Inspecting And Maintaining Tires - Tesla X Owner's Manual

Tire Care and Maintenance

Inspecting and Maintaining Tires

Regularly inspect the tread and side walls for
any sign of distortion (bulges), cuts or wear.
Warning: Do not drive Model X if a tire is
damaged, excessively worn, or inflated to
an incorrect pressure. Check tires
regularly for wear, and ensure there are
no cuts, bulges or exposure of the ply/
cord structure.
Tire Wear
Adequate tread depth is important for proper
tire performance. Tires with a tread depth less
than 4/32" (3 mm) are more likely to
hydroplane in wet conditions and should not
be used. Tires with a tread depth less than
5/32" (4 mm) do not perform well in snow and
slush and should not be used when driving in
winter conditions.
Model X is originally fitted with tires that have
wear indicators molded into the tread pattern.
When the tread has been worn down to 4/32"
(3 mm), the indicators start to appear at the
surface of the tread pattern, producing the
effect of a continuous band of rubber across
the width of the tire. For optimal performance
and safety, Tesla recommends replacing tires
before the wear indicators are visible.
Tire Rotation, Balance, and Wheel Alignment
Model X tires cannot be rotated, as tires are
asymmetrical and front tires are a different
size from rear tires.
Unbalanced wheels (sometimes noticeable as
vibration through the steering wheel) affect
vehicle handling and tire life. Even with regular
use, wheels can get out of balance. Therefore,
they should be balanced as required.
If tire wear is uneven (on one side of the tire
only) or becomes abnormally excessive, check
the alignment of wheels.
Note: When replacing only two tires, always
install the new tires on the rear.
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Punctured Tires
A puncture eventually causes the tire to lose
pressure, which is why it is important to check
tire pressures frequently. Permanently repair
or replace punctured or damaged tires as
soon as possible.
Your tubeless tires may not leak when
penetrated, provided the object remains in the
tire. If, however, you feel a sudden vibration or
ride disturbance while driving, or you suspect
a tire is damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive slowly, while avoiding heavy
braking or sharp steering and, when safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Arrange to have Model X
transported to a Tesla, or to a nearby tire
repair center.
Note: In some cases, you can temporarily
repair small tire punctures (under 1/4" (6
mm)) using an optional tire repair kit available
from Tesla. This allows you to slowly drive
Model X to Tesla or to a nearby tire repair
facility.
Warning: Do not drive with a punctured
tire, even if the puncture has not caused
the tire to deflate. A punctured tire can
deflate suddenly at any time.
Flat Spots
If Model X is stationary for a long period in
high temperatures, tires can form flat spots.
When Model X is driven, these flat spots cause
a vibration which gradually disappears as the
tires warm up and regain their original shape.
To minimize flat spots during storage, inflate
tires to the maximum pressure indicated on
the tire wall. Then, before driving, release air
to adjust tire pressure to the recommended
levels.
Improving Tire Mileage
To improve the mileage you get from your
tires, maintain tires at the recommended tire
pressures, observe speed limits and advisory
speeds, and avoid:
• Pulling away quickly, or hard acceleration.
• Fast turns and heavy braking.
• Potholes and objects in the road.
• Hitting curbs when parking.
• Contaminating tires with fluids that can
cause damage.
Model X Owner's Manual