Tesla Model S: Wheels and Tires
Wheel Specifications (Factory)

NOTE: For instructions on how to jack/lift Model S, see Jacking and
Lifting.
Tire Specifications (Factory)

Understanding Tire Markings
Laws require tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the
sidewall of all tires. This information
identifies and describes the fundamental characteristics of the tire. It also
provides the tire identification number
(TIN) for certification of safety standards, and in case of a recall.

- Tire category. P indicates that the tire is for passenger vehicles.
- Tire width. This 3-digit number is the width (in millimeters) of the
tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge.
- Aspect ratio. This 2-digit number is the sidewall height as a percentage
of the tread width. So, if the tread
width is 205 mm, and the aspect ratio is 50, the sidewall height is 102 mm.
- Tire construction. R indicates that the tire is of Radial ply
construction.
- Wheel diameter. This 2-digit number is the diameter of the wheel rim in
inches.
- Load index. This 2 or 3-digit number is the weight each tire can
support. This number is not always shown.
- Speed rating. When stated, indicates the maximum speed (in mph) at which
the tire can be used for extended
periods. Q=99 mph (160 km/h), R=106 mph (170 km/h), S=112 mph (180 km/h),
T=118 mph (190 km/h),
U=124 mph (200 km/h), H=130 mph (210 km/h), V=149 mph (240 km/h), W=168 mph
(270 km/h), Y=186 mph
(300 km/h), (Y)=vehicle's top speed (exceeds the "Y" rating).
- Tire composition and materials. The number of plies in both the tread
area and the sidewall area indicates how
many layers of rubber coated material make up the structure of the tire.
Information is also provided on the
type of materials used.
- Maximum tire load. The maximum load which can be carried by the tire.
- Maximum permissible inflation pressure. This pressure should not be
used for normal driving.
- U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN). Begins with the letters DOT
and indicates that the tire meets all
federal standards. The next 2 digits/letters represent the plant code where
it was manufactured, and the last 4
digits represent the week and year of manufacture. For example, the number
1712 is used to represent the 17th
week of 2012. The other numbers are marketing codes used at the
manufacturer's discretion. This information
can be used to contact consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.
- Treadwear grade. This number indicates the tire's wear rate. The higher
the treadwear number is, the longer it
should take for the tread to wear down. A tire rated at 400, for example,
lasts twice as long as a tire rated at
200.
- Traction grade. Indicates a tire's ability to stop on wet roads. A
higher graded tire should allow you to stop your
vehicle in a shorter distance than a tire with a lower grade. Traction is
graded from highest to lowest as AA, A,
B, and C.
- Temperature grade. The tire's resistance to heat is grade A, B, or C,
with A indicating the greatest resistance.
This grading is provided for a correctly inflated tire, which is being used
within its speed and loading limits.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the tire grading system developed by the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), which grades tires by tread wear, traction and
temperature performance. Tires that have
deep tread, and winter tires, are exempt from these marking requirements.
Where applicable, quality grades are found on the tire's sidewall between the
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
- TREADWEAR 180
- TRACTION AA
- TEMPERATURE A
The quality grades are described next.
NOTE: In addition to the marking requirements, passenger car tires must
conform to Federal Safety Requirements.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 wears one and a half times better on a government
test course than a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends on the actual conditions of their use,
however, and can depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, road
characteristics, and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are: AA, A, B, and C. These
grades represent a tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C
might have poor traction performance.
WARNING: Defective tires are dangerous. Do not drive if a tire is
damaged, excessively worn, or is inflated to
an incorrect pressure. The safety of the vehicle and occupants can be
adversely affected. Check tires regularly
for wear and to ensure there are no cuts, bulges or exposure of the ply/cord
structure.
WARNING: The traction grade assigned to the tire is based on straight-ahead
braking tests, and does not
include: acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire's
resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to the minimum level of performance that all passenger
car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
that exceed the minimum requirements.
WARNING: A tire's temperature grade is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive loading, either separately
or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Tire and Loading Glossaries
General Wheel and Tire Terms

Load Carrying Definitions


Pneumatic Radial Tire Definitions


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can occasionally treat the paint surfaces with an
approved polish containing:
Very mild abrasive to remove surface contamination
without removing or damaging the paint.
Filling compounds that fill scratches and reduce their
visibility.
W
When you shift to Reverse, the Park Assist view displays
on the left side of the instrument panel, showing objects
that are in close proximity to the front and rear of
Model S. This view closes when you shift into Drive
unless an object is detected close to the front of
Model S, in which case t