Acceleration Modes

The acceleration settings available on your Model S vary depending on date of manufacture and options chosen at time of purchase:

Chill: limits acceleration for a smooth and gentle ride (available on all vehicles equipped with Autopilot hardware).
Standard: provides the normal level of acceleration (available on non-Performance All-Wheel Drive vehicles and Rear Wheel Drive Model S vehicles equipped with Autopilot hardware).
Sport: provides the normal level of acceleration (available on Performance All-Wheel Drive vehicles).
Insane: increases peak torque by approximately 30 percent (available on Performance All-Wheel Drive vehicles not equipped with the Ludicrous upgrade).
Ludicrous: increases peak torque by approximately 60 percent (available on Performance All-Wheel Drive vehicles equipped with the Ludicrous upgrade).
Insane+: increases peak torque by approximately 30 percent (available on Performance All-Wheel Drive vehicles not equipped with the Ludicrous upgrade) while also heating up the Battery to its ideal operating temperature to ensure access to 100% of available power. Before choosing this setting, read about Using Insane+ or Ludicrous+.
Ludicrous+: increases peak torque by approximately 60 percent (available on Performance All-Wheel Drive vehicles equipped with the Ludicrous upgrade) while also immediately heating up the Battery to its ideal operating temperature to ensure access to 100% of available power. Before choosing this setting, read about Using Insane+ or Ludicrous+.

Note

Although Chill does not directly improve driving range, using the increased torque and power available in Insane or Ludicrous mode can reduce range and efficiency.

Note

When Chill is selected, Chill displays on the instrument panel above the driving speed.

In addition, a Performance All-Wheel Drive Model S also features Launch Mode to provide optimum acceleration on surfaces with good traction. For the specific driving instructions required to use Launch Mode, see Launch Mode.

To choose an acceleration mode, touch Controls > Pedals & Steering > Acceleration.

Using Insane+ or Ludicrous+

If you choose Insane or Ludicrous, additional power is available immediately. However, to achieve the absolute maximum power (designed for short term use), you can choose Insane+ or Ludicrous+ to heat the Battery to its ideal operating temperature. This ensure access to 100% of available power.

While the battery is being heated, the touchscreen displays a status message providing you with an approximate wait time, and letting you know when the additional power is available. In addition to heating the Battery, Insane+ and Ludicrous+ modes strive to keep the Battery within an optimal temperature range. Therefore, under aggressive driving scenarios, you may also see the “Cooling” status for several minutes until temperatures fall. Model S stays in the chosen mode for three hours, even if you leave the vehicle. After three hours, the feature times out.

Note

Insane+ and Ludicrous+ are designed to achieve maximum performance for short term acceleration. These settings are not intended for daily driving. The tradeoff for the additional power boost is extra energy consumption and earlier power fade on long drives. The Insane or Ludicrous acceleration settings provide a significant increase in performance even without choosing the Insane+ or Ludicrous+ setting to achieve maximum Battery power. In fact, in normal driving situations, the additional power that can be achieved using Insane+ and Ludicrous+ may be unnoticeable.

Note

To support Insane+ or Ludicrous+, the charge level must be 20% or higher. You cannot initiate these settings if the charge level is less than 20%. In addition, these settings immediately cancel if at any time during use, the charge level drops below 20%.

When using Insane+ or Ludicrous+, Model S consumes more energy to keep the Battery within an optimal temperature range.

To cancel Insane+ or Ludicrous+ at any time, change the acceleration level to another setting. To prevent excess and potentially unnecessary energy consumption (for example, you leave the vehicle and forget to cancel Insane+ or Ludicrous+), these settings cancel automatically in three hours, regardless of whether you are still driving or have left the vehicle.

Note

Insane+ or Ludicrous+ strives to keep the Battery within an optimal temperature range. In addition to heating the Battery, these settings also cool the battery when necessary (for example, while driving at high speeds, during rapid acceleration, driving for long periods, etc.).

Launch Mode

Launch Mode, available on Performance All-Wheel Drive vehicles only, provides optimum acceleration on surfaces with good traction.

Note

Hard acceleration including, but not limited to, using launch mode, increases stress on the vehicle’s powertrain, and can cause premature wear and aging of various components. Model S constantly monitors powertrain fatigue and damage, and notifies you if vehicle components need to be serviced.

Warning

Use Launch Mode only in appropriate locations where there is no cross traffic or pedestrians present. Launch Mode is designed for use on closed circuit driving courses. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that driving style and acceleration do not endanger or inconvenience other road users.

To Activate Launch Mode

Ensure the brakes are slightly warm by driving for a few minutes and using the brakes a few times.
Set the air suspension to Low (see Air Suspension).
Set the acceleration level to Insane+ or Ludicrous+ (if equipped).
Note
If equipped with the Ludicrous+ setting, you can achieve optimum performance by pressing and holding this setting for three seconds.
With Model S shifted into Drive and at a complete stop with the steering wheel straight, firmly hold the brake pedal with your left foot, then fully press the accelerator pedal. Within one second, the instrument panel displays a message indicating that Launch Mode is enabled.
Note
Launch mode further lowers the front suspension, significantly reducing ground clearance.
Within twelve seconds of Launch Mode being enabled, release the brake pedal to launch the vehicle.

When you release the brake, Model S launches forward.

Note

Launch Mode is not available if Slip Start has been enabled (which allows the wheels to spin). See Traction Control.

Note

Launch Mode is available only if the ambient temperature is 3° C or warmer.