The Tesla Model 3 is no different when it comes to the need of maintaining the proper tire pressure. The tire pressure has an impact on the vehicle’s performance as well as its safety. Knowing the Tesla Model 3 tire pressure is crucial, regardless of how long you’ve owned your Tesla.
Due to the heavy battery pack and the higher amount of torque the tires regularly receive electric vehicles require some additional tire requirements. For Teslas, keeping your wheels in good condition and avoiding blowouts is crucial to safeguarding the occupants and the car itself. After all, a Tesla is only worthwhile as an investment if it continues to operate.
Proper tire pressure certainly isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you’re driving a Tesla Model 3. However, if a tire blows out or your low-pressure warning activates, it may swiftly rise to the top of your to-do list. In this post, we’ll go through the significance of tire pressure, how to check and manage it, and some factors to know about the tire maintenance of the Tesla Model 3.
- Recommended Tire Pressure
- Summer Tires vs Winter Tires
- Winter Tire Pressure
- Tesla Model 3 Tires: Maintenance And Upkeep
- Tesla Tire Pressure
- Tesla Model 3 Tire Pressure
- Driving With Low Tire Pressure
- Tire Pressure Symbol – Check TPMS
- Final Conclusion
- FAQs
Recommended Tire Pressure
When the pounds per square inch (psi) recommended on your vehicle’s tire placard or owner’s manual is met, your tires are properly inflated. The proper pressure for the front and rear tires are specified on the placard or manual since they could differ. The typical passenger car’s pressure requirement will be between 30 and 35 psi.
However, many vehicles fall outside of that range and each has unique requirements. Proper tire inflation guarantees even tire wear, a comfortable ride, and increased fuel efficiency. In addition, proper inflation helps prevent mishaps like tire blowouts and tread damage. It’s time to get new tires if your current ones are threadbare, worn, or damaged.
Proper tire pressure benefits the environment as well as your financial situation and safety. The majority of drivers will see a reduction in tire tread life from underinflation, some by as much as 50%. When a car’s tires are underinflated, the engine has to spend more fuel to propel it properly.
Maintaining the right tire pressure reduces fuel consumption, preserves natural resources, and keeps the environment cleaner. Keeping your tires properly inflated also increases their lifespan and keeps more tires out of landfills. To find out more, check out our discussions on what does low tire pressure mean, as well as the tire pressure for the Honda CRV.
Avoid operating a vehicle with under or over-inflated tires. Both situations might decrease your tires’ performance and hasten their wear. Low tire pressure increases the danger of tire failure and results in poor handling, and bad fuel economy. Tires that are overinflated also have negative impacts, such as a rough ride, poor handling, and erratic wear.
Summer Tires Vs Winter Tires
The tire is much more than just an air-filled rubber ring. It’s a sophisticated engineering feat that may take many different forms and is built to handle a wide range of obstacles. Here, we’ll go through the many tire categories that are available and the specific benefits each one can provide for your car.
Summer tires’ specialized rubber formula provides exceptional grip and handling on both dry and rainy roads in warmer weather. Winter tires offer exceptional traction on wet roads in cold weather, as well as on terrain coated in snow and ice. All-season tires blend traits from both summer and winter tires to create a hybrid product that has the advantages of each.
Summer tires and all-season tires are made to work as effectively as possible on dry and wet roads. But they are not made to be effective in the winter. All-season tires are made to provide enough grip in the majority of weather conditions year-round. However, they might not be as effective as winter tires in snowy or icy conditions.
The words “ALL SEASON” and/or “M+S” (mud and snow) on the tire sidewall can be used to identify all-season tires. Tesla advises utilizing winter tires if you’re traveling in chilly conditions or on a road that might be covered in snow or ice. If you don’t have winter tires, get in touch with Tesla for recommendations.
In icy or snowy situations, use winter tires to improve traction. Install a whole set of four tires at once if you are installing winter tires. All four wheels must have winter tires that are the same brand, size, kind of construction, and tread pattern.
Winter Tire Pressure
In chilly ambient temperatures, your car’s tire pressure will decrease. Prior to driving, make sure the tires are inflated if the TPMS indication light is on (unless it’s a tire pressure sensor fault). Every 10° F reduction in outside temperature results in a loss of one PSI in the tires. When inflated properly, optimum tire pressure helps tires avoid potholes and increases range.
