warning TESLA MODEL S 2023 User Guide

Front Passenger Occupant Detection
Model S has an occupancy sensor in the front passenger seat that controls the status of the front airbag.
NOTE: The occupancy classification system (OCS) automatically detects when inflating the passenger front airbag
would be unnecessary or potentially harmful.
WARNING: Seating an infant in a rear facing child restraint system on a seat equipped with an operational
airbag can cause serious injury or death.
Object ClassificationOCS Passenger
Airbag Status*Indicator statusNotesEmptyOFFPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF ObjectOFF or ONPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or
PASSENGER AIRBAG ONDepends on material/
contents.Rear facing child seat
designed for children up to a
year oldOFFPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF20 lbs (9 kg) or lessForward facing child seatOFFPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF35 lbs (16 kg) or lessChild in a booster seatOFF or ONPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or
PASSENGER AIRBAG ON20-100 lbs (9-45 kg)*Large childOFF or ONPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or
PASSENGER AIRBAG ON 5th percentile female or
larger (by weight)ONPASSENGER AIRBAG ONOver approximately 100 lbs
(45 kg)
*If the passenger airbag status indicator does not match the situation, do not use the seat. The passenger must
ride in a
different seat. Contact Tesla Service.
NOTE: It takes approximately six seconds after you power on Model S for the occupant classification system (OCS)
to report accurate status of the front passenger airbag. As a result, when you
first power on Model S, even in
situations when it should be OFF because the seat is occupied by a weight of
20 lbs (9 kg) or less, a delay of
approximately six seconds can occur before the touchscreen displays the PASS AIRBAG OFF status. If it fails to do
so, contact Tesla Service and do not seat a child in the front passenger seating position.
To make sure the sensing system can correctly detect occupancy status, eliminate the following:

WARNING: Never seat a child in the front passenger seat. DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the child can occur.
Per recommendations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, all occupants age 12 and under
must ride in the rear seats.
WARNING: Do not use seat covers on Model S. Doing so could restrict deployment of the seat-mounted side
air bags if a collision occurs. It can also reduce the accuracy of the occupant detection system and the noise-
canceling microphones, if equipped.
Ensuring Accurate Occupant
Detection
To help ensure an occupant in the front passenger seat can be accurately detected, the passenger must:

Incorrect seating position - the passenger must not slide
forward on the seat cushion:
Incorrect seating position - the passenger must not
recline the backrest to a laying down position when the
vehicle is moving:
Inflation EffectsWARNING: When 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 deflate to provide a gradual
cushioning
effect for the occupants and to ensure the
driver

WARNING: Front seat occupants should not place
their arms over the airbag module, as an inflating
airbag can cause fractures or other injuries.
WARNING: Do not use seat covers on Model S.
Doing so could restrict deployment of the seat-
mounted side air bags if a collision occurs. It can
also reduce the accuracy of the occupant
detection system and the noise-canceling
microphones, if equipped.
WARNING: 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
positioned as far back as possible. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
recommends a minimum distance of 10" (25 cm)
between an occupant

Auto High Beam (if equipped)
The high beam headlights can automatically switch to low beam when there is light detected in front of
Model S (for example, from an oncoming vehicle). To
turn this feature on or
off, touch Controls > Lights >
Auto High Beam. Your chosen setting is retained until
you manually change it.
NOTE: When you touch or press the high beam
headlight button on the left side of the
steering yoke (or
steering wheel), the touchscreen displays an abbreviated
lights menu to provide quick access to control headlights, fog lights (if equipped), and the
Auto High
Beam setting. Use the touchscreen to choose options
from this menu.
NOTE: Auto High Beam is automatically enabled when
Autosteer is engaged. To switch to low beam headlights, press the high beam headlight button on the
steering
yoke (or steering wheel). Auto High Beam is re-enabled
every time Autosteer is activated.
The following indicator lights are visible on the instrument panel to show the status of the headlights:
Low beam headlights are on.High beam headlights are on. Illuminates
when high beams are on but the Auto High
Beam setting is turned off or if the Auto
High Beam setting is turned on but is
temporarily unavailable.
High beams are currently turned on, and
Auto High Beam is ready to turn off the
high beams if light is detected in front of
Model S.
High beams are temporarily turned off

because Auto High Beam is operating and
light is detected in front of
Model S. When
light is no longer detected, high beam headlights automatically turn back on.
WARNING: Auto High Beam is a convenience only
and is subject to limitations. It is the driver

