As I‘m sure you know, your Tesla Model S is no ordinary car. As Tesla‘s original flagship vehicle, it represents the leading edge of electric vehicle (EV) engineering – promising unparalleled performance, cutting-edge design and a glimpse into a sustainable future.
But none of that really matters if it doesn‘t have the right tires connecting it to the road!
EVs like your Model S have very unique demands for their tires compared to conventional cars. Their instant torque, heavier curb weight, slippery aerodynamics and need to preserve precious battery range all depend heavily on the capabilities of those four patches of rubber meeting the pavement below.
That‘s why I put together this comprehensive guide to help you find your Model S‘s ideal tires. The wrong tires fail to unlock the car‘s incredible potential, while the right tires empower it to achieve feats other EVs only dream of.
Throughout this article, I‘ll share key insights and recommendations as an experienced EV advisor so you can make the most informed decision possible. We‘ll take an in-depth look at:
- What Makes Model S Tires Different
- The 5 Best Model S Tire Options
- How to Select the Right Tires for You
- Special Considerations for Owning EV Tires
- Extracting Max Enjoyment from Your Model S
Let‘s get started by examining why the Model S needs tires engineered specifically for EVs, not just standard off-the-shelf options…
What Makes Tesla Model S Tires Different
While a tire may look basic on the outside, complex and meticulous engineering lives within. The materials, tread pattern designs, construction methods and testing protocols all tailor a tire to match precise vehicle fitments and performance requirements.
Mass-market passenger vehicles need tires catering to comfort, affordability and basic capability. High-performance sports cars demand options focused on responsiveness, grip and speed ratings.
As you can expect, the needs of an exclusively electric luxury sedan with supercar aspirations further differentiates requirements for Model S tires:
Instant and Continuous Torque
Unlike gas engines building torque through rising RPMs, your Model S‘s dual motor AWD system delivers 100% of its torque instantly. This places intense strain on tires at any moment. They must withstand torque levels exceeding what internal combustion powertrains could ever achieve.
Heavier Curb Weight
Housing a large battery pack gives the Model S a 5,000 lb+ curb weight even before occupants and cargo. More weight pressing down on tires impacts wear rates, handling physics and braking distances. Durability and load ratings become important factors.
Maximizing Range & Efficiency
As an EV, eking out those extra miles matters more than ever. From low rolling resistance compounds to tires playing a role in sophisticated regenerative braking systems, seemingly minor details now provide major impacts to your car‘s effective range.
Enhanced Traction & Safety Systems
With vast torque readily available, traction control and active safety features help tame squirrely situations. Performance tires that communicate clearly with these systems – providing accurate grip measurements and responding to torque vectoring commands – multiply their effectiveness.
Clearly, the Model S‘s specialized engineering requires equally specialized tires to complement it. With higher standards to fulfill, not just any all-season tire succeeds here. Instead, identifying the best Model S tires depends on how effectively they address these unique EV demands.
Now that we recognize the custom priorities tires must balance for the Model S, let‘s examine excellent available options fitting the bill…
The 5 Best Tires for the Tesla Model S
Outstanding Model S tires manage trade-offs across critical performance areas like responsiveness, comfort, longevity, efficiency, driving range, and all-weather traction. I evaluated dozens of tire models specifically for the Model S against these important criteria to surface the top recommendations in various categories:
| Tire Model | Best For | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Yokohama Avid Ascend GT | All-Around Performance | All-season capability, long 65,000 mile treadlife |
| Continental ExtremeContact Sport | Summer & Dry Climates | Sports car reflexes, extreme grip |
| Michelin CrossClimate 2 | Year-Round Traction | Revolutionary versatility, 60K treadwear warranty |
| Milestar MS932 All-Season | Budget-Focused | Impressive value for performance |
| Michelin X-Ice Snow | Heavy Winter Weather | Specialized winter grip & handling |
Now let‘s explore each recommendation more closely…
Best Overall: Yokohama Avid Ascend GT
As a grand touring all-season tire, the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT strikes an optimal balance of year-round grip, comfort, longevity and value. Key strengths include:
Capable traction in dry, wet and winter conditions: Tri-Blend tread compound adds silica for handling temperature fluctuations. Computer-optimized sipes resist deterioration.
