Tesla tyres are high performing but are also known to wear out faster than other tyres. Worn-out Tesla tyres are unsafe, but replacements can be expensive. So how long do Tesla tyres last?
On average, Tesla tyres can last about 48,000 km, depending on factors like driving habits, heavy loading, and environmental conditions, but this figure can be extended with regular tyre maintenance. Tesla tyres degrade due to high loads, extreme temperatures, ultraviolet light, and other environmental conditions.
Read on to find out how to quickly identify wearing signs of Tesla tyres and how to optimise their performance and lifespan.
How Long Do Tesla Tyres Last?
Most experts estimate that Tesla tyres can last about 48,000 km before they wear out. Therefore, you may need to replace your Tesla tyres every three years if you drive around 16,000 km per year.
Some Tesla owners report that their tyres last longer than this number. Tesla’s tyre care and maintenance recommends changing tyres every six years, even if the tread depth is above the minimum.
Tesla tyres possess the strong grip and durability necessary to handle Tesla’s power and high acceleration features. These tyres can handle heavy loads, reduce road noise and provide a good car range. However, Tesla’s advanced driving features and the weight of its electric battery are why Tesla tyres can wear out faster than other tyres.
Tesla tyres have strong rubber and high-quality materials, so they can last longer than factory expectations if owners maintain them properly and drive them on paved roads most of the time.
How Many Kilometres Do Tesla Tyres Last?
Tesla tyres can last about 32,000 to 48,000 km before wearing out completely. However, these tyres can wear off after only 29,000 to 32,000 km because of poor driving habits and road conditions.
Why Do Tesla Tyres Wear Out So Quickly?
Tesla tyres can potentially wear out faster than gas-powered cars because Tesla cars have specific features that regular vehicles do not possess, such as accelerating faster and being heavier than the average car.
The main reason Tesla tyres wear out faster than other tyres are:
- Weight of the Car – Like other electric vehicles (EVs), Tesla cars have heavier electric batteries than conventional gas-powered cars. This excess weight puts more friction on the tyres, making them more vulnerable to wear and tear.
- Rapid Acceleration – Tesla’s fast acceleration feature distinguishes it from other gas-powered vehicles. It allows a Tesla vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 96 km per hour in just a little over 4 seconds. However, this feature is also why Tesla tyres may not last long.
The Tesla electric motor sends power directly to the wheels to produce rapid acceleration. However, frequent aggressive acceleration on a Tesla can burn out its tyres quickly.
- More Frequent Use – If you often speed up, brake hard, and change lanes, you will make your tyres work harder and reduce their lifespan quicker. Driving your Tesla on unpaved roads or uneven surfaces will shave off the tyre tread faster.
In addition, driving your Tesla at a fast speed frequently allows heat to build up in the tyre rubber and gives plenty of opportunities to break down the tyres.
How to Extend the Life of Tesla Tyres
To extend the life of your Testa tyres, perform maintenance steps like rotating tyres, keeping the prescribed tyre pressure, and observing recommended driving habits.
Tesla recommends rotating tyres roughly every 10,000 km or if the tread depth difference exceeds 1.5 mm. Tyre rotation evens out the wearing down of the tread for all tyres. Check for unbalanced wheels, which can cause Tesla tyre wear problems.
You should always maintain the recommended tyre pressure for Tesla tyres. Follow advisory speed limits and avoid heavy braking, hitting curbs, hard acceleration, and fast turns. Drive your Tesla tyres on paved roads and avoid potholes and rough terrain.
If it’s been a while since your tyres were checked, it’s best to bring your car into a mechanic’s garage or to see a tyre specialist. Poor quality or damaged tyres are one of the leading causes of road accidents, so keeping on top of tyre maintenance is essential.
Do Teslas Use Special Tyres?
Many Tesla cars use special tyres specifically designed for them by companies like Pirelli, Hankook, and Michelin. Tesla cars require high-quality tyres to offer superior features such as rapid acceleration and low cabin noise.
In some cases, Tesla cars have the premium version of a standard tyre model to achieve high performance.
Can You Use Standard Tyres on a Tesla?
You can fit standard tyres on a Tesla, but this is not a good idea as standard tyres will not perform well on Tesla vehicles. Unlike Tesla tyres, standard tyres cannot provide acceleration grip, stopping power, pressure retention, and resilience to extreme weather conditions.
Using non-approved tyres on a Tesla can be dangerous, especially if only one of the tyres is a non-approved brand, and the others are. With different tyres on your Tesla, you increase the risk of an accident due to inconsistent tyre performance.
What’s the Difference Between Tesla Tyres and Normal Tyres?
Compared to regular tyres, Tesla tyres have thicker sidewalls and more durable rubber materials. They also have a powerful grip that can handle Tesla’s high torque and low rolling resistance to optimise the car’s range. In addition, Tesla tyres produce less cabin noise than regular tyres.
Tesla tyres are designed and manufactured, especially for Tesla cars, which are high-performing electric vehicles. Tyre manufacturers like Pirelli, Continental, and Michelin created their own lines of Tesla tyres to meet the driving experience standard Tesla promises its users. The approved tyres for Teslas have a Tx specification. You can confirm this specification by looking for a marking at the tyre’s sidewall. These markings are T0, T1, or T2.
Do Tesla Tyres Cost More?
Tesla tyres cost more than the regular tyres of gas-powered vehicles because they use premium materials and have specialised features. The price depends on the tyre model and manufacturer, but prices start at about $300.
Brands like Michelin, Pirelli, Continental, and Hankook design tyre models especially for Tesla vehicles. Tesla cars require tyres that can handle heavy weight and fast acceleration. These requirements contribute to the high cost of Tesla tyres.
Signs You Need to Replace Tesla Tyres
You should replace Tesla tyres that are permanently damaged or punctured. Lumps and bulges on tyres are other replacement signs to look out for. You must also change your Testa tyre if its tread depth has worn down to 3 mm.
A tread depth of 3 mm can hydroplane the car in wet conditions. Tesla tyres with a tread depth below 4 mm perform poorly in snow and slush. If you see any nails, screws, or glass fragments lodged into your Tesla tyres, you must replace them as soon as possible.
Related Questions
How Often Should Tesla Tyres Be Changed?
Tesla advises owners to change their tyres after six years of use even if the tread depth is still higher than the acceptable limit. However, tyres with a tread depth of less than 3 mm are considered unsafe, especially in snowy and wet road conditions.
Do Teslas Come with Spare Tyres?
Tesla vehicles do not come with a spare tyre. However, this is not unique to the Tesla brand. Many car manufacturers no longer offer full-sized spare tyres because of car space limitations.
Do Tesla Tyres Need to be Rotated?
According to Tesla, owners should rotate their tyres every about 10,000 km. Tesla tyres must also be rotated if the tread depth difference between them exceeds 1.5 mm. Tyre rotation is needed for maintenance and safety purposes like levelling tread wear patterns and prolonging tyre life.
