Get Driving -> Braking and Stopping Guide for Tesla Model-Y SUV 2023

Braking and Stopping

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).

Braking Systems

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 Y braking system,

contact Tesla immediately.

CAUTION: Automatic Emergency Braking (see

Automatic Emergency Braking on page 123) 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.

Model Y 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.

CAUTION: In emergency situations, if the brakes

are not functioning properly, press and hold the

Park button on the drive stalk to bring the vehicle

to a stop. Do not use this method to stop the

vehicle unless absolutely necessary.

The ABS indicator brieﬂy ﬂashes amber on

the touchscreen when you ﬁrst start Model

Y. 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.

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 Y is rapidly slowing down. If Model Y 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 on page 60).

If the touchscreen displays this red brake

indicator at any time other than brieﬂy

when you ﬁrst start Model Y, a brake

system fault is detected, or the level of the

brake ﬂuid is low. Contact Tesla

NOTE: Dynamic brake lights will not ﬂash while Track

Mode is enabled (see Track Mode on page 74).

immediately. Apply steady pressure and

keep the brakes ﬁrm to bring the vehicle to

a stop when safe to do so.

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.

The touchscreen displays this amber 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

WARNING: When towing a trailer (if applicable),

always increase your following distance. Sudden

braking may result in skidding, jack-kniﬁng, and

loss of control.

Compensation will be active (see Hydraulic

Boost Compensation on page 66).

Brake Disc Wiping

Emergency Braking

To ensure brakes remain responsive in cold and wet

weather, Model Y 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.

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.

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Braking and Stopping

Hydraulic Fade Compensation

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 Y.

Model Y 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.

The power meter (a thin horizontal line centered at the

top of the touchscreen's car status area) displays real-

time power usage:

CAUTION: If brakes are not functioning properly,

stop the vehicle when safety permits and contact

Tesla Service. See Park on page 56 for information

on using the Park button to stop the vehicle in

case of emergency.

1. The left side of the power meter represents power

generated from regenerative braking, or power that is

used to slow down the vehicle. Power being fed back

to the Battery displays in green whereas power used

by the regular braking system displays in gray.

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.

2. The right side of the power meter shows power that

is used to accelerate the vehicle. During acceleration,

the power meter ﬁlls to the right with gray to

represent the amount of power being used.

NOTE: To ensure visibility when the display is dark,

power represented by the gray color displays as white.

Hydraulic Boost Compensation

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. Touch Service > Wheel &

Tire Conﬁguration > Tires to select winter tires and

quicken this process.

Model Y 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 stiﬀer to press and you

may hear a sound when you press the brake pedal. To

stop Model Y, 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.

NOTE: If regenerative braking is aggressively slowing

Model Y (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.

Regenerative Braking

Whenever Model Y 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.

WARNING: In snowy or icy conditions, Model Y

may experience loss of traction during

regenerative braking.

Stopping Mode

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.

Regenerative braking decelerates Model Y whenever you

release the accelerator pedal when driving. You can

choose what you want Model Y to do once the driving

speed has been reduced to a very low speed (almost at

a stop) and both the accelerator pedal and brake pedal

are released. While in Park, touch Controls > Pedals &

Steering > Stopping Mode and choose from these

options:

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.

MODEL Y Owner's Manual

OwnersManuals2.com

Braking and Stopping

WARNING: Do not rely on regenerative braking

and your chosen Stopping Mode to keep you and

your vehicle safe. Various factors such as driving

with a heavy vehicle load, on a steep hill, or on wet

or icy roads aﬀect deceleration rate and the

distance at which Model Y will come to a stop.

Drive attentively and always stay prepared to use

the brake pedal to stop as appropriate based on

traﬃc and road conditions.

• Creep: When close to, or at, a complete stop, the

motor continues to apply torque, moving Model Y

slowly forward (in Drive) or backwards (in Reverse),

similar to a conventional vehicle with an automatic

transmission. In some situations, such as on a steep

hill or driveway, you may need to press the

accelerator pedal to continue moving or to prevent

Model Y from moving in the opposite direction.

WARNING: Never rely on Creep to apply

enough torque to prevent your vehicle from

rolling down a hill. Always press the brake pedal

to remain stopped or the accelerator pedal to

proceed up the hill. Failure to do so can result in

property damage and/or a collision.

WARNING: Forward Collision Warning and

Automatic Emergency Braking do not operate

when driving at very low speeds (see Collision

Avoidance Assist on page 122). Do not rely on

these features to warn you, or to prevent or reduce

the impact of a collision.

• Hold: Maximizes range and reduces brake wear by

continuing to provide regenerative braking at speeds

lower than with the Creep and Roll settings. When

Model Y stops, the brakes are automatically applied

without you having to put your foot on the brake

pedal. Whether stopped on a ﬂat surface or a hill,

Vehicle Hold keeps the brake applied, provided your

foot remains oﬀ the accelerator and brake pedals.

See Vehicle Hold on page 72.

Parking Brake

To engage the parking brake, touch Controls > Safety >

Parking Brake. Follow the onscreen instructions. You can

also engage the parking brake by pressing and holding

the button on the end of the drive stalk while in Park.

