Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the tire grading system developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), which grades tires by tread wear, traction and temperature performance. Tires that have
deep tread, and winter tires, are exempt from these marking requirements.
Where applicable, quality grades are found on the tire
Tire and Loading Glossaries
General Wheel and Tire Terms
Accessory 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
Pressure
The 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 3.
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 (1.4 kg) 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 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 (68 kg) plus the rated amount of load/luggage.
Load Carrying Definitions
Normal occupant weight68 kilograms (150 lbs) times the number of occupants specified in the second column
of the tables for calculating load limits (see
Vehicle Loading on page 180).
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 lbs (4536 kg) or less.Rim diameterNominal diameter of the bead seat.Rim size designationRim diameter and width.Rim type designationThe manufacturing industry
Vehicle normal load on the
tireLoad on an individual tire that is determined by distributing to each axle its share of
the curb weight, accessory weight, and normal occupant weight and dividing by two.
Pneumatic Radial Tire Definitions
Bead separationA breakdown of the bond between components in the bead.Bias ply tireA pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at alternate angles
substantially less than 90 degrees to the center line of the tread.CarcassThe tire structure, except tread and sidewall rubber which, that when inflated, bears the load.ChunkingThe breaking away of pieces of the tread or sidewall.CordThe strands forming the plies in the tire.Cord separationThe parting of cords from adjacent rubber compounds.CrackingAny parting within the tread, sidewall, or inner liner of the tire extending to cord material.Extra load tireA tire designed to operate at higher loads and higher inflation pressure than the
corresponding standard tire.GrooveThe space between two adjacent tread ribs.Inner linerThe layer(s) forming the inside surface of a tubeless tire that contains the inflating medium
within the tire.Inner liner
separationThe parting of the inner liner from cord material in the carcass.Load ratingThe maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a given inflation pressure.Maximum load
ratingThe load rating for a tire at the maximum permissible inflation pressure for that tire.Measuring rimThe rim on which a tire is fitted for physical dimension requirements.Open spliceAny parting at any junction of tread, sidewall, or inner liner that extends to the cord material.Outer diameterThe overall diameter of an inflated new tire.Overall widthThe linear distance between the exteriors of the sidewalls of an inflated 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 higher inflation pressures than the
corresponding standard tire.Section widthThe linear distance between the exteriors of the sidewalls of an inflated 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.
Wheels and Tires
191Specifications
DO NOT TRANSPORT WITH
WHEELS ON THE GROUND
The rear motor in Model 3 generates power when the
wheels spin. Always transport
Model 3 with all four tires
off the ground. Ensure that the tires are unable to spin at
any time during transport.
WARNING: NEVER TRANSPORT YOUR VEHICLE
WITH THE TIRES IN A POSITION WHERE THEY
CAN SPIN. DOING SO CAN LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT
DAMAGE AND OVERHEATING. IN RARE CASES
EXTREME OVERHEATING MAY CAUSE THE
SURROUNDING COMPONENTS TO IGNITE.
Do not transport Model 3 using any method that is not
specified by Tesla. Adhere to the instructions provided in
the following sections and observe all warnings and
cautions provided. Damage caused by improper
transporting of your vehicle is not covered by the
warranty.
NOTE: Tesla is not liable or responsible for reimbursing
services not dispatched through Tesla Roadside Assistance.
Approved Methods for Transporting
NOTE: The tires are allowed to rotate slowly (under 3
mph or 5 km/h) and for a very short distance (less than
30 feet or 10 meters) only when Transport Mode is
enabled (see
Activate Transport Mode on page )
while the vehicle is being winched onto a
flatbed truck
or pulled out of a parking space for repositioning.
Exceeding these boundaries can lead to
significant
damage and overheating that is not covered by the
warranty.
A flatbed truck or comparable transport vehicle is the
recommended method of transporting
Model 3. The
vehicle can face either direction when using a
flatbed.
If Model 3 must be transported without a flatbed truck,
then wheel lifts and dollies must be used to ensure that
all four wheels are
off of the ground. This method may
only be used for a maximum of
35 miles (55 km), and
must not exceed the manufacturer speed rating of the
dollies. With this method, Tesla recommends the vehicle
facing forward so that the front wheels are lifted and the rear wheels are on dollies.
CAUTION: Enable Transport Mode (see Activate
Transport Mode on page ) before winching
Model 3 onto a flatbed truck (see Pull onto the
Flatbed Truck on page ). If Transport Mode is
not available or the touchscreen is not accessible,
self-loading dollies or tire skates must be used to
load the vehicle into the approved transportation
position. Tesla is not responsible for any damage
caused by or during the transport of Model 3,
including personal property damage or damage
caused by using self-loading dollies or tire skates.
WARNING: Model 3 is equipped with high voltage
components that may be compromised as a result
of a collision (see High Voltage Components on
page 151). Before transporting Model 3, it is
important to assume these components are
energized. Always follow high voltage safety
precautions (wearing personal protection
equipment, etc.) until emergency response
professionals have evaluated the vehicle and can
accurately confirm that all high voltage systems
are no longer energized. Failure to do so may
result in serious injury.
Activate Transport Mode
Transport Mode keeps the parking brake disengaged
while winching
Model 3 onto a flatbed truck. When
active, Transport Mode displays a message indicating that the vehicle will remain free-rolling. The following are
required to enable Transport Mode:
1. Ensure the vehicle is in Park.2.
Chock the tires or otherwise ensure Model 3 is secure.
3.
