Tesla UK T0 Tyre Directive

[dakaix]

Due to a tracking issue I'm in the market for new front tyres for my Model 3. I called Costco earlier today to get a price on four CrossClimate 2's, and was told that Tesla has recently issued a directive that prohibits them from fitting anything that isn't T0. This was confirmed by two people, and they have said they would need a letter from Tesla UK before they could proceed (but were otherwise happy to do it).

Unfortunately as Michelin don't have a CrossClimate T0 the only option they could actually fit immediately is the Pilot Sport T0 version.

I know there's a number of folk here that have CrossClimate's fitted to their Model 3, but I was wondering if anyone else has heard of this directive? Perhaps @Will Fealey has heard something on the TOC grapevine?

Edited to add: I have emailed my local service centre with the following questions:

• Can you confirm the existence of such a T0 tyre directive?
• If so, can you explain the reasons for it and why all-weather & winter tyres are being prohibited? Please also provide a copy.
• If not, please provide a formal letter stating that CrossClimate tyres may be fitted.

 

[up_north]

I’d like to see this notice of prohibition. And if you wanted to put winter tyres on, then you wouldn’t be able to as there are no T0 marked winter tyres.

 

[Jason71]

I get that Tesla could advise but since when did they have the right/power to control what you do and don't do with a car you own?

BTW what does "T0" actually refer to?

edit
Oh its designed for Tesla is it

 

[Casss]

Err… how are Tesla going to “prohibit” a business from selling and fitting whatever tyres they want to?

 

[Jason71]

I’d like to see this notice of prohibition. And if you wanted to put winter tyres on, then you wouldn’t be able to as there are no T0 marked winter tyres.

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 according to black circles

 

[Casss]

I get that Tesla could advise but since when did they have the right/power to control what you do and don't do with a car you own?

BTW what does "T0" actually refer to?

It’s an original equipment marking. Tesla have T0, T1, T2 and T3.

Just means the tyre specification is identical or as close as possible to the ones the car is delivered with. I believe it specifies various features or compound per tyre brand. The T0 hankook ventus’ have foam noise suppression inserts and a specific compound for example.

The issue is finding T marked tyres is like finding hens teeth, and really slims down your options hugely… which could be what they want in the long run (buy them from us not somewhere else)…

 

[yessuz]

))) that such a pile of nonsense

go to camskill or blackcircles then..

camskill uk:

Michelin Tyres / All Season Car / Michelin Cross Climate 2 - 235/45 R18 98Y XL TL --- £159.30 inc.VAT​

their site is ugly. but prices are awesome

 

[Plagued]

My brother recently had this from BlackCircles (camskill don't stock the 20's in the correct size)
He ordered some Pilot Sport and got an email warning him that he had selected a none tesla approved tyre and they may not be suitable.
They delivered them anyway (we have fitting machines) but I'm not sure if they would intercept it if you had chosen a fitted price.
Even if they did you could just manually select the sizes and don't specify a tesla if asked. Then just make sure you have some jacking pucks in case the chosen garage doesn't have any.
Maybe this isn't just a Tesla thing, could be other manufacturers all doing it? Either way, it's a load of crap, as long as the size, weight and speed ratings are good there's no issue, and the foam strip in the T tyres makes no discernible difference at all.

 

[dakaix]

To be clear - I am well aware there are other suppliers available (I have prices from them already), that isn't the purpose of this thread. Costco are well known for being particularly strict with their fitting, and so the fact that others are prepared to do so isn't in itself relevant here.

My question is specifically whether anyone has seen evidence of this apparent directive from Tesla UK? Has anyone had a similar discussion with their local Costco tyre shop?

 

[KennethS]

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 according to black circles

Those are what I fitted for my winters, being the tyres Tesla sell and my insurer saying they can have no issue with tyres that are manufacturer approved. I did not buy them from Tesla.

 

[btc1k]

Needed new rears, lead time on Pilot Sport 4's (T0) was 3 months.

Bought two new Pilot Sport 5's, not Tesla fitment.

Prefer to have decent tyres with tread than worry about T0

 

[WllXM]

Just piggybacking on this as I haven't found an answer before, but I was looking for All season tyres for a potential change of my future MY, and couldn't find any eligible ones on Kwickfit (they have either full Summer or Winter) - in 19".

Anyone found something accepted for Gemini wheels. I believe those are 255/45/19?

 

[mdunc]

I'd like to see the actual wording of the directive. I've seen other car manufacturers use "approved" in a way that makes it sound like you have no choice, when in reality they mean "for an optimal OEM experience"

 

[spon88]

I'm keen to see what this is all about as I've had Cross Climate+ on my 2019 M3P (on 18s) for the last couple of years and they've been great. They've done around 14000 miles and plenty still to go. CC2 were my next target tyres so if there is something new that could affect insurance, then I guess we all need to know. It all sounds a bit BS to me but I'm no expert at all. On my last SC visit a few weeks back they did mention that my tyres were "not Tesla spec" but couldn't explain further what that actually meant! Surely if a tyre is speed and weight rated and fits the rim correctly, then it should be OK? Are they suggesting that the motor torque is too much for some tyres? I can't think what else it might be.

 

[dakaix]

Will pop an update here if I hear anything back from Tesla.

I've also reached out to Costco directly with similar questions, their HQ said someone from the local branch management should come back to me tomorrow. Shall see what they have to say!

 

[Liquidv]

Bought a set of 19" PS4 tyres from camskill none t0, my local tyre fitter fitted them on my alloys no problems

 

[carvolution]

Just had 4 Bridgestones fitted tonight at Costco Bristol. No issues what so ever.
All 4 tyres fitted for £477 due to their offers on at the moment

 

[Stuart Watson]

Just had 4 Bridgestones fitted tonight at Costco Bristol. No issues what so ever.
All 4 tyres fitted for £477 due to their offers on at the moment

Thats reassuring.
I love Costco. Always straightforward to deal with and good prices.

 

[Adopado]

I'm keen to see what this is all about as I've had Cross Climate+ on my 2019 M3P (on 18s) for the last couple of years and they've been great. They've done around 14000 miles and plenty still to go. CC2 were my next target tyres so if there is something new that could affect insurance, then I guess we all need to know. It all sounds a bit BS to me but I'm no expert at all. On my last SC visit a few weeks back they did mention that my tyres were "not Tesla spec" but couldn't explain further what that actually meant! Surely if a tyre is speed and weight rated and fits the rim correctly, then it should be OK? Are they suggesting that the motor torque is too much for some tyres? I can't think what else it might be.

When my car was in the Service Centre having brake service etc it was on non OEM winter tyres and nobody mentioned any issues.

 

[btc1k]

Just had 4 Bridgestones fitted tonight at Costco Bristol. No issues what so ever.
All 4 tyres fitted for £477 due to their offers on at the moment

Be interested to hear if they are any good. Had Bridgestones on a 200hp car and they were diabolical.

I know all the major marques moved away from them on performance cars.