Tire Care and Maintenance
MAINTENANCE7.5
Improving Tire Mileage
To improve the mileage you get from your tires,
maintain tires at the recommended tire
pressures (see page 7.3), observe speed limits
and advisory speeds, and avoid:
•Pulling away quickly, or hard acceleration.
•Fast turns and heavy braking.
•Potholes and objects in the road.
•Hitting curbs when parking.
•Contaminating tires with fluids that can
cause damage.
Replacing Tires and Wheels
Tires degrade over time due to the effects of
ultraviolet light, extreme temperatures, high
loads, and environmental conditions. It is
recommended that tires are replaced every six
years, or sooner if required.
Wheel rims and tires are matched to suit the
handling characteristics of the vehicle.
Replacement tires must comply with the
original specification. If tires other than those
specified are used, ensure that the load and
speed ratings marked on the tire (see
page 8.10) equal or exceed those of the original
specification.
Ideally, you should replace all four tires at the
same time. If this is not possible, replace the
tires in pairs (both front or both rear). When
replacing tires, always re-balance and check
the alignment of wheels.
For the specification of the original wheels and
tires installed on Model S, see page 8.8.
WARNING: For your safety, use only tires
and wheels that match the original
specification. Tires that do not match the
original specification can affect the operation
of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Asymmetric Tires
Model S tires are asymmetric and must be
mounted on the wheel with the correct sidewall
facing outward. The sidewall of the tire is
marked with the word OUTSIDE. When new
tires are installed, make sure that the tires are
correctly mounted on the wheels.
WARNING: Road holding is seriously
impaired if the tires are incorrectly
installed on the wheels.
Winter Tires
In snowy and icy conditions, consider installing
winter tires. Winter tires must be the same size,
brand, construction and tread pattern on all
four wheels. For recommendations on winter
tires, contact Tesla.
WARNING: On dry roads, winter tires
could have less traction than the
originally installed tires.
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Tire Care and MaintenanceTire Care and Maintenance
7.6MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Using Tire Chains
Tesla has tested and approved Security Chain
Company (SCC) Model Z-563 chains for use on
the rear wheels. These chains must only be
used if your Model S has 245/45R19 rear tires
installed. Do not use chains on 21” tires.
When installing tire chains, follow the
instructions provided by the tire chain
manufacturer. Mount them as tightly as
possible.
When using tire chains:
•Drive slowly—do not exceed 48 km/h.
•Avoid heavily loading Model S (heavy loads
can reduce the clearance between the tires
and the body).
•Remove the tire chains as soon as
conditions allow.
NOTE: Tire chains are prohibited in some
jurisdictions. Check local laws before installing
tire chains.
CAUTION: Using non-recommended tire
chains, or using tire chains on other sized
tires, can damage the suspension, body,
wheels, and/or brake lines. Damage caused by
using non-recommended tire chains is not
covered by the warranty.
CAUTION: Ensure that tire chains cannot
touch suspension components or brake
lines. If you hear the chains making
unusual noises that would indicate contact with
Model S, stop and investigate immediately.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
Each tire should be checked monthly when
cold and inflated to the recommended
pressures that are printed on the Tire and
Loading Information label located on the
driver’s door pillar (see page 7.3). If your
vehicle has tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label, determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that displays a low tire pressure
telltale (Tire Pressure Warning) on the
instrument panel when one or more of your
tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the Tire Pressure indicator light displays
on the instrument panel alerting you of low tire pressure, stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure (see page 7.3). Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire
to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and
tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.
If Model S detects a fault with the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS),
this indicator flashes for one minute
whenever you power on Model S.
NOTE: Installing accessories that are not
approved by Tesla can interfere with the TPMS
system.
WARNING: The TPMS is not a substitute
for proper tire maintenance, including
manually checking tire pressures and regularly
inspecting the condition of tires. It is the
driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level for the TPMS to trigger the
Tire Pressure Warning on the instrument panel.
TPMS Malfunction
Model S has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure indicator light. When
the system detects a malfunction, the indicator
light flashes for approximately one minute after
Model S powers on, and then remains
continuously lit. This sequence continues upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the
malfunction exists.
When the TPMS malfunction indicator is on, the
system might not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions can occur for a variety of reasons,
including installing replacement or alternate
tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check
the TPMS malfunction indicator light after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
NOTE: If a tire has been replaced or repaired
using a different tire sealant than the one
available from Tesla, and a low tire pressure is
book.book Page 6 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM
Wheels and TiresWheels and Tires
8.8MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL
Wheels and TiresWheel Specifications
Wheel Alignment Values
Wheel TypeLocationSizeOffset
19”Front 8.0J x 19 40 mm
Rear 8.0J x 19 40 mm
21” - Silver (standard) Front 8.5J x 21 40 mm
21” - Grey (standard) Rear 8.5J x 21 40 mm
21” - Silver and Grey (optional)
Performance Plus vehiclesRear 9.0J x 21 40 mm
Road Wheel Nut Torque 129 lb.ft
Requirements for dynamic wheel balance 14 grams
NOTE: For instructions on how to jack/lift Model S, see page 7.23.
Location
Air SuspensionCoil Suspension
FrontRearFrontRear
Camber -0.75
o +/- 0.35o-1.75o +/- 0.35o-.53o +/- 0.35o-1.55o +/- 0.35o
Camber Split -0.00o +/- 0.20o-0.00o +/- 0.50o-0.00o +/- 0.20o-0.00o +/- 0.50o
Caster 4.00o +/- 0.50on/a 3.70o +/- 0.50on/a
Caster Split 0.00
o +/- 0.20on/a 0.00o +/- 0.20on/a
Single Wheel
To e
OUT 0.05OUT0.15oIN0.05oIN 0.20o +/- 0.05oIN 0.02oOUT0.08oIN0.12oIN 0.185o +/- 0.05o
Thrust Angle n/a 0.00o +/- 0.30on/a 0.00o +/- 0.30o
Suspension
Bolt Height
(at design)213.5 +/- 5 mmStandard models:144 +/- 5 mmPerformance Plus:151 +/- 5 mm230 mm (nominal) 158 mm
(nominal)
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Wheels and Tires
SPECIFICATIONS8.9
Tire Specifications
Tire TypeLocationSize
19” wheels: Goodyear Eagle RS-A2 All P245/45R19 98V
21” wheels on standard vehicles:
Michelin Pilot Sport All P245/35R21 96Y
21” wheels on Performance Plus vehicles:
MichelinFront
RearP245/35R21 96Y
P265/35R21 101Y
Tire pressures vary depending on the type of tires fitted on Model S. Refer to the tire pressures
printed on the Tire and Loading Information label. This label is located on the driver’s door pillar
and is visible when the driver’s door is open (see page 7.3).
Winter tires (Pirelli Sottozero or Nokian Studded - P245/45R19) can be purchased from a Tesla
store.
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