How much are tesla model 3 tires


Tesla Model 3 Tire Replacement Cost

Last Updated January 6, 2023

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Many people err in calculating their Tesla Model 3 tire replacement cost. They only factor in the tires’ retail price in their estimate, ignoring the installation and balancing costs. Shipping fees, which must be included for tires bought online, are also left out.

As a result, their mood takes a hit when they see the bill. The difference in the cost they assumed they’d be paying and the actual amount written on the payment receipt makes them feel as if the other parties involved in the transaction have ripped them off.

Where in reality, nobody has scammed them. It’s just that the calculation they performed at the start – and which they didn’t verify from other sources – was wrong. By the time this realization hits them, they have no choice but to bite the bullet and pay the bill.

This article will provide you with the correct Tesla Model 3 tire replacement cost. So that you have a clear picture of the price you’ll have to pay when replacing tires on your Tesla Model 3. Read on if you hate blaming other people for your personal mistakes.

What's In This Guide?

  • Tesla Model 3 Tire Replacement Cost
  • What Tires Does Tesla Model 3 Use?
  • When Should I Replace My Tesla Model 3 Tires?
  • Why do Tesla tires wear out so fast?
  • Do you have to replace all 4 tires on a Tesla Model 3?
  • Conclusion

Tesla Model 3 Tire Replacement Cost

Replacing all four tires on your Tesla Model 3 might cost you in the range of $900 to $1,200. Having said that, the actual tire replacement cost will be decided by the size of your Model 3’s rims, the type of tires you choose to install and the brand those tires belong to.

Let’s look at all these factors in detail.

Rim Size

Most of you might already be aware that Tesla Model 3 comes in three different rim sizes. These include 18-inch, 19-inch and 20-inch rims. While the 18-inch rims sport 235/45/18 tires, the 19” and 20” rims can be fitted 235/40/19 and 235 /35/20 tires, respectively.

A focused reading will reveal that the first number on all three tire sizes (ex. 235) is the same for all Tesla Model 3 trims. This number represents the width of the tire. The second and third numbers, meanwhile, represent aspect ratio and size of the trim.

Type of Tires

Here are the best tires for Tesla Model 3: 

Touring and Grand Touring

These tires offer an unrivaled drive comfort, have excellent road manners and come with long treadwear warranties. Plus, they are available in pocket-friendly priced, especially when compared with their performance and high-performance counterparts.

Run-Flat Tires

The best run-flat tires can be driven for up to 50 miles at speeds up to 50 mph with zero air pressure. A combination of high-end technologies and soft sidewall helps them keep rolling in conditions where ordinary tires find it hard to move an inch.

All-Season

All-season tires aren’t much different from their touring counterparts. The major difference between both categories is that the all-season tires are more reliable in mild wintry conditions. Plus, all-season tires cost less compared with grand touring tires.

Winter

Winter tires are the costliest of the lot. Not only because they have to withstand much harsher conditions than every other category of, excluding all-terrain tires. The Continental WinterContact TS 860S is our top pick for moderate-to-harsh wintry conditions.

Ultra High Performance

UHP tires like the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus are excellent for electric vehicles like the Model 3. Their aggressive cornering performance, enhanced high-speed stability and superb steering response makes them a must-have option for drivers who are willing to pay above the odds.

Brand

The last factor which will determine your Tesla Model 3 tire replacement cost is the brand the replacement tires belong to. Tires from two types of brands are ideal for Model 3:

  • Premium Tire Brands: Michelin, Bridgestone and Continental perfectly fit the description of premium tire brands. Be prepared to pay the big bucks if you opt for a tire from any of the three brands.
  • Mid-Range Brands: Frankly speaking, Hankook is the only mid-range brand whose tires can do justice to the qualities of the Model 3. Other brands who cost less than or even as much as Hankook may degrade this EV’s performance.

What Tires Does Tesla Model 3 Use?

The Tesla Model 3 comes equipped with Michelin Primacy MXM4 all-season tires. These tires boost the best in-class braking distances and are very quiet and comfortable. Their grip and traction are equally excellent on wet and dry roads. Plus, despite having an A/S compound, they give a sporty feel.

