Tesla MODEL S 2012 Owner's Manual page 163

• Preconditioning warms the Battery for improved
performance and ensures a comfortable cabin
climate at your set departure time.
NOTE: When Model S is not plugged in,
preconditioning operates but only when the Battery's
charge level is above 20%.
• Off-Peak Charging delays charging and automatically
starts charging in order to finish before your
scheduled departure time while also ensuring to
charge the Battery during off-peak hours to reduce
energy costs. Touch Change Off-Peak Hours to
customize the time when off-peak utility rates end.
NOTE: Choosing Off-Peak Charging can reduce
energy costs even in market regions where off-peak
utility rates are not applicable. For example, if
charging starts as soon as you plug in, charging may
complete much sooner. This causes the Battery to
cool down to ambient temperatures and requires
energy to warm it back up by your departure time.
Therefore, even if off-peak utility rates are not
applicable to you, it is recommended that you set
Off-Peak Hours to the same time as your departure
time in order to reduce energy consumption.
NOTE: If there is not enough time to reach the charge
limit, charging starts immediately in order to charge
as much as possible.
NOTE: Once charging has started and there is not
enough time to complete charging during off-peak
hours, charging continues until the charge limit is
reached.
You can limit Preconditioning and Off-Peak Charging to
weekdays only.
Supercharger Usage Fees and Idle
Fees
When charging at a Tesla supercharger, information
about the charging session displays at the bottom of the
charging screen. This includes the location, the time that
charging started, and a cost estimate for the session.
When you stop supercharging, the estimated cost of the
session displays until a new supercharging session
begins. If free charging is applicable, the estimated cost
displays as zero.
NOTE: Estimated cost may not reflect the final cost of
the supercharging session. Final pricing for
supercharging sessions can be found in your Tesla
account.
When charging at a Tesla supercharger, you are subject
to idle fees. Idle fees are designed to encourage drivers
to move their vehicle from the Supercharger when
charging is complete. Idle fees are in effect only when
half or more of the Superchargers at a site are occupied.
The Tesla mobile app notifies you when charging is
almost complete, and again when charging is complete.
Charging
Charging Instructions
Additional notifications are sent if idle fees are incurred.
Idle fees are waived if you move your vehicle within five
minutes of when charging completed.
Log into your Tesla account to view fees and details
about Supercharger sessions, track the remaining
balance of free credits, set up a payment method, and
make payments. Once a payment method is saved, fees
are automatically paid from your account.
Manually Releasing Charge Cable
If the usual methods for releasing a charge cable from
the charge port (using the charge handle release button,
touchscreen, or mobile app) do not work, carefully
follow these steps:
1. Ensure that Model S is not actively charging by
displaying the charging screen on the touchscreen. If
necessary, touch Stop Charging.
2. Open the rear trunk.
3. Open the flap on the left side of the trunk side trim.
4. Press and hold the charge port's manual release lever
towards the front of the vehicle to unlatch the charge
cable.
WARNING: Do not touch or attempt to remove
the orange high voltage cover. Failure to follow
these instructions can result in electric shock
and serious injury.
NOTE: If your vehicle does not have a charge port
manual release lever, discontinue this procedure and
contact your nearest Service Center.
NOTE: The orientation of the manual release lever
may vary depending on market region.
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