Fitting your Tesla’s winter tyres at the right time means improving safety without needlessly wearing down soft rubber on roads that are still warm. If you fit them too early, you’ll reduce their lifespan; if you wait too long, you’ll be queuing at the tyre fitter’s as soon as the first snowflake falls. Here’s the ideal timetable for your region, the correct method for changing your tyres, and the pitfalls specific to a Tesla.
Fitting Tesla winter tyres: the 7 °C rule
The most reliable indicator is the temperature. Below around 7 °C, the rubber in a summer tyre hardens and loses grip, especially on wet roads; that of a winter tyre remains supple. When morning temperatures consistently fall below this threshold, it’s time to fit your Tesla’s winter tyres. The car’s heavy weight and instant torque make this threshold even more important: when setting off, a cold, hard tyre is more likely to spin.
The timetable for your region
In mountainous areas and the east, aim for the second half of October: the ‘Loi Montagne’ comes into force on 1 November in 34 departments. In lowland areas and the north, early to mid-November is usually sufficient. On the Atlantic or Mediterranean coast, the cold often arrives later, and all-season tyres may suffice. For more precise guidance, check the forecasts on meteofrance.com and plan ahead for the All Saints’ Day holidays, a particularly busy period for tyre fitters.
Complete wheels or just a tyre change
Changing just the tyres means they have to be removed, refitted and balanced every season. With a second set of wheels, such as the 19-inch PL06 winter complete wheels for the Model Y (€849.90), the process is simply a matter of swapping the wheels. This is the quickest way to fit Tesla winter tyres, whether at home or at a garage. Our comparison of Tesla Model Y winter wheel kits details the options available.
How to fit Tesla winter tyres yourself
A Tesla must only be jacked up at its designated lifting points, otherwise the battery may be damaged: a suitable jack stand (€8.74) protects the underbody. Loosen the wheel nuts on the ground, jack up the car, change the wheel, then tighten them in a star pattern using a torque wrench to the torque specified in the manual. Allow about an hour for all four wheels the first time, then retighten them after about 50 kilometres. On S and X models with air suspension, first activate jack mode to prevent the car from adjusting its height.
The seasonal change checklist
- tyres marked 3PMSF and with sufficient tread depth;
- jack stands and a torque wrench to hand;
- TPMS sensors recognised by the car after a few minutes’ driving;
- wheel configuration updated in the vehicle’s settings menu;
- summer wheels washed, dried and stored in covers.
Storing your summer tyres and fitting them in the spring
Store your summer tyres clean and dry, away from direct light, either lying flat or suspended. Storage bags for 4 tyres (€29.90) prevent the boot from getting dirty during transport. In spring, reverse the process when temperatures consistently rise above 7 °C – often around April, and after 31 March in mountainous areas. To choose compliant tyres, read our article on Tesla 3PMSF tyres.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for fitting Tesla winter tyres? There is nodeadline in the lowlands; in mountainous areas, you must have them fitted from 1 November.
Do you need to swap the front and rear tyres? Yes, if the front and rear sizes are identical: make a note of their positions when removing them and alternate them to ensure even wear.
Do the TPMS sensors recognise themselves automatically? Generally, after a few minutes’ driving, provided they are compatible with your model.
Can you keep your winter tyres on all year round? This isn’t recommended: they wear out quickly and don’t brake as well in warm weather.
Green Drive’s advice
To fit Tesla winter tyres without any stress, the best advice is to plan ahead by around a fortnight before the All Saints’ Day holiday rush, especially if you have complete wheels ready to fit. All our kits are available in the Model Y winter complete wheels section.
