Keep my 22" wheels on 75D - didn't know I'd lose 10-15% range

[mlouie23]

The time is almost near! Hoping to get my delivery by end of July after talking with my Delivery Specialist.
Reserved June 2015
Order Confirmed Jan 2015

I do have a concern tho and wanted the awesome folks in this forum's advice on the wheels.
Just a few days ago the Model X design studio now says you'd lose 10-15% of your range by upgrading from the 20 to 22" rims!

• That's losing 23-37 miles! That's huge!!!
• I got the 22" rims because they look freakin AMAZING!
• But when I was looking at the Model S design studio and switching between 19 to 21" rims, you lose ~6-9 miles and that's fine. But on the Model X, I'm losing way more.

I'm only going to get 200 miles out of the car because of the 22" rims. Can you help convince me why I should keep it? I'd really like to...but losing 23-37 miles is a lot, isn't it? I thought I'd only be losing 10-12 miles based on the S design studio.

 

[goneskiian]

There are a few threads about this. I got the 22's too since with most of my driving this won't be an issue and I like the way they look too. I'm hoping, and I have a feeling the 10%-15% is an over estimation and a bit of a CYA statement by Tesla since, as you point out, the range hit on the S with the larger wheels is much less. Time will tell!

 

[mlouie23]

Thanks @goneskiian ! When you say 'most of my driving this wont' be an issue', does that mean the style of how you drive won't affect the range? Or that your daily use case doesn't matter because your driving range is generally shorter?
If it's the style of how you drive, how do you maximize your mileage? Simple as not gunning it and keeping within normal speed limits?

Appreciate all your posts and insights!
I'm obviously a Tesla noob.

Correction on my original post:
Reserved: June 2015
Confirmed: Jan 2016

 

[Macgaver]

Totally your choice. But I recommend you switch to 20". You will save money, you will gain range and maybe save on towing

 

[goneskiian]

Thanks @goneskiian ! When you say 'most of my driving this wont' be an issue', does that mean the style of how you drive won't affect the range? Or that your daily use case doesn't matter because your driving range is generally shorter?
If it's the style of how you drive, how do you maximize your mileage? Simple as not gunning it and keeping within normal speed limits?

Appreciate all your posts and insights!
I'm obviously a Tesla noob.

Correction on my original post:
Reserved: June 2015
Confirmed: Jan 2016

I meant that in most of my daily use I won't need the full range. Road trips where full range is needed will likely be infrequent. But from what I gather from actual owners, that may be an underestimation! I can certainly anticipate wanting to drive as much as possible!

 

[ohmman]

Another potential downside to larger wheels (if the S 21" are any indication) is the increased probability of flat tires. On a car without a spare, this was a concern for me which is one of the reasons I sport 19" on my S and 20" on my X.

 

[Takumi]

Totally your choice. But I recommend you switch to 20". You will save money, you will gain range and maybe save on towing

But you will have to pay more once it's time to replace them. For some reason the 22"s cost less.

 

[vandacca]

But you will have to pay more once it's time to replace them. For some reason the 22"s cost less.

That's not been my experience. 22" tires seem to cost at least $100/tire more than the 20".

 

[Rockster]

That's not been my experience. 22" tires seem to cost at least $100/tire more than the 20".

Poking around on tirerack.com seems to suggest otherwise. A quick comparison between the MX OEM tires shows the 22" to be cheaper than the 20" by more than $100.

 

[McRat]

It's important that the car looks amazing to the buyer. It increases sales.

However never assume others look at spinners, naked lady mudflaps, >5° of camber, bull-balls, or 22"+ rims as attractive.

Some people look at them a little differently. Especially when they appear on a "performance" oriented car instead of a 1960's Impala with hydraulics and a fuzzy dash. If I were politically incorrect, I'd say the term for 22" rims is "ghetto", but since I'm PC, I'll just say they look terrible.

 

[vandacca]

Poking around on tirerack.com seems to suggest otherwise. A quick comparison between the MX OEM tires shows the 22" to be cheaper than the 20" by more than $100.

20" start at $106/$149 and the 22" start at $140/$202. There also appears to be more options with 20".
However, if you compare the same brand/tire between the two, you're right - the 22" are a little cheaper. This is because there is less rubber (but rims are more expensive). However, you will be wearing out the 22" faster, so you'll need to replace them more often (which also adds additional costs in labour).

