Inspecting And Maintaining Tires - Tesla S Owner's Manual

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 S 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
Model S is originally fitted with tires that have wear
indicators molded into the tread pattern. When the
tread has been worn down to 1.6 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.
Replace a tire as soon as an indicator band
becomes visible or the tread depth reaches the
minimum permitted by law.
Tire Rotation, Balance, and Wheel Alignment
Tesla recommends rotating the tires every 8000
km .
Note: Do not rotate tires on the Performance Plus
models.
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.
Maintenance
Tire Care and Maintenance
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. 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.
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 S transported to a Tesla service center, or to
a nearby tire repair center.
Note: In some cases, you can temporarily repair
small tire punctures (under 6 mm) using an optional
tire repair kit available from Tesla. This allows you
to slowly drive Model S to Tesla or to a nearby tire
repair facility (see Temporary Tire Repair
97).
Warning: Do not drive Model S with a
punctured tire. Even if the punctured tire has
not deflated, it can suddenly deflate at any
time.
Flat Spots
If Model S is stationary for a long period in high
temperatures, tires can form flat spots. When Model
S is driven, these flat spots cause a vibration which
gradually disappears as the tires warm up and
regain their original shape.
To minimize the 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.
Driving in Low Ambient Temperatures
Tire performance is reduced in low ambient
temperatures, resulting in reduced grip and an
increased susceptibility to damage from impacts.
Performance tires can temporarily harden when
cold, causing you to hear rotational noise for the first
few miles until the tires warm up. Contact Tesla for
winter tire recommendations.
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