High-performance electric vehicles like Tesla don’t come with any regular tires. They are custom-made by the most popular tire companies. Yet, Tesla tires are notorious for wearing out faster than regular tires. So, how long do Tesla tires last?
For most users, Tesla tires last 30,000 miles (48,280 km) on average. However, the exact range can be anywhere between 18,000 miles to 60,000 miles. Therefore, your Tesla tires will last around 3 to 5 years depending on factors like braking and driving habits, environmental elements, maintenance, etc.
Read on as I estimate the lifespan of Tesla tires for different models and share tips to make them last longer.
How Many Miles Do Tesla Tires Last?
Unfortunately, Tesla doesn’t provide any warranty or specific life span for its factory-installed tires. Due to the difference in driving habits and climate conditions, some tires last longer than others.
In general, most Tesla users have reported driving about 30,000 miles or 48,280 kilometers before replacing the tires.
Some rough drivers had to change their tires only after 18,000 miles or 28,968 kilometers. On the other hand, more careful drivers have made them last longer than 60,000 miles or 96,560 kilometers.
According to FHWA, most people drive 13,476 miles a year. So, the estimated Tesla tire replacement frequency is around 1.5 to 5 years. Here’s a rough estimation of the Tesla tire change period for different models:
| Model Name | Estimated Longevity of Tires |
| Tesla Model 3 | 20,000 to 45,000 miles |
| Tesla Model S | 22,000 to 40,000 miles |
| Tesla Model X | 20,000 to 50,000 miles |
| Tesla Model Y | 20,000 to 50,000 miles |
What Tires Does Tesla Use?
Like most car manufacturers, Tesla doesn’t produce its own tires. So, the factory-installed Tesla tires usually come from reputed tire manufacturers including Michelin, Hankook, Pirelli, and Continental. To fit Tesla cars, the tires must have a Tx (T0, T1, T2, etc.) rating.
Regular tires from these brands won’t fit Tesla cars as they weigh more than regular passenger cars. Tesla-approved tires from these brands include all-season, winter, and performance tires.
When it comes to the question of how often Tesla tires need to be replaced, it actually depends on the manufacturers.
They provide warranties for the tires, but you must maintain some strict rules. If you don’t provide the rotation and maintenance, your warranty will be invalid.
Here’s a list of Tesla-approved tires from different tire manufacturers and their warranty periods:
| Tire Name | Warranty Period |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 3 T0 | 20,000 miles |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4S T0 | 18,641 miles (30,000 km) |
| Hankook Kinergy GT | 70,000 miles |
| Michelin Latitude Sport 3 Acoustic | 20,000 miles |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Acoustic | 18,641 miles (30,000 km) |
| Pirelli PZero XL | 50,000 miles |
| ContiSportContact 5P | 65,000 miles |
| Michelin Primacy MXM4 | 45,000 miles |
| Hankook Ventus S1 EVO2 | 50,000 miles |
| Pirelli SCORPION™ ZERO™ ASIMMETRICO (Urban) (Summer) | 50,000 miles |
| Pirelli SCORPION™ ZERO ALL-SEASON (Tesla All Weather Tires) | 50,000 miles |
Certainly! Here’s a revised version:
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How Often Do Tesla Tires Need to be Replaced? 5 Factors to Consider
According to Tesla, you should replace your tires every 6 years. However, you might have to replace your tire more often if it’s completely worn. Here are the factors that cause Tesla tires to wear faster:
Driving Habits
Aggressive driving is the key reason why Tesla tires tend to wear faster. Hard cornering, high-speed driving, frequent braking, fast acceleration, etc., reduce your Tesla’s tire life.
Besides, driving in cities and frequent off-roading also make them susceptible to damage and wear.
Lack of Regular Maintenance
Regular inspection, proper inflation, and rotating your tires are some crucial aspects of tire maintenance.
When you fail to take care of your tires, it leads to uneven wear of the front and rear tires. As a result, your Tesla’s performance declines and leads to even faster wear.
Carrying Extra Load
Each Tesla comes with a specific weight rating. If you exceed the maximum carrying capacity of your Tesla, it will put extra pressure on the tires and wear them out prematurely. Frequently carrying heavy loads also reduces their lifespan.
Climate Condition
Regular exposure to UV rays and extreme temperatures (both hot and cold) plays a key role in decreasing your Tesla’s tire life.
