True or False: Tires on a Model S wear out faster due to the increased vehicle weight

[Ronist]

I heard this from someone who owns an EV himself. I guess I will divide my question into the following:

1. Do you think the logic itself is true?
2. How does the tire wear on Tesla compare to other cars?

If 1) is true and the tire wears are comparable to other cars, can we assume the stock tires are more durable?

 

[dsm363]

Not sure about the weight but the stock tires (all seasons) definitely last longer than the summer compound tires on the 21" rims.

 

[MileHighMotoring]

Tires wear out quickly on EVs in general because they have so much torque off the line. Leafs go through tires every 10-15k miles.

 

[Max*]

Tires wear out quickly on EVs in general because they have so much torque off the line. Leafs go through tires every 10-15k miles.

I would think it also depends on the driving style. Some people on TMC get 10k, others get 40k.

 

[MileHighMotoring]

I would think it also depends on the driving style. Some people on TMC get 10k, others get 40k.

Well yes absolutely. But the cars have so much zip off the line I think many people enjoy that and don't realize it's removing rubber each time. I'm guilty of this, my first EV went through tires far faster than I anticipated. With the Tesla I'm much more conservative.

 

[David99]

My Michelin tires lasted 60k miles. The Goodyear just 40k. It all depends on your driving style. Weight sure adds in, but clearly driving style and how the rubber is made makes all the difference.

 

[m2140]

I think weight is a factor, but driving style would be a bigger reason for excessive wear.

When you compare the weight of a Tesla (4800 lbs) to a BMW 7 (4600 lbs) series they are about the same. Even with the big V8, rarely do BMW 7 series owners take a turn at high speeds or show everyone how fast the car can reach 0-60.


I find myself taking advantage of the power and performance of the car all the time. I would never drive a large 7 series or S class the same way.

 

[strider]

Model S also has extreme camber in the rear which causes the insides of the tires to wear very quickly. Also, most acceleration and braking are done by the same (rear) tires. In an ICE braking is mostly done by the fronts and acceleration (at least in BMW/MB analogues) by the rear. Tire rotation is critical on Teslas.

Further, if you have 21's, your tire selection is limited to grippy summer tires that don't last very long. Those with 19's have a wider selection. We're lucky to get 14k miles on our Continentals and I rotate every 3,000 miles. Inside shoulder wears out.

But as others pointed out. Tesla's don't weight that much more then their ICE counterparts.

 

[AmpedRealtor]

I'm going to get 40,000 miles out of my 19" Primacy tires. I'd say that's pretty damned good.

 

[muleferg]

I'm going to get 40,000 miles out of my 19" Primacy tires. I'd say that's pretty damned good.

I have 11,609 miles on my S. I'm 83 years young wishing to get to 40,000 on my primacy tars (old English)
HeHaw

Mule

 

[Khatsalano]

Yes, Teslas go through tires faster than a lighter car. But an equivalent S-Class would be about the same wear. I think a lot of it depends on driving style. I have the 21" Contisilents and still have 50% tread left at 22,000 miles.

- K

 

[beeeerock]

Without the sound of a labouring engine, acceleration in the Model S has no real negative feedback to the driver to say 'hey, you really put your foot down'. The result is quick starts from lights that just don't feel that quick - until you look in the mirror and see everyone else waaaay behind you. I think that's what really wears the tires. It's just too easy and doesn't seem to be abusing the car.

 

[pimp-boy]

For RWD vehicles, regenerative braking is in the rear. So the rears will wear out much faster along with the bad camber, and being RWD for acceleration. That's why the fronts last much longer. The rear does everything. Regenerate and accelerate with bad camber. The AWD regenerate with all 4 wheels which spreads the wear better.

 

[Larry93428]

False. 27000 miles on my stock tires and expecting a lot more.
Tires should be rotated to equalize wear - most cars.
~Larry

 

[m2140]

So what would the recommended interval to extend the life of the tires?

Most articles I find on the subject including tesla manual recommend every 5000 to 6000 and doing a cross swap.

I have been keeping a close eye on my tires and looking for any sign of uneven wear. So I'm looking for some advice from owners that have had over 20,000 out of their 21" summer tires.

 

[muleferg]

For RWD vehicles, regenerative braking is in the rear. So the rears will wear out much faster along with the bad camber, and being RWD for acceleration. That's why the fronts last much longer. The rear does everything. Regenerate and accelerate with bad camber. The AWD regenerate with all 4 wheels which spreads the wear better.

Wow, Gonna avoid going down hill.

 

[pimp-boy]

I'll add in then STAGGERED wheels since that is what I have and majority of the braking is done in the rear.

False. 27000 miles on my stock tires and expecting a lot more.
Tires should be rotated to equalize wear - most cars.
~Larry

 

[CHG-ON]

I had the factory dial back the camber to the minimum factory spec and it helped a lot with my rear tires. Much more even and longer wear. I have not noticed any change in handling and I am fairly aggressive at cornering.

 

[AmpedRealtor]

For RWD vehicles, regenerative braking is in the rear. So the rears will wear out much faster along with the bad camber, and being RWD for acceleration. That's why the fronts last much longer. The rear does everything. Regenerate and accelerate with bad camber. The AWD regenerate with all 4 wheels which spreads the wear better.

I have a RWD car and my 19" Primacies are tracking to last 40,000 miles. I'm at 34,000 miles currently.

 

[S4WRXTTCS]

Let's just say if I was a tire I wouldn't want to be mounted on a Model S.

Especially not my Model S.

Heavy
Instant Torque
Driver with Next Gen Seats
Lots of Corners.

I also wonder about Auto-Steer. I've noticed that it does a lot more steering corrections than I'd do. I can only imagine that adds to the wear of the tire.