Do you know that if you drive your car at 160 kilometers per hour with a flat tire, your chances of surviving are almost zero? Thus, scientists discovered run-flat tires. They support your car’s weight when the tire gets punctured. Plus, these tires allow you to drive for a few miles until you can fix them.
So, are Tesla tires run-flats? No, Tesla doesn’t install run-flat tires in their cars as these tires have more rolling resistance and weigh more than regular tires. So, using these tires will make your car consume more electrical power, reduce your Tesla’s speed, and increase tire maintenance costs.
In this article, we will learn whether Tesla uses run-flat tires in their vehicles. So, let’s get started!
Are Tesla Tires Run Flat?
No, Tesla does not use run-flat tires in their cars. Instead, they use specialized tires with the following features:
- Roll easily with less resistance.
- Last long.
- Have a layer of acoustical foam to reduce the amount of noise produced by the tires.
- Have deeper treads so that they can grip the surface of the road properly.
Moreover, Tesla did not use run-flat tires in their cars as they have installed a tire pressure monitoring sensor. This sensor keeps track of the tire pressure in your car. Look at the picture we have provided here.
If the air pressure in your car’s tires falls below 45 PSI, a message will appear on the touch screen in your Tesla. This way, you can stay aware of your car’s tire condition and fix it before it loses all air pressure.
Why Doesn’t Tesla Use Run-Flat Tires In Their Cars?
Check out the information we have provided below. Here, we have mentioned several reasons why Tesla does not prefer to use run-flat tires in their cars.
You Cannot Fix A Run Flat Tire After It Has Punctured
You can’t repair a run-flat tire if it is punctured on the sidewalls. This is because these tires have stiff sidewalls. If you drive on a punctured run-flat tire with no pressure, its internal structure will get severely damaged.
Run-flat Tires Keep Your Vehicle Stable For Only 80 Kilometers
Run-flat tires are designed to keep your car going even after getting punctured. But many drivers with run-flat tires say they only keep your car steady for about 80 kilometers after a puncture.
Afterward, you will need to replace them with new ones. However, spending over $200 on a tire just for this feature is not worth it.
Run-Flat Tires Usually Cause Higher Rolling Resistance
In an experiment, researchers found that when the air pressure in a run-flat tire changes between 50 kPa and 150 kPa while driving, the tire’s rolling resistance increases by more than 50%.
Additionally, if you keep driving on a run-flat tire with low or no air, the following things will occur:
- The tire gets extremely hot.
- The tire’s rolling resistance increases by five times its original value.
- Your car uses more energy. For instance, if you are driving at 50 km/h, your Tesla will consume over 12 kW of energy.
Run-Flat Tires Need Frequent Replacement Than Normal Tires
According to news reports, car owners who have run-flat tires in their cars need to change them more often than drivers who use normal tires.
Car owners usually replace their regular tires after driving about 22,559 miles. However, car owners with run-flat tires have noticed that these tires wear out approximately six thousand miles earlier.
Run-Flat Tires Tend To Be Heavier Than Normal Tires
Run-flat tires are usually 30% heavier than regular tires. This is because:
- These tires have stiffer sidewalls.
- These tires use thicker bead wires to maintain their shape if they lose air.
- Run-flat tires have an internal corrugated ring. This ring prevents the tire from being squished onto the wheel.
If you use a run-flat tire in your electric car, the additional weight of the tire could lead to the following things:
- Your Tesla’s battery life will be reduced.
- Your car will operate less smoothly on the road.
- The wheel mount of your car will get damaged.
What Should You Do If The Tire In Your Tesla Gets Punctured?
Tesla offers free roadside tire service all day long. If your Tesla’s tire is severely damaged or punctured, you can contact them through the Tesla app.
The company will send repairmen to your location to either replace the flat tire with a new one or pump air into the existing tire. Alternatively, they might tow your car to the nearest Tesla Service Center if your car is located within fifty miles of their service center.
You can watch this YouTube video to learn more about how Tesla’s Roadside Assistance works.
A Step-By-Step Guide To Repair A Flat Tire In Your Tesla By Yourself
Check out the step-by-step guide we have provided below. You can follow these steps to repair a flat tire by yourself.
- Step 1: Buy a flat tire repair kit and air compressor.
- Step 2: Since Tesla cars are heavy, you can’t use jack stands to lift them. Instead, rotate your car’s tire and move it to a spot where you can access the sharp object stuck in the tire.
- Step 3: Use the needle-nose pliers to remove the nail or any other sharp object stuck in your tire.
- Step 4: Take a spiral probe reamer and insert it into the hole left behind by the sharp object in your tire. This will release all the air from your car’s tire.
- Step 5: Afterwards, apply rubber glue to the rubber strips that came with the repair tool.
- Step 6: Insert the rubber strip into the hole in your car’s tire.
- Step 7: Use a razor blade to cut the excess rubber strip sticking out from your car’s tire.
- Step 8: Now, plug the air compressor into the left-hand side of the trunk area of your Tesla.
- Step 9: Use the air compressor to inflate the tire in your Tesla.
- Step 10: Lastly, disconnect the air compressor from the tire and drive your car to ensure that no air escapes from the tire.
For a visual representation of this process, you can watch this YouTube video.
FAQs
Check out the FAQs we have given below to learn more about whether Tesla uses run-flat tires in their electric vehicles.
You can install run-flat tires on your Tesla if you want. However, keep in mind that these tires are heavier than regular ones and have higher rolling resistance. This can impact your car’s power usage and traction. Moreover, manufacturers recommend Tesla users to use the same tires that originally came with the vehicle.
Yes, run-flat tires tend to cost more than regular tires. You will need to pay around $500-$600 for two pairs of run-flat tires as they have an interior supporting ring and the sidewalls of tires are made with rigid rubber.
If the tires in your car do not show any signs of damage, you can use them during summer, monsoon, and spring. However, you should use specifically manufactured winter tires for proper traction and safety during the winter season.
Final Words
Overall, Tesla does not use run-flat tires in their cars because they are heavy and cause more resistance when rolling. Therefore, these tires do not suit Tesla’s goal of improving their car’s range, traction, and performance.
Additionally, Tesla has included a tire pressure monitoring sensor in all their vehicles. This sensor in your car will alert you if your tires start losing air pressure. Therefore, you can easily take your car to Tesla’s service center and have the tires repaired while they are still fixable.
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