Tesla Model S tire rotation and care tips that can help improve mileage and maximize the life of your tires.
One of the most widely discussed topics among Model S owners is the aggressive wheel alignment setting from the factory. The Tesla Model S has world-class handling that rivals the best performance vehicles, but having this award-winning handling performance comes at the expense of tire longevity.
Wheel alignment is broken down into three major angles of orientation; camber, caster, and toe. These components are fundamental to preserving handling performance and tire tread life, but finding the perfect balance between these dimensions can be a challenge.
The camber angle (degree of difference between the wheels vertical alignment perpendicular to the road) on the Model S is set to an aggressive -2 degrees (factoring in the margin of error) as outlined in the factory wheel alignment chart below. If a wheel is perfectly perpendicular to the surface of contact, its camber would be 0 degrees, but in the case of the Model S, the top of the rear tires are tilted inwards as a way to increase handling characteristics. Heavy cornering would yield more surface contact between tire and road, thereby improving grip.
However, during straight-line acceleration and everyday driving, negative camber reduces surface contact between tire and road – the net effect being a decrease in straight-line performance and additional pressure on the inner tire, which could lead to uneven wear.
Tesla Model S Tire Rotation
Tesla Motors suggests rotating tires every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) and performing an annual wheel alignment. However, many Model S owners have had no ill effects with delaying tire rotation until the 6,000 – 7,000-mile mark.
Tire Rotation Pattern
NOTE: Tire rotation pattern not applicable to Performance Plus Models due to the size difference between the front and rear wheel/tire combination.
Tire Specifications
| Tire Type | Location | Size |
| 19″ wheels (85 kWh vehicles): Michelin Primacy MXM4 | All | P245/45R19 98V |
| 19″ wheels (60 kWh vehicles): Standard – Goodyear Eagle RS-A2 Optional – Michelin Primacy MXM4 | All | P245/45R19 98V |
| 21″ wheels on standard vehicles: Continental ExtremeContact DW | All | P245/35R21 96Y |
| 21″ wheels on Performance Plus (P85+) vehicles: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 | Front Rear | P245/35R21 96Y P265/35R21 101Y |
Tips for Maximizing Tire Life
- Regularly inspect the tire tread and sidewalls for signs of abnormal distortion (bulges), cuts or severe tire wear
- Look for tire tread wear indicators which start to appear at the surface of the tread pattern
Related: - Routine tire rotation every 5 – 7k miles
- Keep tires properly inflated (reference the “Tire and Loading Information” label inside the door sill).
- Annual wheel alignment check
- Avoid hitting potholes and curbs
- Avoid frequent fast turning and heavy braking
- Avoid hard acceleration
Tesla Model S Wheel Alignment Values
| Location | Air Suspension | Coil Suspension | ||
| Front | Rear | Front | Rear | |
| Camber | -0.75 +/- 0.35 | -1.75 +/- 0.35 | -.53 +/- 0.35 | -1.55 +/- 0.35 |
| Camber Split | -0.00 +/- 0.20 | -0.00 +/- 0.50 | -0.00 +/- 0.20 | -0.00 +/- 0.50 |
| Caster | 4.00 +/- 0.50 | n/a | 3.70 +/- 0.50 | n/a |
| Caster Split | 0.00 +/- 0.20 | n/a | 0.00 +/- 0.20 | n/a |
| Single Wheel Toe | OUT 0.05 OUT 0.15 (limit) IN 0.05 (limit) | IN 0.20 +/- 0.05 | IN 0.02 OUT 0.08 (limit) IN 0.12 (limit) | IN 0.185 +/- 0.05 |
| Thrust Angle | n/a | 0.00 +/- 0.30 | n/a | 0.00 +/- 0.30 |
| Suspension Bolt Height (at design) | 213.5 +/- 5 mm | Standard models: 144 +/- 5 mm Performance Plus: 151 +/- 5 mm | 230 mm (nominal) | 158 mm (nominal) |