Segment-leading 65,000 mile treadwear warranty covers 6 years for averages drivers
Circumferential grooves effectively displace water. Lateral notches combat hydroplaning at highway speeds.
Low interior noise from pitch sequence tuning creates a premium touring experience
For Model S owners seeking traction they can rely on 12 months a year without breaking the bank, the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT is an excellent overall choice.
Best High-Performance Summer: Continental ExtremeContact Sport
Engineered specifically for warm, dry conditions, the ExtremeContact Sport transforms your Model S into a sharp handling canyon carver. Notable strengths:
Continental SportPlus technology sharpens acceleration & cornering precision
Stiff inner tread blocks remain stable under load, delivering sharper handling reflexes
Sophisticated component materials derived from studying race tires
Advanced build minimizes irregular wear for longevity through multiple summers
For Tesla drivers seeking a thrilling warm weather experience, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport unlocks legitimate sports car manners from your luxury EV sedan.
Best All-Season Performance: Michelin CrossClimate 2
This cutting-edge tire pioneers new possibilities for all-season performance, providing year-round grip that outlasts lesser options by 15,000+ miles. Standout attributes include:
- Revolutionary tread compound stays flexible for winter traction yet rigid for sharp handling
- Stopping distances up to 56 feet shorter than rivals on wet roads
- Sophisticated sipes resist wear far better than predecessors
- First tire qualifying for the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) severe snow symbol with all-season tread design
While epitomizing the future of all-season tire tech, the CrossClimate2 also delivers superb performance today. For Tesla owners demanding maximum year-round traction, this tire is the new benchmark.
Best Budget Option: Milestar MS932 All-Season
Providing impressive four-season traction at a value price point, the Milestar MS932 brings serious capability well within reach. Noteworthiness includes:
- Computer-optimized asymmetric tread pattern adds 15% more wet weather grip
- Rigid outside shoulder blocks enhance stability when cornering
- Silica-enhanced tread compound improves wet traction while reducing rolling resistance
- 50,000 mile treadwear warranty protection for long-lasting value
While prioritizing affordability, the Milestar MS932 still goes toe-to-toe with far pricier name brands on performance. It‘s a great option for the budget-focused Tesla owner unwilling to compromise.
Best Winter Tire: Michelin X-Ice Snow
Specifically engineered for ice, snow and cold temperatures, the Michelin X-Ice Snow provides game-changing winter traction and handling. Key advantages:
- Proprietary Flex-Ice 2.0 rubber stays supple to grip ice yet stiffens rapidly under load
- EverGrip tech adds embedded particles for extra bite on packed snow and ice
- Full-depth directional sipes deliver targeted biting edges across the entire tread face
- Extra-wide grooves enhance mobility in deep snowfall
While the Model S itself comes equipped with impressive traction aids, tires still serve as the critical connection to frozen, slippery roads. For Tesla drivers expecting regular heavy winter weather, the Michelin X-Ice Snow is the definitive choice.
And there you have it – five exceptional options spanning various priorities and use cases to upgrade your Model S!
Keep reading as I share key guidance for narrowing down the best tire for your individual vehicle out of these top contenders.
How to Pick the Right Tires for Your Model S
With so many outstanding tires available, choosing the optimal set comes down applying your specific preferences and needs:
Rank Your Priorities
What‘s most important for your Model S‘s tires to deliver? Consider how you drive and any current pain points requiring improvement:
- Longevity: Do you want maximum treadlife to lower cost-per-mile?
- Performance: Are sharper reflexes and better grip your main priority?
- Comfort: Do you want a smooth, quiet ride above all else?
- Efficiency: Is preserving range and battery mileage critical?
- Capability: Is year-round traction or winter handling vital?
Determining your unique priorities will help identify which trade-offs matter most. Those choices best aligning to your wishes bubble up.
