Parking Brake
The parking brake automatically engages
when you shift Model S into Park, and
releases when you shift into any other gear.
NOTE:
The parking brake operates on the rear
wheels only, and is independent of the pedal-
operated brake system.
WARNING:
In snowy or icy conditions
the rear wheels may not have
sufficient traction to prevent Model S
from sliding down a slope, particularly
if not using winter tires. Avoid parking
on hills in snowy or icy conditions. You
are always responsible for parking
safely.
WARNING:
Your Model S may display
an alert if the road is too steep to
safely park on, or if the parking brakes
are not properly engaged. These alerts
are for guidance purposes only and
are not a substitute for the driver’s
judgment of safe parking conditions,
including specific road or weather
conditions. Do not depend on these
alerts to determine whether or not it is
safe to park at any location. You are
always responsible for parking safely.
Use the touchscreen to manually release the
parking brake (which also shifts Model S into
Neutral):
1. Touch
Controls
>
Safety & Security
.
2. Press the brake pedal, then touch
Parking
Brake
. If Model S was previously in Park, it
shifts into Neutral.
When you use the
touchscreen to manually
apply the parking brake,
the red parking brake
indicator lights up on the
instrument panel.
If the parking brake
experiences an electrical
issue, the amber parking
brake indicator lights up
and a fault message
displays at the top of the
instrument panel.
CAUTION:
In the unlikely event that
Model S loses electrical power, you
cannot access the touchscreen and
are therefore unable to release the
parking brake. Contact Tesla.
Brake Wear
Model S brake pads are equipped with wear
indicators. A wear indicator is a thin metal
strip attached to the brake pad that squeals
as it rubs against the rotor when the pad
wears down. This squealing sound indicates
that the brake pads have reached the end of
their service life and require replacement. To
replace the brake pads, contact Tesla Service.
Brakes must be periodically inspected visually
by removing the tire and wheel. For detailed
specifications and service limits for rotors and
brake pads, see
Additionally, Tesla recommends cleaning and
lubricating the brake calipers every year or
20,000 km if in an area where roads are
salted during winter months.
WARNING:
Neglecting to replace
worn brake pads damages the braking
system and can result in a braking
hazard.
Braking and Stopping
71
Driving