Tire Diameters and AWD System

[miss demeanor]

Hello!

Coming from the GT-R world, the tire diameter differential had to be within .3% or it would cause issues with the AWD system. Is that something we need to worry about with the M3 AWD LR system?

Thanks!

Mia.

 

[gearchruncher]

No, because the front and rear axles are not mechanically connected. So the AWD system is fine.
However, the traction control really doesn't like different tire sizes and will get unhappy at some point.

Why are you considering different tire sizes front and rear?

 

[miss demeanor]

No, because the front and rear axles are not mechanically connected. So the AWD system is fine.
However, the traction control really doesn't like different tire sizes and will get unhappy at some point.

Why are you considering different tire sizes front and rear?

In the case of possibly staggering wheels at some point.

 

[gearchruncher]

In the case of possibly staggering wheels at some point.

Well, just be aware that is all for looks on a Tesla Model 3. An AWD performance sedan really wants the same sized tires all around if your actual goal is going fast.

I don't think anyone knows the exact front/rear size difference that is OK and won't trigger a traction control issue. Maybe reach out to some of the wheel vendors and ask their experience?

 

[Silvermike]

Traction is not an issue with the model 3. Larger wheels will be heavier and slow you down. That being said u can get away with 235/275 or 245/285 setups. They will not handle as well and be slower.

If you like the look of the staggered setup you can do a setup like I did, which was same widths, but staggered offsets. My rears have more concavity and give the look I like, without the draw backs of a wider rear wheel/tire

 

[Gimmethecash]

Same widths with staggered offsets here too…

 

[SVDNN]

Hello!

Coming from the GT-R world, the tire diameter differential had to be within .3% or it would cause issues with the AWD system. Is that something we need to worry about with the M3 AWD LR system?

Thanks!

Mia.

You are correct (but wrong amount)...can look at the "tire size" subsection discussion with much info on this topic.
In brief, for the Tesla AWD M3s, you will want to stay less than 0.5" diameter tires front and rear, and use 26.0" to 27.0" tire sizes (about 2% variance). People have described error codes thrown with higher variance in AWD.
To make simpler, use can consider using a 20mm difference in width sizes for staggered tires (eg, 235 & 255). Staggered wheels with same size tires mentioned above have pros and cons...what was not mentioned was more stretched look of same size tire on rear wheel of larger width. Same size wheels with staggered tires would be opposite....choose your desired look

If doing aggressive corner driving (autocross, tracking, etc), then there is a benefit for wider tires on appropriate size wheels. If not, you would save on efficiency and potentially acceleration (due to decreased weight and tire-road resistance compared to wider tires).

Currently running on 275/30/20 and 295/30/20 on 9.5in and 10.5in wide wheels respectively...to each their own.
Hope that helps...

 

[gearchruncher]

To make simpler, use can consider using a 20mm difference in width sizes for staggered tires (eg, 235 & 255).

This is only true if the aspect ratio stays the same. Many times you run a different aspect front/rear to try and get diameters closer. The OP is right to consider % difference as the main way to calculate this.

If doing aggressive corner driving (autocross, tracking, etc), then there is a benefit for wider tires on appropriate size wheels.

Wider tires all around, not staggered.

 

[miss demeanor]

Thanks everyone for the input! It's definitely good to know to keep it within .5% that gives me some numbers to go off. I definitely plan on stretching a bit and running some JDM 3 piece wheels on air ride as the end game.

 

[gearchruncher]

to keep it within .5% that gives me some numbers to go off.

@SVDNN indicates up to about 2% works.

 

[MasterC17]

I guess there are two different sizing concerns here, both of which can anger the ESP which is overall tire size and tire size difference from front to rear.

1) The overall diameter of any tire installed should be within 2% of the factory selectable options; e.g. anything between 26" and 27" is fine.
2) Additionally, the difference front to rear needs to be very close, within .2" should be the goal. e.g. 26.5" front, and 26.7" rear.

 

[Culby4122]

You are correct (but wrong amount)...can look at the "tire size" subsection discussion with much info on this topic.
In brief, for the Tesla AWD M3s, you will want to stay less than 0.5" diameter tires front and rear, and use 26.0" to 27.0" tire sizes (about 2% variance). People have described error codes thrown with higher variance in AWD.
To make simpler, use can consider using a 20mm difference in width sizes for staggered tires (eg, 235 & 255). Staggered wheels with same size tires mentioned above have pros and cons...what was not mentioned was more stretched look of same size tire on rear wheel of larger width. Same size wheels with staggered tires would be opposite....choose your desired look

If doing aggressive corner driving (autocross, tracking, etc), then there is a benefit for wider tires on appropriate size wheels. If not, you would save on efficiency and potentially acceleration (due to decreased weight and tire-road resistance compared to wider tires).

Currently running on 275/30/20 and 295/30/20 on 9.5in and 10.5in wide wheels respectively...to each their own.
Hope that helps...

Are you having any issues with rubbing? Is your car lowered and if so, by how much? Thanks!

 

[Young Phenom]

The Model Y performance comes with a staggered setup.

 

[Lindenwood]

On the subject, do you guys know of any issues with a 0.5” smaller spare tire? I have a 26.5” Modern Spare, but my primary tires are a square 255/35R20 set at 27.0”.

 

[SVDNN]

Are you having any issues with rubbing? Is your car lowered and if so, by how much? Thanks!

No rubbing whatsoever…lowered to standard height for MPP sport coilovers (tire about ?? 2cm below lip) and camber about -1.5.

 

[SVDNN]

On the subject, do you guys know of any issues with a 0.5” smaller spare tire? I have a 26.5” Modern Spare, but my primary tires are a square 255/35R20 set at 27.0”.

Single smaller tire … do not know, never had the opportunity to try (always made to destination for replacement tires). Two spares, definitely fine…but not what you likely want.

 

[Reid]

Stability control on my RWD 3 got *extremely* unhappy just with brand new rears and fronts at the wear bars. Spent hundreds of miles that way, it could never learn to deal with it, despite TPMS resets and the like. So I bet it'll be really unhappy with just 1 smaller tire. Good enough in an emergency though.