As a prospective or Tesla owner, you may be wondering what your options are for replacing Tesla tires. Are they special tires you can only get at Tesla? Are they special sizes?
This article will go over all the Tesla tire information you need to know and help give you the tools you need to replace your tires with ease.
What Kind of Tires do Tesla Vehicles Use?
Tesla vehicles use acoustic foam-insulated tires made by standard brands like Goodyear, Pirelli, Hankook, and Michelin. The acoustic foam lining the inside of the tires helps reduce road noise. Since Electric Vehicles (EVs) do not have a combustion engine that helps mask road noise, acoustically insulated tires can mitigate sound from outside the vehicle, especially on highways.
Take a look at our breakdown below to identify which tires a Tesla vehicle typically comes with:
Model S
19 Inch Wheels: Continental ProContact RX 255/45R19 AND 285/40R19
20 Inch Wheels: Goodyear Supercar 3R 285/35R20 AND 305/30R20
21 Inch Wheels: Goodyear Eagle Sport 265/35R21 AND 295/30R21
Model X
20 Inch Wheels: Continental CrossContact LX 265/45R20 AND 275/45R20
22 Inch Wheels: Continental SportContact6 265/35R22 AND 285/35R22
Model 3
18 Inch Wheels: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 235/45R18 98Y or Michelin ePrimacy 235/45R18 98V
19 Inch Wheels: Hankook Ventus S1 EVO3 K127 235/40 R19 96W
20 Inch Wheels: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 235/35R20 96W
Model Y
19 Inch Wheels: Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 EV 255/45R19 104W
20 Inch Wheels: Michelin Pilot Sport EV 255/40 R20 101W
21 Inch Wheels: Pirelli Pzero Luxury 255/35 R21 98W AND Pirelli Pzero Sport 275/35 R21
103W
When Should I Replace the Tires on my Tesla?
When your tires are at a tread depth of 4/32 or lower, it is time to replace them. You can best measure tire tread depth with a standard tire gauge. If you do not have a tire gauge, you can use a penny. Place the penny into the groove of your tire tread with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can see the top of his head, your tires need replacement.
Additionally, if your tires have bubbles, gouges, scratches, or other visible damage, they need to be replaced. Driving a vehicle with damaged or low-tread tires puts you at risk of losing traction, experiencing tire blow-outs, or other road hazards.
Do I Have to Replace My Tires at a Tesla Service Center?
You do not have to replace your tires at a Tesla Service Center. Both acoustic foam tires and standard non-foam tires can be purchased for Tesla vehicles at most major tire retailers.
How Can I Extend the Life of My Tires?
There are several things you can do to extend the lifespan of your tires. First, ensure the tires are always inflated to the proper PSI (pounds per square inch) for the season. You can find recommended pressures on the service label located on the driver front door frame.
Ensuring that your tires are properly inflated helps increase vehicle efficiency, reduce tire damage, and prevent blow-outs.
Additionally, avoiding potholes or other road damage/debris can help prevent damage to your tires and extend their lifespan. Drive carefully on damaged roads and avoid obstacles whenever possible.
Reducing your speed can also assist in prolonging your tire life. Reduced speed can help you avoid road obstacles and can lessen the need for harsh braking, which can also take its toll on your tires over time.
Do I Need Different Tires in the Winter?
Many Tesla vehicles come factory-equipped with summer tires, especially Teslas with larger wheels. Before driving in cold weather, make sure to inspect your tires to identify whether they are summer tires or all-season.
If you have summer tires, we strongly recommend either replacing them with all-season tires for the winter season or purchasing a secondary set of winter wheels and tires, such as the ones sold on Tesla’s website.
Summer tires are more likely to lose traction in cold temperatures and can increase the risk of vehicle instability, tire damage, and blow-outs as the rubber hardens.
Conclusion
As a Tesla owner, you have a range of options for replacing your vehicle’s tires, from visiting a Tesla Service Center to ordering tires online. Whichever option works best for you, remember to take care of your tires, perform routine visual inspections, and check your tires before each season starts so that you can drive safely and efficiently.
For more helpful guides, information, and handy tips, check us out on social media! We’re here to make your Tesla ownership a breeze:
