Things you may not have discovered about your Model S!
(Thanks for additions and suggestions... I've reformatted the original version of this and added submissions from others. Will try to maintain it if other suggestions/corrections come in.)
Most of these are in the manuals, posted elsewhere on the forum, or should have been covered in your delivery training, but since everyone's experience and inclination are different, I've gathered them together in one place. Credit is shown for people who've asked for things to be added, even if they aren't the original poster of the info that may be elsewhere on the forum.
A) Steering Wheel Controls
4) IN-CALL FUNCTIONS: While on a call, clicking the right-hand "Phone" button on the steering wheel brings up a menu of choices such as hang up, mute microphone, or put the call on hold. Select from the options with the right scroll wheel. [Todd Burch]
5) SCREEN REBOOTS: Hold down the middle steering wheel buttons on both sides for a few seconds to reboot the main display.
Hold down the top steering wheel buttons on both sides for a few seconds to reboot the driver's console display. [Todd Burch]
6) TAKING SCREEN SHOTS: Hold down the bottom steering wheel buttons on each side for a few moments to grab a screenshot. (Tesla service can access this. We might be able to later). [Todd Burch]
B) Center Console 17" Touchscreen & Telematics
1) FULL-SCREEN SHORTCUT: Clicking an icon along the top edge for an app that's already displayed makes that one go full screen. Sometimes easier than clicking that tiny little "expand the window" button in the lower corner. Clicking it again in the top bar makes it go back to where it was. [JoshG]
2) APP SCREEN LAYOUT SHORTCUTS: The "App" icons from the "Tray" at the top of your 17" screen can be dragged directly to either the top half or the bottom half of the touchscreen, depending on where you want that app to show up. You can also drag it to the miniature "top-half" and "bottom-half" icons that appear at the top of the screen when you begin dragging an app icon. [JoshG]
3) CHARGE SCREEN SHORTCUT: rather than going through the controls screen, you can simply tap the little Battery icon that is always at the top edge of the 17" screen. [JoshG]
4) BLUETOOTH CONFIGURATION SCREEN: tap the little bluetooth icon that is always at the top of the 17" screen. [JoshG]
5) SIRI: iPhone 4S and later can use Siri when paired with your Model S. Mic and speakers in car will function for siri's voice input and output. However, as of now, there's no way to trigger Siri from the vehicle controls, you'd still have to press and hold your iOS device home button. [rlowenth]
6) TESLA "About" SCREEN: Pressing the tesla logo on the 17" screen brings up an image of your car, showing your VIN#, firmware version, and most recent firmware release notes. The image of the car on screen should match your actual car's color, wheel choice (?), roof type, headlights/fogs/DRL state. left turn signal or flashers state, and brake light state. (High beams, pano roof status and windows are not dynamically drawn to match their current state.) Nice tip from [stevezzzz]: This is one way to know if and when your brake lights go on due to regen braking.
C) Navigation System
D) Cruise Control
E) Other Driver Controls
F) Interior Storage, Lighting, and Features
1) HIDDEN STORAGE POCKET: If you have the Leather package, you have one small semi-hidden storage pouch for storing documents, charging cards, coins, etc.. It's on the leading edge of the driver's seat cushion. Not easy to find until you know where to look. [JoshG]
2) CHARGE ADAPTER HOLDER: There's a recess built into the very back left side of the glove box that perfectly holds your J-1772 adapter so it's always at hand when you need it rather than going into the trunk where your other charging accessories are likely to be stored. Push the adapter in along the left side of the glove box until it snugly fits into the storage area. [JoshG]
3) READING LIGHTS: The four lights that come on as "dome lights" can also be individually turned on by just pushing on the lens. Turn it off by clicking it again. [JoshG]
4) AMBIENT LIGHTING BUZZ "WORKAROUND": Until it's fixed by Tesla, if your Ambient Lights are causing a buzzing noise to be heard, you can either shut off the Ambient Lighting from your touchscreen, or turn the display brightness UP to at least 85%. [Todd Burch]
