Tesla Tires Are Expensive! Here's How I Got 30% More Life Out of Mine

I Check My Tire Pressure Weekly—Not Just When Tesla Tells Me To

Tesla's tire pressure alerts are helpful, but by the time they go off, your tires have often been underinflated for too long.

Underinflated tires wear unevenly and increase rolling resistance, which kills both range and lifespan.

Now, I use a small digital tire pressure gauge (or my portable inflator) once a week. I keep my PSI at the Tesla-recommended level, 42 PSI for my Model Y, which gives me the best mix of tire wear and energy efficiency.

Pro Tip: Check tire pressure when the tires are cold (before driving). Temperature fluctuations can change PSI by 2–3 points overnight.

I Take It Easy on Launches and Hard Takeoffs (Seriously)

I Visually Inspect My Tires Every Month (Takes 2 Minutes)

I Rotate My Tires Every 5,000–6,000 Miles Like Clockwork

Final Thoughts: A Smarter Way to Drive

Getting 30% more life out of my tires wasn't rocket science. It was about paying attention to the small things... stuff the average driver overlooks.

And now? I'm driving smoother, spending less, and getting the full value from my tires instead of replacing them early.

Even better, I haven't sacrificed performance or safety one bit. If anything, my Tesla feels more dialed-in than ever.

Try these tips for just one month. Your tires, and your wallet, will thank you.

If you've owned your Tesla for more than a year or two, you've probably had this moment: your tire tread is getting low, the warning light pops up, and then... sticker shock.

I'll never forget the first time I had to replace all four tires on my Model Y. I was quoted over $2,000 for a new set of 21" performance tires. No blowout, no accident—just regular wear from daily driving.

It hit me hard. Tesla performance and instant torque are amazing, but they absolutely chew through tires if you're not careful.

But here's the good news: by changing a few simple habits and routines, I've extended the life of my current tires by over 30% and counting.

These are the five key things I did, and trust me, they'll save you a ton of money in the long run.

Look... I love Tesla acceleration just as much as you do. But instant torque, while fun, puts a massive strain on your tires. That thrill of going 0–to-60 in 3.5 seconds? It's also scrubbing precious miles off your tread.

I used to mash the accelerator at every green light. Now, I've dialed it back just a bit, and not only has it improved my tire life, it's made my passengers a lot less motion-sick.

Pro Tip: Save the hard launches for when you've got good tread and safe conditions. Driving smart doesn't mean driving boring.

I know this sounds obvious, but how often do we really check our tires unless something feels off?

Now, once a month, I do a quick visual check of all four tires:

Look for feathering (edges feel rough or jagged)

Check for cupping (wavy dips in tread surface)

Run my fingers across the tread for uneven wear

Catching these early signs helps you correct alignment or rotation issues before they cut your tire life short.

Tesla's torque-heavy acceleration creates uneven wear... especially if you're driving an AWD or performance model. On my Model Y, the rear tires wore down much faster during my first year.

Now, I rotate my tires every 5,000 to 6,000 miles, just like you really should with any other car. It costs about $40–$60 at most tire shops.

It's a small investment that dramatically evens out wear across all four tires.

Bonus: I log my rotations in my Tesla service history spreadsheet (yep, I'm that guy now).

I Got a Precision Alignment—Not Just a "Free Check"

This one was huge. After a major pothole encounter, my steering felt slightly off. A "free alignment check" at a local shop said everything was fine... but I still had uneven tire wear.

I went to a wheel alignment specialist who used a laser alignment system, and sure enough... my rear camber was off just enough to cause inner tread wear.

Since fixing it, my tires are wearing evenly and my car tracks perfectly straight.

Advice: If your car starts to drift, or your tires wear unevenly across the tread, get a second opinion from a specialist... not just a tire shop.

Bonus Tip: When It Is Time to Replace, Don't Overpay

If you're replacing your tires soon, don't default to the Tesla service center. They're almost always the most expensive option.

I've started pricing tires through:

• TireRack.com (great selection + reviews)

• Discount Tire (frequent sales & rebates)

• Local tire shops (if they price match)

When shopping, look for Tesla-friendly specs:

• Low rolling resistance (for better range)

• Quiet ride or noise-reducing foam inserts

• Load rating compatible with your model (Teslas are heavy)