Starting and Powering Off

Starting

When you open a door to enter Model S, the touchscreen powers on and you can operate all controls. To shift Model S, press the brake pedal and swipe up for Drive or down for Reverse on the touchscreen's drive mode strip (see Shifting).

If Auto Shift out of Park is enabled, Model S automatically selects Drive or Reverse based on the detected surroundings . Pressing the brake pedal shifts the vehicle into the selected drive mode displayed on the instrument panel (provided the driver's door is closed and the driver's seat belt is buckled), and pressing the accelerator moves the vehicle in that direction.

Note

To turn Auto Shift out of Park on or off, touch Controls > Pedals & Steering > Auto Shift out of Park.

Before accelerating when Auto Shift out of Park is enabled, check the instrument panel to make sure that Model S has shifted into the drive mode you want (Drive or Reverse). If the selection is not correct, or if Auto Shift out of Park is not enabled, swipe up for Drive or down for Reverse on the touchscreen's drive mode strip to choose a new drive mode. See Shifting.

Note

If PIN to Drive is enabled (see PIN to Drive), you must enter a valid PIN on the touchscreen before you can drive Model S.

Note

If Passive Entry is off and you do not press the brake pedal to start Model S within approximately five minutes, a message displays on the instrument panel and you must use the key to lock then unlock Model S again before you can drive the vehicle.

Everything you need to know when driving Model S displays on the instrument panel.

Drive Disabled - Requires Authentication

If Model S does not detect a key when you press the brake (a phone key is not detected or two minutes have passed since you used the key card), the touchscreen displays a message telling you that driving requires authentication.

If you see this message, place the key card in either phone dock where the RFID transmitter can read it. The two-minute authentication period restarts and you can start Model S by pressing the brake pedal.

Placing key card onto center console to authenticate before driving.

A number of factors can affect whether Model S can detect a phone key (for example, the device's battery is low or dead and is no longer able to communicate using Bluetooth).

Always keep your phone key or a key card with you. After driving, your key is needed to restart Model S. And when you leave the vehicle, you must bring your key with you to lock Model S, either manually or automatically.

Powering Off

When you finish driving and shift into Park, simply exit the vehicle. When you leave Model S with your phone key and key fob, it powers off automatically, turning off the instrument panel and touchscreen.

Model S also powers off automatically after being in Park for 30 minutes, even if you are sitting in the driver’s seat.

Although usually not needed, you can power off Model S while sitting in the driver’s seat, provided the vehicle is not moving. Touch Controls > Safety > Power Off. Model S automatically powers back on after a short period if you press the brake pedal or touch the touchscreen.

Note

Model S automatically shifts into Park whenever it determines that you are exiting the vehicle (for example, the driver's seat belt is unbuckled and the vehicle is almost at a standstill). If you shift into Neutral, your vehicle shifts into Park when you open the door to exit. To keep your vehicle in Neutral, see Instructions for Transporters.

Power Cycling the Vehicle

You can power cycle Model S if it demonstrates unusual behavior or displays a nondescript alert.

Note

If the touchscreen is unresponsive or demonstrates unusual behavior, reboot it before you power cycle the vehicle (see Restarting the Touchscreen).

Shift into Park.
On the touchscreen, touch Controls > Safety > Power Off.
Wait for at least two minutes without interacting with the vehicle. Do not open the doors, touch the brake pedal, touch the touchscreen, etc.
After two minutes, press the brake pedal or open the door to wake the vehicle.