One of the easiest modifications is a set of new rims or tires. There is a huge number of choices, available at retail or online.
Tesla has offered the following sizes and tires:
- Model S 19″ rims:
- Goodyear Eagle RS-A2 245/45R19 98V
- Michelin Primacy MXM4
- Pirelli 240 Sottozero (winter)
- Model S 21″ rims either:
- Continental Extreme Contact DW 245/35R21 96Y
- Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 245/35R21 96Y
- Staggered Tires, Front: PS2 245/35R21 (front); Rear: PS2 265/35R21 (P85+, some P85D)
- Model X 20″ rims:
- Front: 265/45 R20
Rear: 275/45 R20
- Front: 265/45 R20
- Model X 21″ rims (on Founder’s cars, not standard):
- Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 285/35ZR21 105Y
- Model X 22″ rims:
- Front: 265/35 ZR22
Rear: 285/35 ZR22
- Front: 265/35 ZR22
- Model 3 18″ rims
- 235/45R18 Michelin Primacy MXM4
- Model 3 19″ rims
- 235/40R19 Continental ProContact RX
When selecting replacement tires, aside from getting the correct size, consider these features:
- Type (Summer, Winter, All-Seasons, Snow)
- Noise
- Rolling resistance (lower resistance gets better mileage, but may reduce handling and increase noise, these are often called LRR tires)
- Tread life (longer life often adds noise and poorer handling)
- Handling (better handling often means short tread life)
- Cost
- Warranty
- Rim rash risk – larger rims are easier to damage on curbs
- Puncture risk – Low profile tires tend to have higher puncture risk
To protect against rim rash, see Alloy Gator (has video examples).
You can also chrome plate your existing aluminum rims.
6 comments
I think knowing how to choose the right aftermarket wheels is very important. I see many people on Reddit and Facebook who have no idea about the major factors to consider. Changing the wheels is the first thing I’m going to do when I get my Model 3, and I read a lot on the topic. Might write a short article to share what I’ve learned so far. I think it will be helpful to other new Tesla owners.
It’s not one of my expertise areas! If you would like me to expand this section with something you write, I’d love to use it and give you credit.
Question, do you have a tutorial or can you post a modification for upgrading from 19″ stock rims to 21″ stock rims? Is it just a simple take off and replace? Or are there other components or brake parts that we need to worry about? Also, what about TPMS? How do you calibrate those when doing this type of upgrade. I’d appreciate any insight into this?
There is nothing special about switching between 19 and 21 or 21 to 19″ stock rims. Take off and replace. The control panel has a setting to re-connect to a new set of TPMS sensors so do that after the new tires are mounted and you should be good to go!
Note that the rim offset https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_sizing#Offset (or ET value / ET-waarde https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/ET-waarde ) matches. For a model S, that is 40. You could deviate to a maximum of 5, so a value of 35 should also work. However, a value of 35 can gently rub the internal of the wheel arch on maximum steering. This can be mitigated by using a 5 mm spacer.
Note that the type of TPMS used did change, at least the cars delivered since March 2018 (probably a bit earlier too). These need Goodyear TMPS valves. Other TPMS valves do not get recognized by the car. Unless someone has found a brand that does, please list it here. What the exact specs are now and before Tesla switched, I don’t know. Perhaps somebody has details on it.