You can also count on these tires to perform exceptionally in wet conditions. 3D Variable Thickness Sipe Technology enables them to plough through snow and ice. Plus, their Green-X certification is an indication that these tires will be incredibly fuel-efficient.

Not everything about these tires is great, though. While you can ignore their astronomical price – as they’d be coming installed from the factory, one thing you cannot ignore as easily is their lack-luster 55,000 mile warranty, which is underwhelming for all-season-touring tires.

When Should I Replace My Tesla Model 3 Tires?

According to a rule of thumb, Tesla Model 3 tires should last from 20,000 to 40,000 miles. This means you may need to look for a pair of replacement tires every 3-4 years, especially if you’re the sort of driver who doesn’t believe in giving any respite to their car.

Having said that, your Model 3’s tires can last longer if a) you only use it for every day driving and b) you rarely venture away from the highway. That is because rough driving and off-roading eat up a tire’s life, forcing the driver to replace it.

Why do Tesla tires wear out so fast?

Tesla tires wear out so fast because of the added weight they have to carry in the shape of batteries. The added weight of the batteries increase the friction on the tires, causing them to wear out more quickly than their counterparts on regular/gas cars.

Here are some steps you could take to make your Tesla tires last longer:

  • Rotate the tires once every six months. This means periodically changing the position of each of the tires on your Tesla. Make sure to rotate the tires in a way that the left front goes to the left rear, and vice versa.
  • Drive with a light foot. Although the instant torque outputted by the EVs can be addictive to some, it is devastating for your tires lift. So, drive easy the next time you’re sitting behind the wheel.
  • Opt for all-season tires. If the performance of all-season tires is too lackluster for your liking, touring tires are your best bet. Both categories last longer than performance or winter tires.
  • Perform regular tire maintenance. Make sure that your Tesla’s tires are properly inflated at all times. Aside from that, take them to the mechanic for re-alignment once every few months.

Do you have to replace all 4 tires on a Tesla Model 3?

According to the instructions written in the Tesla Model 3 owner’s manual, you should ideally replace all 4 tires simultaneously. However, if for some reason you cannot afford to replace all four tires at once, buy two new tires and put them on the rears.

Conclusion

While many people are afraid of the Tesla Model 3 tire replacement cost, thinking it will blow a hole in your pocket, the numbers given above suggest otherwise. Sure, Model 3’s replacement tires don’t come cheap. But compared with other cars in the same category, their price tag is reasonable.

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Why are Tesla Electric Car Tires More Expensive than Regular Vehicle Tires?

It is no secret that electric cars are significantly heavier and more expensive than regular gas-powered cars. As a result, their components are designed to be more durable and hence have a higher price.

Just like that, the tires of the Tesla electric vehicle are designed to have greater strength and durability to carry the heavy electric vehicle’s weight with excellent efficiency.

Their high quality makes them much more expensive than regular automobile tires.

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How Much Do Tesla Electric Car Tires Cost on an Average?

Different Tesla electric vehicle models have different-sized tires. Hence, their purchase prices and the average cost of repair varies accordingly.

In general, most Tesla electric vehicle tires cost around 285 USD to 300 USD per tire, making four new tires’ purchase price around 1140 USD to 1200 USD.

However, the purchase price is not the only amount to consider when buying tires. Instead, the average labor and tire installment costs can add almost 140 USD to 150 USD to the total bill.

This high price makes these tires even more expensive than a Tesla electric car’s battery, as they cannot last as long as the battery and require more frequent repairs or replacements.

Moreover, the average purchase price and repair costs of a new Tesla electric car tire can vary regionally across the globe and even within the different American states.

Countries with sufficient showrooms selling or dealing with Tesla electric car components will sell relatively cheaper tires than regions with very few Tesla electric car component selling outlets.

Due to the higher demand and shortage of supply, the price of Tesla electric car tires will go up. Moreover, if a showroom has to import a specific pair of Tesla electric car tires, the price will go even higher due to the high import duty taxes.

On the contrary, in countries like the USA and China, where Tesla electric car components are being manufactured locally, a new set of tires will cost less.

Furthermore, the average cost of labor and fixed taxes also varies globally and within America. As a result, countries with cheaper labor, such as India, would have lower replacement costs than most European countries, where average labor costs are much higher. 