5) EMERGENCY FRUNK OPENER: There's a secondary, mechanical latch beneath the glove box to open the frunk.[Qualcan]
6) EMERGENCY REAR DOOR LEVERS: There's an emergency mechanical door release for the back doors in case of electronic failure. Under the front edge of the seat covered by a carpet cutout. [efusco]
G) The Key Fob
1) ALL WINDOWS DOWN: press and hold the "roof" (middle) button on your keyfob to lower all the windows at once. nice when walking up to a hot car. [JoshG]
2) DOOR UNLOCK WITH DEAD KEYFOB BATTERY: The car can be unlocked even when the battery in the fob is dead by placing it on the passenger side window by the windsheild wiper. [efusco]
3) CAR STARTING WITH DEAD KAYFOB BATTERY: The car can be started even when the battery in the fob is dead by placing it in the cub holder of the arm rest. [efusco]
H) Charging
I) Other Miscellaneous Tips
2) HOMELINK DIFFICULTIES? When programming homelink, it's easier if you hold the remote inside the frunk. [Todd Burch]
3) PASSENGER DOOR CLOSING DIFFICULTIES? if your front passenger door is difficult to close, remove the drain plug on the bottom side of the passenger door. [Todd Burch]
4) PANO ROOF STOP: If you press on the rubber seal where the pano roof is seated while it's closing, it will stop. [Todd Burch]
5) PANO ROOF HATCH MAXIMUM HEIGHT: The hatch maximum opening position can be set by manually putting it in the position you want then pressing and holding the close button unti there's a beep (~3 seconds). [efusco]
6) CHARGE PORT: If you have trouble opening your charge port door via the button on the charge connector, try aiming it at the defroster lines on the back windshield, which is apparently where the antenna is for this function. [rlowenth]
7) WAKE & UNLOCK VIA TRUNK BUTTON: If you approach car from the back while its charging, pressing the trunk-latch button on the trunk will wake and unlock the car (assuming you have your key fob on you), and that will also release the charging handle so it can be removed. Saves you from having to take out Fob from purse/briefcase or first go to drivers' door and then return to charge handle for removalK [GeekGirls]
(Thanks for additions and suggestions... I've reformatted the original version of this and added submissions from others. Will try to maintain it if other suggestions/corrections come in.)
Tips and Tricks You May Not Have Discovered About Your Model S
Most of these are in the manuals, posted elsewhere on the forum, or should have been covered in your delivery training, but since everyone's experience and inclination are different, I've gathered them together in one place. Credit is shown for people who've asked for things to be added, even if they aren't the original poster of the info that may be elsewhere on the forum.
A) Steering Wheel Controls
1) MUTE/PAUSE: when listening to most audio sources, click left steering wheel roller button to pause and resume (or in the case of radio and some streaming services, mutes and unmutes the audio). Nice that this works regardless of what's displayed on your left-of-speedo info display. [JoshG]
2) MIC MUTE: the left steering wheel roller button will mute and unmute the mic when on a call. [DaveVa]
3) RECENT CALLS: With a bluetooth phone connected, you can call up a list of recent calls and select one for redial without lifting your hands from the wheel. Click right-side "Menu" button on steering wheel, select the phone icon, and your recent calls will appear on the right-of-speedo info display. Right click-wheel can be used to pick and dial any entry. [JoshG]
2) MIC MUTE: the left steering wheel roller button will mute and unmute the mic when on a call. [DaveVa]
3) RECENT CALLS: With a bluetooth phone connected, you can call up a list of recent calls and select one for redial without lifting your hands from the wheel. Click right-side "Menu" button on steering wheel, select the phone icon, and your recent calls will appear on the right-of-speedo info display. Right click-wheel can be used to pick and dial any entry. [JoshG]
4) IN-CALL FUNCTIONS: While on a call, clicking the right-hand "Phone" button on the steering wheel brings up a menu of choices such as hang up, mute microphone, or put the call on hold. Select from the options with the right scroll wheel. [Todd Burch]
5) SCREEN REBOOTS: Hold down the middle steering wheel buttons on both sides for a few seconds to reboot the main display.
