head support shown on the image is not highlighted in blue, touch this area on the image to specify that you want to
adjust the head support. The selection you choose is saved until you manually change it. You can save the head
support setting to your driver profile (see Driver Profiles on page 130).
NOTE: Head supports are not adjustable on early versions of Model S.

The second row seats have integrated non-removable head supports that cannot be adjusted.

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Seat Heaters
The front seats contain heating pads that operate at three levels from 3 (highest) to 1 (lowest). To operate the seat
heaters, see Operating Climate Controls on page 192.
If Model S is equipped with the cold weather package, you can also control seat heaters in all rear seating positions,
as well as wiper defrosters and washer nozzles by touching the climate controls on the touchscreen (see Operating
Climate Controls on page 192).
WARNING: To avoid burns resulting from prolonged use, individuals who have peripheral neuropathy, or whose
capacity to feel pain is limited because of diabetes, age, neurological injury, or some other condition, should
exercise caution when using the climate control system and seat heaters.
Seat Covers
WARNING: Do not use seat covers in Model S. Doing so could restrict deployment of the seat-mounted side air
bags if a collision occurs. Also, if the vehicle is equipped with an occupant detection system that is used to
determine the status of the passenger front airbag, seat covers may interfere with this system.

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Seat Belts
Wearing Seat Belts
Using seat belts and child safety seats is the most effective way to protect occupants if a collision occurs. Therefore,
wearing a seat belt is required by law in most jurisdictions.
Both the driver and passenger seats are equipped with three-point inertia reel seat belts. Inertia reel belts are
automatically tensioned to allow occupants to move comfortably during normal driving conditions. To securely hold
child safety seats, all passenger seating positions are equipped with an automatic locking retractor (ALR) feature
that, by fully extracting the seat belt (beyond the length needed for a typical adult occupant), locks the belt into
place until the seat belt is unbuckled.To securely hold child safety seats, all passenger seating positions are equipped
with an automatic locking retractor (ALR) feature that, by fully extracting the seat belt (beyond the length needed
for a typical adult occupant), locks the belt into place until the seat belt is unbuckled.
The seat belt reel automatically locks to prevent movement of occupants if Model S experiences a force associated
with hard acceleration, braking, cornering, or an impact in a collision.
Seat Belt Reminders
The seat belt reminder on the instrument panel alerts you if a seat belt for an occupied driver or
passenger seat is unbuckled. If all occupants are buckled up and the reminder stays on, re-buckle seat
belts to ensure they are correctly latched. Also remove any heavy objects (such as a briefcase) from an
unoccupied seat. If the reminder light continues to stay on, contact Tesla.
WARNING: Seat belts must be worn by passengers in all seating positions.
To Fasten a Belt
1. Ensure correct positioning of the seat (see Correct Driving Position on page 46).
2. Draw the belt out smoothly, ensuring the belt lays flat across the pelvis, chest and mid-point of your collar bone,
between the neck and shoulder.
3. Insert the latch plate into the buckle and press together until you hear a click indicating it is locked in place.

4. Pull the belt to check that it is securely fastened.
5. Pull the diagonal part of the belt toward the reel to remove excess slack.
To Release a Belt
Hold the belt near the buckle to prevent the belt from retracting too quickly, then press the button on the buckle.
The belt retracts automatically. Ensure there is no obstruction that prevents the belt from fully retracting. The belt
should not hang loose. If a seat belt does not fully retract, contact Tesla.

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Wearing Seat Belts When Pregnant
Do not put the lap or shoulder sections of the seat belt over the abdominal area. Wear the lap section of the belt as
low as possible across the hips, not the waist. Position the shoulder portion of the belt between the breasts and to
the side of the abdomen. Consult your doctor for specific guidance.

WARNING: Never place anything between you and the seat belt to cushion the impact in the event of a
collision.
Seat Belt Pre-tensioners
The front seat belts are equipped with pre‑tensioners that work in conjunction with the airbags in a severe frontal
collision. The pre‑tensioners automatically retract both the seat belt lower anchor and the upper shoulder webbing,
reducing slack in both the lap and diagonal portions of the belts, resulting in reduced forward movement of the
occupant.
The rear outboard seats are equipped with shoulder pre-tensioners to retract the seat belt webbing to reduce
forward movement of the occupant.

If the pre-tensioners and airbags did not activate in an impact, this does not mean they malfunctioned. It usually
means that the strength or type of force needed to activate them was not present.

