Replace a worn or faulty ride height sensor on a 2024 Model S Plaid equipped with adaptive air suspension. The sensor links the control arm to the chassis and reports suspension travel to the air suspension controller; failure causes ride height faults and uneven leveling.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Air suspension ride height sensor (manufacturer-specified, position-specific: front-left, front-right, rear-left, or rear-right) × 1 — OEM Tesla Model S (2021+ refresh / Plaid) ride height sensor — verify by VIN
• Sensor linkage / ball stud hardware (if supplied separately or damaged on removal) × 1 — OEM-specified

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with the key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
3. Disconnect the low-voltage battery: on 2024 Model S Plaid this is typically the 16V lithium auxiliary battery (location varies — front trunk under nose cowl on most Model S; some Plaid use a 16V Li-ion unit. Verify location by VIN before disconnecting).
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
5. If at any point you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
6. Before lifting: place the air suspension into Jack Mode / Transport Mode via the touchscreen so the system does not attempt to re-level after lift.
7. Identify which corner's sensor is faulty using the alert/DTC (e.g., FL, FR, RL, RR ride height sensor implausible).
8. Lift the affected corner using Tesla-specified jack points and pucks, support on rated jack stands, and remove the wheel.

Procedure

1. 1

   Place vehicle in Jack Mode and lift
   With the vehicle awake, use the touchscreen Service menu to enable Jack Mode (disables auto-leveling). Lift at the manufacturer-specified jack point for the affected corner using a Tesla puck adapter. Support the chassis on a rated jack stand. Then disconnect the 12V/16V auxiliary battery as described in preparation.
   ⚠Lifting without Jack Mode may cause the air system to attempt to re-level and damage components.
2. 2

   Remove the wheel
   Loosen lug nuts before fully lifting if needed, then remove the wheel and set aside on its face to protect the finish.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Locate the ride height sensor
   Identify the ride height sensor at the affected corner. It is typically mounted to the chassis/subframe with a small bracket and connected via a short linkage rod (drop link) to the lower control arm. There is one sensor per corner on Plaid air suspension. Inspect the linkage, ball studs, and wiring connector for visible damage before replacement.
4. 4

   Disconnect electrical connector
   Release the locking tab on the sensor's electrical connector and unplug it. Inspect pins for corrosion or bent terminals. Move the harness aside and secure it so it is not strained during sensor removal.
   ⚠Do not pull on the wire — release the lock tab fully before disconnecting.
5. 5

   Disconnect the linkage from the control arm
   At the lower end of the sensor linkage, release the ball-stud clip or remove the small fastener securing the linkage to the control arm bracket. Note the orientation and any spacers so they can be reinstalled identically.
   ⚠Do not pry against the aluminum control arm with a steel tool. Use a plastic trim tool or appropriate ball-stud release tool.
6. 6

   Remove sensor mounting bolts
   Remove the bolts securing the ride height sensor body to the chassis bracket. Support the sensor as the last bolt is removed and withdraw the assembly with its linkage.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Compare old and new sensor
   Place the old and new sensor side-by-side and verify they are identical part numbers and the linkage rod is the same length. Do NOT adjust the new linkage rod unless the service manual specifies adjustment for this corner. Confirm the connector keying matches.
   ⚠Front and rear sensors and left/right sensors may differ. Installing the wrong-side sensor will cause inverted readings.
8. 8

   Install new sensor to chassis bracket
   Position the new sensor on the chassis bracket, start the mounting bolts by hand, then torque to specification.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reconnect linkage to control arm
   Snap or bolt the linkage ball stud back onto the control arm bracket using the original hardware (or new hardware supplied with the sensor). Verify the linkage moves freely through full suspension travel without binding. Torque any threaded fastener to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.
10. 10

    Reconnect electrical connector
    Plug the harness connector into the sensor until the lock tab clicks. Route the harness in its original path and re-secure any clips.
11. 11

    Reinstall wheel
    Mount the wheel and hand-thread all lug nuts. Snug them in a star pattern, then lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground and final-torque in a star pattern to specification.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Lower the vehicle fully off the jack stands so all four wheels bear weight on level ground.
2. Reconnect the 12V/16V auxiliary battery.
3. Wake the vehicle and exit Jack Mode via the touchscreen.
4. Allow the air suspension to self-level — observe that the corner rises smoothly and reaches the same height as the opposite corner.
5. Perform ride height calibration using Tesla service mode (or equivalent diagnostic tool). The new sensor must be calibrated to known reference heights or the system will retain a fault.

Verification

• Clear any stored ride height / suspension DTCs and confirm they do not return after a drive cycle.
• Measure ride height at all four corners (fender lip to ground or hub to fender, per service manual) and confirm side-to-side and front-to-rear values match Tesla specification for the selected ride height setting.
• Cycle the suspension through Low, Standard, and High via the touchscreen and confirm all four corners respond evenly and reach commanded heights.
• Test drive at varied speeds — the system should automatically lower at highway speed (Auto setting) without faults.
• Confirm no 'Air Suspension Service Required' or ride-height-related alerts appear after a full ignition cycle.
• Note: While performing air suspension service, this is a good time to verify the cabin air filter (every 2 years, or 3 years for HEPA) and brake fluid (every 2 years) are within their service intervals — Tesla's 'no scheduled maintenance' claim does not apply to these items.

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