Continue reading the rest of the article below to learn about the average costs of tires for a Tesla Model 3 electric car. Moreover, the estimated prices discussed in the article are for the USA only.

How Much Do Tesla Tires Cost

Read How to Put Tesla in Neutral?

How Much Does the Tires of a Tesla Model 3 Electric Car Cost on Average?

The Tesla Model 3 is a relatively small, compact sedan and is Tesla’s cheapest electric car model. Due to its relatively compact body and size, its weight is lesser than most other Tesla electric cars.

As a result, the tires of a Tesla Model 3 electric car are cheaper than the tires of other models. In general, the price of a new Tesla Model 3 tire will be around 285 USD per tire, making the set of 4 almost 1140 USD.

After the average labor costs and taxes are added, the cost of new Tesla Model 3 tires will go up to 1358 USD.

Why Are Tesla Model 3 Electric Car Tires So Expensive?

The purchase of a new Tesla Model 3 electric car comes with four Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires (there is no spare tire in the trunk).

These tires are mounted on 20 inches wheels, are designed to carry the electric car’s weight at high speeds, and are meant to last a long time.

The MXM4 tires are produced for premium sedans and can even be used on smaller SUVs. The asymmetric pattern and the zig-zag grooves of the tire’s tread design give them greater lateral stability, excellent traction, and enhanced road contact.

To examine the quality of any automobile tire, its treadwear rating, traction rating, temperature rating, and average expected mileage that it will last for have to be examined.

The table below shows the different metrics used to examine the quality of a Tesla Model 3 tire.

Name of Tesla Electric CarTreadwear RatingTraction RatingTemperature RatingExpected Mileage
Tesla Model 3 (standard range)500AA40, 000 miles

As shown in the table above, the treadwear rating of the Tesla Model 3 tires is almost 500 on a scale from 100 to 1000. If the rating of an automobile tire is close to 1000 shows that the tire can last a very long time.

However, the 500 rating proves that the Tesla Model 3 tires will not last extremely long and have a very basic total expected lifespan. 

The second thing to examine is the Tesla Model 3 tire’s traction rating. The traction rating (AA, A, B, C) will tell how well the tires are equipped to come to a halt on wet, slippery roads.

Tires that can stop almost immediately have an AA rating. On the other hand, tires with a traction rating of C will likely skid when going over wet surfaces. 

The Tesla Model 3 electric car tires have a traction rating of A or AA and hence can control the speed, stability, and braking of the then electric car when going on wet landscapes.

The third most crucial rating is the temperature rating. The temperature rating is a standard measurement to examine the tire’s heat resistance at the required air pressure and standard operating conditions.

This rating varies from A to C, with a tire rated A being the most heat resistant, while the tire rated C having the poorest resistance to heat.

The Tesla Model 3 tires have a temperate reading of A and can maintain their quality and performance over extremely high temperatures.

Lastly, Tesla Model 3 electric car tires are expected to last and continue to perform for at least 40,000 miles. This brings their cost to be around 3. 4 cents per mile traveled.

If they get damaged before this mileage, the Model 3 owner can get repair costs taken care of under warranty.

The tires that come with a Tesla Model 3 electric sedan are not flat-run. If the owner wishes to make their Model 3 EV more suitable for varying terrains, they can upgrade the tires to flat-run tires.

Some examples of such flat-run tires include:

  • For a sporty upgrade to allow the Tesla Model 3 to offer higher performance at high speeds, the 18 inches Michelin Pilot Sport Aero Wheels 4S 235/45R18 95Y Summer Performance tires are perfect.
  • For just a general upgrade to allow the Model 3 car to go over steep slopes and rougher landscapes, the 19 inches Michelin Pilot Sports Wheels 4S 235/40R19 93Y Summer Performance tires will be ideal.

Read How Many Solar Panels Are Needed to Charge a Tesla?

What Can You Do If You Get a Flat Tire on a Tesla Model 3 Electric Car?

Like any other automobile tires, the Tesla Model 3 electric car tires will also degrade over time.

Excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays, ranging temperatures, steep slopes, and changing environmental conditions can speed up the depreciation process.