Identify Your Model Year
Subtle differences between Model S generations change tire fitment specifics and technical requirements. Verify what wheel diameters and constructions shipped with your model year for ideal replacements:
| Model Year | Wheel Sizes |
|---|---|
| 2012-2016 | 19" or 21" |
| 2017-2020 | 19", 20" or 21" |
| 2021 Onward | 19" or 21" |
Confirm Drive Configuration
Does your car have rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive? RWD places higher slip resistance demands on rear tires while AWD requires balanced capability across all four corners.
Consider Your Climate
A tire excelling on the dry tarmac of southern California won‘t necessarily sustain wintry Vermont conditions (and vice versa). Consider your local weather patterns when prioritizing key strengths.
Once you map your unique blend of priorities, car specifc constraints and operating region against the options covered earlier, the ideal tires for you come clearly into focus!
And if anything remains unclear or if you have any other questions, never hesitate to reach out to me directly! I‘m always happy to provide additional guidance to ensure you extract maximum enjoyment from your Model S.
Now that we‘ve equipped you to select those perfect tires with confidence, let‘s switch gears to cover some universal EV ownership considerations as your new tires log mileage…
Special Considerations for Owning EV Tires
Much like caring for the car itself, keeping tires in tip-top shape follows some specialized best practices for EVs:
Monitor Wear Closely
The instant and constant torque of your Model S subjects tires to far greater stresses than conventional cars, wearing them out more rapidly. Expect to replace tires roughly 30% sooner than gas vehicle averages. Pay attention for signs of declining tread depth or irregular wear patterns needing correction.
Stick to Specialized Rubber
Rather than tempting fate with tires engineered for typical family sedans or vanilla crossovers, stay disciplined seeking out options specially formulated to meet the Model S‘s unique demands. Remember, you wouldn’t put ordinary gas in a high-performance supercar. Treat your EV tires accordingly.
Work Closely With Tire Pros
Reputable tire shops invest heavily in training and equipment to translate complicated tire specs and monitoring requirements into straightforward guidance appropriate for your Model S. Building a relationship with skilled local experts pays dividends keeping your car‘s specialized shoes correctly fitted and calibrated for responsiveness, safety and longevity.
Tires Impact Range
Minimizing an EV tire‘s rolling resistance directly correlates to reminiscing precious mileage. When the time comes to replace tires, prioritize options balancing traction, grip and comfort without surrendering efficiency – or your car‘s effective range takes a hit.
Paying attention to these key nuances ensures you extract the full value, safety and driving pleasure from specialized tires engineered for your exceptional EV.
And speaking of pleasure, let‘s now envision what that driving experience looks like when you have the right tires fitted…
The Takeaway: Unlocking Your Model S‘s Full Potential
Like matching world-class wine with an exquisite meal, a tire‘s capabilities must harmonize with the renowned vehicle it complements.
In every way, the Tesla Model S refuses static classifications or limitations in pushing EV boundaries. This sedan simultaneously exists as a family car, luxury vehicle, technological marvel – and performance juggernaut.
Your choice of tire should pursue those same forward-thinking, multi-faceted aspirations. Formulated specifically for electric vehicles, powered by unconventional materials, tread patterns and structuresa – just like the car itself. Engineered for an electrified future undefined by conventions of the past.
Whether focused on achieving maximum driving range from every precious kilowatt…confidently sustaining safe winter mobility through bitter cold and precipitation…or explorer spirited handling limits on winding backroads, my goal was to recommend specialized EV tires allowing your Model S to fulfill any role you desire.
Now comes the exciting part: ordering those transformational tires, visiting your trusted tire shop, and counting down days until experiencing the Model S‘s full breadth of capabilities unleashed.
With fresh, capable rubber meeting the road, the open highway beckons new adventures. Call me overconfident as both tire expert and Tesla aficionado, but I suspect you’ll soon regard priority one as finding additional reasons to get behind the wheel. Especially when the journey itself proves such a reward.
I’m delighted to play a small role outfitting your remarkable car for whatever may lie ahead. Here’s to many miles of safety, reliability enjoyment courtesy of those black donuts we call tires!
