2023 Tesla Model S User Manual

The 2023 Tesla Model S will be a first-of-its-kind combination of luxury, innovation, and high-performance electric mobility. It will change what it means to be a great car. With its smooth, aerodynamic form, the Model S is sophisticated and efficient at the same time. Underneath its elegant exterior is a high-tech electric powertrain with electrifying acceleration and a long range, which ushers in a new age of driving that is better for the environment. The Model S’s interior sets new standards for luxury and technology, with a cockpit that is simple but futuristic, a huge tablet interface, and cutting-edge self-driving features. As a sign of how hard Tesla works to come up with new ideas, the 2023 Model S starts a new era of electric luxury and moves us toward a more environmentally friendly and exciting future on the road.

Exterior Overview

1. Exterior lights (Lights on page 58)
2. Door handles (Doors on page 17)
3. Charge port (Charging Instructions on page 163)
4. Autopilot cameras (About Autopilot on page 81)
5. Exterior mirrors (Mirrors on page 52)
6. Hood/Front trunk (Front Trunk on page 22)
7. Front/rear tow eye cover (Instructions for Transporters on page 202)
8. Wheels and tires (Wheels and Tires on page 194)
9. Rear view camera (Rear Facing Camera(s) on page 77 and About Autopilot on page 81)
10. Rear trunk/liftgate (Rear Trunk on page 20)
11. Ultrasonic sensors, if equipped (Park Assist on page 70 and About Autopilot on page 81)

Safety & Security Settings

About the Security System
If Model S does not detect a key nearby and a locked door or trunk is opened, an alarm sounds. The headlights and turn signals also flash. To deactivate the alarm, press any button on the key fob.
To manually enable or disable the alarm system, touch Controls > Safety > Security Alarm. When enabled, Model S activates its alarm one minute after you exit, the doors lock, and a recognized key is no longer detected.
A battery-backed siren (if equipped) sounds in situations where a locked door or trunk is opened and Model S does not detect a key nearby. If you also want this siren to sound in situations where the vehicle detects motion inside the cabin, enable Tilt/Intrusion (see Tilt/Intrusion (if equipped) on page 133).
NOTE: If Model S is in Sentry Mode (see How to Use Sentry Mode (Camera + App) on page 136), you must disable Sentry Mode before you can disable the Security alarm or the Tilt/Intrusion alarm.

Tilt/Intrusion (if equipped)
Depending on configuration, market region, and date of manufacture, your vehicle may not be equipped with this feature.
The Security Alarm must be on to enable Tilt/Intrusion.
Tilt/Intrusion sounds the alarm in your vehicle if Model S detects motion inside the cabin, or is moved or tilted
(for example, with a tow truck or jack). To enable, touch Controls > Safety > Tilt/Intrusion.
The intrusion sensor automatically disables in situations where the climate control system is operating when you leave your vehicle. To override, you can manually turn the Tilt/Intrusion Sensor on again after choosing Keep Climate On, Dog, or Camp Mode.
The tilt/intrusion sensor automatically re-enables at the start of every drive cycle.
NOTE: If you plan to leave something that moves inside your locked vehicle, remember to turn off Tilt/Intrusion. If this setting is on, any motion detected inside Model S activates the intrusion alarm.

Enhanced Anti-Theft Upgrade (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with the Enhanced Anti-Theft upgrade, the horn sounds in situations where a locked door or trunk is opened and Model S does not detect a key nearby. If Tilt/Intrusion is on, the horn also sounds if Model S detects motion inside the cabin or if the vehicle is moved or tilted (for example, with a tow truck or jack). To turn the Tilt/Intrusion detection system on or off, touch Controls > Safety > Tilt/Intrusion.

PIN to Drive
To increase security, you can prevent Model S from being driven until a 4-digit PIN (Personal Identifica tion Number) is entered. To enable this setting, touch Controls > Safety > PIN to Drive and follow the on-screen prompts to create a driving PIN.
When enabled, in addition to entering the 4-digit driving PIN to drive, you must also use it to enter Valet mode for the first time and create the 4-digit valet PIN to enter and exit Valet mode. In Valet mode, Model S can be driven without the need for the valet to enter a driving PIN. The PIN to Drive setting is disabled whenever Valet mode is active.
If you forget your driving PIN, touch the link to enter your Tesla login credentials on the PIN to Drive popup, then follow the on-screen prompts.
NOTE: In the unlikely event that your touchscreen is unresponsive, you may be unable to enter the PIN. In this case, first try to restart the touchscreen (see Restarting the Touchscreen on page 8). If the touchscreen is still unresponsive, you can still bypass PIN to Drive by turning on Keyless Driving in the Tesla mobile app.

Glovebox PIN
For additional security, you can protect the contents in your glovebox with a 4-digit PIN. To enable this setting, touch Controls > Safety > Glovebox PIN and follow the on-screen prompts. When enabled, you are prompted to enter the PIN to open the glovebox. To disable this setting, select the toggle to disable and then enter the PIN.
If you forget your glovebox PIN, reset it by entering your Tesla login credentials, then follow the on-screen prompts.
NOTE: Using a Glovebox PIN allows the glovebox to be opened even when Model S is in Valet mode.