Low ambient temperatures have an adverse effect on tire performance, reducing grip and making tires more vulnerable to impact damage. Performance tires (summer applications) have decreased grip in environments below 40° F. Therefore they are not advised to be used in snowy or icy circumstances.
Performance tires have a short-term tendency to harden when cold. This might result in rotational noise during the initial miles until the tires warm up. To improve traction in snowy circumstances, Tesla tested and approved using KONIG CG-9 103 tire chains for 18 and 19-inch tires and KONIG K-SUMMIT K34 for 20-inch tires.
However, only the back tires should be equipped with tire chains. You can buy these authorized tire chains from Tesla. Observe the directions and cautions given by the tire chain manufacturer when installing tire chains. Also, make sure to install them as tightly and evenly as you can.
Tesla Model 3 Tires: Maintenance And Upkeep
For effective tire performance, an adequate tread depth is necessary. When it’s wet, tires with tread depths less than 3 mm are more prone to hydroplaning. When driving in winter circumstances, tires with a tread depth of less than 4 mm should not be utilized since they perform poorly in snow and slush.
Original tires for the Model 3 contain wear indications built into the tread pattern. When the tread is worn down to 3 mm, the indications begin to show up at the surface of the tread pattern. This gives the impression that a continuous band of rubber runs the width of the tire. Tesla suggests replacing tires prior to the wear indicators becoming apparent.
Every 6,250 miles or when the tread depth difference is at or above 1.5 mm, whichever occurs first, Tesla advises rotating the tires. The rotation of tires is a crucial component of tire care. The overall wear quality of the tire is improved, and road noise is reduced. Also, tire life is maximized by maintaining an even treadwear pattern.
Vehicle handling and tire longevity are both impacted by unbalanced wheels. This can occasionally be felt as steering wheel vibration. Wheels can become unbalanced even with frequent use. They ought to be adjusted accordingly as a result.
Check the wheel alignment if tire wear becomes abnormally extreme, uneven, or only affects one side of the tire. Reset the tire configuration if any maintenance is required, such as tire rotation or replacement. Be wary, therefore, of the average tire rotation cost, as well as the tire rotation and balance cost near me.
Tesla Model 3 Tire Size
The Tesla Model 3 requires extremely little routine mechanical care. However, its comparatively high levels of torque can necessitate more frequent tire replacements. What sizes and kinds of new tires fit on the Model 3 is one of the most common queries owners have.
Several of the wider tread widths may not fit your Model 3 without modification. So please be aware of that. Spacers or special alignment settings and components can be needed. The Tesla Model 3’s factory wheels are 18-inch ones with 235/45R18 tires. The 19″ Sport, Sport V2 as well as the 19″ Gemini wheels, are the factory-installed 19-inch wheels offered.
The 20″ Performance and 20″ Uberturbine wheels with 235/35R20 tires are the only factory-installed 20″ diameter wheels offered. Additionally, there is the rather uncommon 20″ Zero G Gunpowders. These came with 235/35R20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires as part of the Model 3 Track Package. They were offered with 245/35R20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
People who mount tires of different sizes on their cars will typically have to live with the discrepancy in calculated speedometer speeds. Tesla has a special feature that lets you customize the car for particular tire diameters because they sell different wheels as accessories.
This is accessible under “Wheel Configuration” in the vehicle’s Service menu. This enables Tesla users to optimize to the closest overall tire diameter for speedometer reasons and make adjustments for low tire pressure warnings. Altering this setting will also alter your car’s in-car graphical representation.
Tesla Tire Pressure
Teslas have a reputation for swiftly wearing out their tires. If not properly maintained, Teslas can grind through their tires at an astounding rate thanks to the immediate torque they have accessible to them. The most frequent maintenance-related reason for tire failure in Teslas is underinflation.
Tires overheat when they are underinflated, which promotes cracking, tread separation, and the chance of blowouts. Additionally, underinflation can lengthen the time it takes to stop and slow down steering response, giving you less control in risky circumstances.
In fact, overinflation has a similar effect since an underinflated tire has less surface area for traction during braking and steering. Teslas may grind through their rubber at an astounding rate if they are not properly maintained.