Turn Signals
To engage a turn signal, press the corresponding arrow
button on the left side of the
steering yoke (or steering
wheel). A turn signal cancels based on the angle of the
steering yoke (or steering wheel) (for example, you
finish making a turn). You can also cancel a turn signal
by pressing the turn signal button a second time.
If Controls > Lights > Automatic Turn Signals is set to
Auto Cancel, turn signals cancel automatically when
Model S detects completion of a maneuver such as a
merge, lane change, or a fork in the roadway. You can override automatic cancellation at any time (for
example, you want the turn signal to remain on because
you are making more than one lane change). To override, engage the turn signal by pressing and momentarily holding the turn signal button (instead of just pressing). Then, when the
first maneuver is complete, the turn
signal remains on. If
Automatic Turn Signals is set to Off,
you must cancel the turn signal manually by pressing the
turn signal button after maneuvers such as a merge, lane change, or fork in the roadway.
When a turn signal is operating,
the corresponding indicator lights
up on the instrument panel and
you can hear a clicking sound.
Hazard Warning Flashers
To turn on the hazard warning flashers, press the button
on the drive mode selector located at the front of the center console. All turn signals
flash. Press again to turn
off.
NOTE: Hazard warning flashers operate even without a
key nearby.
Condensation in Head or Tail Lights
Due to weather changes, humidity levels, or recent exposure to water (such as a car wash), condensation may occasionally accumulate in your vehicle

10. The power meter displays real-time power usage. During acceleration, the bar fills to the right with a gray color
(or white if the display is dark) to represent power being used. During deceleration (when
Model S is moving and
you release your foot from the accelerator pedal), the bar
fills to the left with a green color to represent power
being fed back to the Battery by regenerative braking (see
Regenerative Braking on page 67).
11.
When Autosteer is active and detects the driving lane, it is highlighted in blue (see Autosteer on page 88).
Depending on the current driving scenario, you may see neighboring lanes.
NOTE: In situations where Autosteer is unable to detect lane markings, the driving lane is determined based on
the vehicle you are following.
NOTE: If Navigate on Autopilot is active, the driving lane displays as a single blue line in front of Model S (see
Navigate on Autopilot on page 93).
Indicator Lights
Indicator lights display along the top of the instrument panel to show status and alert you of
specific vehicle
conditions.
IndicatorDescriptionA brake system fault is detected or the brake
fluid level is low. See Braking and
Stopping on page 66. Contact Tesla
immediately.
A brake booster fault has been detected. See
Braking and Stopping on page 66.
An ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) fault is detected. See
Braking and Stopping on
page 66. Contact Tesla immediately.
A parking brake fault is detected. Contact Tesla. See
Parking Brake on page
68.
The parking brake is manually applied.
See
Parking Brake on page 68.
Tire pressure warning. The pressure of a tire is out of range. If a fault with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is
detected, the indicator
flashes. For a
TPMS fault, contact Tesla. See
Tire Care
and Maintenance on page 173.
A seat belt for an occupied seat is not
fastened. See
Seat Belts on page 32.
IndicatorDescriptionAirbag safety. If this red indicator does not
flash on briefly when Model S
prepares to drive, or if it remains on, contact Tesla immediately. See
Airbags
on page 41.
Front fog lights are on, if equipped. See
Lights on page 58.
Parking lights (side marker lights, tail
lights, and license plate lights) are on. See
Lights on page 58.
Low beam headlights are on.
High beam headlights are on. Illuminates when high beams are on but the Auto High Beam setting (if equipped) is turned
off or if the Auto High Beam setting is
turned on but is temporarily unavailable.
See
High Beam Headlights on page 58.
High beam headlights are currently
turned on, and Auto High Beam (if equipped) is ready to turn
off the high
beams if light is detected in front of
Model S. See High Beam Headlights on
page 58.
High beam headlights are temporarily
turned
off because Auto High Beam (if
equipped) is on and is detecting light in
front of
Model S. When light is no longer
detected, the high beams automatically turn back on. See
High Beam Headlights
on page 58.
Instrument Panel
63Seating and Safety Restraints