Press and hold the brake pedal, then on the touchscreen, touch
Controls > Service > Towing. The
touchscreen displays a message reminding you how
to properly transport
Model 3.
4.
Press and hold the Transport Mode button until it
turns blue.
Model 3 is now free-rolling and can slowly
be rolled (no faster than walking speed) or winched.
To cancel Transport Mode, shift Model 3 into Park.
NOTE: If Model 3 loses 12V power after Transport Mode
is enabled, Transport Mode cancels.
CAUTION: If the electrical system is not working,
and you therefore cannot use the touchscreen to
activate Transport Mode, use self-loading dollies or
tire skates. Before doing so, always check the
manufacturer
(VCSEC_a221)
Air pressure below recommendation for tires
Check pressure and refill air as needed
This alert does NOT indicate that there is a flat tire.
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) has detected that the air pressure in one or more of your tires is at least 20% lower than the recommended cold tire pressure. This recommended pressure should be displayed on the Tire and Loading information label.
In the Cards area of your vehicle
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System): 58
absolute speed limit: 115
access panel, removing: 171
accessories: 21
plugging into power socket: 21
adjacent lane speed: 109
aero covers: 163
air circulation: 123
air conditioning: 123
air distribution: 123
air filter: 126
air vents: 125
airbags: 36
alarm: 140
all-season tires: 165
Always Show Estimated Round Trip Energy: 131
ambient lights: 51
anti-lock braking (ABS): 58
application launcher: 4
Arcade: 197
audio: 45, 133, 135
equalizer: 135
immersive sound: 135
playing files: 133
steering wheel scroll button: 45
volume control: 133
auto fold: 47
auto high beam: 52
Auto Lane Change: 88
auto tilt: 47
AUTO wipers: 57
automatic emergency braking: 113
automatic navigation: 128
Autopark: 101
autopilot: 109
blind spot collision warning: 109
side collision warning: 109
Autopilot: 78, 81, 86, 88, 101, 103, 112, 115
Auto Lane Change: 88
automatic emergency braking: 112
Autopark: 101
Autosteer: 86
collision avoidance assist: 112
forward collision warning: 112
overtake acceleration: 81
overview: 78
speed assist: 115
speed limit warning: 115
staying within speed limits: 115
Summon: 103
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control: 81
Autopilot components: 78
Autosteer: 86
average range: 68
B
backup camera: 69
battery (12V): 153, 186
complete discharge: 153
specifications: 186
Battery (high voltage): 153, 171, 186
care of: 153
coolant: 171
specifications: 186
temperature limits: 153
battery (key), replacing: 8
blind spot collision warning: 109
Bluetooth: 134, 136
devices, playing audio files from: 134
general information: 136
phone, pairing and using: 136
body repairs: 176
body touch up: 169
Boombox: 199
brakes: 58, 113, 171, 184
automatic in emergencies: 113
fluid level: 171
overview of: 58
specifications: 184
Bumper Clearance (Summon): 103
C
cabin air filter: 126
cabin camera: 21
cabin temperature control: 123
Calendar app: 138
calibrating windows: 13
California Proposition 65: 201
camera (rear view): 69
cameras (autopilot): 78
Camp Mode: 125
car cover: 169
car wash mode: 167
car washes: 167
card: 7
cargo area: 14
cargo volume: 184
carpets, cleaning: 168
Index
license plate bracket: 177
lifting: 173
lights: 51, 52, 53
hazard warning: 53
headlights after exit: 52
turn signals: 53
load limits: 180
location tracking: 128
locking: 11
lug nut covers: 163
lumbar adjustment: 23
M
maintenance: 159, 161, 167, 170, 171
brake fluid, checking: 171
cleaning: 167
daily checks: 159
fluid replacement intervals: 159
monthly checks: 159
panel, removing: 171
replacing wiper blades: 170
service intervals: 159
tires: 161
washer fluid, topping up: 171
washer jets, cleaning: 170
map orientation: 128
map updates: 132
mats: 169
media: 133
mileage upon delivery: 201
mirrors: 47
mobile app: 149
mobile app access: 149
Mobile Connector: 152, 154
description: 152
using: 154
modifications: 174
motor specifications: 184
my car does what?: 197
N
naming: 121
Navigate on Autopilot: 91
navigating: 128, 129
NCC certifications: 203
Neutral gear: 50
NHTSA, contacting: 203
O
Obstacle-Aware Acceleration: 112
occupancy sensor: 38
occupant classification: 40
Off-Peak Charging: 157
offset from speed limit: 115
Online Routing: 131
opening hood without power: 196
overhang dimensions: 182
overtake acceleration: 81
Owner Information, about: 199
P
Park Assist: 62
Park gear: 50
parking brake: 60
parking, using Autopark: 101
parking, using Summon: 103
parts replacement: 174
passenger detection: 38
passenger front airbag: 38
pedestrian warning: 73
personal data, erasing: 122
phone: 6, 136
authenticating as a key: 6
using: 136
phone app: 137
phone key: 6, 9
adding as a key: 9
removing as a key: 9
PIN: 43
PIN to Drive: 140
Post-drive Cooling (Track Mode): 65
power cycling: 48
power socket: 21
power windows: 13
powering on and off: 48
Preconditioning: 157
Proposition 65: 201
public charging stations: 152
R
radio: 133
Radio Frequency information: 203
range: 59, 67
driving tips to maximize: 67
regenerative braking: 59
range assurance: 68
Re-route: 131
rear seats, folding and raising: 24
rear view camera: 69
rear window switches, disabling: 13
Index