Updated on April 8, 2024
One of the main advantages of an electric car is the low maintenance cost, but even they require some service. Tires are one of the more expensive components, and this is especially true for Tesla cars. But why is that the case?
Tesla tires are expensive because of their dimensions. The tires placed on Tesla models are low-profile and at least 18 inches, a relatively modern specification that doesn’t have a widespread and therefore costs more.
Tesla doesn’t make its own tires, so the durability will primarily depend on the brand you buy, the specification of the tire, and your driving habits.
The tires used by Tesla are not special in any way, at least not the replacement ones. You can go to any store and order tires based on the specification.
In fact, a 2.3 EcoBoost Mustang uses almost the exact same tires as the Tesla Model 3.
The proper answer to the question is: Tesla tires are expensive because the company uses tire dimensions for sports cars.
Tesla models use large-diameter tires which have become increasingly more popular over time. The width combined with the low tire wall gives these tires excellent in terms of performance, but the downside used to be the stiff and uncomfortable ride.
Nowadays, that’s not an issue as suspension technology has progressed significantly. That’s why you’ll even see on-road crossover SUVs on very slim tires.
Another advantage of low-profile tires is the look. By reducing the amount of space the tire takes, there’s more room for the rim, and we can all agree that a larger rim with a slimmer tire looks great.
The following table shows the Tesla recommended tires for their vehicles.
Vehicle Tire Sizes Model S 235/45R18While the benefits are significant, there’s one big problem with these tires, and that’s the price. The 195/65R15 tire is considered the benchmark tire size by many. It was the dimension of choice for a lot of car manufacturers around the break of the 21st century.
This meant that the tire production could be scaled immensely because of all the demand. Right now, a 195/65R15 tire by Goodyear is only $76 at Walmart.
To put this into perspective, the smallest 235/45R18 tire for the Model S made by Goodyear costs $116, while all the others easily come close to $200.
Even though a valid argument can be made in favor of improved performance of these new tires, the small production scale, smaller competition, and some price jacking by tire companies is also a reason why Tesla tires cost more.
The cost of tires for Tesla depends largely on the tire manufacturer. Even though some make dangerously cheap tires and others charge way too much, the majority of the reliable brands have a very similar price range.
The tire replacement service for Tesla should cost the same as for any other vehicle. If you bring your own tires, the swap plus balancing will set you back $40 per tire at most.
Unless you find a good deal, it’s not a bad idea to get the tires directly from the physical store and have the mounting fee built into the price.
In general, when you buy new tires from a shop, they’ll either throw in the replacement and balancing for free, or give you a discount. The price in that case shouldn’t be more than $20 per tire.
Teslas are predominantly driven inside the city, which puts extra wear on the tires.
Still, you should be able to get up to 30,000 miles from a set of tires. However, if the tires are not balanced or the wheels are not aligned, it can lead to excessive tire wear and a shorter life span. The same applies if you over or under-inflate the tires.
Tesla is a powerful car with high torque output, so if you’re taking advantage of that EV acceleration, the tires will wear out more quickly.
However, if you take a more relaxed approach, the tires should last as long as on a gas-powered vehicle.
The lifespan of a Tesla tire depends on how much you travel during a year. If we take the average of 10,000 miles, then the tires should be changed every three years.
However, if you’re running both summer and winter tires, this essentially doubles the lifespan of each. And of course, if you’re crossing less than 10,000 miles annually the tires will last you longer.
The age of the tire doesn’t really come into play until they’re 6 years old, based on most manufacturers, but they’ll still be usable for another 2-4 years.
Of course, you can change tires on a Tesla, it’s just like any other car. You can install a spare tire yourself and have a tire technician fit a new tire on the rim.
Because Tesla vehicles do not come with spare tires, your only options are to either use or a similar product or have your vehicle towed.
Tesla is a very high-tech vehicle, with a myriad of sensitive components placed on the peripheral areas. Even a minor crash with a Tesla can be very expensive, and if major damage occurs, the car is only good for scrap.
While Tesla tires are expensive, they’re not more expensive just because they go on a Tesla. These tires have a specific profile that is more expensive on the market in general, regardless of what car they’re fitted on.
Tires are frequently overlooked as a maintenance part, and the days of $60 tires are coming to an end. If you’re looking to buy a Tesla or any other newer vehicle, do a quick tire search based on the manufacturer’s recommended size and see how much the tires go for.
Get more details about Tesla in these posts:
Do Teslas Have Transmissions?
Does The Tesla Model 3 Have A Sunroof?
How Much Does A Tesla Car Battery Weigh? (Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y)
