2023 TESLA MODEL 3 Owners Manual

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 used to represent the 17th week of 2012. The other numbers are marketing codes used at the manufacturer

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 206).
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
218MODEL 3 Owner

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

Tesla Roadside Assistance is available to you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for the duration of your warranty period. Tesla Roadside Assistance is also available to speak with roadside service professionals to answer any
questions and explain the proper procedure for transporting your vehicle.
When contacting Tesla Roadside Assistance, please provide:

DO NOT TRANSPORT WITH
WHEELS ON THE GROUND
The motor(s) 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
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 221) before winching Model
3 onto a flatbed truck (see Pull onto the Flatbed
Truck on page 222). 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.
NOTE: Transport Mode is only intended to allow for
winching
Model 3 onto a flatbed truck or repositioning
the vehicle out of a parking space. While in Transport Mode, 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). See Activate Transport Mode on
page 221. Exceeding these boundaries can lead to
significant damage and overheating that is not covered
by the warranty.
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 154). 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. To enable
Transport Mode:

2. Chock the tires or make sure 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 your vehicle is equipped with a lead-acid low
voltage battery (see
Jump Starting on page 225):
Transport Mode may cancel if
Model 3 loses low voltage
power after Transport Mode is enabled.
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