Tesla Model S: Overview of Climate Controls

Climate controls are available at the bottom of the touchscreen. By default, climate control is set to Auto, which maintains optimum comfort in all but the most severe weather conditions. When you adjust the cabin temperature while in the Auto setting, the system automatically adjusts the heating, air conditioning, air distribution, and fan speed to maintain the cabin at your selected temperature.

Touch the displayed temperature at the bottom of the touchscreen to access the main climate controls screen, where you can adjust your climate preferences. You can revert back to Auto at any time by touching Auto. Touch the power button on the main climate controls screen to toggle on or off. For quick access to common controls, touch < or > to display the climate popup.

NOTE: The climate control system is powered by the high voltage Battery. Therefore, prolonged use decreases driving range.

WARNING: To avoid burns resulting from prolonged use, individuals who have peripheral neuropathy, or whose capacity to feel pain is limited because of diabetes, age, neurological injury, or some other condition, should exercise caution when using the climate control system and seat heaters.

Adjusting Climate Control Settings

NOTE: Easily adjust your climate preferences, such as turning on the seat heater or changing the cabin temperature, hands-free by using voice commands (see Voice Commands).

NOTE: For one-touch access to seat heaters and defrosters, you can add these controls to My Apps. See Customizing My Apps.

1. Touch to turn the climate control system on or off.
2. Touch to adjust the climate settings for the front cabin.
3. Choose where air flows into the front cabin (windshield, face-level, or foot-level vents). You can choose one or more vents.
4. Touch to adjust the climate settings for the rear cabin. If Auto is enabled and a passenger is detected, the set temperature is maintained for the rear cabin.

NOTE: Enable Sync to set the same temperature for the front and back cabins.

5. Touch the driver's side seat icon to adjust seat heaters for the driver. The seat operates at three levels from 3 (highest) to 1 (lowest). The seat icon displays twisting lines that turn red (heating) or blue (cooling) corresponding with the set level. Auto, which displays when the climate control system is set to Auto, warms or cools the front seats based on cabin temperature. For one-touch access to seat heaters, you can add them to the touchscreen's bottom bar.
6. Touch to turn on the heated steering yoke.
7. Touch to turn on the wiper defrosters. Wipers defrost for 15 minutes then turn off automatically.
8. Touch the passenger's side seat icon to adjust seat heaters for the front passenger. The seat operates at three levels from 3 (highest) to 1 (lowest). The seat icon displays twisting lines that turn red (heating) or blue (cooling) to corresponding with the set level. Auto, which displays when the climate control system is set to Auto, warms or cools the front seats based on cabin temperature. For one-touch access to seat heaters, you can add them to the touchscreen's bottom bar (see Customizing My Apps).
9. When in Park, these settings display to allow you to keep the climate control system operating, even when you leave Model S.
10. Touch to adjust how air flows from the front vents.
11. When Model S is in Park, touch Schedule to set a recurring daily time when you want Model S to be ready to drive by preconditioning the Battery and cabin climate and/or charging during off -peak hours.
12. If your Model S is equipped with the medical-grade HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, this filter ensures the best quality air inside the cabin whenever the climate control system is on and outside air is entering the cabin (recirculate is off ). The HEPA filter is extremely effective at removing particles, including pollution, allergens, bacteria, pollen, mold spores, and viruses. Both the HEPA filter and the secondary filtration system also contain activated carbon to remove a broad spectrum of odors and gases. When you engage Bioweapon Defense Mode, the positive pressure inside the cabin minimizes the amount of outside air that can enter the vehicle.

NOTE: Some gases, such as carbon monoxide, are not effectively removed by activated carbon.

13. Touch to control the flow of air inside the cabin. Air can be drawn into Model S from outside or air can be recirculated inside the cabin.
14. Use the slider to adjust the fan speed.

NOTE: Adjusting the fan speed may change the selected setting for how air is drawn into Model S in order to increase or reduce air flow.

15. Touch to turn the air conditioning system on or off. Turning it off reduces cooling, but saves energy.

NOTE: Because Model S runs much quieter than a gasoline-powered vehicle, you may notice the sound of the air conditioning compressor as it is operating. To minimize noise, reduce the fan speed.

16. Touch to warm up the rear windshield. After 15 minutes, the rear window defroster automatically turns off. The exterior side mirrors are also heated whenever the rear window defroster is operating.
17. The windshield defroster distributes air flow to the windshield. Touch once to defog the windshield (the icon turns blue) (the icon turns yellow). Touch a second time to defrost the windshield (the icon turns red and the heating and fan operate at maximum levels). Touch a third time to turn off and restore the air distribution, heating, and fan to their previous settings. In cold ambient temperatures, the exterior side mirrors are also heated whenever the windshield defroster is operating. See Cold Weather Best Practices for more information on preparing for cold weather.
18. Touch Auto to turn the Auto setting on or off.

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