Tesla Model Y tyres: which size to choose for summer, winter or all-season driving

Which tyre size fits your Tesla Model Y?

The size, printed on your tyre sidewall, follows the wheel diameter. Factory fitments according to Tesla (Model Y Owner’s Manual):

When replacing, keep the same size, at least the same ratings and the XL class, as the manual requires. For the 18-inch wheels of the Model Y Standard Rear-Wheel Drive 2025+, see also our 18-inch winter wheels.

On range: around 5% less energy use for every inch of wheel diameter you drop, in GreenDrive’s experience. The US EPA rates the 2026 Model Y Standard Rear-Wheel Drive at 321 miles on 18-inch wheels against 303 miles on 19-inch (fueleconomy.gov).

Summer, winter or all-season tyres for your Model Y?

• Summer tyres: precise in the dry and the wet, but the manual states that performance tyres lose grip below 5 °C.
• Winter tyres: a compound and sipes made for cold and snow, with the three-peak mountain and snowflake symbol (3PMSF).
• All-season tyres: one set all year if you rarely drive in the mountains; check the product page for the 3PMSF marking.

To stop swapping tyres on the same wheels every season, our Tesla Model Y winter wheels arrive fitted and balanced in 18 inches, 19 inches, 20 inches or 21 inches. In the UK and Ireland, winter tyres are recommended, not a legal requirement; on a ski trip to France, the Loi Montagne (mountain law) requires four 3PMSF winter tyres or chains on board in signed mountain areas from 1 November to 31 March: see our Model Y winter wheels page.

Tesla Model Y tyres on an electric car: what changes

A Model Y is heavy, its torque instant and, with no engine noise, the tyres are easier to hear. Check:

• The XL load class (extra load), used on every factory fitment.
• The markings: T0 on the sidewall marks a version approved by Tesla; other tyres carry an EV marking, and some have acoustic foam that cuts road noise.
• The tyre label (energy efficiency, wet grip, noise), shown on our product pages. From one energy efficiency class to the next, the gap can reach tens of kilometres of range per charge, according to the European Commission.

Fitting and looking after your Model Y tyres

• Pressure: the one on the label on the driver’s door pillar.
• Tread depth: the UK legal minimum is 1.6 mm (Highway Code).
• Fitting and balancing: if you also order alloy wheels for the Tesla Model Y, the tyre product page offers fitting on those wheels. Wheel nut torque: 175 Nm, 21 mm socket.
• On the touchscreen: select your tyres under Service > Wheel & Tire > Tires (Model Y Owner’s Manual).
• TPMS sensors: they stay on your wheels. For a second set of wheels, our winter packages include 4 Bluetooth TPMS sensors programmed for Tesla on every Model Y 2021–2024, Model Y Long Range Juniper 2025+ and Model Y Performance Juniper 2025+, optional on some product pages. Model Y Standard Rear-Wheel Drive 2025+: the package with sensors if it was built before September 2026, without sensors if it was built since.

Tesla recommends König-type chains, for example the XG-12 Pro size 252 for the Model Y’s 19- and 20-inch wheels; our chains and equipment for the Tesla Model Y work on the same principle. Rear wheels, never on summer tyres, 48 km/h (30 mph) at most. The whole range: wheels, tyres, snow chains and accessories for the Tesla Model Y.

Tesla Model Y tyres: frequently asked questions

What size are the factory tyres on a Tesla Model Y?

235/55 R18 (Model Y Standard Rear-Wheel Drive 2025+), 255/45 R19, 255/40 R20 and, on 21 inches, 255/35 R21 front and 275/35 R21 rear, all XL.

What does the price of a Tesla tyre depend on?

The size, the season, the manufacturer’s range and any specific version (T0 marking, EV marking, acoustic foam). On our product pages, the price shown is for a set of 4 tyres; fitting on wheels ordered at the same time is an option.

Do you need Tesla-marked tyres on a Model Y?

The manual first asks you to respect the size, the ratings and the XL class. The T0 marking, a version approved by Tesla for the car’s weight and torque, is a plus shown on the product page.

Are all-season tyres enough for winter?

For France’s Loi Montagne, only if they carry the 3PMSF symbol. On frequent snow, winter tyres remain safer, and our Tesla Model Y winter wheels save the seasonal tyre swap.

Can a Model Y delivered on 20- or 21-inch wheels switch to 19 inches?

Yes, with 19-inch wheels. Our 19-inch winter wheels fit every Model Y 2021–2024 plus the Model Y Long Range Juniper 2025+ and Model Y Performance Juniper 2025+: more comfort and lower energy use.