Tesla Model X: Braking and Stopping
WARNING: Properly functioning braking systems
are critical to ensure safety. If you experience a
problem with the brake pedal, brake calipers, or
any component of a Model X braking system,
contact Tesla immediately. Model X has an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that
prevents the wheels from locking when you apply
maximum brake pressure. This improves steering control
during heavy braking in most road conditions.
During emergency braking conditions, the ABS
constantly monitors the speed of each wheel and varies
the brake pressure according to the grip available.
The alteration of brake pressure can be felt as a pulsing
sensation through the brake pedal. This demonstrates
that the ABS is operating and is not a cause for concern.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsing. In an emergency, fully press the brake pedal and
maintain firm pressure, even on low traction surfaces.
The ABS varies the braking pressure to each wheel
according to the amount of traction available. This
prevents wheels from locking and ensures that you stop
as safely as possible. WARNING: Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
interrupts operation of the ABS and can increase
braking distance.
WARNING: Always maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front of you and be aware of
hazardous driving conditions. While the ABS can
improve stopping distance, it cannot overcome the
laws of physics. It also does not prevent the
danger of hydroplaning (where a layer of water
prevents direct contact between the tires and the
road).
CAUTION: Automatic Emergency Braking (see
Automatic Emergency Braking) may
intervene to automatically brake in situations
where a collision is considered imminent.
Automatic Emergency Braking is not designed to
prevent a collision. At best, it can minimize the
impact of a frontal collision by attempting to
reduce your driving speed. Depending on
Automatic Emergency Braking to avoid a collision
can result in serious injury or death. Dynamic Brake Lights (if equipped) If you are driving over 30 mph (50 km/h) and brake
forcefully (or if Automatic Emergency Braking engages),
the brake lights flash quickly to warn other drivers that
Model X is rapidly slowing down. If Model X stops
completely, the hazard warning lights flash. Flashing
continues until you press the accelerator or manually
press the hazard lights button to turn them off (see
Hazard Warning Flashers). NOTE: When towing a trailer (if applicable), the brake
lights on the trailer also operate as described above,
even when the trailer is not equipped with a separate
braking system. WARNING: When towing a trailer (if applicable),
always increase your following distance. Sudden
braking may result in skidding, jack-knifing, and
loss of control. Brake Disc Wiping To ensure brakes remain responsive in cold and wet
weather, Model X is equipped with brake disc wiping.
When cold and wet weather is detected, this feature
repeatedly applies an imperceptible amount of brake
force to remove water from the surface of the brake
discs. Hydraulic Fade Compensation Model X is equipped with hydraulic fade compensation.
This assists in monitoring brake system pressure and
ABS activity for instances of reduced brake
performance. If reduced brake performance is detected
(for example, as a result of brake fade, or cold or wet
conditions), you may hear a sound, feel the brake pedal
pull away from your foot, and notice a strong increase in braking. Brake as you
normally would and continue to
press the brake pedal without releasing or pumping the
brakes. CAUTION: If brakes are not functioning properly,
stop the vehicle when safety permits and contact
Tesla Service.
WARNING: Always maintain a safe driving distance
from the vehicle in front of you and exercise
caution when driving conditions are hazardous.
Brake disc wiping and hydraulic fade
compensation is not a substitute for adequately
applying the brakes. Hydraulic Boost Compensation Model X is equipped with a brake booster that activates
the brakes when the brake pedal is pressed. Hydraulic
boost compensation provides mechanical assistance if
the brake booster fails. If a brake booster failure is
detected, the brake pedal feels stiff er to press and you
may hear a sound when you press the brake pedal. To
stop Model X, apply steady force to the brake pedal
without releasing or pumping. Drive cautiously and
maintain a safe distance from other road users-brake
pedal responsiveness and braking performance may be
degraded. Whenever Model X is moving and your foot is off the
accelerator, regenerative braking slows down the vehicle
and feeds any surplus power back to the Battery. By
anticipating your stops and reducing or removing
pressure from the accelerator pedal to slow down, you
can take advantage of regenerative braking to increase
driving range.
Vehicle deceleration due to regenerative braking may
vary depending on the current state of the Battery. For
example, regenerative braking may be limited if the
Battery is cold or is already fully charged.
