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Poorly Designed Induction Wheels

Discussion in 'Model Y' started by JGhere, Mar 5, 2021 at 8:56 AM.

  1. JGhere

    JGhere Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2021
    Messages:
    39
    Location:
    Santa Barbara, CA
    What kind of engineer would design an expensive wheel that has it's edge on the same plane as the tire's sidewall? With these wheels, if you touch a cement curb even for one second while barely moving during parking, your wheel's finish is toast. Tires should prevent this. Vey poor design. Very unhappy.

    Rant over.
     
    • Like x 2
  2. N2B8

    N2B8 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2018
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    So Cal
    Prob for aerodynamic reasons. But agree I don’t mind losing 10 miles for better wheel protection.
     
    • Love x 1
  3. hnguy054

    hnguy054 2021 MY SR

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2021
    Messages:
    31
    Location:
    CA
    Yup that's why I saved the $2000 dollars and spent $400 to powder coat the geminis. I scratched them last night at a super charger but didn't hurt as bad, nothing a little sharpie cant fix.
     
    • Like x 2
  4. phisDK2021

    phisDK2021 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2021
    Messages:
    10
    Location:
    San Diego
    I did the same thing besides the super charger scratch. Figured I could save the money for now and always upgrade to better looking wheels and much better riding tires once they wear out and use the Geminis as spares (or keep one as a spare and sale the remainders as spares for others!)
     
    • Like x 1
  5. loanchau2k

    loanchau2k Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2020
    Messages:
    113
    Location:
    Fremont, CA
    LOL, I don't pay attention until I read this thread. Ran out and checked, omg, 1 wheel is heavily damaged, 1 wheel has all scratches :(
     
    • Funny x 1
  6. MountainPass

    MountainPass Vendor

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    Messages:
    1,300
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    It allows the air to flow smoothly around the wheel, but yes, it also makes it a curb rash magnet!
     
    • Like x 1
  7. rxlawdude

    rxlawdude Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2015
    Messages:
    2,067
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Scratched wheels are badges of courage. Also almost unavoidable. ;)
     
  8. Midnightsun

    Midnightsun Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    Messages:
    258
    Location:
    Canada
    I noticed that when I got mine, so far so good but it is bound to happen.
     
  9. SDM44

    SDM44 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2019
    Messages:
    228
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    It's for aerodynamics and for getting better range out of your EV.

    If you want to add more protection to the rims, just get wider tires.

    Me personally, I'd rather get wider tires and lose 1-3% driving efficiency than to get a curb rash.
     
  10. brinox

    brinox Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2020
    Messages:
    61
    Location:
    Lenexa
    I'd rather keep the same tire size and get narrower rims. My "Model 3 only" TSV rims from Tsportline work perfectly well on my Model Y PUP. No more confused speedo with the same tire sidewall protection.
     
  11. stopcrazypp

    stopcrazypp Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2007
    Messages:
    9,830
    A lot of wheels are like this, not just Tesla's. That's why people invented these things:
    https://www.amazon.com/Set-ORIGINAL-AlloyGator-Wheel-Protectors/dp/B074KFXF4V/
     
    • Like x 1
  12. db93

    db93 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2020
    Messages:
    192
    Location:
    So Cal
    I've seen that those cause more harm when they come off and gouge the bodywork
     
  13. Dennisis

    Dennisis Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2020
    Messages:
    441
    Location:
    Tucson
    Yes, right rear for me :(
     
  14. BadAlien

    BadAlien Member

    Joined:
    Thursday
    Messages:
    5
    Location:
    Montreal
    ya wheels look cool but totally gonna get dinged up 100%
     
  15. steve841

    steve841 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2010
    Messages:
    1,933
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL
    I've erred before on my Model S. It only took one time to teach me a lesson and that's since 2012.

    Perfectly fine paying more attention to curbs.
     
  16. Blike

    Blike Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2019
    Messages:
    19
    Location:
    San Diego
    Has anyone else had issues with tire shops and inductions? I just had a tire repaired and they scratched all of the spokes when they were mounting or unmounting the tire
     
  17. N2B8

    N2B8 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2018
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    So Cal
    It’s not just curb rash it’s snow chains too. Will be super expensive to find chains that won’t damage your Induction wheels. People damaged their 20” I wheels after using chains sold on the Tesla website. I might have to get those hideous Geminis and power coat them instead
     

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