• Potholes and objects in the road.
• Hitting curbs when parking.
• Contaminating tires with fluids that can
cause damage.
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, even if tread
depth is above the minimum.
Wheel and tires are matched to suit the
handling characteristics of the vehicle.
Replacement tires must comply with the
original specification. If tires other than those
specified are used, ensure that the load and
speed ratings marked on the tire (see
Understanding Tire Markings on page 208
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 and tire 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
).
For the specification of the original wheels
and tires installed on Model S, see
.
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's tires. The
speed rating is shown on the sidewall
of your tires (see
).
Asymmetric Tires
Model S tires are asymmetric and must be
mounted on the wheel with the correct
sidewall facing outward. The sidewall of the
tire is marked with the word OUTSIDE. When
new tires are installed, make sure that the
tires are correctly mounted on the wheels.
WARNING:
Road holding is seriously
impaired if the tires are incorrectly
installed on the wheels.
Wheel Configuration
If you are installing new wheels or swapping
them for different ones, update your vehicle's
wheel configuration by touching
Controls
>
Service
>
Wheel Configuration
. This allows
Model S to learn the new wheels and provide
more accurate status updates on your vehicle.
Select a wheel from the drop down menu that
matches the new wheels you plan to install on
Model S. Selecting new wheels in the wheel
configuration also changes the wheels that
appear on your vehicle's avatar on the
touchscreen.
Ensure you are aware if your vehicle is
equipped with staggered wheels, meaning
the wheels are different sizes in the front and
rear. Check the front and rear tire sizes
marked on the tire sidewall to see if they
match or are different sizes. If the wheels are
staggered, take extra precaution to ensure
the new wheels you install are staggered in
the same way as the previous wheels.
NOTE:
Changing your vehicle's wheel
configuration can impact range estimates, tire
pressure warning levels, and vehicle
visualization.
WARNING:
Only use Tesla-approved
wheels when installing or swapping
wheels. Using non Tesla-approved
wheels can cause serious damage.
Tesla is not liable for damage caused
by using wheels not approved by
Tesla.
Tire Care and Maintenance
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MODEL S OWNER'S MANUAL