Run Flat Tires are designed to help drivers during a blowout from not going into another lane or potentially hitting another vehicle. One question you might be asking yourself is does your Tesla have Run Flat Tires?
If not, can you put Run Flat Tires on your Tesla? What types of tires does Tesla recommend you put on your Vehicle? Are you a Performance or Long Range Tire person? You may also be asking yourself what to do if you experience a blowout in your Tesla.
All these questions are probably running through your mind, but do not worry, in this guide, I will be going over all these questions.
Continue reading to see if Tesla has Run Flat Tires and what to do if your Tesla tires are flat.
Does Tesla Have Run Flat Tires?
No, Tesla does not offer the Run Flat Tire. The reasoning behind this is they provide conventional tires, these tires are designed to provide a balance between ride quality, efficiency, and performance.
The most common tires that Tesla uses, especially for the Model 3, are the Michelin Primacy MxM4. These tires are optimized for long tread life and to provide a smooth, quiet ride for you. Tesla also uses Pirelli, Hankook, and Continental tires, most come in 19-inch and 20-inch sizes.
Tesla chooses tires with your maximum safety, performance of the vehicle, and longevity in mind.
The Model Y comes with Gemini or Induction tires, these tires are considered Long Range Tires. Having Long Range Tires like the name provides a longer range than performance tires. The Longe Range Tires in one charge can go up to 330 miles, while the Performance Tires in one charge go up to 303 miles.
That is something to keep in mind when you are deciding what tire you want for your Tesla.
Can You Put Run Flat Tires on a Tesla?
No, Tesla does not recommend that you put Run Flat Tire on your vehicle. However in theory you can mount any tire that fits your rim and wheel well, but that does not mean you should.
The main reason why Tesla does not use Run Flat Tire or recommends you to use them on your Tesla is its performance. Run Flat Tires are heavier than other tires, you will get a lot less range using Run Flat Tires.
Since Run Flat Tires are manufactured to keep going even if you have a flat, which can impact the ride quality on your Tesla.
Keep in mind that Run Flat Tires are also harder to turn, which can consume more energy to turn. When you own a Tesla you might not have tires that consume more energy and do not have long range.
You want tires that keep your Tesla working at its optimal level. A lot of people who own Tesla want the best accessories for their vehicle to keep their car working at its best, tires are a huge part of that.
A lot of people do not realize how much a good set of tires, that is right for your vehicle, can make a difference in your car’s performance.
What to Do If Your Tesla Tires Are Flat?
Like all tires, they can degrade over time due to high temperatures, high loads, environmental conditions, and basic wear and tear on the tires. You may be asking yourself what should you do if you have a flat tire on your Tesla?
The first thing you should check is if your tire is holding any air. If your tire still has air in it and you think you can make it to the nearest Tesla Service Center, or a close shop that works on Tesla Models.
Do keep in mind that driving on a flat tire is never really a good idea, it can also damage your vehicle’s rim.
Even if you think your tire has enough air but is punctured, the tire can also suddenly deflate at any moment. This becomes a risk to not only you but also to possible drivers around you.
Remember that every flat tire may not be a blowout, it could lose air slowly as you are driving and you may not notice until it is completely out of air. You may notice your Tesla suddenly reduce in speed or feel a sudden vibration.
Pull over immediately when you suspect your tire might be low, it is also good to regularly check and maintain your tire pressure.
If you can not drive your Tesla to the nearest Service Center the best thing you should do is call your Roadside Assistance. If you have the Tesla Roadside Assistance they will provide immediate help 24/7.
You can access the Roadside Assistance option in your Tesla app, they cover breakdowns, dead batteries, lockouts, and yes even flat repairs. Having the Tesla Roadside Assistance is wonderful to have for those emergency moments.
When you can have a professional to rely on, especially if you are not sure what you are doing, can give you as a driver peace of mind knowing someone had your back during the hard times. And having a flat tire can be stressful, no one plans on that in their daily schedule.
With all vehicles, even Teslas, make sure you regularly have maintenance on your tires and follow the recommended Tesla tire rotation schedule. When your tires are unbalanced and your wheels are misaligned this can negatively impact the performance, handling, and steering of your Tesla.
If your tire pressure is low, your tires can overheat, which can result in tread spreading, tire cracking, and even cause the tire to blow out.
When you have a Tire blowout this can cause you to lose control of your vehicle which can seriously injure you and possibly other drivers around you.
That is why it is highly recommended that you regularly maintain your tire pressure, and make it a habit to check your tires over before you drive.
And when your Tesla has a flat tire on your Tesla contact your Tesla Roadside Assistance or take your Tesla to the nearest Tesla Service Station or a repair shop that knows how to work on Tesla.
Does Tesla Pay For Flat Tires?
Yes, the Tesla Roadside Assistance will cover flat tires. However, you have to be within 50 miles (80 km) of a Tesla Service Center. And they can not be aftermarket wheels and/or tires. If your Tesla needs towing the Tesla Roadside Assistance will cover that as well, you have to be within 50 miles (80 km) of a Tesla Service Center.
If you do not have access to the Tesla Roadside Assistance you can go to a third-party tire shop, with that being said I would choose one that has a mechanic that knows how to work o a Tesla Model just to be sure.
Flat tires can be repaired depending on the damage to the tire and can be priced fairly if you are not covered under the warranty. Do keep in mind your tires might need to be replaced with new ones depending on the wear and tear of your Teslas tires.
My Final Thoughts
Making sure that you have the best tires on your Tesla that are suitable for your environment can be the best decision you make.
Depending if you like Performance or Long Range Tires, you have a choice, Tesla does give you an option on what tires you want on your Tesla, with a price of course.
Even Tesla tires can become flat over time, and get damaged like all tires can. When you experience a flat tire it can be annoying and stressful to your day. And if you experience a blowout there is a possibility of losing control of your vehicle which can not only hurt you but other drivers around you.
The best thing as a car owner is to maintain maintenance not only on your vehicle but your tires as well. Get into the habit of checking your tires over before your leave and also regularly checking that tire pressure.
Your Tesla Roadside Assistance can be accessed through the Tesla app and does cover flat tires just as long as you are within 50 miles (80 km) of a Tesla Service Center.
If your Tesla needs to be towed the Tesla Roadside Assistance will cover towing as well as long as you are within 50 miles (80 km) of a Tesla Service Center. Leaving this to the professionals is the best way to make sure you get the job done right.