Tires and Wheels
SAFETY INFORMATION19
Tire Wear
Model S is originally fitted with tires that have
wear indicators molded into the tread pattern.
When the tread has been worn down to 1/16”
(1.6 mm), the indicators start to appear at the
surface of the tread pattern, producing the
effect of a continuous band of rubber across
the width of the tire.
Replace a tire as soon as an indicator band
becomes visible or the tread depth reaches the
minimum permitted by law.
WARNING: Defective tires are dangerous.
Do not drive if a tire is damaged,
excessively worn, or is inflated to an incorrect
pressure. The safety of the vehicle and
occupants can be adversely affected. Check
tires regularly for wear and to ensure there are
no cuts, bulges or exposure of the ply/cord
structure.
Tire Rotation, Balance, and Wheel
Alignment
Tesla recommends rotating the tires every
5000 miles (8000 km). After rotating, always
check and adjust tire pressures.
NOTE: Do not rotate tires on the Performance
Plus models.
Unbalanced wheels (sometimes noticeable as
vibration through the steering wheel) affect
vehicle handling and tire life. Even with regular
use, wheels can get out of balance. Therefore,
they should be balanced as required.
If tire wear is uneven (on one side of the tire
only) or becomes abnormally excessive, check
the alignment of wheels.
Punctured Tires
A puncture eventually causes the tire to lose
pressure, which is why it is important to check
tire pressures frequently. Permanently repair or replace punctured or damaged tires as soon as
possible. Do not drive with a punctured tire,
even if the puncture has not caused the tire to
deflate. A punctured tire can deflate suddenly
at any time.
Your tubeless tires may not leak when
penetrated, provided the object remains in the
tire. If, however, you feel a sudden vibration or
ride disturbance while driving, or you suspect a
tire is damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive slowly, while avoiding heavy
braking or sharp steering and, when safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Arrange to have Model S
transported to a Tesla service center, or to a
nearby tire repair center.
In some cases, you can temporarily repair small
tire punctures (under 1/4”/6 mm) using an
optional tire repair kit available from Tesla. This
allows you to slowly drive Model S to a Tesla
service center or to a nearby tire repair facility.
WARNING: Do not drive Model S with a
punctured tire. Even if the punctured tire
has not deflated, it can suddenly deflate at any
time.
Flat Spots
If Model S is stationary for a long period in high
temperatures, tires can form flat spots. When
Model S is driven, these flat spots cause a
vibration which gradually disappears as the
tires warm up and regain their original shape.
To minimize the flat spots during storage,
inflate tires to the maximum pressure indicated
on the tire wall. Then, before driving, release air
to adjust tire pressure to the recommended
levels.
Driving in Low Ambient Temperatures
Tire performance is reduced in low ambient
temperatures, resulting in reduced grip and an
increased susceptibility to damage from
impacts. Performance tires can temporarily
harden when cold, causing you to hear
rotational noise for the first few miles until the
tires warm up. Contact Tesla for winter tire
recommendations.
Model S Quick Guide - NA Rev C.book Page 19 Wednesday, December 18, 2013 12:40 PM
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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