How do I find which tyres I should buy?
- First of all double-check the existing tyre cannot be repaired
- If it’s deemed you need new tyre/s confirm the sizing by:
- Writing down the numbers on the tyres, normally it will be 3 numbers / 2 numbers / 2 numbers / 2 or 3 numbers and a Letter e.g. 245 / 45 / 19 / 110 Y (we explain what these mean below).
- Confirm the fronts and backs are either the same or slightly different, most Tesla tyres/wheels have the same size on the front and back (known as a straight setup) but others have staggered setups (larger wheels/tyres on the rear).
- Once you have the numbers check below to see about some of the tyre options available
- Buy
- Get them fitted at home or at a garage
What do the numbers mean?
- The first number is the width of the tyre in millimetres from sidewall edge to sidewall edge., a higher number means a wider tyre with more grip and therefore greater traction.
- The second number is the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the tread width, the lower the number the more lower profile the tyre is, the higher the number the thicker the tyre and less likely you will be prone to damage of the wheel.
- The third number is the size of the wheel diameter, e.g. 18″, 19″, 20″, 21″ or 22″ wheels.
What about the next set of numbers / letters?
- Tyre Load Index is a number (often 2 or 3 digits and precedes a single letter) e.g. 110 Y on a Model X
This number relates to the weight each tyre can support.
You can multiply this number by 4 (as we have 4 wheels) to give you the allowed maximum weight of the vehicle - Speed index is the maxspeed in mph that the tyre can be used for extended periods of time
What are the best tyre options for me?
This will dramatically depend on your use case, budget and driving style, for instance, if you want a performance tyre to give you the most grip in summer you will want one tyre, if you want a tyre with low noise and decent but not superb grip you will want another, there is sadly not one best tyre that does everything perfectly. You have to weigh up your options based on the following factors:
- Cost
- The type of driving you will be doing (road only, bit of track, lots of winter driving etc)
- The noise of the tyre
- The grip levels
- The wear levels
- Cold Weather Performance
- Economy (often still referred to as fuel economy)
- Wet road handling
Obviously, prices vary almost on a daily basis so this data is out of date as soon as we press ‘post’ but it gives you a rough idea. Do your own research and compare prices.
Where should I buy my tyres from?
Like anything, it’s best to compare the market and both online and offline options. Many will order tyres from online and have them fitted at home, others will just go to tyre companies to have them do it all. Here are a few examples:
- Consider our club offer Pirelli Centres (with Cashback)
- Costco [Tyres + Fitting] – Michelin / Goodyear / Bridgestone
- BlackCircles [Tyres &/or Fitting] 20 brands
- Oponeo [Tyres] – 26 brands
- HomeTyre [Tyres &/or Home Fitting] – All brands
- Tyres on the Drive (Halfords) [Tyres &/or Home Fitting] – 18 brands
- KwikFit [Tyres + Fitting] – Pirelli / Michelin / Goodyear / Matador / Firestore / Yokohama / Hankook / Bridgestone / Dunlop / Continental
- Asda Tyres [Tyres &/or Home Fitting] – 16 brands
- MyTyres [Tyres &/or Fitting] – 31 brands
Should I just get Tesla to replace the tyres?
Tesla sell tyres but only because they have to, most of the time you’re better off buying tyres from a tyre company instead of a car manufacturer, that said if you urgently need one or it’s more convenient they will generally always have stock.
Does the mechanic working on my Tesla need to follow any special rules/guides?
No, they should be fine, however, if they’re anxious or you’re doing the work yourself be sure to read this guide on how to jack a Tesla safely.
What are the common sizes?
The brands listed are just examples, other brands are available. Be sure to check the tyres on your actual car as these may vary to what’s listed below:
List is not in any particular order
Model 3
Model 3 – 18″ 235 / 45 98W
Hankook Ventus Prime 3
MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 – TO ACOUSTIC (Summer)
MICHELIN Primacy 4 (Summer)
MICHELIN CrossClimate+ (All Weather)
MICHELIN PILOT ALPIN 5 (Winter)
Bridgestone T005DG
Goodyear EAGLE F1
Pirelli WINTER SOTTOZERO™ 3
Pirelli WINTER SOTTOZERO™ SERIE II (Winter) (Performance) (Noise Cancelling)
Pirelli CINTURATO™ ALL SEASON SF 2
Pirelli CINTURATO P7™
Pirelli POWERGY™ (Summer)
Bridgestone Turanza
Continental Premium Contact 6
Model 3 – 19″ 235 / 40 96W
Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 2
MICHELIN Primacy 4 (Summer)
MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 (summer)
MICHELIN PILOT SPORT CUP 2 (Summer)
MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 S (Summer)
