suspension TESLA MODEL S 2017 Owner's Manual

IndicatorDescriptionFront fog lights (optional). See Lights on page 48.Electronic stability control systems are actively minimizing wheel spin by controlling
brake pressure and motor power (indicator flashes). See Traction Control on page 56.
If this indicator stays illuminated, a fault is detected (contact Tesla immediately).Smart Air Suspension

1. CloseTouch the circled X in the top left corner of a window to close it (or you can touch anywhere
outside the window).
2. Sunroof
If Model S is equipped with a sunroof, touch to adjust its position (see Sunroof on page 15).
3. Suspension
If Model S is equipped with Smart Air Suspension, touch to manually raise or lower Model S, orto remove a previously saved auto-raising location (see Smart Air Suspension on page 106).
Model S must be powered on and you must press the brake pedal before you can change
suspension settings. Smart Air Suspension causes Model S to self-level, even when powered
off. Therefore, when towing or lifting, you must disable self-leveling (see Instructions for
Transporters on page 172 and Jacking and Lifting on page 156).
4. Driving

Note: If Model S is equipped with Smart Air
Suspension, you may hear the sound of the
compressor when Model S starts, as the system

Note: Manually lowering the suspension toStandard or Low while at a saved location alsoremoves the auto-raising location.
Automatic Lowering
When Model S is moving above typical
driveway or parking lot speeds, Smart Air
Suspension automatically lowers ride height to improve aerodynamics and handling. For most
average speed driving, the suspension is
automatically set to Standard. As described
above, when you make manual height adjustments, the suspension automatically
lowers at increased driving speeds.
When carrying loads, Smart Air Suspension
also maintains a level height between the front
and rear.
You can adjust the speed at which the Air
Suspension automatically transitions to the LOW ride height by touching Controls >Suspension > Automatic Lowering on the
touchscreen. This setting is saved to your
Driver
Profile.
Note: You can temporarily override the ride
height by pressing the brake pedal, touching
an air suspension control in Controls >
Suspension, and then manually choosing a
ride height. Your suspension

Jacking Procedure
Follow the steps below to lift Model S. Ensure
that any non-Tesla repair facility is aware of
these lifting points.
1. Position Model S centrally between the lift posts.
2. If your Model S is equipped with Smart Air Suspension, it automatically self-levels,
even when power is
off. Use the
touchscreen to set the suspension as
follows:

Exterior DimensionsAOverall Length196 in4,979 mmBOverall Width (including mirrors)Overall Width (excluding mirrors)86.2 in 77.3 in2,189 mm
1,964 mmCOverall Height56.9 in*1,445 mm*DWheel Base116.5 in2,960 mmEOverhang - Front36.9 in937 mmFOverhang - Rear42.55 in1,081 mmGGround Clearance - Coil
Suspension (single motor vehicle)5.5 in*139.7 mm*GGround Clearance - Coil
Suspension (dual motor vehicle)5.3 in*134.6 mm*GGround Clearance - Air Suspension4.6 - 6.3 in116.8 - 160 mmHTrack - Front
Track - Rear65.4 in
66.9 in1,662 mm
1,700 mm*Values are approximate. The dimensions can vary depending on vehicle configuration and
various other factors.
Interior Dimensions
Head RoomFront
Rear38.8 in35.3 in986 mm 897 mmLeg RoomFront Rear42.7 in
35.4 in1085 mm 899 mmShoulder RoomFront Rear57.7 in 55 in1466 mm1397 mmHip RoomFront Rear55 in
54.7 in1397 mm
1389 mm
Dimensions and Weights
Specifications161

Brakes
Type
4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS)
with Electronic Brake Force Distribution,
Integrated Advanced Stability Control and
Electronic Accelerator pedal actuated
regenerative braking systemCalipersFour piston fixedRotor Diameters (ventilated)Front: 13.98”/355 mm
Rear: 14.37”/365 mmFront Rotor thicknessNew: 1.26”/32 mm
Service limit: 1.18”/30 mmRear Rotor thicknessNew: 1.10”/28 mm
Service limit: 1.02”/26 mmFront Brake Pad Thickness (excluding back plate)New: 0.354”/9.0 mm
Service limit: 0.078”/2 mmRear Brake Pad Thickness (excluding back plate)New: 0.315”/8.0 mm
Service limit: 0.078”/2 mmElectronic Parking Brake (EPB) Pad Thickness
(excluding back plate). Electronic calipers self-
adjust for pad wear.New: 0.216”/5.5 mm
Service limit: 0.039”/1 mmParking brakeElectrically actuated parking brake
calipers
Suspension
FrontIndependent, double wishbone, air spring
or coil spring/telescopic damper, sway barRearIndependent, multi-link, air spring or coil
spring/telescopic damper, sway bar (air
suspension vehicles only)
Battery - 12V
Rating33 amp-hr or higherVoltage and Polarity12V negative (-) ground
Subsystems
164Model S Owner

