Instrument Panel

Instrument Panel Overview

The instrument panel changes depending on whether Model S is:

When Model S is off or Parked, the instrument panel shows remaining estimated range, vehicle status, and outside temperature.

Icon and element locations on Model S instrument panel when stationary
  1. When the car is off and you initially press the brake, indicator lights flash briefly along the top of the instrument panel. Unless an indicator light applies to a current situation, it should turn off. If an indicator light fails to turn on or off, refer to Indicator Lights.
  2. An image of your car and its accompanying status (such as lights on, door open, etc.).
  3. Total estimated driving distance (or energy) available. Instead of driving distance, you can display the percentage of battery energy remaining. To do so, touch Controls > Display > Energy Display.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    When anticipating when you need to charge, use estimates as a general guideline only.
  4. Estimated outside temperature.
  5. Pay attention to instructions or important alert messages that display here. If any alerts are in effect, you can view information about them by touching Controls and then touching the bell icon located at the top of the screen.
  6. Currently selected drive mode: Park, Reverse, Neutral, or Drive. If Auto Shift out of Park is enabled, Drive or Reverse is automatically selected (based on sensor input) and displayed on the instrument panel when the driver's door is closed and seatbelt is buckled (see Seat Belts).
  7. Current time of day.

See Popup Messages and Vehicle Alerts for more information about alert popups on your vehicle's touchscreen.

Instrument Panel - Driving

When Model S is driving (or ready to drive), the instrument panel shows your current driving status and a real-time visualization of the road as detected by the Autopilot components. The visualization automatically zooms in and out based on the detected road type.

Icon and element locations on Model S instrument panel when driving
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
Touch Controls > Autopilot > Full Self-Driving Visualization Preview (if equipped) to display more details about the roadway and its surroundings, such as road markings, stop lights, objects (such as trash cans and poles), etc. To enable, Model S must be equipped with the Full Self-Driving option.
  1. The instrument panel displays your location on a map, a wiper menu, Auto Shift out of Park instructions, etc. When a navigation route is active, the upcoming portion of the route displays.
  2. The speed limit (if available) that is currently being detected by Speed Assist (see Speed Assist).
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The icon associated with the detected speed limit reflects the style of speed limit signs used in your market region.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    A blue outline may appear around the speed limit icon to notify that you are above the speed limit.
  3. Current driving speed.
  4. The currently set cruising speed. When Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is available but you haven't set a cruising speed by engaging Traffic-Aware Cruise Control or Autosteer, the icon is gray (see Autopilot Features).
  5. Autosteer is actively steering Model S. When Autosteer is available but you haven't activated it, the icon is gray (see Autosteer).
  6. When navigating, upcoming instructions in the navigation route appear here.
  7. Total estimated driving distance (or energy) available. Instead of driving distance, you can display the percentage of battery energy remaining (touch Controls > Display > Energy Display).
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    When anticipating when you need to charge, use estimates as a general guideline only.
  8. Surrounding road users are shown in their corresponding locations.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    Although the instrument panel shows surrounding traffic, some vehicles may not be displayed. Never rely on the instrument panel to determine if a vehicle is present (for example, in your blind spot). Always use your mirrors and perform shoulder checks.
  9. Your Model S.
  10. The power meter displays real-time power usage. During acceleration, the bar fills to the right to represent power being used. During deceleration (when Model S is moving and you release your foot from the accelerator pedal), the bar fills to the left with a green color to represent power being fed back to the Battery by regenerative braking (see Regenerative Braking).
  11. When Autosteer is active and detects the driving lane, it is highlighted in blue (see Autopilot Features). Depending on the current driving scenario, you may see neighboring lanes.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    In situations where Autosteer is unable to detect lane markings, the driving lane is determined based on the vehicle you are following.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    If Navigate on Autopilot is active, the driving lane displays as a single blue line in front of Model S (see Navigate on Autopilot).

Indicator Lights

Indicator lights display along the top of the instrument panel to show status and alert you of specific vehicle conditions.