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WARNING: Once the seat belt pre-tensioners have been activated, they must be replaced. After any collision,
have the airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners and any associated components checked and, if necessary, replaced.
Testing Seat Belts
To confirm that seat belts are operating correctly, perform these three simple checks on each seat belt.
1. With the seat belt fastened, give the webbing nearest the buckle a quick pull. The buckle should remain securely
locked.
2. With the belt unfastened, unreel the webbing to its limit. Check that unreeling is free from snags, and visually
check the webbing for wear. Allow the webbing to retract, checking that retraction is smooth and complete.
3. With the webbing half unreeled, hold the tongue plate and pull forward quickly. The mechanism should lock
automatically and prevent further unreeling.
If a seat belt fails any of these tests, contact Tesla immediately.
For information about cleaning seat belts, see Seat Belts on page 248.
Seat Belt Warnings
WARNING: Seat belts should be worn by all occupants at all times, even if driving for a very short distance.
Failure to do so increases the risk of injury or death if a collision occurs.
WARNING: Secure small children in a suitable child safety seat as described in the Child Safety Seat topic.
Always follow the child safety seat manufacturer's instructions when installing.
WARNING: Ensure that all seat belts are worn correctly. An improperly worn seat belt increases the risk of
injury or death if a collision occurs.
WARNING: Do not wear seat belts over hard, fragile or sharp items in clothing, such as pens, keys, eyeglasses,
etc. The pressure from the seat belt on such items can cause injury.
WARNING: Seat belts should not be worn with any part of the strap twisted.
WARNING: Each seat belt assembly must be used by one occupant only. It is dangerous to put a seat belt
around a child being carried on an occupant’s lap.
WARNING: Seat belts that have been worn in a collision must be inspected or replaced by Tesla, even if
damage to the assembly is not obvious.
WARNING: Seat belts that show signs of wear (such as fraying), or have been cut or damaged in any way, must
be replaced by Tesla.
WARNING: Avoid contaminating a seat belt’s components with any chemicals, liquids, grit, dirt or cleaning
products. If a seat belt fails to retract or latch into the buckle, it must be replaced immediately. Contact Tesla.
WARNING: Do not make modifications or additions that can prevent a seat belt mechanism from taking up
slack, or that can prevent a seat belt from being adjusted to remove slack. A slack belt greatly reduces
occupant protection.
WARNING: Do not make modifications that can interfere with the operation of a seat belt, or that can cause a
seat belt to become inoperable.
WARNING: Do not use after market comfort and convenience products that attach to the seat belts.
WARNING: When seat belts are not in use, they should be fully retracted and not hanging loose. If a seat belt
does not fully retract, contact Tesla.
WARNING: The seat belt system has no user serviceable parts and may contain pyrotechnics. Do not
disassemble, remove, or replace components.

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Child Safety Seats
Guidelines for Seating Children
Your Model S seat belts are designed for adults and larger children. You must restrain infants and small children in
the rear seats only, and you must use a suitable child safety seat appropriate for the child’s age, weight, and size.
Never use child safety seats in the front row passenger seat.
WARNING: Never seat a child on a seat with an ACTIVE AIRBAG in front of it. DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to
the child can occur.
Refer to the following label located on the sun visors.
NOTE: The image shown below is representative only and may not be identical to the label in your vehicle.

Model S has an occupancy sensor in the front passenger seat that controls the status of the passenger front airbag
(see Airbags on page 72).
The Passenger Airbag Off indicator displays on the touchscreen when the passenger front airbag is
OFF. When the passenger front airbag is OFF, it does not inflate when a collision occurs. This
indicator also displays when the seat is unoccupied. Before driving with a child seated on the front
passenger seat, always double-check the status of the passenger front airbag to confirm that it is
OFF.
NOTE: In cars manufactured prior to approximately December 2019, the Passenger Airbag Off
indicator does not display when the seat is unoccupied.
To protect an adult subsequently occupying the front passenger seat, always double-check the
passenger front airbag to confirm that it is ON.

If your Model S is equipped with the optional Tesla built-in rear facing child seats, these seats are child safety seats
and are designed only for children within a specific height and weight range (see Tesla Built-In Rear Facing Child
Seats on page 65).

