Tesla MODEL S 2012 Owner's Manual page 170

Tire Care and Maintenance
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.
Resetting the TPMS Sensors
After replacing one or more wheels (but not after
replacing a tire or rotating wheels), the TPMS sensors
need to be reset to ensure tire pressure warnings are
accurate.
On newer versions of Model S, the TPMS sensors are
reset automatically after driving over 15 mph (25 km/h)
for longer than 10 minutes. But for older versions, follow
these steps:
1. Inflate all tires to their recommended pressures, as
indicated on the Tire and Loading Information label
located on the door pillar.
2. Get ready to drive for ten minutes, then touching
Controls > Service > Reset TPMS Sensors.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions.
CAUTION: Selecting the incorrect wheel size
may result in false tire pressure warnings. If a
tire pressure warning displays, exit the vehicle,
close the rear trunk and all doors, wait for the
touchscreen to go black, then re-enter the
vehicle and ensure that the correct wheel size is
selected before touching Reset TPMS Sensors.
NOTE: On some older versions of Model S, when
changing to 21" wheels, the TPMS may generate false
tire pressure warnings. Bring Model S to a Tesla Service
Center for further adjustment.
WARNING: Do not reset the TPMS sensors in an
attempt to clear tire pressure warnings.
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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.
Seasonal Tire Types
Understand Your Tire Type
The type of tires that your vehicle is originally equipped
with depends on vehicle model and market region. It is
important to understand the capabilities of your
vehicle's tires and whether they are suited for summer,
all-season, or winter driving. Check the information on
the sidewall of a tire for information about a tire's
performance characteristics (see
Markings on page 187)
Summer and All-Season Tires
Summer tires and all season tires are designed for
maximum dry and wet road performance but are not
designed to perform well in winter conditions. All-
season tires are designed to provide adequate traction
in most conditions year-round, but may not provide the
Understanding Tire
MODEL S Owner's Manual