MICHELIN PILOT ALPIN 5 (Winter)
Bridgestone Potenza
Bridgestone Turanza
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
Pirelli WINTER SOTTOZERO™ 3
Pirelli WINTER SOTTOZERO™ SERIE II (Winter) (Performance) (Noise Cancelling)
Pirelli CINTURATO™ ALL SEASON SF 2
Pirelli CINTURATO P7™
Pirelli P ZERO™ (PZ4) (Summer) (Sport)
Pirelli POWERGY™ (Summer)
Model 3 – 20″ 235 / 35 97 (Y)
Pirelli P Zero (PZ4) Elect (Summer with Noise Cancellation)
Pirelli Sottozero Serie II (Winter)
Pirelli WINTER SOTTOZERO™ 3
Model Y
Model Y – 19″ – 255/45R19 XL
Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3 EV T0
Goodyear Eagle F1
Bridgestone Turanza
Pirelli P ZERO™ (PZ4) (Summer) (Sport)
Pirelli CINTURATO™ ALL SEASON SF 2
Pirelli CINTURATO P7™
Model Y 20″ – 255/40R20 XL
Michelin Pilot Sport EV T0 (Noice Cancellation)
Pirelli Pirelli WINTER SOTTOZERO™ 3 (Noice Cancellation)
Pirelli P ZERO™ (PZ4) (Summer) (Sport) (Noice Cancellation)
Pirelli POWERGY™ (Summer)
Pirelli CINTURATO P7™
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 XL
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S XL
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 XL
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 XL
Model Y 21″ – 255/35R21 XL (Front) & 275/35R21 XL (Rear)
Pirelli P ZERO™ (PZ4) (Summer) (Sport) (Noice Cancellation)
Pirelli Pirelli WINTER SOTTOZERO™ 3 (Noice Cancellation)
Model S
Model S – 19″ (P245/45 R19)
For comparison, Tesla charge around £255 for a Michelin, £185 from BlackCircles or £215 from Kwikfit
- Michelin Primacy 3 – for low noise level and energy efficiency, ideal long distance tyre,
- Michelin Pilot Sport 5 – New tyre (2022)
- Michelin CrossClimate 2 – New tyre (2022)
- Michelin Pilot Sport 3 – Better for performance driving compared with the Primacy 3, louder than Primacy 3, superior in the wet compared with Pilot Sport 2
- Contisport Contact 5
- £164,
- Pirelli P zero / P zero Rosso
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
- £182, £177.50 (local store)
- Goodyear Excellence
- Dunlop Sport Maxx Rt
Model S – 21″ P245/35/R21 &/or P265/35/R21
Remember to check both front and rear as you might have a staggered setup e.g. different sizes 245 + 265
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Acoustic – The new replacement to the Pilot Super Sport
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport Acoustic – The top-performing tyre for acceleration, speed and handling (come as standard on P model)
- Note: There are two versions Acoustic (standard from Tesla) or Standard versions (commonly found on Costco website etc).
- Acoustic item numbers:
- 439687 (245/35) ZR21 96Y Pilot Super Sport Acoustic T0 (Fronts)
- 724045 (265/35) ZR21 101 Y Pilot Super Sport Acoustic T0 (Rears)
- Non Acoustic item numbers:
- 435469 Michelin 245/35 ZR21 Y (96) PILOT SUPER SPORT Extra Load (XL) (Fronts)
- 421785 Michelin 265/35 ZR21 Y (101) PILOT SUPER SPORT Extra Load (XL) (Rears)
- Conti SportContact 5p (come as standard on D 21″)
- Conti SportContact 5p ContiSilent (tire contains a polyether-based polyurethane foam. It is firmly attached to an adhesive layer on the inner surface of the tire tread area to reduce road noise, up to 9 dB(A) reduction in noise inside the cabin)
- Pirelli PZero XL – slightly quieter than the others except the ContiSilent, supposedly the best ‘fuel’ economy
Model X
Model X – 20″
255/45 R20 105 Y (front) + 275/45 R20 110 Y (rear)
OR
265/45 R20 108Y (front) + 275/45 R20 110 Y (rear)
Remember to check both front and rear as you might have a staggered setup e.g. different sizes 245 + 265
Michelin Latitude Sport 3 Acoustic
Pirelli SCORPION™ WINTER
Pirelli SCORPION™ VERDE ALL SEASON SF
Pirelli P ZERO™
BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/P SPORT
CONTINENTAL SPORT CONTACT 5
DUNLOP SPORT MAXX RT2 SUV
GOODYEAR EAGLE F1
AVON ZX7
FALKEN FK510
HANKOOK VENTUS S1 EVO2
Model X – 22″ 265/35 R22 102W (Front) + 285/35 R22 106 W
Pirelli SCORPION™ ZERO™ ASIMMETRICO (Urban) (Summer)
Pirelli SCORPION™ ZERO ALL SEASON (Noise Cancelling) (All Season)
Pirelli SCORPION™ WINTER
Should I get the alignment checked at the same time?
Having your wheels aligned every time new tyres are fitted is a good starting point. It’s generally recommended wheel alignment takes place every 2-3 years, however, with the cost of tyres these days and the forces that a Tesla goes through it might be finacially beneficial to have it done every 6-12 months.
Do I need winter tyres?
That depends on where you live, where you drive and many other factors. It’s a hot debate on all car forums. Some swear by them and others say they’re a waste of money.
What about TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Valves)?
Tesla sell these for around £170 for 4 or £40-£43 each.
The car can learn 2 sets of sensors – so once you have the second set on, do the TPMS reset option (somewhere in settings) and it will pick them up.
