TESLA MODEL S EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE
INFORMATION FOR FIRST AND SECOND RESPONDERS
EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE
TESLA
MODEL S
ELECTRIC
VERSION: 001
CONTENTS
0. Emergency Response Sheet Page 1
1. Identification / recognition
2. Immobilization / stabilization / lifting
3. Disable direct hazards / safety regulations
4. Access to the occupants
5. Stored energy / liquids / gases / solids
6. In case of fire
Page 2
Page 5
Page 7
Page 12
Page 19
Page 23
7. In case of submersion
8. Towing / transportation / storage
9. Important additional information
10. Explanation pictograms used
Model S Emergency Response Guide
Page 25
Page 26
Page 28
Page 29
TESLA MODEL S
From 2016—2021
TESLA MODEL S
From 2016 — 2021
Airbag Stored gas
Automatic
rollover
protection
system
Battery
low voltage
High
voltage
battery
pack
Cable cut
inflator
Gas strut/
pre-loaded
spring
Ultra capacitor, low
voltage
High voltage power
cable/component
Seatbelt
pretensioner
High
strength
zone
Fuel tank Gas tank Safety
High
voltage
disconnect
SRS
Control
Unit
Zone
requiring
special
attention
Fuse box
disabling
high
voltage
system
Pedestrian
protection
active
system
valve
Ultra
capacitor, high
voltage
ID No. Version No.
TESLA–202012–004
01
1. Identification / recognition
WARNING
LACK OF ENGINE NOISE DOES NOT MEAN VEHICLE IS OFF. SILENT
MOVEMENT OR INSTANT RESTART CAPABILITY EXISTS UNTIL VEHICLE IS FULLY
SHUT DOWN. WEAR APPROPRIATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE).
Badging and Door Handles
Model S can be identified by its badges and uniquely shaped door handles. The model name
appears on the rear of the vehicle.
NOTE: The “D” at the end of the battery badge (or “DUAL MOTOR” badge for newer vehicles)
on the RH side of the vehicle indicates that the vehicle is a Dual Motor configuration.
NOTE: The Tesla emblem indicates a fully electric vehicle.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Model S can be identified by its VIN. Locate the stamped plate on the top of the dashboard by
looking through the driver’s side of the windshield. Model S is identified with a “S” in the 4th
alphanumeric position. The VIN can also be found on the driver’s side door pillar for North
American configurations, and on some vehicles, under the carpet behind the passenger seat.
Model S Emergency Response Guide
2
Touchscreen
Model S can be identified by its 17 in (43 cm) touchscreen that is mounted in a “portrait”
orientation. Model S has an instrument cluster in front of the steering wheel.
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for information on touchscreen operation. If vehicle airbags have
deployed, 12V power may not be available and the touchscreen will not be operational. Trying
to support 12V power on a vehicle that has been in an accident could lead to a possible 12V
electrical fire. Tesla does not recommend attempting to reconnect 12V power.
Model S Emergency Response Guide
3
Keys
Model S supports 2 types of keys.
• Authenticated phone – A personal smartphone can be set up to communicate with
Model S using Bluetooth. If a smartphone is already paired to the vehicle, open the Tesla
mobile app on the smartphone and navigate to CONTROLS to unlock or lock Model S.
• Key fob –
The key fob is shaped like a miniature Model S. It allows you to press
buttons to open the front and rear trunks and unlock, lock, and drive Model S. Use the
key buttons as shown below.
1. Rear trunk. Double-click to open the rear trunk.
2. Unlock all. Double-click to unlock doors and both trunks.
3. Hood/front trunk. Double-click to open the hood to access the front trunk.
Model S Emergency Response Guide
4
2. Immobilization / stabilization / lifting
IMMOBILIZATION
1. Chock wheels
Model S moves silently, so never assume it is powered o. Drivers can choose a setting
that determines whether or not Model S will “creep” when a drive gear is selected. If this
setting is o, Model S may not move unless the accelerator pedal is pressed, even if shifted
into Drive or Reverse. However, never assume that Model S will not move. Always chock the
wheels.
WARNING Be careful to not damage the battery pack while stabilizing the vehicle.
2. Put vehicle into Park position
Model S moves silently, so never assume it is powered o. Pressing the accelerator pedal
even slightly can cause Model S to accelerate quickly if the active gear is Drive or Reverse. To
ensure that the parking brake is engaged, press the button on the end of the gear selector to
shift into Park. Whenever Model S is in Park, the parking brake is automatically engaged and
the touchscreen shows the active gear as Park (P).
Model S Emergency Response Guide
5
STABILIZATION / LIFTING POINTS
The high voltage battery is located under the floor pan. A large section of the undercarriage
houses the high voltage battery. When lifting or stabilizing Model S, only use the designated
lift areas, as shown in green.
WARNING
Be careful to not damage the battery pack while stabilizing / lifting the
vehicle.
WARNING
The vehicle should be lifted or manipulated only if first responders are
trained and equipped at the technician level per National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) and are familiar with the vehicle’s lifting points. Use caution to ensure you
never come into contact with the high voltage battery or other high voltage
components while lifting or manipulating the vehicle.
WARNING
DO NOT USE THE HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY TO LIFT OR STABILIZE
MODEL S.
Model S Emergency Response Guide
Appropriate lift areas
Safe stabilization points for a
Model S resting on its side
High voltage battery
6
3. Disable direct hazards / safety regulations
ACCESS
1. Open the hood (see chapter 4: Access to the Occupants).
2. Remove the access panel by pulling it upward to release the clips that hold it in place.
MAIN DISABLE METHOD
1. Double cut the first responder loop and then remove the cut section.
2. Disable the 12V battery.
WARNING
Not every high voltage component is labeled. Always wear
appropriate PPE. Always double cut the first responder loop. Do not attempt
to open the High Voltage (HV) battery.
Model S Emergency Response Guide
7
Cable Cut
When cut, the First Responder Loop disables 12V power going to the airbag circuit. Cutting
of the First Responder Loop also removes 12V power going to the high voltage contactors
inside the high voltage battery pack. Cutting the first responder loop does not disable the
12V battery system. The 12V battery negative cable must be cut in order to disable the 12V
battery system.
The First Responder Loop is located on the passenger-side of the vehicle for left-hand drive
vehicles. The First Responder Loop remains in the same location for right-hand drive vehicles.
The high voltage contactors are like a light switch. When “open” or in the “o” position, the
lights would be o in the room so the high voltage would be isolated to the battery pack.
When “closed” or in the on position, the lights would be on in the room so the high voltage in
the battery pack would be connected to the high voltage components. On Model S
vehicles, those high voltage components include the rear drive unit, the front drive unit, the
air conditioning compressor, the coolant heater, and the cabin postive temperature coecient (PTC) heater.
When the vehicle has been in an accident and the First Responder Loop has been cut, always
treat the pack and the high voltage components as if they are live, because the pack will still
have stored energy within the cells and it is not known if other high voltage
components have been damaged. Treat every orange cable and battery pack as if there is
high voltage in it. Never cut an orange high voltage cable or cut into the battery pack.
There is no way to instantaneously discharge the energy that is inside of the battery pack
when a vehicle is in an accident. There is stored energy in battery cells. Caution must be used
to not damage the battery pack in the case of vehicle extrication operations.
1. First responder cut loop
2. Battery Low-Voltage
Model S Emergency Response Guide
8
Loading...