Tesla Model S: How To Use This Manual

General

Caution: Only qualified technicians should attempt to perform the procedures contained within this manual.

This manual is organized by vehicle subsystem. Click on a subsystem in the lefthand menu see categories of repairs in that subsystem.

Each service procedure has a unique reference (FRT) number before the procedure title. Service procedures reference other procedures that should be performed as part of the main procedure.

Actions within the service procedures also include references to any special tools, relevant data, torque figures, special information and useful assembly details.

Click the images in the service manual to make them larger.

WARNINGS, CAUTIONS and NOTES have the following meanings:

Warning: Procedures which must be followed precisely to avoid the possibility of injury.

Caution: Calls attention to procedures which must be followed to avoid damage to components.

Note: Gives helpful information.

References

References to the LH or RH side given in this Manual are made when viewing the vehicle from the rear.

Service procedures in this manual assume the vehicle is left hand drive (LHD). Unless otherwise noted, the procedures are the same for right hand drive (RHD) vehicles. Procedures with minor differences for RHD contain notes indicating the specific differences. Procedures with major differences for RHD have "(RHD)" in the title. Procedures with "(RHD)" in the title are not valid for LHD vehicles.

Most operations covered in this Manual do not include references to testing the vehicle after repair. It is essential that work is inspected and tested after completion, including a road test, if applicable. This is of particular importance where safety related items are concerned.

Procedure Actions

Procedures in this Manual generally end with "Remove and Replace", "Remove and Install", or "Retrofit". The meanings of these procedure actions are as follows:

• Remove and Replace: Describes how to remove a part and replace it with a new part. These procedures sometimes contain steps that are not necessary if reinstalling the same part, such as transferring components from the original part to the new part.
• Remove and Install: Describes how to remove and reinstall the same part. These procedures are generally used when removing a part for access to another part in the vehicle.
• Retrofit: Describes how to install a new part on a vehicle that was not previously equipped with that part.

Note: "Remove and Replace" is the default procedure action in this Manual. Unless a procedure has an equivalent "Remove and Install" procedure, the "Remove and Replace" steps should be used when reinstalling the same part.

Dimensions

The dimensions quoted are to design engineering specification. Service limits are included where applicable.

Specifications

Tesla Motors constantly strives to improve the specification, design and production of their vehicles and alterations take place accordingly. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this Manual, it should not be regarded as an infallible guide to current specifications of any particular vehicle.

Repairs and Replacements

Parts

Only use Tesla recommended parts.

Note the following:

• Safety features and corrosion prevention treatments embodied in the vehicle may be impaired if non Tesla recommended parts are installed.
• Torque wrench setting figures given in this Manual must be used.
• Locking devices, where specified, must be fitted. If the efficiency of a locking device is impaired during removal, it must be replaced.
• The terms of the vehicle warranty may be invalidated by the fitting of parts other than Tesla recommended parts.

"Remove & Install" vs. "Remove & Replace" "Remove and Install" (R&I) is to remove a part, and then reinstall that same part again. Typically this type of procedure is used when a part needs to be removed in order to complete the repair of another component.

"Remove and Replace" (R&R) is to remove a part and replace it with a new one.

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