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Choosing a Child Safety Seat
All children age 12 and under should ride in the second row seats. Always use a child safety seat suitable for a young
child’s age and weight. The following table is based on child safety seat recommendations determined by National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For more information, go to www.nhtsa.gov/ChildSafety/Guidance.
Category

Infants

Toddlers

Young children

Age

Birth to 1 year*

Over 1 year*

4 years and older, and
less than 57 in.
(145 cm) tall

Weight

Up to at least 20 lbs (9 kg)*

Over 20 lbs (9 kg) (minimum)
and up to 40 lbs (18 kg)*

Over 40 lbs (18 kg)

Type of child safety seat

Rear facing (or convertible)

Forward facing (or
convertible)*

Forward facing or seat
belt retained booster
seat****

Seat position

Rear facing only*

Rear facing as long as
possible, then forward facing*

Forward facing

Recommended attachment
method

If combined weight of child
and safety seat is up to
65 lbs (29 kg), attach using
either LATCH** (lower
anchor only) or the seat
belt only.*** If combined
weight of child and safety
seat is over 65 lbs (29 kg),
attach using the seat belt
only.***

If combined weight of child
Attach booster seats
and safety seat is up to 65 lbs using the seat belt
(29 kg), attach using either
only
LATCH** (both lower anchors
and top tether anchor), or the
seat belt and upper tether
strap.*** If combined weight
of child and safety seat is over
65 lbs (29 kg), attach using
the seat belt and upper tether
strap.***

* Many child safety seats currently available allow children to ride rear-facing using the child safety seat’s
integrated 5-point harness for a longer period of time BASED UPON SPECIFIC HEIGHT AND WEIGHT LIMITS.
Keep your child in a rear facing seat for as long as possible. CHECK THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MANUFACTURER’S
INSTRUCTIONS AND CAREFULLY FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
** LATCH ("Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children") and ISOFIX are international standards for attachment points
for child safety seats in passenger cars that enable compliant child safety seats to be quickly and safely secured.
The system has other regional names including LUAS ("Lower Universal Anchorage System") or Canfix in Canada.
It has also been called the "Universal Child Safety Seat System" or UCSSS.
*** Subject to instructions provided by the child safety seat manufacturer.
****Keep your child in a forward facing child safety seat with a harness and tether until the child reaches the child
safety seat's maximum allowable height or weight as specified by the manufacturer of the child safety seat.
WARNING: Do not use Easy Entry (as described in Driver Profiles on page 130) to automatically move the
driver's seat to the full rearward position if a child safety seat is installed on a rear seat behind the driver's seat.
With reduced clearance, the movement of the seat may impact a child's legs, cause injury, or dislodge the seat.
WARNING: Do not use LATCH anchors with child safety seats or booster seats that have an integral safety belt
where the combined weight of the child plus the child safety seat exceeds 65 lbs (29.5 kg).
WARNING: Laws that govern how and where children should be carried when traveling in a vehicle are subject
to change. It is the driver’s responsibility to keep up to date on, and comply with, all current regulations in the
region(s) where Model S is driven. To check the child passenger safety laws for states in the U.S., go to: http://
www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/childsafety_laws.html.

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Seating Larger Children
If a child is too large to fit into a child safety seat, but too small to safely fit into the standard seat belts, use a
booster seat appropriate for the child’s age and size. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions to secure the
booster seat.
Installing Child Safety Seats
There are two general methods used to install child safety seats:
• Seat belt retained - these seats are secured using the vehicle’s seat belts.
• LATCH retained - these seats attach to anchor bars built into the vehicle’s rear seats.
Check the child safety seat manufacturer’s instructions and the table in this manual to determine which installation
method to use. Some child safety seats can be installed using either method. Always follow the child safety seat
manufacturer’s instructions.
Installing Seat Belt Retained Child Seats
First, make sure that the child safety seat is appropriate for the weight, height, and age of the child.
Avoid dressing the child in bulky clothing and do not place any objects between the child and the restraint system.
Adjust harnesses for every child, every trip.
To securely hold child safety seats, all passenger seating positions are equipped with an automatic locking retractor
(ALR) that, by pulling the seat belt beyond the length needed for a typical adult occupant, locks the belt into place
until the seat belt is unbuckled and the webbing is fully retracted. The ALR mechanism operates as a ratchet,
winding in slack and preventing the seat belt from extending any further until it has been completely rewound. When
installing a child safety seat, engage the belt's automatic locking retractor by pulling the seat belt webbing until it is
fully extended. The ALR system engages only when the seat belt is at its maximum extension point.
NOTE: An automatic locking retractor disengages only when the seat belt is unbuckled and fully retracted. The belt
can then be worn as a normal belt, sliding freely in and out and locking tight only in an emergency. Once
disengaged, the belt must be fully extended to re-engage the locking mechanism whenever you install a child safety
seat.
Always follow the detailed instructions provided by the child safety seat manufacturer. General guidelines are
provided below.
1. Place the child safety seat in Model S, and fully extend the seat belt. Route and buckle the seat belt in accordance
with the child safety seat manufacturer’s instructions.