Hold down the top steering wheel buttons on both sides for a few seconds to reboot the driver's console display. [Todd Burch]
6) TAKING SCREEN SHOTS: Hold down the bottom steering wheel buttons on each side for a few moments to grab a screenshot. (Tesla service can access this. We might be able to later). [Todd Burch]
B) Center Console 17" Touchscreen & Telematics
1) FULL-SCREEN SHORTCUT: Clicking an icon along the top edge for an app that's already displayed makes that one go full screen. Sometimes easier than clicking that tiny little "expand the window" button in the lower corner. Clicking it again in the top bar makes it go back to where it was. [JoshG]
2) APP SCREEN LAYOUT SHORTCUTS: The "App" icons from the "Tray" at the top of your 17" screen can be dragged directly to either the top half or the bottom half of the touchscreen, depending on where you want that app to show up. You can also drag it to the miniature "top-half" and "bottom-half" icons that appear at the top of the screen when you begin dragging an app icon. [JoshG]
3) CHARGE SCREEN SHORTCUT: rather than going through the controls screen, you can simply tap the little Battery icon that is always at the top edge of the 17" screen. [JoshG]
4) BLUETOOTH CONFIGURATION SCREEN: tap the little bluetooth icon that is always at the top of the 17" screen. [JoshG]
5) SIRI: iPhone 4S and later can use Siri when paired with your Model S. Mic and speakers in car will function for siri's voice input and output. However, as of now, there's no way to trigger Siri from the vehicle controls, you'd still have to press and hold your iOS device home button. [rlowenth]
6) TESLA "About" SCREEN: Pressing the tesla logo on the 17" screen brings up an image of your car, showing your VIN#, firmware version, and most recent firmware release notes. The image of the car on screen should match your actual car's color, wheel choice (?), roof type, headlights/fogs/DRL state. left turn signal or flashers state, and brake light state. (High beams, pano roof status and windows are not dynamically drawn to match their current state.) Nice tip from [stevezzzz]: This is one way to know if and when your brake lights go on due to regen braking.
C) Navigation System
1) SCROLLABLE NAVIGATION ROUTE STEPS : The window that contains upcoming turns and street names during navigation is scrollable. Click on a step and map will zoom to show that step on your route. Click the step again to return to normal route navigation [Nickjhowe]
1) CRUISE UP/DOWN ADJUSTMENTS: when cruise control is active, tap cruise lever down or up slightly for - or + 1 MPH; push it further down or up for - or + 5 MPH. [JoshG]
2) SPEEDOMETER CRUISE SPEED MARKER: when cruise control is cancelled, but not turned "off", a marker is shown on your speedometer where you left the setting (and where it will return to when you hit 'resume'). [JoshG]
3) SUSPEND vs. CANCEL CRUISE CONTROL: Press in the end of the cruise control stalk slightly to cancel and reset cruise to zero but leave it "armed". (Whereas pressing forward on the CC stalk cancels it but leaves the set speed ready for a resume). [Todd Burch]
2) SPEEDOMETER CRUISE SPEED MARKER: when cruise control is cancelled, but not turned "off", a marker is shown on your speedometer where you left the setting (and where it will return to when you hit 'resume'). [JoshG]
3) SUSPEND vs. CANCEL CRUISE CONTROL: Press in the end of the cruise control stalk slightly to cancel and reset cruise to zero but leave it "armed". (Whereas pressing forward on the CC stalk cancels it but leaves the set speed ready for a resume). [Todd Burch]
E) Other Driver Controls
1) WIPER SINGLE SWIPE: push in the end of the turn signal stalk to have the wipers do a single swipe without spraying cleaner. Push in further to have it spray with wash fluid. [Todd Burch]
2) MIROR TILT-ON-REVERSE: Both side mirror tilt positions can be programmed when the car is in reverse. [Todd Burch]
3) EMERGENCY BRAKE: Hold the tip of the shifter lever in to engage emergency braking. [Todd Burch] **NOTE, NEED SOME CLARIFICATION ON IF AND WHEN TO USE THIS... POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE?
4) SIDE MIRROR DEFROST: Side mirrors do have electric defrost circuitry but there is no separate on/off for this as in some cars. Side mirror defrost comes on automatically with rear defrost function. [mlascano]
2) MIROR TILT-ON-REVERSE: Both side mirror tilt positions can be programmed when the car is in reverse. [Todd Burch]
3) EMERGENCY BRAKE: Hold the tip of the shifter lever in to engage emergency braking. [Todd Burch] **NOTE, NEED SOME CLARIFICATION ON IF AND WHEN TO USE THIS... POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE?
