How Often Should Tesla Tires Be Replaced? (How Long They Last)

Tires are an important part of driving a Tesla.

You want to be sure that you have a smooth ride, so tires need to be replaced once they start to show too much wear.

Knowing how often tires will need to be replaced on a Tesla can help you to plan accordingly.

How Often You Should Change Your Tesla Tires

Tesla tires should be replaced every six years unless they are showing considerable wear before then. Tesla recommends that the tires be replaced once the tread drops to 2/32” deep or when a Tesla service center identifies other problems with the tires.

Like most electric cars, Teslas are equipped with special tires.

How Many Miles Do Tires Last on Teslas?

The number of miles that your tires last will depend greatly on your driving habits as well as the tires that you choose to put on your tires.

Realistically, the tires will wear equally regardless of what Tesla model you own.

Based on the tires that are installed in the factory, your Tesla tires will last approximately 40,000 miles. Some owners have said that they are able to get 50,000 and even 60,000 miles on their tires depending on usage.

Even if you don’t drive your Tesla very often, it is recommended that you replace your tires every six years (or sooner). So, if your tires are older than six years, regardless of mileage or tread depth, you should get them replaced.

Meanwhile, if you need them replaced sooner than six years, it is best to pay attention to the tread depth. The legal standard in the U.S. is a 2/32” depth on the tire tread. Of course, it is recommended that you replace them closer to 4/32” so that you don’t encounter problems on the road.

How Much Does Driving Style Come Into Play?

Driving style will come into play a lot when you look at tire wear.

Knowing what you do (or don’t do) on the road and how it affects the lifespan of your Tesla tires can help you get the most life out of them.

If you speed, rub your tires on the curbs when you park, or simply change lanes with great frequency, you could be reducing the life of your tires.

Braking:

When you brake hard, you will end up causing a lot more friction on the road. The tires will have to work harder to gain traction, which will cause the tread to wear out quickly.

Failing to rotate tires:

If you’re not rotating your tires frequently, you’re going to experience uneven wear. This will cause you to replace the front or back tires more frequently than the others.

Not driving regularly:

If you’re not driving regularly, tires can become unusable. In some instances, they can crack and rot if they are left idle for too many months at a time.

Improper tire inflation:

It’s important to pay attention to the recommended PSI of your tires. If you overinflate, the tire tread wears out too heavily in the middle.

If you underinflate, the tire tread wears out too heavily on the sides.

Speeding:

When you travel at faster speeds down the highway, heat builds up in the rubber. This causes the tire to break down quickly, leading to the need to replace the tires more frequently.

Often, a service technician can analyze your tires to tell you what driving habits are wreaking havoc on your tires’ lifespan.

Talk to them about what you can do differently if you find that you’re replacing your Tesla tires sooner than 40,000 miles.

Do You Have to Replace All Four Tires on a Tesla?

At some point, you will have to replace all four tires on your Tesla to ensure that you are getting proper wear. If you don’t replace the tires, you can run into problems with the smoothness of your ride and overall performance.

Once there is a significant amount of wear, it is ideal to replace all four tires at once.

If you haven’t been rotating your tires as recommended, you should replace the tires in pairs (front and rear) so that you get the best possible balance. So, if you have to replace a tire because of a flat or a bald spot, plan on replacing two at the same time.

When you replace your tires, whether it’s two or four at a time, you also want to make sure that the tires are balanced by a professional service center.

Do Teslas Wear Tires Faster Than Regular Cars?

When you compare a Tesla’s tire usage to that of regular cars, the tires will generally wear faster. There is a simple reason for this.

EVs weigh more than internal combustion engine cars. It has been estimated that regular tires will wear out 20% faster on a Tesla (or any other EV) than that on a regular gas-powered car.

What you get from the Tesla factory is not your “ordinary” tire, however. The specialty tires are equipped to deal with the added weight and the pressure that is applied when driving down the road. Additionally, EVs deliver more torque, so the tires need to be able to compensate for the extra friction.

There are ways that you can avoid too much wear on a Tesla in comparison to a traditional car. Choose your tire carefully by looking at the following criteria:

• Safety
• Low noise
• Low rolling resistance

When there is lower rolling resistance, the range of the Tesla or other EVs can be extended.

There’s a common myth that tires wear faster in a Tesla than in an internal combustion engine. While it will wear faster on a regular tire, the wear is slower if you buy the RIGHT type of tire for your EV.

Much of this is because of the regenerative braking found in EVs.

Do Teslas Wear Tires Faster Than Other Electric Cars?

When you compare a Tesla’s tire wear against other EVs on the market, you’ll find that they are similar in wear. This is because they both use regenerative braking.

The real difference comes in the weight of the EV.

A Tesla Model 3 weighs around 4000 pounds depending on the trim level. Some of the smaller EVs on the market weigh around 3500 pounds. That extra 500 pounds could cause a Tesla tire to wear faster.

It’s all the more reason to choose a tire that is suited for your Tesla instead of choosing a standard tire used on internal combustion engine vehicles.

How Often Should You Rotate Tires on a Tesla?

In the Tesla owner’s manual, it is recommended that you rotate your tires every 6,250 miles. Depending on how often you drive, this could be every six months or so.

You can also rotate the tires based on when there’s a difference of 2/32” in the tread depth from your last rotation.

We have more here on how often to align and balance Tesla tires.

By rotating your tires relatively frequently, you maintain an even treadwear pattern.

It can maximize the life of the tire, reduce road noise, and enhance the wear quality.

Final Thoughts

Tesla tires can last as long as you allow them to last. It all comes down to choosing the right tire and following proper tire maintenance.

You can follow the guidelines as they are listed in your Tesla’s owner’s manual. It’s also possible to work with a service center to learn more about the available tires on the market and the kind of maintenance schedule that will work best based on your driving habits.

Sources:

Tesla Model 3 Tire Care and Maintenance

There is a common misconception related to electric cars

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