Model S monitors the area in front of it for the presence of an object such as a vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian. If a collision is considered likely unless you take immediate corrective action, Forward Collision Warning is designed to sound a chime and highlight the vehicle in front of you in red on the instrument panel. If this happens, TAKE IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION!

Visual and audible warnings cancel automatically when the risk of a collision has been reduced (for example, you have decelerated or stopped Model S, or the object in front of your vehicle has moved out of your driving path).

If immediate action is not taken when Model S issues a Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking (if enabled) may automatically apply the brakes if a collision is considered imminent (see Automatic Emergency Braking).

Forward Collision Warning operates only when driving between approximately 3 mph (5 km/h) and 124 mph (200 km/h).

Model S is designed to determine the distance from detected objects. When a collision is considered unavoidable, Automatic Emergency Braking is designed to apply the brakes to reduce the vehicle's speed and therefore, the severity of the impact. The amount of speed that is reduced depends on many factors, including driving speed and environment.

When Automatic Emergency Braking applies the brakes, the instrument panel displays a visual warning and sounds a chime. You may also notice abrupt downward movement of the brake pedal. The brake lights turn on to alert other road users that you are slowing down.

Emergency braking in progress

Automatic Emergency Braking operates only when driving between approximately 3 mph (5 km/h) and 124 mph (200 km/h).

Automatic Emergency Braking does not apply the brakes, or stops applying the brakes, when:

• You turn the steering yoke (or steering wheel) sharply.
• You press and release the brake pedal while Automatic Emergency Braking is applying the brakes.
• You accelerate hard while Automatic Emergency Braking is applying the brakes.
• The vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian is no longer detected in the front or rear of the vehicle.

Automatic Emergency Braking is always enabled when you start Model S. To disable for your current drive, shift into Park and touch Controls > Autopilot > Automatic Emergency Braking. Even if you disable Automatic Emergency Braking, your vehicle may still apply the brakes after detecting an initial collision to reduce further impact (see Multi-Collision Braking). When disabled, the touchscreen displays a visual message.

Automatic Emergency Braking is disabled

In the event Automatic Emergency Braking is unavailable, the touchscreen displays a visual warning.

Automatic Emergency Braking is not available

In addition to Automatic Emergency Braking, Model S may apply the brakes to prevent or mitigate a subsequent impact after an initial collision if airbag deployment is detected. The brakes may be applied regardless of driving speed.

Obstacle-Aware Acceleration is designed to reduce the impact of a collision by reducing motor torque and in some cases applying the brakes, if Model S detects an object in its driving path. The instrument panel displays a visual warning and sounds a chime when the brakes are automatically applied. For example, Model S, while parked in front of a closed garage door with Drive engaged, detects that you have pressed hard on the accelerator pedal. Although Model S still accelerates and hits the garage door, the reduced torque may result in less damage.

Obstacle-Aware Acceleration is designed to operate only when all of these conditions are simultaneously met:

• Drive or Reverse is engaged.
• Model S is stopped or traveling less than 10 mph (16 km/h).
• Model S detects an object in its immediate driving path.

To disable Obstacle-Aware Acceleration, touch Controls > Autopilot > Obstacle-Aware Acceleration.

Collision Avoidance features cannot always detect all objects, vehicles, bikes, or pedestrians, and you may experience unnecessary, inaccurate, invalid, or missed warnings for many reasons, particularly if:

• The road has sharp curves.
• Visibility is poor (due to heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.).
• Bright light (such as from oncoming headlights or direct sunlight) is interfering with the view of the camera(s).
• A camera or sensor is obstructed (dirty, covered, fogged over, covered by a sticker, etc.).
• One or more of the sensors (if equipped) is damaged, dirty, or obstructed (such as by mud, ice, or snow, or by a vehicle bra, excessive paint, or adhesive products such as wraps, stickers, rubber coating, etc.).
• Weather conditions (heavy rain, snow, fog, or extremely hot or cold temperatures) are interfering with sensor operation.
• The sensors (if equipped) are affected by other electrical equipment or devices that generate ultrasonic waves.