Confused about range + wheel size

[kriskeyman]

I’m planning on ordering a Model Y but have one question about wheel size.

18” aero wheels, aero cover OFF - I have heard this decreases range if aero cover is removed

19” sport wheels - do these wheels also decrease range compared to the 18” aero with aero cover ON?

On the Tesla Model Y configuration page, the range remains at 300 miles with either 18” aero or 19” sport selected. I guess I would expect range to go down a bit after selecting 19” sport?

Any clarification is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[WesB]

The sport wheels also have an aerodynamic design, maybe not as aerodynamic as the aero wheels but certainly better than the 18 inch without aero covers. But keep in mind that the size of the wheel also has a small impact on range. Larger wheel size = less range in general.

 

[scubastevo80]

The aero covers do help with range by reducing drag. The 19”s are several pounds heavier so they increase rotational mass and decrease range.

If you search google, there’s a good spreadsheet that shows each Tesla and their range at certain speeds with certain wheel combos.

 

[Watts_Up]

You can adjust your speed If you have a range issue when travelling, but for local commute range is not a really issue.

Otherwise, just for the look, I would take the 19" silver wheels

instead of those plastic cheap looking 18" covers, a real no-no for a car of that price.

 

[kriskeyman]

The sport wheels also have an aerodynamic design, maybe not as aerodynamic as the aero wheels but certainly better than the 18 inch without aero covers. But keep in mind that the size of the wheel also has a small impact on range. Larger wheel size = less range in general.

Hmm, from this chart it looks like 18” sans aero cover gets more range than 19” sport in all cases?

https://teslike.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/3-mi-912.png

 

[WesB]

Hmm, from this chart it looks like 18” sans aero cover gets more range than 19” sport in all cases?

https://teslike.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/3-mi-912.png

Yes, because the size of the wheel has a bigger effect than the aerodynamics for this configuration. Sorry if I was unclear: The 19 inch are more aerodynamic than the 18 without covers, but as I said a larger wheel causes more consumption.

 

[Uncle Paul]

Rule of thumb. The best looking wheels get the least range...the worst looking wheels get the most range. Same with ride comfort.

 

[Aarons12]

You can adjust your speed If you have a range issue when travelling, but for local commute range is not a really issue.

Otherwise, just for the look, I would take the 19" silver wheels

instead of those plastic cheap looking 18" covers, a real no-no for a car of that price.

agreed. i put in an order for a Y, with the current included color, the pearl white. the aero wheels are gross LOL

 

[Uncle Paul]

Underneath those aero wheel covers is a pretty nice looking alloy spoked wheel. Some drive daily with the nicer looking uncovered wheels, then putting on the aero covers when going on a trip where range becomes more important.

 

[Mufasa]

Does anyone know what's underneath the new 19 Inch Gemini Hubcaps? It's sooooooooo frekaing hideous!

 

[Reason]

From the updated information, there aren't aero wheels - my Y, previously ordered with 18 in aero, now has the 19 inch Gemini option. I would love to see some pictures of the gemini under the hubcap ... let me know where to look

 

[Bikeman]

Does anyone know what's underneath the new 19 Inch Gemini Hubcaps? It's sooooooooo frekaing hideous!

+1. Isn't the Gemini also available on the 3 as a snow tire/wheel combo?

 

[dontblinkdoc]

Does anyone know what's underneath the new 19 Inch Gemini Hubcaps? It's sooooooooo frekaing hideous!

This seems to be what’s under the caps.

edit: my photo doesn’t want to post. Here’s where I posted it before.

 

[VT_EE]

The aero cover increases efficiency by about 3.5% according to Car and Driver testing on their long term Model 3. I use the covers only on really long trips. Tesla’s small wheels also use low-rolling-resistance tires, which have a large, positive impact on range vs the stickier tires on the larger sport wheels.

 

[Bikeman]

Thanks dontblinkdoc for the YouTube link above ^^.

 

[Bikeman]

Are the valves accessible with the Gemini covers on?

 

[dontblinkdoc]

Are the valves accessible with the Gemini covers on?

Yeah it looks like they are. Same as with the aero wheels.

 

[Bikeman]

^ Ah. Good news. Thanks!

 

[fallen888]

Does anyone know what kind of range loss should be expected with the 20" Induction wheels?. Toggling between the wheel options in the design studio has no effect on that 315 mile range.

 

[Thunder7ga]

Does anyone know what kind of range loss should be expected with the 20" Induction wheels?. Toggling between the wheel options in the design studio has no effect on that 315 mile range.

Hard to say as no one has one yet....but I would expect less range and based on what we've seen historically on other models, could be up to 10%.