Extreme temperatures affect the air inside the tires, so the tire pressure fluctuates. It eventually leads to a reduction in traction and uneven wear.
Improper Wheel Alignment and Tire Pressure
Driving on potholes or road crossings can misplace your Tesla’s wheels. If you don’t check and fix the wheel alignment at least once a year, it will cause uneven tread wear.
Apart from that, overinflation or underinflation of the tires results in a reduced lifespan of the tires and excessive tire wear.
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Why Do Tesla Tires Wear Out So Fast?
In comparison to internal combustion vehicles, tires on electric vehicles tend to wear 20% faster. Wondering why? Here are the reasons why electric vehicles like Tesla have a shorter tire life:
Increased Weight
Tesla batteries are heavy, and the vehicle has more wires and components to equip its advanced technologies. The extra weight adds pressure to the tires, and it creates more friction, leading to increased wear.
Instant Torque
One of the key selling points of Tesla cars is that they deliver instant torque to the wheels. While the rapid transfer of power is handy in certain situations, it can put additional strain on the tires during acceleration. The increased friction and heat generation result in faster tire wear.
Regenerative Braking
Another unique feature of Tesla vehicles is the regenerative braking system. It captures energy during deceleration and braking to improve energy efficiency and extend brake life.
However, due to the abrupt application of braking force, regenerative braking can significantly reduce tire life.
High-Speed Driving
Although Tesla cars are known for their high speeds, it’s not always good for your tires. Faster speeds increase friction and cause heat to build up. Eventually, the heat breaks down the rubber of the tire, making them wear out quickly.
How Do I Know When to Replace My Tesla Tires?
Typically, when you visit Tesla’s official service center for tire rotation or maintenance, the mechanic will tell you when it’s time for a Tesla tire change. However, below are some regulations and signs to help you with this:
- Tesla recommends replacing your tires before the Tesla tire tread depth indicator becomes visible. The indicator is a small bar that appears across the width of the tire tread as it wears down. It’s usually at 4/32 inches (3 millimeters) of depth.
- According to US laws, the minimum acceptable tire tread depth is usually around 2/32 inches (1.5 millimeters). Once your tire depth goes below that, driving on with it will be considered illegal.
- If you notice a decrease in handling, traction, or ride quality, it’s a sign that your tires are worn and need to be replaced.
- Regularly inspect your tires for signs of excessive wear. Look for any signs of damage to your tires such as cracks, bulges, or uneven wear.
- Some other signs that indicate your Tesla tires need replacement include the car vibrating at very high or low speeds, pulling to a side, and sudden loss of tire pressure.
Tips to Increase the Lifespan of Your Tesla Tires
With proper care and regular maintenance, you can make your Tesla tires last longer than 30,000 miles. Here’s how:
Maintain Proper Tire Pressure
The most important factor in extending the life of your tires is maintaining accurate tire pressure. Both underinflated and overinflated tires wear unevenly and lead to blowouts.
Check your tire pressure regularly, at least once a month, and before long trips. You can find the recommended tire pressure for your Tesla on a sticker inside the driver’s door jamb.
Rotate Tires
To prevent uneven wear, rotate your tires regularly as suggested in your Tesla owner manual. Tesla recommends rotating tires every 6,250 miles (10,000 km) or sooner if you notice uneven wear.
Avoid Rough Driving and Overloading
Always drive smoothly to preserve tire tread. Avoid accelerating quickly, braking hard, and taking sharp turns. Try not to hit potholes and avoid driving in unfavorable conditions.
Also, never exceed the recommended load capacity of your Tesla as overloading puts excess stress on the tires.
Regular Inspection
Visually inspect your tires once a month for signs of damage, cuts, or uneven wear. If you find any, make sure you fix them as soon as possible.
Bottom Line
Estimating how long Tesla tires last isn’t straightforward as the manufacturer doesn’t verify it. According to the experience of most users, except to get 30,000 miles if you drive carefully. Tesla tires tend to wear faster than regular vehicles due to their weight and advanced braking and acceleration features.
Besides, replacing the tires is also expensive, costing more than $300 for some models. So, make sure you follow the Tesla-provided maintenance routine to increase the lifespan of your Tesla tires.
I am an experienced guide in electric mobility, offering clear and expert guidance for those venturing into the world of electric vehicles.
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