Tesla Model S: Tire Pressure Monitoring

Each tire should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the recommended pressures that are printed on the Tire and Loading Information label located on the driver's door pillar (see Maintaining Tire Pressures). If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.

As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a TPMS that displays a tire pressure telltale (Tire Pressure Warning) on the instrument panel when one or more of your tires is significantly under- or over-inflated. Accordingly, when the Tire Pressure indicator light displays on the instrument panel to alert you about tire pressure, stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure (see Maintaining Tire Pressures). Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces range efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.

If Model S detects a fault with the TPMS, this indicator flashes for one minute whenever you power on Model S.

NOTE: Installing accessories that are not approved by Tesla can interfere with the TPMS.

WARNING: The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, including manually checking tire pressures and regularly inspecting the condition of tires. It is the driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under- or over- inflation has not reached the level for the TPMS to trigger the Tire Pressure Warning on the instrument panel.

Automatic Reset of TPMS Sensors

After replacing one or more wheels (but not after replacing a tire), the TPMS sensors are relearned to ensure tire pressure warnings are accurate. TPMS sensors reset automatically within two minutes of driving over 15 mph (25 km/h).

WARNING: If your Model S is equipped with aftermarket tires that differ in size from those printed on the Tire and Loading Information Label (see Vehicle Loading), it is the driver's responsibility to determine the correct tire pressure. Do not drive on public roads when tires are not inflated to the correct pressure.

WARNING: Do not depend on TPMS sensors to accurately determine pressures and trigger alerts. It is the driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressures (see Maintaining Tire Pressures). Over or under-inflated tires can result in loss of control or tire damage, which can lead to serious injury.

Replacing a Tire Sensor

If the Tire Pressure warning indicator displays frequently, contact Tesla to determine if a tire sensor needs to be replaced. If a non-Tesla Service Center repairs or replaces a tire, the tire sensor may not work until Tesla performs the setup procedure.

TPMS Malfunction

Model S has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly.

The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the tire pressure indicator light. When the system detects a malfunction, the indicator flashes for approximately one minute, then remains continuously lit. This sequence continues upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists. When the TPMS malfunction indicator is on, the system might not be able to detect or signal under- or over-inflated tires as intended.

TPMS malfunctions can occur for a variety of reasons, including installing replacement or alternate tires or wheels that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction indicator light after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement tires or wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.

NOTE: If a tire has been replaced or repaired using a different tire sealant than the one available from Tesla, and a low tire pressure is detected, it is possible that the tire sensor has been damaged. Contact Tesla to have the fault repaired as soon as possible.

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