4) SIDE MIRROR DEFROST: Side mirrors do have electric defrost circuitry but there is no separate on/off for this as in some cars. Side mirror defrost comes on automatically with rear defrost function. [mlascano]
F) Interior Storage, Lighting, and Features
1) HIDDEN STORAGE POCKET: If you have the Leather package, you have one small semi-hidden storage pouch for storing documents, charging cards, coins, etc.. It's on the leading edge of the driver's seat cushion. Not easy to find until you know where to look. [JoshG]
2) CHARGE ADAPTER HOLDER: There's a recess built into the very back left side of the glove box that perfectly holds your J-1772 adapter so it's always at hand when you need it rather than going into the trunk where your other charging accessories are likely to be stored. Push the adapter in along the left side of the glove box until it snugly fits into the storage area. [JoshG]
3) READING LIGHTS: The four lights that come on as "dome lights" can also be individually turned on by just pushing on the lens. Turn it off by clicking it again. [JoshG]
4) AMBIENT LIGHTING BUZZ "WORKAROUND": Until it's fixed by Tesla, if your Ambient Lights are causing a buzzing noise to be heard, you can either shut off the Ambient Lighting from your touchscreen, or turn the display brightness UP to at least 85%. [Todd Burch]
5) EMERGENCY FRUNK OPENER: There's a secondary, mechanical latch beneath the glove box to open the frunk.[Qualcan]
6) EMERGENCY REAR DOOR LEVERS: There's an emergency mechanical door release for the back doors in case of electronic failure. Under the front edge of the seat covered by a carpet cutout. [efusco]
G) The Key Fob
1) ALL WINDOWS DOWN: press and hold the "roof" (middle) button on your keyfob to lower all the windows at once. nice when walking up to a hot car. [JoshG]
2) DOOR UNLOCK WITH DEAD KEYFOB BATTERY: The car can be unlocked even when the battery in the fob is dead by placing it on the passenger side window by the windsheild wiper. [efusco]
3) CAR STARTING WITH DEAD KAYFOB BATTERY: The car can be started even when the battery in the fob is dead by placing it in the cub holder of the arm rest. [efusco]
1) RANGE CHARGE IS 'STICKY': Selecting a Range-mode charge is an option that will not go back to "standard" after the charge. Repeatedly charging in "Range" mode is not good for the batteries and Tesla cautions against frequent use, so user needs to remember to set this setting back to normal after a range charge. [JoshG]
2) CHARGE AMPERAGE SETTING IS GPS-AWARE: If you select a lower current limit at one location, the car will remember that setting and apply it for all future charging sessions at that location. Charging at another location will occur at the default amperage setting. [DaveVa]
2) CHARGE AMPERAGE SETTING IS GPS-AWARE: If you select a lower current limit at one location, the car will remember that setting and apply it for all future charging sessions at that location. Charging at another location will occur at the default amperage setting. [DaveVa]
I) Other Miscellaneous Tips
1) WASHING TIP: When handwashing your car, raise the vehicle to its "Very High" suspension position and then turn it off - less bending down and makes it much easier to spray out the junk in the wheel wells. [JoshG]
2) HOMELINK DIFFICULTIES? When programming homelink, it's easier if you hold the remote inside the frunk. [Todd Burch]
3) PASSENGER DOOR CLOSING DIFFICULTIES? if your front passenger door is difficult to close, remove the drain plug on the bottom side of the passenger door. [Todd Burch]
4) PANO ROOF STOP: If you press on the rubber seal where the pano roof is seated while it's closing, it will stop. [Todd Burch]
5) PANO ROOF HATCH MAXIMUM HEIGHT: The hatch maximum opening position can be set by manually putting it in the position you want then pressing and holding the close button unti there's a beep (~3 seconds). [efusco]
6) CHARGE PORT: If you have trouble opening your charge port door via the button on the charge connector, try aiming it at the defroster lines on the back windshield, which is apparently where the antenna is for this function. [rlowenth]
7) WAKE & UNLOCK VIA TRUNK BUTTON: If you approach car from the back while its charging, pressing the trunk-latch button on the trunk will wake and unlock the car (assuming you have your key fob on you), and that will also release the charging handle so it can be removed. Saves you from having to take out Fob from purse/briefcase or first go to drivers' door and then return to charge handle for removalK [GeekGirls]
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