15kmiles: need to replace tires and do alignment - is it ok?

[VladimirG]

Hi,

bought Tesla Model 3 AWD LR in December, 2019. Now mileage is almost 15k miles. Yesterday visited America's tires, wanted to do rotation. But was surprised because was told that already need to replace tires (R18) and highly recommended to do alignment.
I know that better to do rotation every 5-6k, but it is almost new car!
Is it ok?!

 

[sduck]

15K in 8 months is a LOT of miles. If it was really out of alignment, that would cause your excessive tire wear. Or, they may just be trying to sell you some stuff - maybe get a second opinion? Or you could get a tire tread gauge and check it yourself.

 

[Tam]

...replace tires...

That depends on what your tires' tread depth is: you should replace if they are down to 4/32" or 3mm.

Your tire longevity is dependent on many factors including driving habits and alignment...

Running over a pothole or bumping into a curb can knock the alignment out of whack.

They can printout pre-alignment numbers to verify whether an alignment is needed or not.

 

[XLR82XS]

I'm almost at 15K miles in my 2020 and factory original tires are in great condition. I did 1 rotation at ~8,900 miles.
Tire replacement will be more often than the average ICE car due to vehicle weight and torque of the Tesla.

 

[alstoralset]

I rotated mine (M3 AWD) after about a year, and was very surprised by the amount of wear, and the wear delta between front and rear. That was the day I became a granny driver. :S

 

[Perscitus]

Wear delta between front and rear should be immaterial with a dual motor setup. If you are not seeing the same, something is off or yes, not enough grandma mode.

 

[RandyS]

fyi in case you didn't know, there is no camber adjustment on the Model 3. If your camber is off enough to need adjustment, there are aftermarket adjustable camber arms available (such as the ones from Mountain Pass Performance).

 

[XLR82XS]

I rotated mine (M3 AWD) after about a year, and was very surprised by the amount of wear, and the wear delta between front and rear. That was the day I became a granny driver. :S

Electric is SO much fun though! Tires don't cost that much compared to some other cars I own so screw it -- I'm flooring it and enjoying life.

 

[ZOMGVTEK]

I got about 9K out of the stock tires before they were on the wear bars, so 15k sounds good.

It depends a great deal on how you drive. Most places will check the alignment for free. If its out, its not out by much to make it this long.

 

[JBT66]

I’m on 18” MXM4s with 22000 miles and have plenty left. 15000 sounds low on average.

 

[VladimirG]

tires' tread depth

it was on the minimum position, but not for every wheel and was not consistent

Replaced, now i have warranty: 45.000 miles. Tomorrow have appointment for alignment.
Let's see how it will work, going to rotate every 5k..

 

[Watts_Up]

I checked my alignment when my car was new to have a reference, and all the toe angles were out of spec.
I check the alignment every 6 months and only tiny corrections get reported.
I also rotate only front and rear on the same side, I could use my spare to cross the tires but I don't want to have curb rash on both sides...

I read that the OEM tires don't get good mileage, also RWD tires take all the load in heavy acceleration compare with AWD.
What kind of tires and size do you plan to get?

 

[VladimirG]

What kind of tires and size do you plan to get?

I got the same Michelin Primacy MXM4

 

[texas_star_TM3]

That depends on what your tires' tread depth is: you should replace if they are down to 4/32" or 3mm.

Your tire longevity is dependent on many factors including driving habits and alignment...

Running over a pothole or bumping into a curb can knock the alignment out of whack.

They can printout pre-alignment numbers to verify whether an alignment is needed or not.

2/32" per DOT and most states. Michelin even states that replacing a tire at 3mm doesn't provide a safety benefit over the manufacturer/ legal requirements. I wouldn't go below 2/32" but 4/32" is more like the dream of a tire installation place...

 

[texas_star_TM3]

i would get a tire thread measure tool for $5 on amazon and measure the tires... hard to see that they are at 2/32" after just 15k miles...

 

[VladimirG]

i would get a tire thread measure tool for $5 on amazon and measure the tires... hard to see that they are at 2/32" after just 15k miles...

yeah, good idea!

 

[SlimJim]

I have budgeted to replace the tires annually. I have to when I do 3.5 sec runs several times a day.

 

[jblack41510]

I checked my alignment when my car was new to have a reference, and all the toe angles were out of spec.
I check the alignment every 6 months and only tiny corrections get reported.
I also rotate only front and rear on the same side, I could use my spare to cross the tires but I don't want to have curb rash on both sides...

I read that the OEM tires don't get good mileage, also RWD tires take all the load in heavy acceleration compare with AWD.
What kind of tires and size do you plan to get?

Where do you get your alignment at?

 

[Zorg]

My rear 18" tires were replaced at 12K miles. Tesla service told me that I may have enjoyed the torque a bit too much.

 

[Watts_Up]

Where do you get your alignment at?

Big 'O, they have the correct instructions for putting the car in Neutral.
They have a 6 months free alignment check.
Just try getting the first appointment in the morning (and brink your own coffee : )