Michelin P3D+ 20" Tesla Tires. Why? Why did Tesla change the look?

[Garlan Garner]

Question:

Other than the foam inside of the tire ( seemingly ) making the ride quieter.... why the design change.

I have a temporary non-Tesla Pilot Sport 4s ( standard ) on the rear drivers side right now ( because Tire Rack didn't have a Tesla one ) and I like the look of it better than the Tesla tire.

There is an extra lip on the standard Pilot Sport 4s that isn't on the Tesla tire.

I wonder why Tesla would have changed the look of the outside of the tire. Hmmmmm

 

[N54TT]

Question:

Other than the foam inside of the tire ( seemingly ) making the ride quieter.... why the design change.

I have a temporary non-Tesla Pilot Sport 4s ( standard ) on the rear drivers side right now ( because Tire Rack didn't have a Tesla one ) and I like the look of it better than the Tesla tire.

There is an extra lip on the standard Pilot Sport 4s that isn't on the Tesla tire.

I wonder why Tesla would have changed the look of the outside of the tire. Hmmmmm

Pics comparing the two? I always felt there’s more going on than just adding foam and then calling it a Tesla spec tire. Tesla spec tire is, on paper, wider than the non-tesla. But I haven’t seen them in person or side by side pics.

 

[Zoomit]

By bets on better aero, but pictures would certainly help here.

 

[Johnny Mac]

Tesla didn’t change the look of anything Michelin did it’s their tire.

 

[Skione65]

Question:

Other than the foam inside of the tire ( seemingly ) making the ride quieter.... why the design change.

I have a temporary non-Tesla Pilot Sport 4s ( standard ) on the rear drivers side right now ( because Tire Rack didn't have a Tesla one ) and I like the look of it better than the Tesla tire.

There is an extra lip on the standard Pilot Sport 4s that isn't on the Tesla tire.

I wonder why Tesla would have changed the look of the outside of the tire. Hmmmmm

@Garlan Garner,

A request....photo from side of both the Tesla Spec tire and the “non” Tesla spec tire. Also a photo from the rear of each. Same tread pattern? Are they assymetrical or symmetrical?

Ski

 

[insaneoctane]

My guess is aero or noise related.... Picture please

 

[Garlan Garner]

My guess is aero or noise related.... Picture please

I don't believe there are 20" Aero wheels.

 

[insaneoctane]

I don't believe there are 20" Aero wheels.

Aero=aerodynamic in my reply. I'm speculating the difference was related to reduce the aerodynamic drag....

 

[Garlan Garner]

I was trying to find out if someone actually KNEW the reason for the difference....not speculate.

There is no need for a pic if you know why the difference is there.

 

[brianman]

I was trying to find out if someone actually KNEW the reason for the difference....not speculate.

There is no need for a pic if you know why the difference is there.

Regardless, why not provide a picture since obviously people are interested in seeing what you've observed?

 

[Paddy3101]

There are at least 3 different specs of 235/35/20s. They have different specs in terms of weight, tread depth, and tread width.

Wouldn't surprise me if they had different rubber/belt/sidewall stiffness formulations as well.

 

[Garlan Garner]

Lets see how much help I get with these pics.

Here is Tesla's tire

Here is the Regular Michelin

Here is another view of the regular tire.

The regular tire flares out almost a half inch as it approaches the rim. The Tesla tire does not. The tesla tire continues its round profile all the way to the rim and tucks itself behind the rim. Go out and look at your Performance 20's.

The regular tire itself protects the rim - and its amazingly obvious. The Tesla tire does not.

Everything else appears to be the same in specs and appearance.

NOW.....lets see how many facts I actually get towards answering my original question - factually. Not speculatively.

 

[BrokerDon]

Also same manufacturer / model / size tire can have different load & speed ratings. Find the 2 different tires you have on TireRack.com or DiscountTire.com and look carefully at these ratings and manufacturers specifications. Size Matters... but so do sound dampening and load / speed ratings.

 

[Garlan Garner]

Also same manufacturer / model / size tire can have different load & speed ratings. Find the 2 different tires you have on TireRack.com or DiscountTire.com and look carefully at these ratings and manufacturers specifications. Size Matters... but so do sound dampening and load / speed ratings.

Thanks...I'm fully aware of the sound deadening - as you see in my original post.

I'm looking for facts as to why the Tesla tire looks different. Factually. not speculatively.

 

[brianman]

For completeness, can you find a picture of the non-OEM flavor that includes the "EXTRA LOAD" text?

 

[Garlan Garner]

For completeness, can you find a picture of the non-OEM flavor that includes the "EXTRA LOAD" text?

I knew it.

Why do the tires look different?

Why are they designed differently?

All of the specs are identical. I've done my homework.

 

[Garlan Garner]

Also same manufacturer / model / size tire can have different load & speed ratings. Find the 2 different tires you have on TireRack.com or DiscountTire.com and look carefully at these ratings and manufacturers specifications. Size Matters... but so do sound dampening and load / speed ratings.

I purchased the tires.

I purchased both kinds and I've asked these questions over and over. I have investigated these tires over and over comparing everything....which leads me to my original question.

Why do they look different?

 

[Zoomit]

Lets see how much help I get with these pics.

Here is Tesla's tire

View attachment 413838

Here is the Regular Michelin

View attachment 413839

Here is another view of the regular tire.

View attachment 413840

The regular tire flares out almost a half inch as it approaches the rim. The Tesla tire does not. The tesla tire continues its round profile all the way to the rim and tucks itself behind the rim. Go out and look at your Performance 20's.

The regular tire itself protects the rim - and its amazingly obvious. The Tesla tire does not.

Everything else appears to be the same in specs and appearance.

NOW.....lets see how many facts I actually get towards answering my original question - factually. Not speculatively.

The OE tires have the Premium Touch sidewall?

 

[GSP]

I purchased the tires.

I purchased both kinds and I've asked these questions over and over. I have investigated these tires over and over comparing everything....which leads me to my original question.

Why do they look different?

I would guess that seven people in the world know the answer to your question. Five of them work for Michelin and two work for Tesla. I also would guess that none of them read this forum.

I do hope you get your answer.

Good Luck,

GSP

 

[brianman]

I knew it.

Why do the tires look different?

Why are they designed differently?

All of the specs are identical. I've done my homework.

There needs to be a Puzzled feedback for posts.

Much of the discussion on this forum is exploring / researching, yet you seem to be upset when someone tries to help you with the research.

Good luck in your research; you'll need it when you respond to assistance in this manner.