Refreshed model S Tire rotation

[Robert_Phoenix]

The F/R tires on the refreshed model S are different sizes. Why doe Tesla lists this in the S owners manual:

Tire Rotation, Balance, and Wheel Alignment​

Tesla recommends rotating the tires every 6,250 miles (10,000 km) or if tread depth difference is 2/32 in (1.5 mm) or greater, whichever comes first.

 

[DerbyDave]

There are many items in the manual that do not apply to your car. You can't rotate your tires. The manual is for all Model S cars for the year.

 

[glide]

There are many items in the manual that do not apply to your car. You can't rotate your tires. The manual is for all Model S cars for the year.

All Model S vehicles for the year have staggered tire setups…so….no.

It’s probably just poor editing from prior years’ manuals.

 

[DerbyDave]

Excellent! I will guarantee your manual has information on Model S that does not apply to your car. So.... Don't rotate your staggered wheels.

 

[Spicyfurball]

All Model S vehicles for the year have staggered tire setups…so….no.

It’s probably just poor editing from prior years’ manuals.

The current manual is lumped as 21+ for model S. There are some pre refresh 21 S’s that were made. Likely kept it for those, they should add some wording that states it only applies to non staggered tires though.

 

[DerbyDave]

Also, my 2020 manual has a bunch of information on and controls for sunroof. I haven't seen sunroofs on Teslas lately, and I really didn't give it a second thought. Probably sunroof info is still in the 2021 and 2022 manual. I still can't open mine!

 

[Spicyfurball]

Also, my 2020 manual has a bunch of information on and controls for sunroof. I haven't seen sunroofs on Teslas lately, and I really didn't give it a second thought. Probably sunroof info is still in the 2021 and 2022 manual. I still can't open mine!

Haha right? That’s the downside of the lumping of so many years together.

 

[ExpatPR]

All Model S vehicles for the year have staggered tire setups…so….no.

It’s probably just poor editing from prior years’ manuals.

Hum. I guess I missed that. I thought only the Plaid had staggered tires. So both the Plaid and LR with either 19” or 21” tires have staggered tires?

 

[DerbyDave]

Hum. I guess I missed that. I thought only the Plaid had staggered tires. So both the Plaid and LR with either 19” or 21” tires have staggered tires?

I bet the staggered wheels for the 19" setup was decided only a few months prior to production.

 

[SigRed12]

Unless the tires specifically state they are directional, you can still rotate staggered sizes left to right, just not X pattern.

 

[JPoldo]

My Nov 2021 build of mS refresh has 19” wheels. The rear are 10.5“ wide while the front are 1” narrower. Does this mean the tires are a different width too and can’t be rotated?

 

[Tam]

My Nov 2021 build of mS refresh has 19” wheels. The rear are 10.5“ wide while the front are 1” narrower. Does this mean the tires are a different width too and can’t be rotated?

They can be rotated in the same axle.

The rear tires are wider so if you rotate them to the front, they will rub the front wheel hubs, especially when you turn left, right, u-turn.

 

[JPoldo]

They can be rotated in the same axle.

The rear tires are wider so if you rotate them to the front, they will rub the front wheel hubs, especially when you turn left, right, u-turn.

That‘s good news. When I rotate from left to right on same axle, can I also swap inside/outside edges too? I want to hide some minor curb rash.

 

[Tam]

That‘s good news. When I rotate from left to right on same axle, can I also swap inside/outside edges too? I want to hide some minor curb rash.

I don't know how to do that because just like the moon we can always see the same side and not the dark side, when you rotate your tires, the outside shows as outside and you can't see the inside.

 

[DerbyDave]

You'd have to dismount the tires from the wheels and remount them backwards to swap inside and outside edges.

 

[Tam]

You'd have to dismount the tires from the wheels and remount them backwards to swap inside and outside edges.

I am not sure that is an acceptable practice to go against the "outside" and "inside" labels on the tire wall. They may look the same but their construction might be different to accommodate corner handling and water clearance.

 

[JPoldo]

You'd have to dismount the tires from the wheels and remount them backwards to swap inside and outside edges.

Yes, that’s exactly what I was asking. It can’t cost a lot to remount two tires.

 

[DerbyDave]

Yes, that’s exactly what I was asking. It can’t cost a lot to remount two tires.

I agree with @Tam, and I wouldn't advise that course of action.

 

[GF76]

Unless the tires specifically state they are directional, you can still rotate staggered sizes left to right, just not X pattern.

When you switch them left to right do you need them dismount and reinstall on the rim or you can do just take them down and swap the side left to right. I know the angle is the same so it will still wear more outside but at least you can stop the spiking on the edges because it will spin different direction.

 

[SigRed12]

When you switch them left to right do you need them dismount and reinstall on the rim or you can do just take them down and swap the side left to right. I know the angle is the same so it will still wear more outside but at least you can stop the spiking on the edges because it will spin different direction.

Ask your local tire installer.