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2. Allow the seat belt to retract, and remove all slack in the seat belt while firmly pushing the child safety seat into
the Model S seat.
3. Attach the upper tether strap(s), as required by the manufacturer of the child restraint system (see Attaching
Upper Tether Straps on page 62).
Installing ISOFIX (LATCH) Child Seats
Lower LATCH anchors are provided in the second row outboard seats. The anchors are located between the seat's
back rest and rear cushion. The exact location of each anchor is identified by a child safety seat identification button,
illustrated below. The button is located on the seat back, directly above its associated anchor.

In the rear seats, install LATCH child safety seats in the outboard seating positions only. Use only a seat belt retained
seat in the center position.

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To install a LATCH child safety seat, carefully read and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the
child restraint system. These instructions describe how to slide the child restraint system onto the seat's anchor bars
until you hear it "click" into place. You may need to push the child restraint system firmly against the seat back to
ensure it fits snugly.

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Adjust until the child restraint system is fitted firmly against the seat back. Ensure the child restraint system fits
snugly.

Before seating a child, ensure that the child restraint system is securely installed. Grasp the front of the child restraint
system with one hand on each side, and attempt to:
• Twist the child restraint system from side to side.
• Pull the child restraint system away from the seat.

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If the child restraint system moves away from the seat, both latches are not fully engaged onto the seat's anchor
bars. You must reinstall it and try again. It is critical that both latches on the child restraint system are fully engaged.
NOTE: Do not use LATCH anchors with child seats or booster seats that have an integrated safety belt where the
combined weight of the child plus the child restraint system exceeds 65 lbs (29.5 kg).
Attaching Upper Tether Straps
If an upper tether strap is provided, attach its hook to the anchor point located on the back of the rear seats.
NOTE: The location of anchor points may not be readily visible but can be found by identifying a slice in the seat's
material.
WARNING: Tighten upper tether straps according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child
safety seat.
WARNING: USE ONLY SEAT BELT RETAINED CHILD SAFETY SEATS IN THE CENTER SEATING POSITION.
For dual-strap tethers, position a strap on each side of the head support.

Always position single-strap tethers to run over the top of the head support.
NOTE: To prevent the single-strap tether from moving side to side, the top of the head support deforms.

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Testing a Child Safety Seat
Before seating a child, always make sure the child safety seat is not loose:
1. Hold the child safety seat by the belt path and try to slide the safety seat from side to side and front to back.
2. If the seat moves more than one inch (2.5 cm), it is too loose. Tighten the belt or reconnect the LATCH retained
child safety seat.
3. If you are unable to reduce slack, try a different seat location or try another child safety seat.
Child Safety Seat Warnings
WARNING: Extreme hazard! Do not seat a child on the front passenger seat even if you are using a child safety
seat. This seat has an airbag in front of it. Although this airbag is disabled when Model S detects a lightweight
passenger, do not rely on technology to protect your child.
WARNING: Child restraint systems are designed to be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt
portion of a lap-shoulder belt. Children could be endangered in a crash if their child restraints are not properly
secured in the vehicle.
WARNING: According to collision statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
WARNING: Do not use a forward facing child safety seat until your child weighs over 20 lbs (9 kg) and can sit
independently. Up to the age of two, a child's spine and neck are not sufficiently developed to avoid injury in a
frontal impact.
WARNING: Do not allow a baby or infant to be held on a lap. All children should be restrained in an appropriate
child safety seat at all times.
WARNING: To ensure children are safely seated, follow all instructions provided in this document and by the
manufacturer of the child safety seat.
WARNING: Children should ride in a rear facing child safety seat using the seat’s integrated 5-point harness for
as long as possible.

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WARNING: Do not use seat belt extenders on a seat belt that is being used to install a child safety seat or
booster seat.
WARNING: When seating larger children, make sure the child's head is supported and the child’s seat belt is
properly adjusted and fastened. The shoulder portion of the belt must be away from the face and neck, and the
lap portion must not be over the stomach.
WARNING: Never attach two child safety seats to one anchor point. In a collision, one anchor point may be
incapable of securing both seats.
WARNING: Child restraint anchors are designed to withstand only those loads imposed by correctly fitted child
restraints. Under no circumstances are they to be used for adult seat belts, harnesses, or for attaching other
items or equipment to the vehicle.
WARNING: Always check harnesses and tether straps for damage and wear.
WARNING: Never leave a child unattended, even if the child is secured in a child safety seat.
WARNING: Never use a child safety seat that has been involved in a collision. Have the seat inspected or
replaced as described in the child safety seat manufacturer’s instructions.

