Tires for electric vehicles do not come cheap, and Tesla tires are no exception. Like all production car tires, Tesla tires have a finite life span and will need to be replaced for your car to operate at peak performance. Realizing this, you may wonder how much Tesla tires cost.
Tesla tires can cost anywhere from $115 to $350 each, with a full set often costing more than $1,000. The average cost to replace Tesla tires varies, as factors like rim size, tire size, brand, tire type, labor cost, and model of Tesla will all affect the cost of replacing your tires.
Below, we will outline the number of miles Tesla tires last before we shift gears and talk more about how much it costs to replace a set of tires on a Tesla. We’ll break down costs by model, and will end by answering questions such as whether you should buy tires directly from Tesla.
How Many Miles Do Tesla Tires Last?
Tesla tires generally last between 20,000 miles (32,000 km) and 40,000 miles (64,000 km). How long your Tesla’s tires last will depend on lots of different factors, from the condition of the roads you drive on to your driving style, and the type of tires you use.
Tesla owners may need to replace their tires sooner than other road users, often between 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers) and 10,000 miles (16,093 kilometers). One reason is, because of the instant torque offered by the electric motor, electric cars like Teslas can put more power through the wheels faster than a conventional vehicle can. This can lead to wheel spin and faster tire wear.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Tire On A Tesla?
It can cost anywhere from about $100 to $300 or more to replace a tire on a Tesla. The cost of replacing a tire on a Tesla will vary depending on several factors like the Tesla model, type of tires, the brand, labor, and even the rim size.
Size Of Rims & Types Of Tires
The larger the rim, the more money it will cost you to replace the tires. While rims vary in size, the type of tire will further dictate how much you can expect to play.
There are five major categories of tires for Teslas, with Ultra High Performance (UHP) tires serving as the most expensive. They allow for easier steering, smoother rides, and ultimate stability, which places them a rung higher than the others.
Winter tires clock in as the second most expensive because they need to perform during brutal winter weather. The higher overall production cost sets them higher than All-Season and Grand Touring tires. The latter provide comfortable rides while the former are ideal if you live in a region that experiences mild winters.
Run-Flat tires have thicker sidewalls to be able to run for a certain distance at a lower speed even after you get a puncture. These can vary in price, and your Tesla won’t come with these as standard.
Tire Brand Matters
The brand of tire you opt to buy will affect the overall costs. If you are looking for a premium brand, expect to pay more money, with the most popular being Michelin, Bridgestone, and Continental. There are several mid-range brands out there, and Hankook is another brand with options that perform well on electric vehicles.
Tesla Tire Cost By Model
| Tesla Model | Cost Per Tire |
| Model S | $130 – $400 |
| Model 3 | $150 – $300 |
| Model X | $300 – $400 |
| Model Y | $300 – $400 |
Note that these prices are estimated ranges. The total cost per tire varies depending on lots of different factors, and labor costs of fitting these tires can raise the price substantially. Plus, there are a number of cheaper brands out there that offer tires outside these price ranges, so our advice is to shop around to find the balance between price and quality.
Why Are Tesla Tires So Expensive?
Tesla tires are expensive because they are manufactured with high quality materials, and they are designed to perform well under the high torque output of Tesla’s electric motors. The car brand itself is also fairly premium, meaning anything you buy for them is also going to cost a fair bit.
KEY POINTS
• Tesla tires can cost anywhere from $100 to $400 or more
• The price varies depending on a wide range of factors
• The tires are expensive as they need to be made of premium materials
Should You Buy Tires Directly From Tesla?
You do not need to buy tires directly from Tesla. While Tesla’s website recommends that you buy from either a Tesla Service Center or an approved third party center, you can buy tires anywhere you choose. Just make sure that your chosen tire fitter has the credentials to replace tires on a Tesla.
If you cannot find a capable nearby tire shop, your best bet is to find the nearest Tesla Service Center to provide tire service to your car. This will save you future heartache for trying to save time or money in receiving service from a shop whose mechanics are not well-acquainted with the brand and, in the long-term, it may end up costing you more.
Should You Replace All 4 Tesla Tires At Once?
You don’t need to replace all 4 tires on your Tesla at once unless they have all worn down at about the same rate. If you get a puncture, for example, then you will only need to replace the affected tire, provided the rest of the tires are in a safe and legal condition.
In many cases, you will need to replace all four tires at once. Depending on the model you drive, the owner’s manual will recommend you replace all four tires after a specific number of years, often ranging between three years for a Model S and six years for a Model 3.
Final Thoughts
Tesla tires vary in cost depending on the model you drive, tire size, rim size, tire type, labor costs, and tire brand. It can cost anywhere from about $900 to $1,400 or more to replace all four tires on your Tesla, but this will largely depend on where you source your tires and which tires you buy.