Rotating your Tesla Model Y’s tires is a crucial maintenance task that ensures even wear, prolongs tire life, and enhances your vehicle’s performance. Whether you’re a new Tesla owner or simply looking to stay on top of your vehicle’s maintenance, this guide will walk you through the steps to rotate your Model Y’s tires effectively.
How to Rotate Model Y Tires
The Official Tesla Model Y Tire Shift Guide
Shift Frequency: Tesla recommends a tire shift every 10,000 km or when the tread depth differs by 1.5 mm to keep the tread pattern even and improve tire wear and service life.
Shift steps:
- Make sure the vehicle is parked on a level surface and secure.
- Lift the vehicle using a lift or jack to ensure the tires are touching the ground.
- Remove the tire using a tire wrench and mark the inside and outside and direction of rotation.
- Perform tire rotation in the order of front wheel cross to rear wheel and rear wheel parallel rotation.
- When installing new tires, make sure the inner and outer sides and direction of rotation are installed correctly.
- Remount the vehicle and inflate to proper pressure.
Caution:
- It is important to pay attention to the symmetry of the tires when replacing them to avoid a reduction in vehicle handling due to different tire sizes.
- If only two tires are replaced, it is recommended that the new tires be mounted on the rear wheels to avoid understeer or oversteer.
- The balance and alignment of the vehicle needs to be checked after the swap, and dynamic balancing and four-wheel alignment should be carried out if necessary.
Service Reservation: Owners can make an appointment for the shift service in advance through Tesla App, and the service center will remind the owner to do the shift according to the mileage of the vehicle and the depth of the tire tread.
Cost reference: Please contact Tesla for the official cost of four-wheel shift, including tire pressure adjustment and basic inspection.
Safety Tips: When performing a tire shift, be sure to follow official instructions and safety procedures to ensure safe operation.
Universal Steps and Precautions for Tire Shifting
Generic Steps:
Preparation:
- Park the vehicle in a flat, safe place, tighten the handbrake and place warning signs.
- Prepare tools such as jacks, wrenches, and tire pressure gauges.
Lift the vehicle:
- Use a jack or lift to raise the vehicle to an appropriate height and make sure the support points are secure.
Remove the tire:
- Loosen the tire bolts, but do not unscrew them completely.
- Remove the tire and inspect it for debris or foreign objects.
Installing a new tire:
- Install the new tire onto the wheel in the correct direction and order.
- Tighten the tire bolts diagonally to ensure even pressure.
Lower the vehicle:
- Lower the jack so that the tires are on the ground and tighten the bolts again.
Inspection and Adjustment:
- Check tire air pressure for compliance with manufacturer's requirements.
- Perform a dynamic balance test and four-wheel alignment to ensure the vehicle is stable.
Caveats:
Tire Matching:
- Make sure that all four tires are of the same make, model, size, tread pattern and specification.
- Avoid using a tire that has been patched due to a leak as a spare tire.
Shifting method:
- Rear wheel drive vehicles: left front, right front swap to left rear, right rear; left rear, right rear swap to left front, right front.
- Front-wheel drive vehicles: left rear, right rear for left front, right front; left front, right front for left rear, right rear.
- Four-wheel drive vehicles: left and right wheels all crossed and aligned.
Special tire handling:
- Single-guide tires: only front-to-rear alignment, not left-to-right cross.
- Radial tires: single-side swapping is recommended to avoid reverse rotation.
Shift Intervals:
- It is generally recommended to perform a tire rotation every 8,000-10,000 km.
- Adjust the shift interval according to tire wear.
Safe Operation:
- Wear gloves when operating to avoid hand injuries.
- Make sure the jack is stable to avoid vehicle slipping.
Model Y tire specifications and wheel design features
Tire specifications:
- Standard Range and Long Range versions: equipped with 255/45R19 tires with a width of 255 mm, a flat ratio of 45% and a wheel diameter of 19 inches.
- Performance version: equipped with 255/35R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tires with widths of 255 mm and 275 mm, respectively, both with a flat ratio of 35% and a wheel diameter of 21 inches.
- Optional 20-inch wheels are available with Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires in 255/40R20.
Wheel Design Features:
- The standard version of the wheel is a 19-inch Gemini wheel, which focuses on fuel efficiency and sporty performance.
- The high-performance version comes standard with 21-inch Überturbine wheels for great looks and high-intensity driving.
- The wheel bolt size is 5 x 114.3, the bolt diameter is 129 lb ft (75 Nm) and the bolt socket size is 21 mm.
- The wheel design focuses on lightweight and strength, with some of the modified wheels losing about 20 pounds.
Tire brands and models:
- Standard range and long range versions: Hantai Ventus S1 evo 3 series tires.
- High-performance version: Michelin PILOT SPORT EV series tires.
- Optional Michelin PS4 series tires are available to provide better quietness and handling.
Tire pressure and maintenance:
- Recommended cold tire inflation pressure is 42 PSI (290kPa) and tires need to be replaced when tread depth falls below 3mm.
- Tires need to be rotated every 6,250 miles (approx. 10,000 km) or when the tread depth difference exceeds 2/32 inch (approx. 1.5 mm).
Tesla Recommended Tire Replacement Intervals
Tesla's official recommended tire rotation interval is one tire rotation every 10,000 kilometers or when the difference in tread depth is 1.5 mm or more.
In addition, some of the evidence refers to specific procedures and precautions for tire rotation, such as the need to ensure that the vehicle is parked on a level surface, lift the vehicle using a jack, remove and reinstall the tires, and check the tire air pressure.
It is important to note that while some of the evidence mentions that Tesla tires are typically replaced at intervals of 60,000 to 100,000 kilometers, these are primarily for the overall replacement of the tires, not tire shifting. The purpose of a tire swap is to maintain even tire wear, extend service life, and improve driving safety.
Therefore, Tesla's recommended tire rotation intervals are every 10,000 km or when the difference in tread depth is 1.5 mm or more.
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Rotating the tires on your Tesla Model Y is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your vehicle’s performance and safety. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure even tire wear and prolong the life of your tires. Regular maintenance not only saves you money in the long run but also keeps your vehicle running smoothly. Invest a little time in tire rotation and enjoy a safer, more efficient drive.