Indicator Description
Red exclamation point within a red circle with the word BRAKE underneath A brake system fault is detected or the brake fluid level is low (indicator light is red). See Braking and Stopping. Contact Tesla immediately.
Amber exclamation point within an amber circle with the word BRAKE underneath A brake booster fault has been detected (indicator light is amber). See Braking and Stopping.
The word ABS within an amber circle An ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) fault is detected (indicator light is amber). See Braking and Stopping. Contact Tesla immediately.
An amber P within an amber circle A parking brake fault is detected (indicator light is amber). Contact Tesla. See Parking Brake.
A read P within a red circle with the word PARK underneath The parking brake is manually applied (indicator light is red). See Parking Brake.
Yellow icon with an exclamation mark and a tire symbol Tire pressure warning (indicator light is amber). The pressure of a tire is out of range. If a fault with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is detected, the indicator flashes. For a TPMS fault, contact Tesla. See Tire Care and Maintenance.
Red icon of passenger with seat belt A seat belt for an occupied seat is not fastened (indicator light is red). See Seat Belts.
Red icon of a passenger with a seat belt and circular airbag Airbag safety (indicator light is red). If this red indicator does not flash on briefly when Model S prepares to drive, or if it remains on, contact Tesla immediately. See Airbags.
Green oval shape with a squiggly line going through beams of light Front fog lights are on, if equipped (indicator light is green). See Lights.
Amber oval shape with a squiggly line going through beams of light Rear fog lights, if equipped (indicator light is amber). See Lights.
Two green ovals with three lines each on the outside representing lights Parking lights (side marker lights, tail lights, and license plate lights) are on (indicator light is green). See Lights.
A green headlight icon with beams of light angling down Low beam headlights are on (indicator light is green).
A blue headlight icon with beams of horizontal light High beam headlights are on (indicator light is blue). Illuminates when high beams are on but the Auto High Beam setting (if equipped) is turned off or if the Auto High Beam setting is turned on but is temporarily unavailable. See Lights.
A blue headlight icon with an A with horizontal beams of light High beam headlights are currently turned on (indicator light is blue), and Auto High Beam (if equipped) is ready to turn off the high beams if light is detected in front of Model S. See Lights.
A gray headlight icon with an A with horizontal beams of light High beam headlights are temporarily turned off because Auto High Beam (if equipped) is on and is detecting light in front of Model S (indicator light is gray). When light is no longer detected, the high beams automatically turn back on. See Lights.
Amber icon of rear view of vehicle with squiggly tire marks This indicator flashes amber when the electronic stability control systems are actively minimizing wheel spin by controlling brake pressure and motor power. See Traction Control. If this indicator remains on, a fault is detected and you should immediately contact Tesla.
Amber icon of an outline of a vehicle with arrows going up and down If a fault is detected that reduces the performance of the air suspension system, this amber indicator light displays (see Air Suspension). If the problem persists, contact Tesla.
Red icon of an outline of a vehicle with arrows going up and down If a fault is detected that disables the air suspension system, this red indicator light displays (see Air Suspension). Contact Tesla.
Grey H within a circle Vehicle Hold is actively applying the brakes (indicator light is gray). See Vehicle Hold.
Amber airbag and passenger symbols with the number 2 and with text: OFF The front passenger’s air bag is turned off (indicator light is amber). See Airbags.
Amber icon of rear view of vehicle with squiggly tire marks and the word OFF Electronic stability control systems are no longer minimizing wheel spin (indicator light is amber). See Traction Control.
Amber N within brackets Model S is in Transport mode and can roll freely (indicator light is amber). It does not automatically shift into Park when you exit. See Activate Transport Mode.
Grey vehicle and horn icons with an X The Pedestrian Warning System has been paused (indicator light is gray). See Pedestrian Warning System).
Amber battery icon Model S is ready to drive (indicator light is green).
Amber battery icon The green Battery indicator turns amber when the charge level is low (<20% remaining).
Blue snowflake icon A blue snowflake appears when some of the energy stored in the Battery may not be available due to cold weather conditions. During these cold weather conditions, charging rates may also be limited. If Model S is plugged in, you can heat your Battery by turning on climate control with the mobile app. The snowflake disappears when the Battery is sufficiently warm.
green icon with a lightning bolt in the center A green icon appears when regenerative braking is limited. See Regenerative Braking for more information.
Amber turtle icon within a circle Vehicle power is currently being limited because the energy remaining in the Battery is low, the vehicle's systems are being heated or cooled, or an error is detected by the drive inverter (indicator light is amber).
Red icon of a plug Battery is charging (indicator light is red). Unplug Model S before driving.
Red icon of an element with heat waves Vehicle systems are too hot (indicator light is red). Pull over immediately and allow systems to cool (indicator light is red).
Large red exclamation over the outline of a vehicle System failure (indicator light is red). Follow the instructions in the associated message that displays. Contact Tesla.