This is mainly due to the tremendous amount of torque accessible to them on demand. In Teslas, underinflation is the most frequent maintenance-related reason for tire failure. Tires overheat from underinflation, which increases cracking, tread separation, and blowout risk.
In addition, underinflation can result in longer stopping distances and slower steering responses. This might result in loss of control in risky circumstances. In fact, the same is the case with overinflation too. Because an overinflated tire has less surface area for traction during braking and steering.
Tesla Model 3 Tire Pressure
The standard wheels on your Tesla Model 3 are 18′′ Aero wheels. The Tesla Model 3 Owner’s Manual states that the recommended tire pressure for all of your tires is 42 psi. These details are shown on the statutory plate that is situated on the door pillar.
When traveling at or above 138 mph, you might need to alter your tire pressure. Tesla advises raising the tire pressure for these speeds to 44 psi for the front and rear tires. The same 42 psi tire pressure is recommended for both 19 and 20-inch wheels also on your Tesla Model 3.
On all of their vehicles, Tesla advises a routine manual tire air pressure check. You can do this simply using tire pressure gauges (or learn how to put air in tires at a gas station). By doing this, you can maintain awareness of the state of your tires and be vigilant for any unusual pressure drop or wear and tear.
Recall that you should physically check your tire pressure “cold.” This means that it is best to take pressure readings after you have stopped driving for a few hours. Your Tesla’s tires start to heat up after a distance of more than a mile of driving. Taking pressure readings and inflating them after a drive may result in severely underinflated tires.
Setting aside one day each month to perform a quick pressure check in a location with access to compressed air is a smart idea. This is because most tires lose about 1 psi per month. Also, it is wise to have a portable air compressor in your Tesla. Acquiring the proper psi is quick, easy, and convenient with a good portable digital air compressor.
Driving With Low Tire Pressure
Your range could be impacted by a tire that is underinflated. According to an NHSTA study, each 1% decrease in tire pressure can result in a 0.3% loss in your driving range. For example, consider a 2019 Model 3, which has a range of approximately 264 miles at the advised 42 psi.
You might see a reduction in range of roughly 1.5%, or about 4 miles if you allow the tires to lose just 5% of that pressure (or about 2.1 psi). Not a significant loss, but it would accumulate over time and grow the longer you neglected to properly inflate your tires.
The lack of a spare tire in your Tesla has also been brought to your attention. Without a spare, it is unquestionably in the interest of every Tesla owner to lower the possibility of tire failure. Due to Tesla’s peculiar tire specifications, a flat tire without a local service center can result in a dozen calls and hours of waiting until a suitable replacement tire can be located.
A Tesla-compatible tire may be more than a hundred miles distant in many US regions, though this is usually not a serious concern close to large cities.
Tire Pressure Symbol
On the touchscreen, tire pressures are displayed in the cards section of the vehicle status. Or you can select Controls > Service, to view the tire pressure. The visualization of your Model 3 shows the pressure of each tire as well as the time when your tire pressures were last checked.
By selecting Controls > Display > Tire Pressure, you may decide whether you want tire pressures to be shown in Bars or psi. You can simply calculate how much air to put in your tires by viewing the touchscreen’s suggested cold tire pressures for your car.
Even if it differs from the pressure displayed on the tire itself, keep tires inflated to the pressures indicated on the Tire and Loading Information label. When the driver door is open, the tire and loading information sticker on the center door pillar is visible.
Each tire needs to be examined every month while it is still cold and inflated to the pressures specified on the Tire and Loading Information sticker found on the driver’s door pillar. It is possible that your vehicle’s tires are a different size from the size listed on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. Determine the appropriate tire inflation pressure for those tires.
Check TPMS
The Tesla Model 3 features a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that alerts you when one or more of your tires are considerably under or over-inflated. This is done courtesy of a set of TPMS sensor units. It does so by displaying a tire pressure warning (Tire Pressure Warning) on the touchscreen. As a result, be wary of the Tire Pressure indicator light to warn you about tire pressure.
Inspect your tires, and inflate them to the recommended pressure. Driving on tires that are considerably underinflated causes them to heat up and may result in tire failure. A vehicle’s handling and stopping capabilities may be impacted by under-inflation, which also decreases range effectiveness and tire tread life.
