n2mb_racing
Active Member
I don't really understand the slow air leak either. That's an odd one. I've got it in my right rear, with no obvious damage.
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Plaid 21” rear tire woes - factory defect?
- Thread starter KOL2000
- Start date
emailforbrett
Member
My understanding is the slow air leak is the first indication of pending tread separation. The tread is pulling away from the sidewall and making a crack too small to yet see, but large enough to allow the air to slowly leak. The crack will grow and eventually separate the tread from the sidewall. I could hear the hissing of air escaping my tire after the tread separated. Interestingly the PSI never went below 30psi according to the Tesla service screen, but maybe that’s the lowest it registers on the screen. I put air in it to 42 psi and it went right back to 30 psi within several hours.
n2mb_racing
Active Member
Fun! That's what I'm guessing too. Mine has been like that for a few months. Loses a few psi each week.
yes, my drier side was losing about 4 PSI a week and the passenger side about 1-2 PSI. The driver's side had way larger damage than the passenger side.
Jett Black
Member
Jett Black
Member
In other news, I am at a Tesla Service Center right now.
They are unwilling to do the alignment in "low" suspension mode.
They said they have to do the alignment in "standard" mode.
I pointed out that the car has an option to "default to low mode", which would make "low" the standard, but they are still unwilling to do the alignment in low.
Perhaps this is the crux of the problem.
Thoughts?
They are unwilling to do the alignment in "low" suspension mode.
They said they have to do the alignment in "standard" mode.
I pointed out that the car has an option to "default to low mode", which would make "low" the standard, but they are still unwilling to do the alignment in low.
Perhaps this is the crux of the problem.
Thoughts?
emailforbrett
Member
Precisely why I am going with the N2itive camber arms and an independent race shop that will adjust my alignment to MY specs, not Tesla’s.
Have a '23 MSP w/ 21s on order....reading this thread is making me think of changing to 19s....
Change it as fast as you can
n2mb_racing
Active Member
Save $4500 and avoid this stuff...
Of course they delaminate when you wear down the sidewall where all of the laminations are fused. Rub the end of a kit kat bar on the ground until the end wears off, and then be surprised when you see all the layers.Have you guys done a comparison of the DOT code on the delaminating 21” Michelins? It’d be interesting to see what the factory/plant code is on the ones delaminating. Could point to a manufacturing defect at a particular plant (digits right after DOT) or even a particular batch (last 4 digits - manufacturing week)
Complete List of Tire DOT Plant Codes - With All Old and New Plant Codes
This page contains a complete list of all tire plant codes. The list is sortable and searchable. This data was originally hosted by the Tire Safety Group.www.wfirm.com
The car is faster with the 19" on top of everything else. 21" look awesome, but that's the literal only benefit.
Absolutely.. The one I picked up has the 21's and looks great, but personally i'd rather have the extra 50 miles of range, no clicking/skipping when going in reverse and not worrying about the tires exploding lol
Hayseed_MS
Spreader of "Endless Non Sequitur"
Everyone here is crazy. Stick with the 21s.
Seriously, the 21s are great. Ride is smooth and handling I great. Looks are best. Choose the right tires and keep alignment in spec. You will be fine.
My other set of wheels for this car is a 20" set. I like those way over 19.
Last edited:
Awiner
Member
Again while I hate to come out of pocket, I did because I like the look of 21” wheels.
If you frequent the Model S Facebook groups you will also see people with other size wheels/tires having camber related wear. Though I have to admit the 21” tires seem to have the most complaints.
The sidewall delaminating does appear to be Michelin specific. Unfortunately the Michelins as of now are the best “performance” tire in the 21” sizes we need. I guess we could switch to Falkins but would be giving up quite a bit of dry and wet performance.
Regardless, after adding the rear adjustable camber arms it’s nice to now have complete control over the rear suspension setting no matter what wheel and tire package I choose. No matter how much I want to lower or not. And to be able to specify proper alignment settings for the ride height I primarily (forced or otherwise) drive in.
Negative Camber wear is one thing. The delaminating sidewall issue it totally another. It’s potentially a fatal result waiting to happen.
If you frequent the Model S Facebook groups you will also see people with other size wheels/tires having camber related wear. Though I have to admit the 21” tires seem to have the most complaints.
The sidewall delaminating does appear to be Michelin specific. Unfortunately the Michelins as of now are the best “performance” tire in the 21” sizes we need. I guess we could switch to Falkins but would be giving up quite a bit of dry and wet performance.
Regardless, after adding the rear adjustable camber arms it’s nice to now have complete control over the rear suspension setting no matter what wheel and tire package I choose. No matter how much I want to lower or not. And to be able to specify proper alignment settings for the ride height I primarily (forced or otherwise) drive in.
Negative Camber wear is one thing. The delaminating sidewall issue it totally another. It’s potentially a fatal result waiting to happen.
Hayseed_MS
Spreader of "Endless Non Sequitur"
Why would you get any other size if the 21" are so awesome?
Peer pressure here...
Hayseed_MS
Spreader of "Endless Non Sequitur"
Why would you get any other size if the 21" are so awesome?
I built up the 20s because there were no cold weather options in 21 my first winter. This current winter I put on the pzero winter 21s.
Replace a set of PS4S at 30k miles that had very even wear. I have 10k on my current set.
You have a Performance car, stick with 21s or 20s, not 19s.
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