WARNING: Never rely on Hold to adequately

decelerate or fully stop your vehicle. Many

factors can contribute to a longer stopping

distance, including downward slopes, and

reduced or limited regenerative braking (see

Regenerative Braking on page 66). Always be

prepared to use the brake pedal to adequately

decelerate or stop.

• Roll: When close to, or at, a complete stop, Model Y

becomes free rolling like a vehicle in Neutral.

Therefore, if stopped on a slope, Model Y will roll

downward. The brake does not engage, and the

motor does not apply torque (until the accelerator

pedal is pressed).

Use the touchscreen to manually release the parking

brake (which also shifts Model Y into Neutral):

1. Touch Controls > Safety.

2. Press the brake pedal, then touch Parking Brake. If

Model Y was previously in Park, it shifts into Neutral.

NOTE: If you choose Creep or Roll, you can still use

Vehicle Hold to apply the brakes. However, you will

need to brieﬂy press the brake pedal when the

vehicle is stopped. See Vehicle Hold on page 72.

When you manually apply the parking

brake using the touchscreen, or by

pressing and holding the button on the end

of the drive stalk when in Park, the red

parking brake indicator lights up on the

touchscreen.

NOTE: When Model Y is in Track Mode (see Track

Mode on page 74), Roll is automatically enabled,

regardless of your chosen setting. When no longer in

Track Mode, Model Y reverts back to your chosen

setting.

If the parking brake experiences an

electrical issue, the amber parking brake

indicator lights up and a fault message

displays on the touchscreen.

WARNING: Press the brake pedal if Model Y moves

when unsafe to do so. It is your responsibility to

stay alert and be in control of the vehicle at all

times. Failure to do so can result in serious

damage, injury, or death.

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 Y loses

electrical power, you cannot access the

touchscreen and are therefore unable to release

the parking brake without ﬁrst jump starting (see

Jump Starting on page 227).

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Braking and Stopping

WARNING: In snowy or icy conditions the rear

wheels may not have suﬃcient traction to prevent

Model Y 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 Y 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 Y 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 on page 213. 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.

MODEL Y Owner's Manual

OwnersManuals2.com

Traction Control

After the circumstances that required you to turn on Slip

Start or Oﬀ-Road Assist have passed, it is strongly

recommended that you turn the setting oﬀ to re-enable

traction control. If you leave these settings on, Traction

Control automatically re-enables on your next drive.

How It Works

The traction control system constantly monitors the

speed of the front and rear wheels. If Model Y

experiences a loss of traction, the system minimizes

wheel spin by controlling brake pressure and motor

power. By default, the traction control system is on.

Under normal conditions, it should remain on to ensure

maximum safety.

When you turn on Slip Start or Oﬀ-Road

Assist, the touchscreen displays an

indicator light to indicate that the traction

control system is no longer preventing

wheel slip.

This yellow indicator ﬂashes on the

touchscreen whenever the traction control

system is actively controlling brake

pressure and motor power to minimize

wheel spin. If the indicator stays on, a fault

is detected with the traction control

system. Contact Tesla Service.

NOTE: Although you can use Slip Start and Oﬀ-Road

Assist at any speed, it is less eﬀective at higher speeds.

NOTE: Slip Start and Oﬀ-Road Assist are not available

when you are actively using Autopilot.

NOTE: Engaging cruise control when Slip Start or Oﬀ-

Road Assist is on causes the feature to turn oﬀ and

traction control to be re-enabled.

WARNING: Traction control cannot prevent

collisions caused by driving dangerously or turning

too sharply at high speeds.

NOTE: Automatic Emergency Braking and Lane

Departure Avoidance do not operate when Oﬀ-Road

Assist is turned on.

Disabling Traction Control

Under normal conditions, the traction control system

should remain on. Turn it oﬀ only in circumstances

where you deliberately want the wheels to spin, such as:

• Starting on a loose surface, such as gravel or snow.

• Driving in deep snow, sand or mud.

• Rocking out of a hole or deep rut.

• Driving oﬀ-road.

On Rear-Wheel Drive vehicles, turn oﬀ traction control

and allow the wheels to spin by touching Controls >

Pedals & Steering > Slip Start.

On All-Wheel Drive vehicles, you can choose one of

these options, depending on the circumstances:

• Slip Start is designed to make it easier to dislodge

Model Y when stuck in mud, snow, ice, etc. Turning on

Slip Start allows the wheels to spin, making it

possible to rock Model Y out of a situation in which

the wheels are stuck.

• Oﬀ-Road Assist is designed to provide overall

improvements when driving oﬀ-road. In addition to

allowing the wheels to spin, Oﬀ-Road Assist balances

the torque between the front and rear motors to

optimize traction. Oﬀ-Road Assist improves traction

on rough and soft surfaces where one side of the

vehicle may lose traction while the other side still has

traction. When Oﬀ-Road Assist is on, the accelerator

pedal provides more gradual torque, which is useful

for crawling at low speeds (for example, over rocky

surfaces). When enabled, OFF-ROAD displays on the

touchscreen above the driving speed.

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