Tires and WheelsTires and Wheels
18MODEL S
Tires and WheelsMaintaining Tire Pressures
Keep tires inflated to the pressures shown on
the Tire and Loading Information label located
on the driver’s door pillar (even if it differs from
the pressure printed on the tire itself).
The Tire Pressure indicator light does not
immediately turn off when you adjust tire
pressure. After inflating the tire to the
recommended pressure, you must drive over 25
mph (40 km/h) for more than 10 minutes to
activate the Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), which turns off the Tire Pressure
indicator light.
If the indicator light flashes for one minute
whenever you power on Model S, a fault with
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is
detected (see page 21).
Checking and Adjusting Tire Pressures
Follow these steps when tires are cold and
Model S has been stationary for over three
hours:
1. Remove the valve cap.
2. Firmly press an accurate tire pressure
gauge onto the valve to measure pressure. 3.
If required, add air to reach the
recommended pressure.
4. Recheck pressure by removing and
reattaching the tire gauge.
5. If you added too much air, release air by
pressing the metal stem in the center of the
valve.
6. Recheck the pressure with the tire gauge
and adjust if necessary.
7. Replace the valve cap to prevent dirt from
entering. Periodically check the valve for
damage and leaks.
WARNING: Under-inflation is the most
common cause of tire failures. It can
cause a tire to overheat, resulting in severe tire
cracking, tread separation, or blowout, which
causes unexpected loss of vehicle control and
increased risk of injury . Under-inflation also
reduces Battery range and tire tread life.
WARNING: Check tire pressures using an
accurate pressure gauge when tires are
cold. It takes only one mile of driving to warm
up the tires sufficiently to affect tire pressures.
Parking the vehicle in direct sunlight or in hot
weather can also affect tire pressures. If you
must check warm tires, expect increased
pressures. Do not let air out of warm tires in an
attempt to match recommended cold tire
pressures. A hot tire at or below the
recommended cold tire inflation pressure is
dangerously under-inflated.
WARNING: Do not use any tire sealant
other than the type provided in a Tesla
tire repair kit. Other types can cause tire
pressure sensors to malfunction. If your
Model S did not include a tire repair kit, you can
purchase one from Tesla Motors.
Inspecting and Maintaining Tires
Regularly inspect the tread and side walls for
any sign of distortion (bulges), cuts or wear.
WARNING: Do not drive Model S if a tire
is damaged, excessively worn, or inflated
to an incorrect pressure. Check tires regularly
for wear, and ensure there are no cuts, bulges or
exposure of the ply/cord structure.
The Tire Pressure indicator light on
the instrument panel alerts you if
one or more tires is under- or
over-inflated.
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Tires and Wheels
SAFETY INFORMATION23
1 Tire category. P indicates that the tire is for passenger vehicles.
2 Tire width. This 3-digit number is the width (in millimeters) of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge.
3 Aspect ratio. This 2-digit number is the sidewall height as a percentage of the tread width. So, if the tread width is 205 mm, and the aspect ratio is 50, the sidewall height is 102 mm.
4 Tire construction. R indicates that the tire is of Radial ply construction. 5 Wheel diameter. This 2-digit number is th e diameter of the wheel rim in inches.
6 Load index. This 2 or 3-digit number is the weight each tire can support. This number is not always shown.
7 Speed rating. When stated, indicates the ma ximum speed (in mph) at which the tire can
be used for extended periods. Q=99 mph (1 60 km/h), R=106 mph (170 km/h), S=112 mph
(180 km/h), T=118 mph (190 km/h), U=124 mph (200 km/h), H=130 mph (210 km/h), V=149
mph (240 km/h), W=168 mph (270 km/h), Y=186 mph (300 km/h).
8 Tire composition and materials. The number of plies in both the tread area and the sidewall
area indicates how many layers of rubber coated material make up the structure of the tire.
Information is also provided on the type of materials used.
9 Maximum tire load. The maximum load which can be carried by the tire.
10 Maximum permissible inflation pressure. This pressure should not be used for normal
driving.
11 U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN). Begins with the letters DOT and indicates that
the tire meets all federal standards. The next 2 digits/letters represent the plant code
where it was manufactured, and the last 4 digits represent the week and year of
manufacture. For example, the number 1712 is us ed to represent the 17th week of 2012. The
other numbers are marketing codes used at the manufacturer’s discretion. This information
can be used to contact consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.
12 Treadwear grade. This number indicates the tire’s wear rate. The higher the treadwear
number is, the longer it should take for the tread to wear down. A tire rated at 400, for
example, lasts twice as long as a tire rated at 200.
13 Traction grade. Indicates a tire’s ability to stop on wet roads. A higher graded tire should allow you to stop your vehicle in a shorter distance than a tire with a lower grade. Traction
is graded from highest to lowest as AA, A, B, and C.
14 Temperature grade. The tire’s resistance to heat is grade A, B, or C, with A indicating the greatest resistance. This grading is provided fo r a correctly inflated tire, which is being used
within its speed and loading limits.
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Tires and WheelsTires and Wheels
24MODEL S
Wheels and Tires Glossary
Accessory
We i g h tThe combined weight (in excess of those items replaced) of items available as
factory installed equipment.
Bead
The inner edge of a tire that is shaped to fit to the rim and form an air tight seal.
The bead is constructed of steel wires which are wrapped, or reinforced, by the
ply cords.
Cold Tire
Pressure The air pressure in a tire that has been
standing in excess of three hours, or
driven for less than one mile.
Curb Weight The weight of a standard vehicle, including any optional equipment fitted, and with the correct fluid levels.
Gross Vehicle
We i g h tThe maximum permissible weight of a vehicle with driver, passengers, load,
luggage, and equipment.
kPa (kilo pascal) A metric unit used to measure pressure. One kilo pascal equals approximately
0.145 psi.
Maximum
Inflation
PressureThe maximum pressure to which the tire should be inflated. This pressure is
given on the tire side wall in psi (lbf/in2).
CAUTION: This pressure marked on the tire is the maximum allowed by
the tire manufacturer. It is not the pressure Tesla recommends using for
Model S.
Maximum
Loaded Vehicle
We i g h t The sum of curb weight, accessory weight, vehicle capacity weight, and
production options weight.
Production
Options Weight
The combined weight of options installe
d which weigh in excess of 3 lb more
than the standard items that they replaced, and are not already considered in
curb or accessory weights.
PSI (lbf/in2) Pounds per square inch (the unit used to measure tire pressure).
Recommended
Tire Inflation
Pressure Tire inflation pressure, established by Tesl
a, which is based on the type of tires
that are mounted on the vehicle at the factory. This information can be found
on the Tire and Loading Information labe l located on the driver’s side door
pillar.
Rim The metal support for a tire, or tire and tube, upon which the tire beads are
seated.
Vehicle Capacity
We i g h tThe number of seats multiplied by 150 lb plus the rated amount of
load/luggage.
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