Tire Pressures when Towing
When towing a trailer, tire pressures must be
adjusted to accommodate the additional load.
Keep tires
inflated to the pressures shown
below (these pressures override the pressures
that are provided on the Tire and Loading
information label):
Front TiresRear TiresCold TireInflationPressure
245/45R19245/45R1945 psi (310 kPa)255/45R20
265/45R20275/45R2046 psi (320 kPa)265/35ZR22285/35ZR2250 psi (345kPa)Warning: Check tire pressures using an
accurate pressure gauge when tires are
cold. Driving 1.5 km warms 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 dangerouslyunder-inflated.
Warning: Never attempt to tow a trailer
when a Model X tire is faulty or has been
inflated using a tire repair kit. A
temporarily repaired tire is not designed
to sustain the towing load. Towing using a
faulty or temporarily repaired tire can result in tire failure and loss of vehicle
stability.
Before Towing a Trailer
Before towing a trailer, you must do the
following:
Maintaining Tire Pressures
If you are not towing a trailer, keep tires
inflated to the pressures shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label, even if it differsfrom the pressure printed on the tire itself. The
Tire and Loading Information label is located
on the center door pillar and is visible when the driver
Inspecting and Maintaining TiresRegularly inspect the tread and side walls for
any sign of distortion (bulges), foreign objects,
cuts or wear.Warning: Do not drive Model X 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.
Tire Wear
Adequate tread depth is important for proper
tire performance. Tires with a tread depth less
than 3 mm are more likely to hydroplane in
wet conditions and should not be used. Tires
with a tread depth less than 4 mm do not
perform well in snow and slush and should not
be used when driving in winter conditions.
Model X is originally
fitted with tires that have
wear indicators molded into the tread pattern. When the tread has been worn down to 3 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. For optimal performance and safety,
Tesla recommends replacing tires before the
wear indicators are visible.
Tire Rotation, Balance, and Wheel Alignment
Model X tires cannot be rotated, as tires are
asymmetrical and front tires are a
differentsize from rear tires.
Unbalanced wheels (sometimes noticeable as
vibration through the steering wheel)
affectvehicle 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.
Note: When replacing only two tires, always
install the new tires on the rear.
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.
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 yourspeed. Drive slowly, while avoiding heavy
braking or sharp steering and, when safe to do so, stop the vehicle. Arrange to have Model X
transported to a Tesla Service Center, or to a nearby tire repair center.
Note: In some cases, you can temporarily
repair small tire punctures (under 6 mm) using an optional tire repair kit available from Tesla.
This allows you to slowly drive Model X to Tesla or to a nearby tire repair facility.Warning: Do not drive with a punctured
tire, even if the puncture has not caused the tire to
deflate. A punctured tire candeflate suddenly at any time.
Flat Spots
If Model X is stationary for a long period in
high temperatures, tires can form
flat spots.
When Model X is driven, these flat spots cause
a vibration which gradually disappears as the
tires warm up and regain their original shape.
To minimize
flat spots during storage, inflatetires to the maximum pressure indicated on the tire wall. Then, before driving, release airto adjust tire pressure to the recommended
levels.
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:
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 and tires are matched to suit thehandling characteristics of the vehicle.
Replacement tires must comply with the
original
specification. If tires other than thosespecified are used, ensure that the load and
speed ratings marked on the tire (see Understanding Tire Markings on page 187)
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, placing the new tires on the rear.
Always balance the wheel after replacing a
tire.
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
Automatic Resetting of TPMS Sensors on
page 167).
For the
specification of the original wheels
and tires installed on Model X, see Wheels and
Tires on page 186.
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 TPMS.
Warning: Never exceed the speed rating
of your vehicle
Replacing a Tire SensorIf the Tire Pressure warning indicator displaysfrequently, contact Tesla to determine if a tire
sensor needs to be replaced. If a non-Tesla Service Center repairs or replaces a tire, the
tire sensor may not work until Tesla performs
the setup procedure.
TPMS Malfunction
Model X 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 tire pressure
indicator light. When the system
detects a malfunction, the indicator
flashes for approximately one minute
after Model X 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 under- and
over-
inflated tires as intended.
TPMS malfunctions can occur for a variety of
reasons, including installing replacement or
alternate tires or wheels that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check
the TPMS malfunction indicator light after replacing one or more tires or wheels on yourvehicle to ensure that the replacement tires or
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
detected, it is possible that the tire sensor has
been damaged. Contact Tesla to have the fault repaired as soon as possible.
Tire Care and Maintenance
168Model X Owner
10Maximum permissible inflation pressure. This pressure should not be used for normal
driving.11U.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 used to represent the 17th week of 2012. The other numbers are marketing codes used at the manufacturer
Tire and Loading GlossariesGeneral Wheel and Tire TermsAccessory WeightThe combined weight (in excess of those items replaced) of
items available as factory installed equipment.BeadThe 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 PressureThe air pressure in a tire that has been standing in excess of
three hours, or driven for less than one mile.Curb WeightThe weight of a standard vehicle, including any optional
equipment fitted, and with the correct fluid levels.Gross Vehicle WeightThe 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 X.Maximum Loaded Vehicle
WeightThe sum of curb weight, accessory weight, vehicle capacity
weight, and production options weight.Production Options WeightThe combined weight of options installed 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 InflationPressureTire inflation pressure, established by Tesla, 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 label located on the door pillar.RimThe metal support for a tire, or tire and tube, upon which the
tire beads are seated.Vehicle Capacity WeightThe number of seats multiplied by 150 lbs plus the rated
amount of load/luggage.
Load Carrying Definitions
Normal occupant weight68 kilograms (150 lbs) times the number of occupants specifiedin the second column of the tables for calculating load limits
(see Vehicle Loading on page 178).Occupant distributionDistribution of occupants in a vehicle.Passenger car tireA tire intended for use on passenger cars, multipurpose
passenger vehicles, and trucks, that have a gross vehicle weight
rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less.
Wheels and Tires
Specifications189
Overall widthThe linear distance between the exteriors of the sidewalls of aninflated tire, including elevations due to labeling, decorations,
or protective bands or ribs.PlyA layer of rubber-coated parallel cords.Ply separationA parting of rubber compound between adjacent plies.Pneumatic tireA mechanical device made of rubber, chemicals, fabric and steel or other materials, that, when mounted on an automotive
wheel, provides the traction and contains the gas or
fluid that
sustains the load.
Radial ply tireA pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the
beads are laid at substantially 90 degrees to the center line of the tread.Reinforced tireA tire designed to operate at higher loads and at higherinflation pressures than the corresponding standard tire.Section widthThe linear distance between the exteriors of the sidewalls of aninflated tire, excluding elevations due to labeling, decoration, or
protective bands.SidewallThe portion of a tire between the tread and bead.Sidewall separationThe parting of the rubber compound from the cord material in
the sidewall.Snow tireA tire that attains a traction index equal to or greater than 110,
compared to the ASTM E1136-93 (re-approved 2003,
incorporated by reference, see