of physics. It also does not prevent the
danger of hydroplaning (where a layer of
water prevents direct contact between the tires and the road).
If Model S is equipped with Autopilot
hardware, Automatic Emergency Braking
automatically applies full braking in situations
where a collision is considered imminent (see
Automatic Emergency Braking on page 86).
Brake Wear Model 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 indicates that the
brake pads have reached the end of their
service life and require replacement. To stop
the squealing, contact Tesla Service.
Warning: Neglecting to replace worn
brake pads results in damage to the
braking system and can create a braking
hazard.
Brakes
54Model S Owner

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 scheduled maintenance intervals of every 12 months, or
every 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-certifiedtechnicians. Damages or failures caused by
maintenance or repairs performed by non-
Tesla
certified technicians are not covered by
the warranty.
Daily Checks

Maintaining Tire Pressures
Keep tires
inflated to the pressures shown on
the Tire and Loading Information label, even if
it
differs from the pressure printed on the tire
itself. The Tire and Loading Information label is
located on the center door pillar and is visible
when the driver

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
Adequate tread depth is important for proper
tire performance. Tires with a tread depth less
than 4/32” (3 mm) are more likely to
hydroplane in wet conditions and should not
be used. Tires with a tread depth less than
5/32” (4 mm) do not perform well in snow and
slush and should not be used when driving in
winter conditions.
Model S is originally
fitted with tires that have
wear indicators molded into the tread pattern. When the tread has been worn down to 4/32”(3 mm), the indicators start to appear at thesurface of the tread pattern, producing the
effect of a continuous band of rubber across
the width of the tire. For optimal performance and safety, Tesla recommends replacing tires
before the wear indicators are visible.
Tire Rotation, Balance, and Wheel Alignment
Tesla recommends rotating the tires every
5000 miles (8000 km).
Unbalanced wheels (sometimes noticeable as
vibration through the steering wheel)
affectvehicle 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.
Note: When replacing only two tires, always
install the new tires on the rear.
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.
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 suspect a tire is damaged, immediately reduce yourspeed. Drive slowly, while avoiding heavy
braking or sharp steering and, when safe to do so, stop the vehicle. Arrange to have Model S
transported to a Tesla, or to a nearby tire
repair center.
Note: In some cases, you can temporarily
repair small tire punctures (under 1/4” (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 with a punctured
tire, even if the puncture has not causedthe tire to
deflate. A punctured tire candeflate suddenly 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 cause
a vibration which gradually disappears as the
tires warm up and regain their original shape.
To minimize
flat spots during storage, inflatetires to the maximum pressure indicated on the tire wall. Then, before driving, release airto adjust tire pressure to the recommended
levels.
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:

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 thosespecified 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 139).
Warning: For your safety, use only tires
and wheels that match the original
specification (see Wheels and Tires on
page 169). Tires that do not match the
original
specification can affect the
operation of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Warning: Never exceed the speed rating
of your vehicle

Winter Tires
Your Model S is not originally equipped with
winter tires. To increase traction in snowy or
icy conditions, consider installing winter tires.
When installing winter tires, always install a
complete set of four tires at the same time.
Winter tires must be the same size, brand,
construction and tread pattern on all four
wheels. Contact Tesla for winter tire
recommendations.Winter tires can be identified by amountain/snowflake symbol on the
tire

Tire Repair Kit
Your Model S has no spare tire. Depending on
the legislations that apply to the region in
which you purchased Model S, a tire repair kit
may or may not be included. If a tire repair kit
was not provided in Model S upon delivery,
you can purchase one from Tesla.
Note: Although Model S does not have a spare
tire, in the event of a
flat tire, Roadside
Assistance provides towing coverage for up to 50 miles.
The tire repair kit consists of a compressor
and a canister of tire sealant (enough to repair
one tire). When injected into a tire, the sealant
can penetrate a small puncture up to 1/4" (6 mm) to form a temporary repair.
Note: For punctures larger than 1/4” (6 mm),
severe tread damage, a damaged sidewall,
ripped tires or tires that have come
off the rim,
call Roadside Assistance.
Warning: The tire repair kit is a temporary
repair only. You must repair or replace a
damaged tire as soon as possible.Warning: Do not exceed 30 mph
(48 km/h) when driving with a tire that
has been temporarily repaired with sealant.Warning: Follow all directions and
warnings on the tire repair kit before
starting a repair.Caution: Do not drive on a deflated tire as
this can cause serious damage.Tire Sealant Canister
The tire sealant provided in the Tesla tire
repair kit is approved for use with Model S and is designed not to damage the TPMS (Tire
Pressure Monitoring System) sensors.
Therefore, you must replace it only with one of
the same type and capacity (see Replacing
the Sealant Canister on page 143). Tire
sealant canisters can be purchased from Tesla.
The tire sealant has an expiration date printed
on the outside of the canister. If the expiration
date has passed, the sealant might not work
as expected. Always replace an expired tire
sealant canister.Warning: Do not use any tire sealant
other than the one available from Tesla.
Doing so could cause tire pressure
sensors to malfunction.Warning: Always read and follow the
safety and handling instructions printed on the sealant canister.Warning: Keep tire sealant out of the
reach of children.Warning: Tire sealant can be harmful if it
contacts the eyes or if swallowed or
inhaled. If the sealant comes into contact with your eyes, immediately
flush with
water and seek medical attention if
irritation persists. If swallowed, do not
induce vomiting and seek medical assistance immediately. If inhaled, breathe
fresh air. Inhalation can cause drowsiness
and dizziness. If breathing is
affected,seek medical assistance immediately.
Temporary Tire Repair
140Model S Owner

Wheel SpecificationsWheel TypeLocationSizeOffset
19"
Front8.0J x 191.575"
40 mmRear8.0J x 191.575"
40 mm21" - Silver (standard)Front8.5J x 211.575"
40 mm21" - Grey (standard)Rear8.5J x 211.575"
40 mm21" - Silver and Grey (optional) Performance
Plus vehiclesRear9.0J x 211.575"
40 mmRoad Wheel Nut Torque129 lb. ft (175 Nm)Note: For instructions on how to jack/lift Model S, see Jacking and Lifting on page 158.
Tire Specifications
Tire TypeLocationSize19" wheelsAllP245/45R1921" wheelsFront
RearP245/35R21
P265/35R21**On a P85D and P90D Model S, the width of the rear tires may vary depending on date of
manufacture. Some vehicles may be equipped with P245/35R21 tires on both front and rear.Tire pressures vary depending on the type of tires fitted. Refer to the tire pressures printed on
the Tire and Loading Information label. This label is located on the center door pillar and is
visible when the driver

Understanding Tire MarkingsLaws require tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the sidewall of all tires. This
information
identifies and describes the fundamental characteristics of the tire. It also provides
the tire identification number (TIN) for certification of safety standards, and in case of a recall.Wheels and Tires
170Model S Owner