Displaying Tire Pressures, Tesla Model 3
Tire pressures display on the touchscreen in the cards zone on the car status display or by touching Controls > Service. The pressure of each tire displays in the visualization of your Model 3, in addition to what time your tire pressures were last measured. You can choose whether to display tire pressures using Bar or PSI by touching Controls > Display > Tire Pressure. The touchscreen also displays your vehicle's recommended cold tire pressures so you can quickly determine how much to inflate your tires. You may need to drive briefly before the visualization displays the tire pressure values.
Maintaining Tire Pressures, Tesla Model 3
Keep Tesla tires inflated to the pressures shown on the Tire and Loading Information label, even if it differs from the pressure printed on the tire itself. The Tire and Loading Information label is located on the center door pillar and is visible when the driver door is open.
The Tire Pressure indicator light on the touchscreen alerts you if one or more tires is under- or over-inflated.
The Tire Pressure indicator light does not immediately turn off when you adjust tire pressure. After inflating the tire to the recommended pressure, you must drive over 15 mph (25 km/h) for a short time to activate the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which turns off the Tire Pressure indicator light.
If the indicator light flashes for one minute whenever you power on Model 3, a fault with the TPMS is detected.
Very Important!
- Your vehicle’s tire pressures will drop in cold ambient temperatures. Therefore, inflate the tires before driving if the TPMS indicator light appears. The tires will lose one PSI for every 10° F (6° C) drop in outside temperature. Proper tire pressures help protect tires from potholes and improve range when properly inflated.
- Underinflation is the most common cause of tire failures. It can cause a tire to overheat, resulting in severe tire cracking, tread separation, or blowout, resulting in unexpected loss of vehicle control and increased risk of injury. Underinflation also reduces the vehicle's range and tire tread life.
- Check tire pressures using an accurate pressure gauge when tires are cold. It takes only about one mile (1.6 km) of driving to warm up the tires sufficiently to affect tire pressures. Parking the vehicle in direct sunlight or hot weather can also affect tire pressure. If you must check warm tires, expect increased pressures. Do not let the air out of warm tires to match recommended cold tire pressures. A hot tire at or below the recommended cold tire inflation pressure is dangerously under-inflated.
Checking and Adjusting Tire Pressures, Tesla Model 3
Please follow these steps when tires are cold and Model 3 has been stationary for over three hours:
- Refer to the Tire and Loading Information label located on the driver’s center door pillar for the target tire pressure.
- Remove the valve cap. Firmly press an accurate tire pressure gauge onto the valve to measure pressure.
- If required, add or remove air to reach the recommended pressure. You can release air by pressing the metal stem in the center of the valve.
- Re-check pressure using the accurate tire gauge.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 as necessary until the tire pressure is correct.
- Reinstall the valve cap to prevent dirt from entering. Periodically check the valve for damage and leaks.
Inspecting and Maintaining Tires Tesla Model 3
Regularly inspect the tread and sidewalls for any sign of distortion (bulges), foreign objects, cuts, or wear.
Warning! Do not drive Tesla Model 3 if a tire is damaged, excessively worn, or inflated to an incorrect pressure. Instead, check tires regularly for wear, and ensure no cuts, bulges, or exposure of the ply/cord structure.
Tire Wear
Adequate tread depth is essential 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 3 is fitted initially 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 tire's width. For optimal performance and safety, Tesla recommends replacing tires before the wear indicators are visible.
To improve vehicle handling characteristics and minimize hydroplaning in wet conditions, put tires with the most tread on the car's rear.
Tesla Model 3 Tire Rotation, Balance, and Wheel Alignment
Tire rotation is an essential part of tire maintenance. It helps maintain an even treadwear pattern which enhances the tire's overall wear quality, decreases road noise, and maximizes tire life.
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.
Check the wheel alignment if tire wear is uneven (on one side of the tire only) or becomes abnormally excessive. If the tires need to be serviced, such as rotated or replaced, reset the tire configuration (see Tire Configuration) to improve your driving experience.
Punctured Tires Tesla Model 3
A puncture eventually causes the tire to lose pressure, so it is important to check tire pressures frequently. Also, 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 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 stop the vehicle when safe. Then, arrange to have Model 3 transported to a Tesla Service Center or to a nearby tire repair center.
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 3 to Tesla or to a nearby tire repair facility.
Do not drive with a punctured tire that has not been repaired, even if the puncture has not caused the tire to deflate. A punctured tire can deflate suddenly at any time.
Flat Spots on Tires, Tesla Model 3
If Model 3 is stationary for an extended period, tires can form flat spots. When Model 3 is driven, these flat spots cause a vibration that 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 Tesla Model 3
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 can could cause damage.