towing TESLA MODEL S 2023 Owners Manual

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

summer tires: 177
Summon: 105
Summon Distance: 105
superchargers, displaying on map: 147
supercharging: 166
described: 166
idle fees: 166
pay-per-use fees: 166
suspension: 129
suspension specifications: 194
suspension, air: 129
suspension, auto-raising: 129
suspension, damping: 129
T
telematics: 261
temperature: 50, 61, 119, 161, 197
Battery (high voltage), limits: 161
cabin, controls for: 119
heated: 50
outside: 61
tires: 197
tesla profiles: 47
Teslacam: 135, 136
tie-down straps: 205
tilt/intrusion detection: 133
Tire and Loading Information label: 188
tire noise: 177
Tire Pressure Monitoring System: 175
overview of: 175
tire pressures, checking: 173
tire pressures, displaying: 173
tires: 173, 174, 176, 177, 194, 195, 197
all-season: 177
balancing: 174
chains: 177
inspecting and maintaining: 173
pressures, displaying: 173
pressures, how to check: 173
quality grading: 197
replacing: 174
replacing a tire sensor: 176
rotation: 174
specification: 194
summer: 177
temperature grades: 197
tire markings: 195
traction grade: 197
treadwear grade: 197
wheel configuration: 173
winter: 177
toll system transponders, attaching: 185
torque specifications: 192
touch up body: 180
touchscreen: 6, 8, 10, 143, 180
adding shortcuts: 10
cleaning: 180
customizing My Apps: 10
display settings: 6
frozen: 8
main: 6
overview: 6
rear: 6
reboot: 8
software updates: 143
unresponsive: 8
towing: 203, 206, 207
towing, instructions: 202
towing, transporting: 202
Toybox: 156
TPMS: 175
overview of: 175
Track Mode: 74
Tracking Disabled: 147
traction control: 69
trademarks: 259
Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control: 96
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control: 84
transmission specifications: 192
transponders, attaching: 185
Transport Canada, contacting: 264
Transport Mode: 203
transporting: 203
trip chart: 170
trip meter: 76
Trip Planner: 151
trunk, front: 22
trunk, rear: 20
turn signals, lights: 60
U
ultrasonic sensors: 81
uniform tire quality grading: 197
Unlock On Park: 18
unlocking: 17
USB devices, connecting: 25
USB flash drive: 133, 135, 136
USB ports, console: 25
Index