Tesla MODEL 3 2012 Owner's Manual page 201

Flat Spots
If Model 3 is stationary for a long period, tires
can form flat spots. When Model 3 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.
Replacing Tires and Wheels
Tires degrade over time due to the effects of
ultraviolet light, extreme temperatures, high
loads, and environmental conditions. It is
recommended that tires are replaced every
six years, or sooner if required, even if tread
depth is above the minimum.
When a tire set becomes worn, replace all
four tires at the same time. Choose a Tesla-
approved tire which is designed specifically
for your vehicle. Most Tesla-approved tires
can be identified with a Tx specification (for
example, T0, T1, T2). Tesla-approved tires are
designed to reduce road noise and optimize
handling, ride, and range. Contact Tesla
Service for information.
If tires need to be replaced early, for example
due to a flat tire, we recommend replacing
the tires in pairs unless the other tires are
within 1.5 mm of tread depth of the new tire.
When replacing tires, it is important to match
the brand and model of the older tires.
Always place a pair of new tires on the rear if
all four tires are the same size. Always
balance the wheel and tire after replacing a
Maintenance
Tire Care and Maintenance
tire. Consult with a professional tire retailer
and installer for further guidance. If you
replace your tires or install different ones,
reset the tire configuration (see
Configuration on page
learned tire settings and improves the driving
experience on your new tires.
NOTE: Regardless of the number of tires
replaced, a complete set of matching tires is
recommended for optimum performance.
If tires other than those specified are used,
ensure that the load and speed ratings
marked on the tire (see
Markings on page
those of the original specification.
For the specification of the original wheels
and tires installed on Model 3, see
Tires on page
If you replace a wheel, the TPMS (Tire
Pressure Monitoring System) sensors need to
be reset to ensure they provide accurate
warnings when tires are under- or over-
inflated (see
Sensors on page
NOTE: Installing winter tires with aggressive
compound and tread design may result in
temporarily-reduced regenerative braking
power. However, your vehicle is designed to
continuously recalibrate itself, and after
changing tires it will increasingly restore
regenerative braking power after some
moderate-torque straight-line accelerations.
For most drivers this occurs after a short
period of normal driving, but drivers who
normally accelerate lightly may need to use
slightly harder accelerations while the
recalibration is in progress.
WARNING: For your safety, use only
tires and wheels that match the
original specification. Tires that do not
match the original specification can
affect the operation of the TPMS.
WARNING: Never exceed the speed
rating of your vehicle's tires. The
speed rating is shown on the sidewall
of your tires (see
Markings on page
Tire
201). This resets the
Understanding Tire
231) equal or exceed
Wheels and
228.
Automatic Reset of TPMS
202).
Understanding Tire
231).
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