Use a Flatbed OnlyUse a
flatbed trailer only, unless otherwisespecified by Tesla. Do not transport Model S
with the tires directly on the ground.
Caution: Damage caused by transporting is not covered by the warranty.Caution: To transport Model S, follow theinstructions exactly as described next.
Disable Self-Leveling (air
suspension vehicles only)
If Model S is equipped with Smart AirSuspension, it automatically self-levels, even
when power is
off. To prevent damage, you
must activate Jack mode to disable self- leveling:
1. Touch Controls > Suspension on the touchscreen.
2. Press the brake pedal, then touch Very High to maximize height.
3. Touch Jack.
When Jack mode is active,
Model S displays this indicator
light on the instrument panel,
along with a message telling you
that active suspension is
disabled.
Note: Jack mode cancels when Model S is
driven over 4.5 mph (7 km/h).
Warning: Failure to activate Jack mode on
a Model S equipped with Smart Air Suspension can result in the vehicle
becoming loose during transport, which
may cause
significant damage.
Activate Tow Mode
Model S may automatically shift into Park
when it detects the driver leaving the vehicle,
even if it has previously been shifted into Neutral. To keep Model S in Neutral (which
disengages the parking brake), you must use
the touchscreen to activate Tow mode:
1. Shift into Park.
2. Press the brake pedal, then on the touchscreen, touch Controls > Settings >
Service & Reset > Tow Mode.When Tow mode is active, Model S
displays this indicator light on the
instrument panel, along with a
message telling you that Model S is
free-rolling.
Note: Tow mode cancels when Model S is
shifted into Park.
Caution: If the electrical system is not
working, and you therefore cannot
release the electric parking brake,
attempt to quick start the 12V battery. For
instructions, call Tesla. If a situation
occurs where you cannot disengage the
parking brake, use tire skids or transport Model S for the shortest possible distance
using wheeled dollies. Before doing so,
always check the dolly manufacturer

Connect the Towing EyeThe method used to connect the winch cabledepends on whether Model S is equipped with
a towing eye (located in the front trunk).
If not equipped with a towing eye:
1. Attach the tow straps to the large hole on each of the rearmost lower suspension
arms underneath the front of the vehicle.
2. To protect the underbody from any damage that could be caused by the tow
straps, place a 2" x 4" piece of wood
between the tow straps and the
underbody.
Caution: Before pulling, position the wood
between the tow strap and the
underbody to ensure the underbody is
protected from any damage that could be caused by the tow strap.If equipped with a towing eye:
1. Locate the towing eye in the front trunk.
2. Remove the tow hook cover by inserting a small
flat screwdriver into the slot located
along the top of the cover, then prying gently to release the cover from the topsnap.
3. Insert the towing eye.
Fully insert the towing eye into the
opening on the right side, then turn it
counter-clockwise until securely fastened.
4. Attach the winch cable to the towing eye.
Caution: Before pulling, make sure the
towing eye is securely tightened.
Instructions for Transporters
Roadside Assistance173

AABS (Anti-lock Braking System) 54
Acceleration (dual-motor) 95
access panel, removing 153accessoriesinstalling 157
plugging into power socket 112
adaptive headlights 51
air circulation 103
air conditioning 102
air distribution 103
air
filter 105
air suspension 107
air vents 105
airbags 31
alarm 122
all-season tires 141
always connected, setting 62
anti-lock braking (ABS) 54
audioplaying files 108
steering wheel buttons 37
volume control 108
Auto High Beam 51
Auto Lane Change 76
auto-raising suspension 106
automatic emergency braking 85
Autopark 78
Autopilot 65
Autosteer 73
average range 62
B backup camera 64
battery (12V)complete discharge 130specifications 164Battery (high voltage)care of 130
coolant 153
specifications 165
temperature limits 130
battery (key), replacing 5
blind spot warning 83
Bluetoothdevices, playing audio files from 111
general information 113
phone, pairing and using 113
body repairs 157
body touch up 150
brake
fluid replacement 137
brakesautomatic in emergencies 85fluid level 154
overview of 54
specifications 164
brightness of displays 98
C Cabin Overheat Protection setting 98
cabin temperature control 102
Calendar app 120
California Proposition 65 177
camera (rear view) 64
car cover 150
car washes 148
cargo volume 162
carpets, cleaning 149
CE
certifications 179
CHAdeMO 129
chains 141
change of ownership 101
charge port 131
charge port light 134
chargingcharge settings 135
components and equipment 128
instructions 131
public charging stations 129
scheduling 135
status of 136
charging locations, finding 116
child protectiondisabling liftgate and rear door handles 7
disabling rear window switches 9child seatscleaning 149
installing and using 22
Tesla built-in rear facing 27
cleaning 148
climate controls 102
Cold Weather controls 95
collision avoidance assist 85
console12V power socket 112
cup holders 16
USB ports 111
consumption chart 62
contact informationroadside assistance 171
Tesla 178coolantBattery, checking level of 153
Battery, replacement interval 137
copyrights 175, 176
Creep 95
cruise control 67
cup holders 16
D
dashboard overview 2
Index
Index181