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Tesla Built-In Rear Facing Child Seats
Usage Restrictions
The optional Tesla built-in rear facing child seats are child restraint systems and must only be used for children over
37" (94 cm) tall and weighing between 35 and 77 lbs (16.2 to 35.2 kg).
Always ensure the top of the child’s head cannot contact the vehicle and that the child is seated comfortably with
the seat belts positioned and latched correctly. The child’s pelvis must be held securely in place by the lap belt.
Follow all instructions provided and do not use supplemental child safety seats in these seats.
NOTE: Whenever a child is seated in the Tesla built-in rear facing child seats, it is recommended that you set the
climate control system to draw outside air into Model S instead of recirculating the air. This draws more air into the
rear seating areas. See #unique_154 on page .
Opening
1. Remove the cover from the trunk floor and pull the strap to lift the seat assembly upward.

2. Push the seat assembly into position.

3. Undo the Velcro strap.

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4. Pull the handle to release the head supports from the seat back, then pull the head supports toward you to unfold
them.

5. Raise the seat back to the upright position and push until it locks into position. Visually check to ensure that the
retaining catches are engaged.

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6. Check that the seat back and seat base are securely retained in the upright position by trying to pull the seat
back toward you.
Folding
CAUTION: Before folding the seats, fasten the seat belts to prevent them from getting trapped in the seat
mechanism and being damaged.
1. Pull the handle to release the seat back and pull the seat back fully forward.

2. Push the lever to release the head supports from the seat back, then fold back onto the seat.

3. Secure the Velcro strap.

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4. Pull the strap at the rear of the seat to fold the seat assembly into the trunk floor.

5. Replace the cover on the trunk floor.

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Seating a Child
The Tesla built-in rear facing child seats are child restraint systems and must only be used for children over 37"
(94 cm) tall and weighing between 35 and 77 lbs (16.2 to 35.2 kg).
Always ensure the top of the child’s head cannot contact the vehicle and that the child is seated comfortably with
the seat belts positioned and latched correctly. The child’s pelvis must be held securely in place by the lap belt.
Follow all instructions provided and do not use supplemental child safety seats in these seats.
NOTE: Whenever a child is seated in the Tesla built-in rear facing child seats, it is recommended that you set the
climate control system to draw outside air into Model S instead of recirculating the air. This draws more air into the
rear seating areas. See #unique_154 on page .
1. Position the child in the seat with arms through the loops of the seat belts.
2. Connect the two halves of the seat belt tongue.
3. Insert the seat belt tongue into the buckle and ensure it is securely fastened.

4. Adjust the shoulder belts so they run over the top of the child’s shoulders and away from the face.
5. Connect the chest clip and adjust it to be as high as possible without causing the shoulder belts to touch the
child’s neck.
6. Pull the lower straps until the child is securely held in the seat.

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7. Slide the shoulder clips into place to ensure the upper portion of the belts remain positioned over the child’s
shoulders.

To release, press the button on the buckle, release the chest clip, and separate the two halves of the seat restraint.
Warnings - Tesla Child Seats
WARNING: The Tesla built-in rear facing seats are child restraint systems and must only be used for children
over 37" (94 cm) tall and weighing between 35 and 77 lbs (16.2 to 35.2 kg).
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WARNING: Do not use supplemental child restraint systems, including booster seats, in the Tesla built-in rear
facing child seats.
WARNING: Always ensure that the top of the child’s head cannot touch the vehicle and that the child is seated
comfortably with the seat belts correctly fastened.
WARNING: Follow all instructions and heed all warnings related to the Tesla built-in rear facing child seats.
Failure to do so can compromise occupant safety.
WARNING: Read all safety warnings and labels attached to the seats.
WARNING: Do not leave children unattended in Model S, even if the child is secured in a child safety seat or a
Tesla built-in rear facing child seat. In hot weather, the interior temperature can reach dangerous levels that can
result in dehydration, serious injury or death.
WARNING: Do not remove or replace the fabric on a Tesla built-in rear facing child seat. The covers are an
integral part of the restraint’s performance and should not be removed or replaced with any other type than
those supplied by Tesla.
WARNING: If the Tesla built-in rear facing child seats have been worn in an accident, they must be inspected or
replaced by Tesla, even if damage is not obvious.
WARNING: Before allowing a child to ride in the Tesla built-in rear facing child seats, check that the seat is
securely held in the upright position by trying to pull the seat back toward you.
WARNING: Do not remove the built-in rear facing child seats for any reason, including cleaning. To ensure
safety of occupants, removal and installation must be performed by qualified Tesla service technicians.
WARNING: Do not make modifications or additions that can interfere with the operation of the Tesla built-in
rear facing child seats.
WARNING: To prevent injury, ensure all loose items (bags, luggage, etc.) are secured. In an accident, or during
hard braking and sharp turns, loose items could cause injury.

