Traction Control - Tesla MODEL S Operating Manual

Traction Control

How It Works
The traction control system constantly
monitors the speed of the front and rear
wheels. If Model S experiences a loss of
traction, the system minimizes wheel spin by
controlling brake pressure and motor power.
By default, the traction control system is on.
Under normal conditions, it should remain on
to ensure maximum safety.
This yellow indicator flashes on the
instrument panel whenever the
traction control system is actively
controlling brake pressure and motor
power to minimize wheel spin. If the
indicator stays on, a fault is detected
with the traction control system.
Contact Tesla Service.
Warning: Traction control cannot prevent
collisions caused by driving dangerously
or turning too sharply at high speeds.
Allowing Wheel Slip
To allow the wheels to spin at a limited speed,
you can enable Slip Start. Slip Start can be
enabled only when Model S is moving 30 mph
(48 km/h) or slower. Slip Start automatically
disables when the speed exceeds 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Under normal conditions, Slip Start should not
be enabled. Enable it only in circumstances
where you deliberately want the wheels to
spin, such as:
• Starting on a loose surface, such as gravel
or snow.
• Driving in deep snow, sand or mud.
• Rocking out of a hole or deep rut.
To allow the wheels to spin, touch Controls >
Driving > Traction Control > Slip Start.
The instrument panel displays an
alert message when Slip Start is
enabled.
Although Slip Start is automatically disabled
the next time you start Model S, it is strongly
recommended that you disable it immediately
after the circumstances that required you to
enable it have passed.
Note: Slip Start cannot be enabled when you
are actively using Traffic-Aware Cruise
Control.
70 Model S Owner's Manual