I’ll definitely be looking for a set of 19’s with M/S tires in the future as I love taking my S everywhere.
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Snow Chains 21 Turbines, Learn from my mistake
- Thread starter Bueno
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- 21 inch Model S p85d snow chains
I’ll definitely be looking for a set of 19’s with M/S tires in the future as I love taking my S everywhere.
Thanks for sharing. I have considered carrying chains for the occasional mountain trip but I think I'll just turn around if need be...
Yea would be better to turn around if they make you at the checkpoint. If you have M/S rated tires you shouldn’t have any issues at the checkpoint.
Update - Friday 1/3/2020 I received an email that my parts arrived. Lucky I was able to get out of work and head over to the dealer to pick up my parts. I was able to get some rack time at my friends shop. I was expecting about 1 hour per side to complete the install. I was actually able to install both lower control arms and links in about 1 hour. I've said it before and will say it again don't be afraid to work on your Tesla its just a car. I actually find it easier to work on than most German and American cars.
Update 2 - While the car was down I got the itch to modify it, I ordered the Unplugged Performance Lowering kit for it and will be installing along with new 20" rims and tires. (Decided to step down from 21" rims as tires are expensive and I drive a little over 100 miles round trip daily. So the price of the 20" rims will recoup after a few tire changes... thats what I told my girl anyway
Update 2 - While the car was down I got the itch to modify it, I ordered the Unplugged Performance Lowering kit for it and will be installing along with new 20" rims and tires. (Decided to step down from 21" rims as tires are expensive and I drive a little over 100 miles round trip daily. So the price of the 20" rims will recoup after a few tire changes... thats what I told my girl anyway
I'm glad you got this all fixed, and your car looks great! Just curious, from your knowledge what is it about "normal" chains that cause damage on a Tesla? Is the suspension much closer to the wheel, such that the inside chain can impact when spinning?
It has to do with how far the chains wrap around the wheel assembly for what I can tell. So with the cables that are wrapping far on the inside of the wheel in combination with how wide the lower control arms are causes them to rub against each-other.
As other have stated the 19" rims can use chains due to the taller side wall but only specific ones to my understanding.
Thanks for the compliment
Bumping this thread with my own update (btw, hi!)
tl;dr: I found some that work on 21" twin turbine wheels (YMMV - at your own risk, I guess)
I have read and understand for AWD with proper tires I don't need chains, and yet it may be required by law, it also gives me peace of mind! Thanks to this and another thread I learned a few things:
On König's website it says the K-summit XL K55 fits, however sellers and even their manual do NOT include the 265/35-21 measurements, so I just took a gamble and got some from etrailer.
Now.. the problem with the lack of these tire sizes in the manual is that the chain can be configured by removing some springs (installation video, starts at 5:40) and I didn't know how many, so I did a trial & error. Note that configuring your chain too narrow could damage the chain and burst open potentially damaging the car, so in hindsight this was stupid, but I concluded I had to remove all 4 springs that can be safely removed, but note: 265/35-21 is not in the manual, so be careful!
At 3-springs-removed the fit was just not possible, but at 4-springs-removed IT DOES FIT snuggly!
However I wanted reassurance so I used a tire diameter calculator to compare my tires against the ones documented in the manual using the calculator. Based only on that, the chain seems to gain ~2.5mm diameter (~1cm circumference) for every removed spring. If I trust the calculator, my tires (265/35-21) are right in between 265/40-20 and 265/30-22 (+-1.1mm respectively)
Therefore in my testing, the König summit XL K55 does fit the rear tires for the Model S 21" twin turbine staggered tires, with the 4 springs removed configuration (265/35-21). BUT... it is not documented in their manual, so use at your own risk!
PS - I used the 21-22mm nut clamps with the gray/medium bolt.
tl;dr: I found some that work on 21" twin turbine wheels (YMMV - at your own risk, I guess)
I have read and understand for AWD with proper tires I don't need chains, and yet it may be required by law, it also gives me peace of mind! Thanks to this and another thread I learned a few things:
- Normal chains would mess up the car
- Most chains only work on 19" or even 21" tires
- No all-weather tires (only all-season) were available for 265/35-21
On König's website it says the K-summit XL K55 fits, however sellers and even their manual do NOT include the 265/35-21 measurements, so I just took a gamble and got some from etrailer.
Now.. the problem with the lack of these tire sizes in the manual is that the chain can be configured by removing some springs (installation video, starts at 5:40) and I didn't know how many, so I did a trial & error. Note that configuring your chain too narrow could damage the chain and burst open potentially damaging the car, so in hindsight this was stupid, but I concluded I had to remove all 4 springs that can be safely removed, but note: 265/35-21 is not in the manual, so be careful!
At 3-springs-removed the fit was just not possible, but at 4-springs-removed IT DOES FIT snuggly!
However I wanted reassurance so I used a tire diameter calculator to compare my tires against the ones documented in the manual using the calculator. Based only on that, the chain seems to gain ~2.5mm diameter (~1cm circumference) for every removed spring. If I trust the calculator, my tires (265/35-21) are right in between 265/40-20 and 265/30-22 (+-1.1mm respectively)
Therefore in my testing, the König summit XL K55 does fit the rear tires for the Model S 21" twin turbine staggered tires, with the 4 springs removed configuration (265/35-21). BUT... it is not documented in their manual, so use at your own risk!
PS - I used the 21-22mm nut clamps with the gray/medium bolt.
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Another update on K-summit XL K55, I switched tires from OEM Continental summer tires to Michelin all season, both 265/35-21
The chains did not fit anymore unless I removed 2 more pins for a total of 6 removed.
You are only supposed to remove 4 pins safely not 6 so it definitely works, and it's probably ok, but again, buy at your own risk, maybe get the next chains set in size
The chains did not fit anymore unless I removed 2 more pins for a total of 6 removed.
You are only supposed to remove 4 pins safely not 6 so it definitely works, and it's probably ok, but again, buy at your own risk, maybe get the next chains set in size
airborne spoon
Active Member
That sucks and this is exactly why i have a second set of rims with my snow tires on them that i swap out before snow travels. its only like a grand and it would've saved you from this happening. Glad you didn't have a accident from the breakage though.
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