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Airbags
Location of Airbags
Airbags are located in the approximate areas shown below. Airbag warning information is printed on the sun visors.
Model S is equipped with an airbag and lap/shoulder belt at both front seating positions. The airbag is a
supplemental restraint at those seating positions. All occupants, including the driver, should always wear their seat
belts whether or not an airbag is also provided at their seating position to minimize the risk of severe injury or death
in the event of a crash.

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1. Passenger knee airbag
2. Passenger front airbag
3. Seat-mounted side airbags
4. Curtain airbags
5. Driver’s knee airbag
6. Driver’s front airbag

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How Airbags Work
Airbags inflate when sensors detect an impact that exceeds deployment thresholds. These thresholds are designed
to predict the severity of a crash in time for the airbags to help protect the vehicle's occupants. Airbags inflate
instantly with considerable force accompanied by a loud noise. The inflated bag, together with the seat belts, limits
movement of occupants to reduce the risk of injury.
Front airbags are not ordinarily designed to inflate in rear collisions, rollovers, side collisions and when braking
heavily or driving over bumps and potholes. Likewise, front airbags may not inflate in all frontal collisions, such as
minor front collisions, underride collisions, or minor impacts with narrow objects (such as posts or poles). Significant
superficial damage can occur to the vehicle without the airbags inflating and, conversely, a relatively small amount of
structural damage can cause airbags to inflate. Therefore, the external appearance of the vehicle after a collision
does not represent whether or not the front airbags should have inflated.
WARNING: Before modifying your vehicle to accommodate a person with disabilities in a way that may affect
the airbag system, contact Tesla.
Types of Airbags
Model S has the following types of airbags:
• Front airbags: The front airbags are designed to reduce injuries if larger children or adults are riding in the front
seats. Follow all warnings and instructions related to seating a child on the front passenger seat (if permitted in
your market region).
• Knee airbags: Knee airbags and the front airbags work together. The knee airbags limit the forward motion of the
front seat occupants by restricting leg movement, thereby positioning the occupants so that the front airbags
work more effectively.
• Side airbags: Side airbags protect the thorax region of the torso and the pelvis. They inflate only if a severe side
impact occurs. Side airbags on the non-impacted side of the vehicle do not inflate.
• Curtain airbags: Curtain airbags help protect the head. Curtain airbags on both the impacted and non-impacted
side of the vehicle inflate only if a severe side impact occurs, or if the vehicle rolls over.
Airbag Status Indicator
The status of the passenger front airbag displays on the touchscreen:
The Passenger Airbag Off indicator displays on the touchscreen when the passenger front airbag is
OFF. When the passenger front airbag is OFF, it does not inflate when a collision occurs. This
indicator also displays when the seat is unoccupied. When driving with a child seat on the front
passenger seat (if permitted in your market region), always double-check the status of the
passenger front airbag to confirm that it is OFF.
NOTE: In cars manufactured prior to approximately December 2019, the Passenger Airbag Off
indicator does not display when the seat is unoccupied.
To protect an adult occupying the front passenger seat, ensure the passenger front airbag is ON.
When the passenger airbag is ON, it may inflate when a collision occurs.

Front Passenger Occupant Detection
Model S has an occupancy sensor in the front passenger seat that controls the status of the front airbag.
NOTE: The occupancy classification system (OCS) meets the regulatory requirement of FMVSS 208 and
automatically detects when inflating the passenger front airbag would be unnecessary or potentially harmful.
WARNING: Seating an infant in a rear facing child restraint system on a seat equipped with an operational
airbag can cause serious injury or death.

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Object Classification

Status of Airbag
Indicator*

Indicator

Notes

Empty

OFF

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF

In cars manufactured prior to
approximately December 2019,