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Will 18” aero wheels fit on the Model Y?

Discussion in 'Model Y' started by acarney, Mar 28, 2020.

  1. acarney

    acarney Active Member

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    Curious if the 18” aero wheels will fit on the Model Y as long as it doesn’t have the Performance brakes...

    I know everyone loves the largest wheels possible, but the Aeros might give an extra 5 to 10 miles of range and would be a cheaper option in the winter for winter tires :p
     
  2. Watts_Up

    Watts_Up Active Member

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    The Model 3 Performance wheels have a little hedge on the center so you cannot switch wheels with non Performance Model 3.
    So I imagine this might be the case with the Model Y

    So, I think the question should be: Would a Model 3 LR AWD 18" wheel fit to a Model Y LR AWD?
     
    • Like x 1
  3. Mr. Burrito

    Mr. Burrito Member

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    Not everyone. I’d rock some 18 Aeros full-time on a Y if they fit and were the same height as the OEMs.
     
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  4. Wennfred

    Wennfred Supporting Member

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    There is a upper arm knuckle that hits the wheel, they won’t fit... will look for that picture in the video and post it here.

    Fred
     
  5. Wennfred

    Wennfred Supporting Member

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    Nevermind I stand corrected, what i1Tesla was trying to do is put the 21” Uber turbines on the model 3.
     

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  6. Wennfred

    Wennfred Supporting Member

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    #6 Wennfred, Mar 28, 2020
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2020
    The Aeros won’t fit due to that lip in the center on a Performance model Y.

    1FADEE3C-6F58-41D6-B98B-29A3BC06CD5E.png

    From the i1Tesla video
     
  7. Wennfred

    Wennfred Supporting Member

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    I have a spare 18” Aero tire/wheel that I can put on my non-performance model Y when ever I get it. Will post results here.

    Fred
     
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  8. Wennfred

    Wennfred Supporting Member

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  9. frankvb

    frankvb Supporting Member

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    On the model Y the performance and the regular brakes have the same diameter.

    Apart from that, the Aero wheels may not have a sufficient load rating.
     
    • Informative x 1
  10. Tsportline

    Tsportline Vendor

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    Post #69 in the link below is an informative read. Speaks to load rating, proper offset/wheel positioning, tire wear & overall drivability.

    Model Y wheel options
     
    • Informative x 1
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  11. Zoomit

    Zoomit Active Member

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    That’s right, the rotors are the same diameter. Both 3 & Y (all versions) have rear rotors that are 335mm. If the non-perf rear calipers are the same between the 3 and Y, then the 18” Aeros should fit on the non-perf Model Y.

    I personally wouldn’t be overly concerned about the wheel load rating as the Y is only 10% heavier and I never drive my cars near fully loaded. Plus the extra side wall of 18” tires will reduce load spikes from harsh roads. YMMV

    Look at 245/50R18 or 245/55R18 for the closest tire fit, the former is smaller diameter, the latter is larger than the OE tires. The radius difference between these two is 0.5” so only a minor change in ground clearance, efficiency, speedometer error, etc.
     
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  12. RoBoRaT

    RoBoRaT Zero Farts Given!

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    That's right, the 18" Aeros are rated 700kg.
    Not enough to cover the heaviest GAWR of any Y.

    20200325_145128.jpg Screenshot_20200327-092904_Drive.jpg
     
    • Informative x 2
  13. Zoomit

    Zoomit Active Member

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    • Informative x 2
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  14. Thp3

    Thp3 Member

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    From the thread, I conclude that the answer is “Yes”. One can use Model 3 18 inch aero rims with snow tires on a Model Y if you don’t overload the car. So four adults and modest baggage (airline bags at 200 extra pounds or less) should work.

    did I misread the thread?
     
  15. Zoomit

    Zoomit Active Member

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    Yes, "should work".

    Four 170 lbs passengers and 205 lb cargo (incl 55lb in frunk) is Point G. That vehicle load is at the GVWR, but the key is to have the weight as far forward as possible. Put the big boys in front and the wife's carry-on in the frunk. The reality is that even an aft load, done infrequently, is not going to break the rear wheels.

    [​IMG]
    Reference: Model Y Cargo Loading

    Also, make sure the tires are XL load rated, like the X-Ice Xi3 - 245/50R18

    https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=X-Ice+Xi3&partnum=45HR8XI3XL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes
     
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  16. LowlyOilBurner

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    So, just some clarification: The 18in Aeros will work on the Y LR AWD, just don’t cart all your fat friends around, and carry like 10 50lb bags of sand in the rear hatch?

    Winter is around the corner, I already received my snows: General Altimax Arctic XL, 235/55R18, this is closest to the original diameter of the 255/40R20 rubber the car came with, these I plan to mount of Model 3 18in Aeros.
     
  17. Zoomit

    Zoomit Active Member

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    #17 Zoomit, Aug 15, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2020
    Yes, and even if you carried the sand, it’ll likely be fine due to the large safety factors the engineers use. Just don’t come crawling back to the internet blaming us if a wheel breaks and you drive off the road spilling your load of sand.
     
    • Funny x 1
  18. HyperionMark

    HyperionMark Member

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    Curious to see a range test with someone having 18s on the Y.
     
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  19. Zoomit

    Zoomit Active Member

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    Unfortunately, the tires need to be the same to determine how much the 18’s would save over the 19’s, if any.
     
  20. yearofthedragon

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    #20 yearofthedragon, Aug 15, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2020
    Load rating on your 18" General is 104 XL. If Tesla did offer an 18" wheel and tire for the Y, the tire would likely have a higher load rating. While real world short term driving (winter season) may not result in anything catastrophic, I personally wouldn't take the chance. All it takes is that one pothole or disparity in the road. Plus the 18" AERO is going to sit WAY inside the wheel well (less driveability), and you have less contact patch 235 vs 255 (questionable in snow).

    Factory Y Tire Sizes & Loads
    ? = >104 XL
    255/45/19 = 104 XL
    255/40/20 = 101 XL
    255/35/21 = 98 XL | 275/35/21 = 103 W XL
     

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