Improving Tire Mileage
To improve the mileage you get from your
tires, maintain tires at the recommended tire pressures, 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 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.
If you replace a wheel, the TPMS (Tire
Pressure Monitoring System) sensors need to be reset to ensure they provide accurate
warnings when tires are under- or over-
inflated (see Resetting the TPMS Sensors on
page 103).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 thetire 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.
Tire Care and Maintenance
102Model S Owner's Manual
Using Tire ChainsTesla 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 tiresinstalled. Do not use chains on 21 inch tires.
When installing tire chains, follow the instructions provided by the tire chainmanufacturer. Mount them as tightly as
possible.
When using tire chains:
• Drive slowly. Do not exceed 30 mph (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. Damagecaused 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 Maintaining Tire
Pressures on page 100). 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 tire pressure
telltale (Tire Pressure Warning) on the
instrument panel when one or more of your
tires is significantly under- or over-inflated.
Accordingly, when the Tire Pressure indicator light displays on the instrument panel alerting
of tire pressure, stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure (see Maintaining Tire
Pressures on page 100). 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- or
over-inflation has not reached the level
for the TPMS to trigger the Tire Pressure Warning on the instrument panel.
Resetting the TPMS Sensors
After replacing one or more wheels, the TPMS sensors must be reset to ensure tire pressurewarnings are accurate. However, note that theTPMS sensors do not need to be reset after
replacing a tire or rotating wheels.
Note: When changing to 21" wheels
(Performance Plus models), the TPMS may
generate false tire pressure warnings. Bring
Model S to a Tesla Service center for further
adjustment.
Note: Do not reset the TPMS sensors in an
attempt to clear tire pressure warnings.
Tire Care and Maintenance
Maintenance103
Wheel SpecificationsWheel TypeLocationSizeOffset
19"
Front8.0J x 191.575"
40 mmRear8.0J x 191.575"
40 mm21" - Silver (standard)Front8.5J x 211.575"
40 mm21" - Grey (standard)Rear8.5J x 211.575"
40 mm21" - Silver and Grey (optional) Performance
Plus vehiclesRear9.0J x 211.575"
40 mmRoad Wheel Nut Torque129 lb. ft (175 Nm)Requirements for dynamic wheel balance.49 ounces (14 grams)Note: For instructions on how to jack/lift Model S, see Jacking and Lifting on page 124.
Wheel Alignment Values
LocationAir SuspensionCoil SuspensionFrontRearFrontRearCamber-0.75 +/- 0.35-1.75 +/- 0.35-.53 +/- 0.35-1.55 +/- 0.35Camber Split-0.00 +/- 0.20-0.00 +/-
0.50-0.00 +/- 0.20-0.00 +/-
0.50Caster4.00 +/- 0.50n/a3.70 +/- 0.50n/aCaster Split0.00 +/- 0.20n/a0.00 +/- 0.20n/aSingle Wheel ToeOUT 0.05
OUT 0.15
(limit) IN 0.05
(limit)IN 0.20 +/-
0.05IN 0.02 OUT
0.08 (limit) IN
0.12 (limit)IN 0.19 +/-
0.05Thrust Anglen/a0.00 +/- 0.30n/a0.00 +/- 0.30Suspension Bolt Height (at
design)213.5 +/-
5 mmStandard
models: 144
+/- 5 mm
Performance
Plus: 151 +/-
5 mm230 mm
(nominal)158 mm
(nominal)
Wheels and Tires
Specifications135
Tire SpecificationsTire TypeLocationSize19" wheels (85 kWh vehicles): MichelinAllP245/45R1919" wheels (60 kWh vehicles):
Standard - Goodyear
Optional - MichelinAllP245/45R1921" wheels: ContinentalAllP245/35R2121" wheels on Performance Plus vehicles: MichelinFront
RearP245/35R21P265/35R21Tire pressures vary depending on the type of tires fitted on Model S. Refer to the tire pressuresprinted 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 Maintaining Tire Pressures on page 100).Winter tires (Pirelli P245/45R19) can be purchased from a Tesla store.
Wheels and Tires
136Model S Owner's Manual