Tesla Model S: Cooling System - Vacuum Refill

Note: Make sure at least 14 L of the specified coolant is available before beginning this procedure.

Caution: Use the specified coolant only. In this manual, refer to General Information > Capacities, Fluids, and Lubricants > Fluids. Refill

1. Use Toolbox to prepare the vehicle for draining and refilling coolant:
   1. Connect a laptop with Toolbox 2.0 or higher to the vehicle.
   2. Oen the "Fluid Drain and Fill" panel.
   3. Check the "Coolant Panel" check box.
   4. In the "Routine" dropdown menu, select Fluid Drain/Fill.
   5. Press the Start/Play button.

Before continuing this procedure, inspect the "Thermal" mode readout on the touchscreen and ensure that the powertrain and battery systems are in "series" mode".

2. Use the Thermal System Signals panel to verify that the system is in series mode and the coolant valves are set to 50%.
3. Attach the reservoir adapter to the vacuum refill tool.
4. Ensure that the coolant refill valve and the air inlet valve are closed.

   

   1	Coolant refill hose
   2	Coolant refill valve
   3	Air inlet valve
   4	Shop air supply
   5	Overflow hose

5. Connect shop air supply with a minimum pressure of 5.5 bar (80 PSI) to the vacuum refill tool.
6. Place the end of the overflow hose in a suitable container to collect any coolant that is drawn out of the system when the vacuum is applied.
7. Open the air inlet valve. Note: A hissing noise is normal.
8. Allow the tool to evacuate the system until the needle on the vacuum gauge reaches the green range or the needle stops moving. Note: It is normal for some cooling hoses to collapse due to the vacuum in the system.
9. Close the air inlet valve and monitor the gauge for approximately 30 seconds to verify that a vacuum is maintained in the cooling system. Note: If the gauge reading drops, there is a leak in the system that must be fixed before refilling with coolant.
10. Position a container of coolant at, or as close as possible to, the height of the coolant reservoir. Note: The container should be filled with at least 14 L of the specified coolant. Caution: Use the specified coolant only. In this manual, refer to General Information > Capacities, Fluids, and Lubricants > Fluids.
11. Place the end of the coolant refill hose into the coolant container. Ensure that the end is fully submerged. Tip: If the container is especially deep, the end of the hose might float in the coolant. Use a weight, hanger, or other tool to keep the end of the hose submerged in the coolant.
12. Very slowly open the coolant refill valve to allow coolant to be drawn into the coolant refill hose. Close the valve when the hose is full of coolant. This purges trapped air from the hose.
13. Reopen the air inlet valve. Close the valve when the vacuum gauge needle stops rising.
14. Slowly open the coolant refill valve to allow coolant to be drawn into the system. Caution: Ensure that the end of the coolant refill hose remains submerged to prevent air from being drawn into the system. Immediately close the coolant refill valve if air enters the coolant refill hose.
15. Once the gauge stops moving, close the coolant refill valve.
16. Remove the vacuum refill tool:
    1. Leave the coolant refill hose in the container.
    2. Lift the tool from the reservoir.
    3. Holding the tool above the container, open the coolant refill valve to drain the coolant from the refill hose into the container.
17. Start the cooling system bleed procedure (refer to procedure).

Tip: It is not necessary to run the complete (15 minute) bleed routine. The bleed routine can be stopped once the coolant level has stabilized.

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