Braking SystemsWARNING: Properly functioning braking systems
are critical to ensure safety. If you experience a
problem with the brake pedal, brake calipers, or
any component of a Model S braking system,
contact Tesla immediately.
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 briefly flashes amber on
the
instrument panel when you first start
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. Drive cautiously and avoid heavy braking.
If the instrument panel displays this red
brake indicator at any time other than
briefly when you first start Model S, a brake
system fault is detected, or the level of the
brake
fluid is low. Contact Tesla
immediately. Apply steady pressure and
keep the brakes
firm to bring the vehicle to
a stop when safe to do so.
The instrument panel displays this amber
brake indicator if a brake booster fault is detected. Apply steady pressure and keep the brakes
firm to stop the vehicle when
safety permits. Hydraulic Boost Compensation will be active (see
Hydraulic
Boost Compensation on page 67).
WARNING: When driving a Model S Plaid
equipped with the optional Carbon Ceramic Brake
Kit in temperatures below 14 degrees Fahrenheit
(-10 degrees Celsius), the instrument panel
displays an alert indicating that stability and
braking performance may be degraded in cold
weather. You may need to increase the amount of
pressure you apply to the brake pedal when
driving in cold weather. Be aware of this reduced
performance and drive cautiously in cold weather
conditions. The Apply Brakes When Regenerative
Braking is Limited feature is not available on a
Model S Plaid equipped with the optional Carbon
Ceramic Brake Kit.
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).
CAUTION: Automatic Emergency Braking (see
Automatic Emergency Braking on page 115) may
intervene to automatically brake in situations
where a collision is considered imminent.
Automatic Emergency Braking is not designed to
prevent a collision. At best, it can minimize the
impact of a frontal collision by attempting to
reduce your driving speed. Depending on
Automatic Emergency Braking to avoid a collision
can result in serious injury or death.
Dynamic Brake Lights (if equipped)
If you are driving over 30 mph (50 km/h) and brake
forcefully
(or if Automatic Emergency Braking engages),
the brake lights
flash quickly to warn other drivers that
Model S is rapidly slowing down. If Model S stops
completely, the hazard warning lights
flash. Flashing
continues until you press the accelerator or manually press the hazard lights button to turn them
off (see
Hazard Warning Flashers on page 60).
NOTE: When towing a trailer (if applicable), the brake
lights on the trailer also operate as described above,
even when the trailer is not equipped with a separate
braking system.
Braking and Stopping
66MODEL S Owner

WARNING: When towing a trailer (if applicable),
always increase your following distance. Sudden
braking may result in skidding, jack-knifing, and
loss of control.
Brake Disc Wiping
To ensure brakes remain responsive in cold and wet
weather,
Model S is equipped with brake disc wiping.
When cold and wet weather is detected, this feature
repeatedly applies an imperceptible amount of brake
force to remove water from the surface of the brake
discs.
Hydraulic Fade Compensation
Model S is equipped with hydraulic fade compensation.
This assists in monitoring brake system pressure and ABS activity for instances of reduced brake
performance. If reduced brake performance is detected (for example, as a result of brake fade, or cold or wet
conditions), you may hear a sound, feel the brake pedal pull away from your foot, and notice a strong increase in braking. Brake as you normally would and continue to
press the brake pedal without releasing or pumping the
brakes.
CAUTION: If brakes are not functioning properly,
stop the vehicle when safety permits and contact
Tesla Service.
WARNING: Always maintain a safe driving distance
from the vehicle in front of you and exercise
caution when driving conditions are hazardous.
Brake disc wiping and hydraulic fade
compensation is not a substitute for adequately
applying the brakes.
Hydraulic Boost Compensation
Model S is equipped with a brake booster that activates
the brakes when the brake pedal is pressed. Hydraulic boost compensation provides mechanical assistance if the brake booster fails. If a brake booster failure is detected, the brake pedal feels
stiffer to press and you
may hear a sound when you press the brake pedal. To
stop
Model S, apply steady force to the brake pedal
without releasing or pumping. Drive cautiously and
maintain a safe distance from other road users

Parking Brake
To engage the parking brake, touch Controls > Safety >
Parking Brake. Follow the onscreen instructions.
Use the touchscreen to manually release the parking brake (which also shifts
Model S into Neutral):
1.
Touch Controls > Safety.
2.
Press the brake pedal, then touch Parking Brake. If
Model S was previously in Park, it shifts into Neutral.
When you manually apply the parking
brake using the touchscreen, the red
parking brake indicator lights up on the
instrument panel.
If the parking brake experiences an
electrical issue, the amber parking brake
indicator lights up and a fault message displays on the
instrument panel.
NOTE: The parking brake operates on the rear wheels
only, and is independent of the pedal-operated brake
system.
CAUTION: In the unlikely event that Model S loses
electrical power, you cannot access the
touchscreen and are therefore unable to release
the parking brake without first jump starting (see
Jump Starting on page 207).
WARNING: In snowy or icy conditions the rear
wheels may not have sufficient traction to prevent
Model S from sliding down a slope, particularly if
not using winter tires. Avoid parking on hills in
snowy or icy conditions. You are always
responsible for parking safely.
WARNING: Your Model S may display an alert if
the road is too steep to safely park on, or if the
parking brakes are not properly engaged. These
alerts are for guidance purposes only and are not a
substitute for the driver