Ideally, the Tesla electric vehicle owner should follow the recommended tire rotation schedule to optimize the performance and lifespan of their electric vehicle’s tires.  

However, despite the timely attention and regular tire care, it is not uncommon for a Tesla electric car’s tire to get damaged or punctured.

An incredible feature that comes with the Tesla Model 3 electric car is its built-in system designed to monitor the air pressure of the electric car’s tires.

The system starts sounding an alarm to alert the driver when one or more tires sustain any damage and start losing air.

This feature is essential as it increases the safety of the electric car and its passengers. Whenever an automobile is driven with poorly inflated tires, the chances of losing balance and crashing get higher.

There are different options that a Tesla Model 3 electric car driver has when their car gets a flat tire. Some of such options are as follows:

Visit an Automobile Tire Repair Shop

Whenever the tire of an automobile gets punctured, it takes a lot of time for the tire to sufficiently deflate.

This is because the tire does not lose air and pressure too quickly, which gives the owner enough time to make their way to the closest automobile tire repair shop.

Contact Roadside Assistance

Although it is easy to spot a tire repair workshop in busy areas of the town, the problem arises when traveling on highways or less-traveled roads.

If they get a flat tire in such a location, they should refrain from keeping their electric car going. Instead, they should park their electric car and contact roadside assistance.

The roadside assistance crew can bring the required pump to increase the tire’s pressure and can even bring a temporary spare tire.

Moreover, the roadside assistance crew can also offer the option to tow the electric car to the nearest repair shop if the tires are severely damaged.

The tip here is to order a flat-bed service to get your electric car towed to protect the car’s different components from damage.

Carry a Spare Tire

When you are traveling to a far-off distance that is disconnected from any urbanized area, the best tip is to always travel with at least one spare tire.

This would allow the driver to be well-equipped for any situation in which their electric car’s tire sustains too much damage or gets punctured.

Read How To Afford a Tesla Electric Car

How to Maintain the Air Pressure of a Tesla Electric Car’s Tires?

It is extremely important to maintain the air pressure of the Tesla electric car’s tires. Driving the electric car on poorly inflated tires will add a lot of unhealthy pressure on the Tesla electric battery.

As a result, the battery’s charge storing capacity, range, and total lifespan would get shortened. One can follow the steps mentioned below to check and adjust their Tesla electric car tire’s air pressure:

  • Begin by removing the valve cap on the tire.
  • Use a well-tested and accurate air pressure gauge and press it into the open valve.
  • Check the manual or online for the proper air pressure, and use a pump to either add more air or release any extra air.
  • Once you have inflated or deflated the tires, reuse the pressure gauge to check the air pressure.
  • Replace the valve cap once the air pressure is precisely at the point you need it to be. Make sure to tighten the valve cap properly to avoid any leaks.

Read Where is Tesla Cars Made

How to Make Your Tesla Electric Car Tires Last Longer

To avoid the high costs of early tire replacement and repairs, you need to do the following:

  • Always check the pressure of all the tires before hitting the road for a long road trip.
  • Refrain from delaying repairs and visit an automobile workshop as soon as you sense a tire problem.
  • Always keep a spare tire in your trunk when traveling for long distances. Doing this would prevent you from driving on a damaged or punctured tire.
  • Reduce the overall unnecessary weight of your electric car. Excessive weight will cause your tires to depreciate faster, leading to earlier tire repair or replacement costs.
  • Allow the tires time to cool down when traveling in scorching weather.
  • Refrain from unnecessarily driving your Tesla electric car over rougher terrains.
  • Refrain from bringing the electric car to an immediate halt after going at high speeds.
  • Try to go on controlled speed and constant accelerations as often as possible.

Related Tesla electric car articles:

  • How to Reboot and Restart a Tesla Electric Vehicle’s Screen?
  • How Much to Rent a Tesla?
  • What is the Purpose of Tesla Sentry Mode?
  • How Much Does It Take to Replace a Tesla Battery?
  • What is Tesla Destination Charging?

Final Thoughts

The tires of a Tesla electric car may be more expensive than other automobile tires on the market; however, their performance and quality make them worth their price.   Proper tire care and timely maintenance can help your car tires last longer. Click here to learn more about maintaining your Tesla electric car tires.

Matthew

My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars & Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.

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