 

[systemcrashed]

So I originally opted for the 22" black onyx for the look. after learning that there would be a 10-15% loss in range I switched back to stock 20" before my confirmation deadline. Looked around for options, thought of powder coating stock rims, but I found a compromise a 20" black by T-sportline that fits factory tires and has similar styling to the Tesla turbines, so I preordered. Was told that there was a 2-3 week lead time. I'm probably going to get the rims before my X. Just thought I'd share.

TST Pre-order - Tesla Aftermarket Wheel 20x9.0 20x10.0

 

[ohmman]

However, you will be wearing out the 22" faster, so you'll need to replace them more often

I've always heard this as well (and was going to post it to this thread earlier), but I don't think it's actually the case. I believe the reason the Model S 21s were being replaced more frequently initially was a result of alignment and tire compound. The 21s were shipping with stickier/softer rubber. Also, alignment issues generally have a stronger effect on tires with shorter sidewalls since the sidewall doesn't provide as much compensation.

I'd love more information on this because it's very anecdotal online.

 

[Diavel]

I've always heard this as well (and was going to post it to this thread earlier), but I don't think it's actually the case. I believe the reason the Model S 21s were being replaced more frequently initially was a result of alignment and tire compound. The 21s were shipping with stickier/softer rubber. Also, alignment issues generally have a stronger effect on tires with shorter sidewalls since the sidewall doesn't provide as much compensation.

I'd love more information on this because it's very anecdotal online.

The 22's will rub down faster due to camber, compound (if they are softer) and the tire being lower profile which has less tread

I have 21's on my S and I don't pass 13,000 miles. I have michelin ps2 tires which aren't stock but they are dual compound which are softer on the sides and harder in the middle.

Larger tires tend to be more expensive. I do not know why the 20's are more expensive but typically the 22's should.be more expensive.

One more thing people fail to realize, a lot of the the larger diameter wheels will be bent which will require wheel straightening when wheel weights for balancing no longer works. I ended up having to do that on my S. The lower profile has lesser protection (less cushion) and wheels are considered "unsound weight" which is worse for durability.

The only real advantage of larger wheels is for performance and aesthetics. I got the 20's but will be buying a second hand set down the line. That way I can have both and it will only cost me an estimated 2500 (second hand 22s) for two sets (20's being free) instead of 4500 for one set.

 

[Diavel]

It's important that the car looks amazing to the buyer. It increases sales.

However never assume others look at spinners, naked lady mudflaps, >5° of camber, bull-balls, or 22"+ rims as attractive.

Some people look at them a little differently. Especially when they appear on a "performance" oriented car instead of a 1960's Impala with hydraulics and a fuzzy dash. If I were politically incorrect, I'd say the term for 22" rims is "ghetto", but since I'm PC, I'll just say they look terrible.

C'mon you know you can't wait to put on some chrome spinners with whitewalls on these.

We basically have hydraulics with the air suspension and the fuzzy interior with alcantara. Who said this vehicle was the future?

If you don't do 22's, then you got your 20's...

"Cadillac grills, Cadillac mill's
Check out the oil my Cadillac spills
Matter of fact, candy paint Cadillacs kill
So check out the h*es my Cadillac fills
Twenty inch - wide, twenty inches high
H*e don't you like my twenty inch - ride
Twenty inch thighs make twenty inch - eyes
Hoping for American twenty inch - pies"

 

[goneskiian]

It's important that the car looks amazing to the buyer. It increases sales.

However never assume others look at spinners, naked lady mudflaps, >5° of camber, bull-balls, or 22"+ rims as attractive.

Some people look at them a little differently. Especially when they appear on a "performance" oriented car instead of a 1960's Impala with hydraulics and a fuzzy dash. If I were politically incorrect, I'd say the term for 22" rims is "ghetto", but since I'm PC, I'll just say they look terrible.

Couldn't care less what others think.

Looks are subjective. Do what you like and I'll do the same.

 

[NoVIN4Me]

How long is your daily commute? Will this really impact you? You do know that either way Tesla recommends you to charge your battery at 90%, right? And you lose range in other conditions like going uphill, constant accelerating, or in cold weather?

If you are going to long trip, you will be driving at highway speed and charged at 100%. My guess is this will help your range.

I think "10-15%" quoted is just Tesla being conservative. Just because your range is 200 miles doesn't mean you can really reach a place 200 miles from you. You probably don't want to push it too far and need a charge midway anyway.