To experience the same amount of deceleration
whenever you release the accelerator pedal, regardless
of the state of the Battery, you can choose to have the
regular braking system automatically engage whenever
regenerative braking is limited. Touch Controls > Pedals
& Steering > Apply Brakes When Regenerative Braking
is Limited. NOTE: If Apply Brakes When Regenerative Braking is
Limited is enabled and applying the brakes, the brake
pedal may move and it may feel stiffer when pressed.
This is expected and does not change your ability to
slow down Model X. The power meter (a thin horizontal line centered at the
bottom of the instrument panel) displays real-time
power usage: NOTE: To ensure visibility when the display is dark,
power represented by the gray color displays as white. NOTE: Installing winter tires with aggressive compound
and tread design may result in temporarily-reduced
regenerative braking power. However, your vehicle is
designed to continuously recalibrate itself, and after
changing tires it will increasingly restore regenerative
braking power after some straight-line accelerations. For
most drivers this occurs after a short period of normal
driving, but drivers who normally accelerate lightly may
need to use slightly harder accelerations while the
recalibration is in progress. NOTE: If regenerative braking is aggressively slowing
Model X (such as when your foot is completely off the
accelerator pedal at highway speeds), the brake lights
turn on to alert others that you are slowing down. WARNING: In snowy or icy conditions, Model X
may experience loss of traction during
regenerative braking. To engage the parking brake, touch Controls > Safety >
Parking Brake. Follow the onscreen instructions.
Use the touchscreen to manually release the parking
brake (which also shifts Model X into Neutral): 1. Touch Controls > Safety.
2. Press the brake pedal, then touch Parking Brake. If
Model X was previously in Park, it shifts into Neutral. NOTE: The parking brake operates on the rear wheels
only, and is independent of the pedal-operated brake
system. CAUTION: In the unlikely event that Model X loses
electrical power, you cannot access the
touchscreen and are therefore unable to release
the parking brake without first jump starting
Model X (see Instructions for Transporters).
WARNING: In snowy or icy conditions the rear
wheels may not have sufficient traction to prevent
Model X from sliding down a slope, particularly if
not using winter tires. Avoid parking on hills in
snowy or icy conditions. You are always
responsible for parking safely.
WARNING: Your Model X may display an alert if
the road is too steep to safely park on, or if the
parking brakes are not properly engaged. These
alerts are for guidance purposes only and are not a
substitute for the driver's judgment of safe parking
conditions, including specific road or weather
conditions. Do not depend on these alerts to
determine whether or not it is safe to park at any
location. You are always responsible for parking
safely. Brake Wear Model X brake pads are equipped with wear indicators.
A wear indicator is a thin metal strip attached to the
brake pad that squeals as it rubs against the rotor when
the pad wears down. This squealing sound indicates that
the brake pads have reached the end of their service life
and require replacement. To replace the brake pads,
contact Tesla Service.
Brakes must be periodically inspected visually by
removing the tire and wheel. For detailed specifications
and service limits for rotors and brake pads, see
Subsystems. Additionally, Tesla
recommends cleaning and lubricating the brake calipers
every year or 12,500 miles (20,000 km) if in an area
where roads are salted during winter months. WARNING: Neglecting to replace worn brake pads
damages the braking system and can result in a
braking hazard.Braking Systems
The ABS indicator briefly flashes yellow on
the instrument panel when you first start
Model X. If this indicator lights up at any
other time, an ABS fault has occurred and
the ABS is not operating. Contact Tesla.
The braking system remains fully
operational and is not affected by an ABS
failure. However, braking distances may
increase. Drive cautiously and avoid heavy
braking.
If the instrument panel displays
this red
brake indicator at any time other than
briefly when you first start Model X, a brake system fault is detected, or the
level of the brake fluid is low. Contact Tesla
immediately. Apply steady pressure and
keep the brakes firm to bring the vehicle to
a stop when safe to do so.
The instrument panel displays
this yellow
brake indicator if a brake booster fault is
detected. Apply steady pressure and keep
the brakes firm to stop the vehicle when
safety permits. Hydraulic Boost
Compensation will be active (see Hydraulic
Boost Compensation).
Emergency Braking
Regenerative Braking
Parking Brake
When you manually apply the
parking
brake using the touchscreen, the red
parking brake indicator lights up on the
instrument panel.
If the parking brake experiences
an
electrical issue, the amber parking brake
indicator lights up and a fault message
displays on the instrument panel.