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19 inch vs 20 inch wheels ride quality

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Winter tires are heavier than all-season tires and winter tires have softer rubber compounds. Winter tires will have higher rolling resistance and lower efficiency than other types of tires.

The Tesla 19" Gemini wheels and tires are much lighter than the 21" Uber wheels and tires. The 19" Gemini wheels when fitted with the OE tires and the arguably ugly Gemini wheel covers have the highest efficiency of any of the Tesla OE wheels. The Gemini wheel covers that come on the 19" Gemini wheels significantly reduces air turbulence around the wheels. This provides 4% to 5% overall improved efficiency at highway speeds, not as much at lower speeds.

You can purchase 19" wheels and 18" wheels that are lighter than the 19" Gemini wheels but these wheels won't have the extra efficiency provided by the Gemini wheel covers. Aftermarket wheel covers can look better than the Gemini wheel covers but don't claim improved efficiency. If you rarely drive on the highway removing the Gemini wheel covers and installing center caps and lug nut covers won't make much difference in lowering (worsening) driving efficiency.

Based on Model Y test data that Tesla submitted to the EPA differences in consumption (Wh/mile) between the Tesla 19"/20"/21" wheels are less at lower speeds (i.e. 50 MPH). By 75 to 80 MPH the spread in consumption is ~14%; the 21" Uberturbine wheels have ~14% higher consumption versus the 19" Gemini wheels at the higher speeds. The 20" wheels falls in between.
 
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