Tesla Model 3 tyres: the right size for summer, winter or all-season driving

Which tyre size fits your Tesla Model 3?

The size depends on your wheel diameter: read it on the sidewall of your current tyres (for example ‘235/45 R18 98 XL’).

For the Model 3 Highland 2024+, these sizes come from the Tesla Owner’s Manual (18x8.5J and 19x8.5J wheels, ET38). For the Model 3 2019–2023, they come from the product pages of our winter wheel sets, as do the load indices of the tyres we fit; for the speed rating, go by your factory tyres. Each set is made for one generation, 2019–2023 or Highland 2024+: pick the product page for your car.

Torn between two diameters? Around 5% less energy use for every inch of wheel diameter you drop, in GreenDrive’s experience, and Tesla’s official ratings point the same way. Example: the 2025 Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive is rated at 363 miles of range on 18-inch wheels against 346 miles on 19-inch (fueleconomy.gov). Tyre, speed and temperature shift the real gap.

Summer, winter or all-season tyres on a Model 3?

• Summer tyres: Tesla states that performance tyres lose grip below 5 °C and advises against them on snow and ice (Model 3 Owner’s Manual).
• Winter tyres: they carry the 3PMSF symbol, a three-peak mountain with a snowflake. To avoid refitting tyres twice a year, our Tesla Model 3 winter wheels arrive fitted on alloy wheels, in 18 inches, 19 inches or 20 inches.
• All-season tyres: they only count as winter tyres if they also carry the 3PMSF symbol; an M+S marking on its own is not enough.

Winter tyres are recommended, not a legal requirement, in the UK and Ireland; on a ski trip, France’s Loi Montagne (mountain law) requires 3PMSF winter tyres or chains on board in signed areas from 1 November to 31 March, as detailed on our Model 3 winter wheels page.

Tyres on an electric car: what changes on a Model 3

The battery makes the car heavy and the torque arrives all at once: the tyres we offer for the Model 3 are in the XL (extra load) class; when replacing, never go below the load index of your factory tyres. Some tyres on our product pages are designed for electric cars: low rolling resistance and a casing reinforced for the load.

Look at the energy efficiency class on the tyre label: from one class to the next, the gap can reach tens of kilometres of range per charge, according to the European Commission.

Changing your Model 3 tyres: the right habits

• Pressure: follow the label on the driver’s door pillar, with cold tyres.
• Tread depth: 1.6 mm is the UK legal minimum (Highway Code); many drivers change well before.
• Fitting and balancing: if you also buy your wheels from us, the ‘Fitting on purchased wheels’ option has the tyres fitted on them; otherwise, go to a tyre fitter. Wheel nut torque: 175 Nm according to Tesla.
• Settings: then select your tyres under Service > Wheel & Tire > Tires, which speeds up the car’s recalibration.
• TPMS sensors: they stay on your wheels during a simple tyre change.
• Chains: on the rear tyres, never on summer tyres, 48 km/h (30 mph) at most. Tesla recommends König-type chains, for example the CG-9 size 102 for the Model 3’s 18-inch wheels; our chains and equipment for the Model 3 work on the same principle.

To change your wheels too: our alloy wheels for the Tesla Model 3 or the Tesla wheels, tyres and snow chains range.

Tesla Model 3 tyres: frequently asked questions

What size are the tyres on a Tesla Model 3?

235/45 R18, 235/40 R19 or 235/35 R20 depending on wheel diameter; the Model 3 Highland 2024+ Performance takes 275/30 R20 at the rear.

Which tyres for a Tesla Model 3 Performance?

On a 2019–2023 car with 20-inch wheels, 235/35 R20, available in our Model 3 2019–2023 sets. The Highland 2024+ Performance runs a staggered fitment: our Highland tyre sets target the Standard Rear-Wheel Drive and Premium, but our 19-inch winter wheels and 20-inch winter wheels include staggered packages for it.

What does the price of a Tesla tyre depend on?

The size (diameter and width), the season, the range, the XL class and any EV-specific technology; add fitting and balancing at a garage.

Winter or all-season tyres for a Model 3?

In the mountains or a cold region, winter tyres. All-season tyres suit a mild winter; for France’s Loi Montagne, they must carry the 3PMSF symbol.

Do you need new TPMS sensors when changing tyres?

No, they stay on your wheels. For a second set of wheels, our Model 3 winter packages include sensors programmed for Tesla, optional on some product pages: 433 MHz for a Model 3 built before 2021, Bluetooth after that.