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how much mileage do you lose if you remove the aero wheel cover?
- Thread starter coolmanfever
- Start date
jkirkwood001
Active Member
I have driven with the Tesla caps only since the start (I think the M3 Aero covers are hideous, although I like the new MY ones much better).
I drive in Canada (winters down to -30 C / -22 F) and find I attain the same driving range as Tesla's planner suggests depending on my speed. So I think removing the aeros is negligible compared to speed and heat settings impact. Mind you, all told, I find I lose upwards of 40% range in cold winter temps. So I bought the AWD model for the winter traction, but I'm glad it's the LR for winter range it adds!
I drive in Canada (winters down to -30 C / -22 F) and find I attain the same driving range as Tesla's planner suggests depending on my speed. So I think removing the aeros is negligible compared to speed and heat settings impact. Mind you, all told, I find I lose upwards of 40% range in cold winter temps. So I bought the AWD model for the winter traction, but I'm glad it's the LR for winter range it adds!
IF you look around you'll find that it has been tested a few times. As Boourns says the result was 2-4% depending on conditions.
DefenderNM
Member
I haven’t received my LR yet but I read somewhere you can configure the tire / wheel options including removing the aero wheel cover in your settings. This the way the range will update based on the loss of efficiency of the covers.
I don't hate the look, but if you do run them the dirt they trap plus the clips will eventually score the wheels. This is considered normal wear by Tesla.
For this reason and ease of cleaning I only put them on if I really need every last bit of range. Similarly, I find temperature to be a much bigger factor. I'm also happy for the LR during winter.
mtndrew1
Active Member
Car and driver tested this.
www.caranddriver.com
Our Testing Shows Tesla Model 3 Aero Wheel Covers Really Do Improve Efficiency
In our testing, they proved their worth by yielding up to 10 additional miles of range.
www.caranddriver.com
TomT
Technical Maven
10 miles is about 3 percent. I'll give up 3 percent to get rid of the hideous aero covers...Car and driver tested this.
Our Testing Shows Tesla Model 3 Aero Wheel Covers Really Do Improve Efficiency
In our testing, they proved their worth by yielding up to 10 additional miles of range.
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
The refresh ones look ok to me, especially on a MSM. I'll keep them on for the extra range. Just wish they covered rim edges like some of the aftermarket covers do.
mtndrew1
Active Member
I had the aero wheels when I first bought the car and I would just put the caps on for road trips. The rest of the time I couldn’t stand to look at them.
The refresh cars’ caps look a bit better though.
That's exactly what I do. For the long road trips, I figured 3-4% each leg of charging makes a big difference by the end of the road trip.
If you decide you want to take them off and on, you'll probably want to get the Aero Wheel Cap Kit from Tesla which covers the lug nuts and also adds a center cap. The problem is it's a pain to get that center cap off but if you buy this (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GLC1PTU), it's super easy to take them off. I have used it many times now to put on my aero hub caps.
I had my Aero wheels on the first 20k mile, until I discover it was scratching the crap out of the rims below. I took it off after that. Now my car is at 42k mile. I looked at my energy consumption wh / mile. And did not noticed any significant difference. I think other factors affect it more than those Aero wheel. Just do what you like and enjoy it. This car is already very efficient to begin with.
Mattopotamus
Member
They replaced the original Aero kit with a single piece that is easy to remove. I actually like the look better too.
Model 3 Aero Wheel Cap Kit
The Aero Wheel Cap Kit provides an upgraded, eye-catching and sporty option for any driver. The streamlined, snap-on accessories include a single center cap with integrated lug nut covers allowing owners to display the striking wheel design visible under the Aero Wheel Covers. Includes: 4x...
shop.tesla.com
edit: look like you can still get the OG ones, but they are way more expensive than they used to be.
Model 3 Aero Wheel Cap Kit
For drivers who want to display the visually striking design hidden under the Aero Wheel Caps. The Aero Wheel Cap Kit provides a clean, eye-catching, and sporty look. Includes: 4 x Tesla logo wheel caps 20 x Wheel Lug Caps 1 x Lug Nut Cover Puller
shop.tesla.com
They replaced the original Aero kit with a single piece that is easy to remove. I actually like the look better too.
Model 3 Aero Wheel Cap Kit
The Aero Wheel Cap Kit provides an upgraded, eye-catching and sporty option for any driver. The streamlined, snap-on accessories include a single center cap with integrated lug nut covers allowing owners to display the striking wheel design visible under the Aero Wheel Covers. Includes: 4x...
edit: look like you can still get the OG ones, but they are way more expensive than they used to be.
Model 3 Aero Wheel Cap Kit
For drivers who want to display the visually striking design hidden under the Aero Wheel Caps. The Aero Wheel Cap Kit provides a clean, eye-catching, and sporty look. Includes: 4 x Tesla logo wheel caps 20 x Wheel Lug Caps 1 x Lug Nut Cover Puller
Interesting. Thanks for that info. I didn't realize they replaced it. I think I like the older look better, even if it was harder to take off (unless you bought that suction tool). I can't believe it's $70 now.
I am running stock lug nuts on my new wheels, and I had a hard time finding just lug nut covers without aero caps. So I bought this on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W7CWMZX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I'm not using the aero caps, but they seem quality.
City driving they don’t make as much of a difference but on highway long road trips it’s a lot more significant.
City driving your not going to notice much difference but on highway long road trips it does add up to quite a bit. I only put mine on for those long trips that are going to be almost constant highway speed. I.E. when I drive from Florida to the middle of nowhere Tennessee to pick up my niece I have to round trip plan it from the Chattanooga supercharger once I get up there to where she lives and back to it since there’s none anywhere around where she lives unless I want to go another hour north, west, or east of her. So I charge to 90% and always put the covers on for that trip. She literally live dead center of Tennessee in the “hills have eyes” town of rockwood. Where people stop what they are doing to stare at my Tesla like it’s a delorean or Ferrari or something.
Amen!
Preach it.
I'm waiting on m LR but plan on only considering using them if I'm going on a longgggggg road trip.
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