19-inch Tesla Model S winter wheels: the right fitment for your version

Which Tesla Model S do they fit?

• Pre-refresh Model S 2012–2021: 5x120 wheels, identical front and rear, listed as not compatible with the 2022+ Model S; width and offset on each product page.
• Refreshed Model S Long Range and Plaid: wheels wider at the rear (10.5 inches) than at the front (9.5 inches), listed as compatible with 2021+ cars; some product pages say 2022+ in their name, so check your car’s year.

19-inch winter wheels on a Model S: strengths and limits

Energy use. Around 5% less energy for every inch of wheel diameter you drop, in GreenDrive’s experience. Tesla’s own figures agree: the 2025 Model S Plaid is rated at 104 MPGe on 19-inch wheels against 93 MPGe on 21-inch, so the 21-inch car uses nearly 12% more energy (US EPA).

Comfort and sidewall. The taller sidewall of a 19-inch tyre soaks up frost-damaged roads better and keeps the rim away from snowy kerbs.

Snow and chains. The winter tyres in our sets carry the 3PMSF symbol. On 21-inch wheels, the Tesla manual restricts chains to All-Season tyres; on 19-inch wheels, that restriction does not apply.

Limits. A 19-inch wheel fills the wheel arches less than a 21-inch one. On the refreshed Model S, the staggered fitment means you cannot swap wheels between front and rear.

Inside the 19-inch winter wheel package, and the rules

• 4 alloy wheels, 19-inch with a 5x120 bolt pattern, and 4 3PMSF winter tyres; on the Model S 2012–2021 sets, the 245/45 R19 tyre (several brands to choose from) and the fitting and balancing are selected as add-ons on the product page;
• TPMS sensors programmed for Tesla, included on most packages, otherwise offered as an option (set of four) on the product page;
• your original Tesla wheel nuts, reusable where the product page says so; the type approval stated on each product page (TÜV, sometimes ECE) and a Swiss type-approval certificate as an option.

Winter tyres are recommended rather than required in the UK and Ireland, but on four 3PMSF tyres your Model S also meets France’s Loi Montagne and the winter rules of Germany, Austria and Italy: dates, conditions and official sources are on our Tesla Model S winter wheels page. Tyres only: tyres for the Tesla Model S; wheels only: alloy wheels for the Tesla Model S.

Snow chains on a 19-inch Model S

Tesla recommends König-type chains, for example the K-Summit XL K55 Max for the Model S’s 19-inch wheels; the chains in our chains and equipment for the Tesla Model S category work on the same principle. Fit them to the rear tyres, never on summer tyres, and stay below 48 km/h (30 mph). With air suspension, select Medium and turn off ‘Default Ride Height to Low’, as the Model S Owner’s Manual asks.

19-inch Tesla Model S winter wheels: FAQ

Can I swap the winter wheels between front and rear?

On a Model S 2012–2021, yes: all four wheels are identical. On a refreshed Model S, no: the rear wheels are wider.

My Model S is a 2012 or a 2021 car: which 19-inch set should I choose?

The Model S 2012–2021 sets show 2013–2020 compatibility under their title; those for the refreshed Model S show 2021+, sometimes 2022+ in their name. For a 2012, 2021 or 2022 car, check the product page before ordering.

My Model S left the factory on 21-inch wheels: do these 19-inch winter wheels fit?

Yes, according to our product pages: compatibility depends on the generation and year, not on the factory wheel size.

Are tyre pressure sensors included?

On most of our 19-inch Model S packages, yes: four TPMS sensors programmed for Tesla are included, ready to use. When they are not, the product page offers a set of four Model S-compatible sensors as an option.