When you change the tire pressure, the light on the tire pressure indicator does not go out right away. You must travel over 15 mph for a brief period of time after inflating the tire to the necessary pressure in order to activate the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which turns off the Tire Pressure indicator light. For more insight, check out our guide on how to reset the TPMS.
If the Model 3’s indicator light flashes for a minute each time you turn it on, the TPMS has encountered a problem. Check the tread and side walls regularly for any signs of wear, cuts, foreign objects, distortion (bulges), or wear. Also, check out our explainer on what does TPMS mean on a car to learn more.
Tesla Model 3 Tire Pressure: Conclusion
Compared to other cars in its class, the Tesla Model 3 is an amazing EV that provides a superior driving experience. Proper tire inflation is required for maintaining the vehicle’s optimum performance, safety, and longevity.
Here, the significance of maintaining proper tire pressure in the Tesla Model 3 as well as the numerous techniques for measuring, adjusting, and monitoring tire pressure have all been thoroughly covered. To gain more insight, you can also check out our explainers on where are the tire pressure sensors located, as well as the cost to replace a tire sensor.
The Tesla Model 3’s recommended tire pressure is 42 psi regardless of the tire size, weight carrying capacity, and road conditions. It is crucial to frequently check the tire pressure, ideally once a month, and before long trips. Overinflated or underinflated tires can have an impact on how the car handles, brakes, and consumes gas, as well as cause premature tire wear or blowouts.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) on the Tesla Model 3 is a helpful device for keeping an eye on tire pressure, spotting leaks or low pressure, and warning the driver through the dashboard of the car. However, the TPMS is not a replacement for routine tire pressure inspections and maintenance.
Additionally, it’s crucial to select the proper tires for the Tesla Model 3 while taking into account variables like size, load capacity, speed rating, and weather conditions. Overall, keeping the Tesla Model 3’s tires inflated properly is essential for maximizing its performance, durability, and safety.
FAQs On Tesla Model 3 Tire Pressure
Here are some FAQs on the Tesla Model 3 tire pressure:
How To Put Air In Tires
Find the valve stem on your tire before you begin to pump up the tires. Attach the air hose to the valve stem after removing the valve cap. The tire should be inflated to the recommended pressure level after firmly pressing the hose onto the stem. Remove the hose and put the valve cap back on the tire when it has been adequately inflated.
What PSI Should My Tires Be
The recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) for your tires can be found in the owner’s handbook for your automobile. It will also be on the placard with tire-related information that is usually found on the driver’s side door jamb. Depending on the tire type, the vehicle, and the load being carried, the PSI may change.
What Tire Pressure Is Too Low
Too little tire pressure can result in a number of problems. These include compromised handling, reduced fuel efficiency, and an increased danger of a blowout. In general, tire pressure is seen as being excessively low if it is 25% below the suggested PSI. To prevent any potential problems, it’s crucial to routinely check the tire pressure and maintain the proper level.
What Should Your Tire Pressure Be In The Summer
The owner’s manual and the placard with tire information both list the recommended tire pressure for summer. This is usually the same as for any other season. It’s crucial to remember that hot weather can cause the air within tires to expand which can result in overinflation. Therefore, it’s crucial to routinely check the tire pressure throughout the hot summer months.
How Long Can You Drive With Low Tire Pressure
Driving over a lengthy amount of time with low tire pressure is not advised. Driving with low tire pressure can impact various factors, including handling, braking distance, and fuel efficiency. Additionally, driving with tires that are significantly underinflated might harm the tires, which could result in a blowout or flat tire. It’s crucial to routinely check the tire pressure and maintain the required pressure.
How To Check Tire Pressure Without Gauge
It’s usually advised to use a tire pressure gauge to measure tire pressure correctly. However, you can check tire pressure visually by looking for any obvious symptoms of underinflation, such as bulging or sagging. You can also use your hand or foot to press on the tire and gauge how much give or resistance there is.
What Does Check TPMS Mean
The phrase Check TPMS indicates that there is a problem with your car’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). When there is a considerable fluctuation in tire pressure, the TPMS is intended to warn the driver. If you encounter this notice, it signifies that either the system or the tire pressure sensors are malfunctioning.
