Traction Control - Tesla 2010 Roadster Owner's Manual

Emergency braking
WARNING: DO NOT pump the foot
brake. ABS does this for you and by
pumping the foot brake yourself, you are
interfering with ABS operation, which may
increase braking distance.
In an emergency, fully press the brake
pedal even when the road surface is
slippery. ABS will vary the braking
pressure to each wheel according to the
amount of traction available. This prevents
the wheels from locking and ensures that
the vehicle stops as safely as possible.
Note: ABS operates only when control of
the vehicle is jeopardized. It can not
compensate for driver error.
ABS warning indicator
When the starter switch is turned to the
ON position, and also at frequent intervals
while driving, the ABS checks that all its
components are operating correctly.
If a fault is detected, the warning
indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates and the ABS shuts down.
Contact Tesla Motors or an authorised
repairer as soon as possible.
Note: The vehicle's brakes remain fully
operational and are not affected by an
ABS failure. However, braking distances
may increase and wheels may lock under
heavy braking.
Driving your vehicle

Traction control

WARNING: Traction control cannot
overcome the physical limitations of
the vehicle turning at too high a
speed and cannot prevent any
accident which may result.
The traction control system
TC
constantly monitors the difference
in speed between the front and rear
wheels. If a loss of traction is detected, it
reduces torque to the rear wheels to
minimize wheel spin. When this happens,
you may notice the traction control
warning indicator on the instrument panel
illuminate briefly.
Traction control is automatically switched
on each time the starter switch is turned
to the ON position. The traction control
button on the centre console illuminates
amber to indicate the vehicle's traction
control system is operating.
Note: For safety reasons, traction control
must be active when using cruise control.
If you disable traction control, cruise
control will also be disabled. Or, if you are
driving without traction control and then
enable cruise control, traction control will
be automatically switched on.
Driving basics
TR1330
Switching off traction control
If required, traction control can be
manually switched off by pressing the
switch on the centre console. When the
button is released, traction control will be
disabled, the traction control button will
be illuminated red.
The warning indicator in the
TC
instrument panel illuminates
whenever the vehicle is operating without
the advantages of traction control.
Under normal conditions, traction control
should be left on. The system should only
be switched off in circumstances where
you deliberately want the wheels to slip.
As soon as the circumstances requiring
you to switch traction control off have
passed, press the switch to turn traction
control back on.
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