Speed Limit Mode
Speed Limit Mode allows you to limit acceleration and limit the maximum driving speed to a chosen value between 50 and 120 mph (80 and 193 km/h). The firs t time you use this feature, you must create a 4-digit PIN that you must use to enable and disable Speed Limit Mode. When enabled and the driving speed approaches within approximately 3 mph (5 km/h) of the maximum speed, a chime sounds, the instrument cluster displays a message, and Model S sends a notification to the mobile app. You can also touch Security > Speed Limit Mode to enable from the Tesla mobile app. To enable Speed Limit Mode:

1. Ensure Model S is in Park.
2. Touch Controls > Safety > Speed Limit Mode on the touchscreen.
3. Select the maximum driving speed.
4. Drag the slider to the On position.
5. Enter the 4-digit PIN that you want to use to enable and disable Speed Limit Mode.
   NOTE: If you forget the PIN, you can disable Speed Limit Mode by entering login credentials for your Tesla account.
   NOTE: While Speed Limit Mode is enabled, the acceleration setting (Controls > Pedals & Steering > Acceleration) automatically sets to Chill.

How to Use Dashcam

1. Format a USB flash drive. Dashcam requires a properly formatted USB drive inserted in your vehicle’s USB port (Tesla recommends using the glovebox USB port, if equipped) to store and retrieve footage. Vehicles manufactured beginning approximately 2020 are equipped with a pre-formatted USB flash drive in the glove box. There are two ways to format the flash drive:
   • Insert the flash drive into the USB port and navigate to Controls > Safety > Format USB Drive. Your vehicle automatically formats the flash drive for you.
   • Format the flash drive on a computer. See USB Drive Requirements for Recording Videos on page 138 for more information.
2. Insert the USB flash drive into your vehicle’s USB port.
3. Enable Dashcam by touching Controls > Safety > Dashcam. Dashcam allows you to choose how and when footage is saved. You can choose between:
   • Auto: Dashcam automatically saves a recording to the USB drive when Model S detects a safety-critical event, such as a collision or airbag deployment. When Auto is selected, detection can vary and is subject to your vehicle’s power, sleep, and Autopilot state.
     NOTE: Several factors determine whether Dashcam automatically saves a recording of a safety-critical event (for example, amount of force, whether or not airbags deployed, etc.). Do not rely on Dashcam to automatically record video of all safety-critical events.
   • Manual: You must manually touch the Dashcam icon to save a recording of the most recent 10 minutes of footage.
   • On Honk: When you press the horn, Dashcam saves a recording of the most recent 10 minutes of footage. This can be enabled along with Auto or Manual.
4. 4. Once Dashcam is enabled, you are free to drive. The Dashcam icon indicates when footage is saved. You can also view the status of Dashcam with the icon in Controls:
   The icon changes to show the status of Dashcam:
   • RECORDING: Dashcam is recording. To save video footage, touch the icon. To pause recording, press and hold the icon.
   • PAUSED: Dashcam is paused. To resume recording, touch the icon. To avoid losing video footage, pause Dashcam before removing the flash drive.
   • SAVED: Footage is saved. You can also save Dashcam clips by touching the Dashcam icon in the app launcher while Driving.
5. Once your desired footage is saved, view the clips on the touchscreen or a computer:
   • Touchscreen: Ensure your vehicle is in Park and touch the Dashcam icon in the app launcher. Videos are organized by timestamp. See Viewing Video Recordings on page 138 for more information.
   • Computer: Insert the USB flash drive into a computer and navigate to the TeslaCam folder. Videos are organized by timestamp. See Viewing Video Recordings on page 138 for more information.
6. To turn Dashcam off, navigate to Controls > Safety > Dashcam > Off. If set to Auto, On Honk, or Manual, Dashcam will automatically enable every time you drive your vehicle.

How to Use Sentry Mode (Camera + App)

1. Sentry Mode requires a properly formatted USB drive inserted in your vehicle’s USB port (Tesla recommends using the glovebox USB port, if equipped) to store and retrieve footage. Vehicles manufactured from approximately 2020 are equipped with a pre-formatted USB drive in the glove box. There are two ways to format the USB drive:
   • Insert the USB drive into the USB port and navigate to Controls > Safety > Format USB Drive. Your vehicle automatically formats the USB drive for you.
   • Format the USB drive on a computer. See USB Drive Requirements for Recording Videos on page 138 for more information.
2. Insert the USB drive into the vehicle’s USB port.
3. With your vehicle in Park, enable Dashcam by navigating to Controls > Safety > Dashcam.
4. Touch Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode > On. Once enabled, the Sentry Mode icon in the Controls tab turns red.
   When enabled, Sentry Mode is idle, ready to sound the alarm and save a recording of the security event if triggered. See Viewing Video Recordings on page 138 for information on viewing footage.
5. To silence the security alarm and audio system when the alarm is triggered, navigate to Controls > Safety > Disable Sentry Sounds. When enabled, Sentry Mode still sends a notification through the mobile app and saves the last 10 minutes footage.
6. To manually enable/disable Sentry Mode until the next drive, touch the Sentry Mode icon in Controls. Sentry Mode is Off when the icon is no longer red.
   Turn Sentry Mode Off in Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode to disable for more than one drive cycle.

FAQ