20-inch Tesla Model 3 winter wheels: keep your summer look through winter

Which Tesla Model 3 do they fit?

The fitment depends on your version:

• Four identical wheels, 235/35 R20 tyres: Model 3 2019–2023 and Model 3 Highland 2024+ Standard Rear-Wheel Drive and Premium; each wheel’s width and offset are on its product page. Not the Highland Performance.
• Staggered fitment for the Model 3 Highland 2024+ Performance: 235/35 R20 front and 275/30 R20 rear, on wider rear wheels; depending on the set, you choose the winter tyre on the product page or it comes already defined.

On the Performance sets, the rear wheels cannot move to the front.

20-inch winter wheels: the look stays, energy use goes up

Energy use. In GreenDrive’s experience, each extra inch of wheel adds around 5% to energy use, so roughly 10% compared with 18 inches. The EPA ratings for the 2020 Model 3 Performance confirm the trend, with a smaller gap: 121 MPGe on 18-inch wheels, 116 on 19-inch and 113 on 20-inch, which means 7.1% more energy between 18 and 20 inches (EPA 2020). The real gap also depends on the tyre, the wheel, speed and temperature.

Comfort and knocks. With a short sidewall, 35-series and even 30-series at the rear of the Performance sets, a 20-inch tyre absorbs less of each pothole and leaves the wheel more exposed to kerbs. On snow, grip comes first from the 3PMSF winter tyre; the larger diameter adds nothing.

Looks. If you run 20-inch wheels in summer, there is no change of style in winter; on a Highland Performance, the staggered 20-inch fitment stays closest to the factory fitment.

What the 20-inch winter wheel package includes

• 4 alloy wheels in 20 inches and 4 winter tyres, fitted and balanced, with your original wheel nuts reused;
• TPMS sensors programmed for Tesla included, 433 MHz or Bluetooth depending on the year (see the FAQ);
• 3PMSF winter tyre of your choice on the product page, except on sets supplied with a set tyre; if a product page offers an all-season tyre, check its marking;
• type approval depending on the wheel, TÜV certificate or JWL/VIA standards: the details are on each product page.

Winter tyres are recommended rather than required in the UK and Ireland; for France’s Loi Montagne and the rules in Germany, Austria and Italy, see our Tesla Model 3 winter wheels page. See also our alloy wheels and tyres for the Tesla Model 3.

Snow chains for a 20-inch Model 3

Tesla recommends König-type chains, for example the K-Summit K34 for the Model 3’s 20-inch wheels; the chains in our chains and equipment for the Tesla Model 3 category work on the same principle. The manual says to fit them to the rear tyres, never on summer tyres, at 48 km/h (30 mph) maximum (Model 3 Owner’s Manual). On the Performance sets, check that the chain covers the 275/30 R20 rear tyre.

20-inch Tesla Model 3 winter wheels: FAQ

Can a Model 3 Highland Rear-Wheel Drive run 20-inch winter wheels?

Yes: the 20-inch sets with four identical wheels fit the Model 3 Highland 2024+ Standard Rear-Wheel Drive and Premium. The Model 3 Highland 2024+ Performance has its own staggered sets.

Do I choose the tyre on a 20-inch Highland Performance set?

It depends on the set: some let you choose from several 3PMSF winter tyres, others come with a set tyre, shown on the product page.

Do 20-inch wheels really use more energy in winter?

Yes, around 5% more than 19 inches by GreenDrive’s estimate, not a promise; the EPA measured 2.7% on the 2020 Model 3 Performance.

Are tyre pressure sensors included?

Yes: every package includes four TPMS sensors programmed for Tesla, ready to use; on some product pages, you can go without them if you reuse your own. The type depends on the year: 433 MHz for a Model 3 built before 2021, Bluetooth after that, to be chosen on the product page.