Tesla Model 3 - Tire Care and Maintenance

Maintaining Tire Pressures
Keep tires inflated to the pressures shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label, even if it
diers from the
pressure printed on the tire itself. The Tire and Loading
Information label is located on the center door pillar
and is visible when the front door is open.
NOTE: If your Model 3 is fitted with Tesla accessory
wheels or tires, some information may be dierent from
the labels on the vehicle. See Accessory Wheels and
Tires on page 176.
The Tire Pressure indicator light on the
touchscreen alerts you if one or more
tires is under- or over-inflated.
The Tire Pressure indicator light does not immediately
turn o when you adjust tire pressure. After inflating
the tire to the recommended pressure, you must drive
over 15 mph (25 km/h) for more than 10 minutes to
activate the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS),
which turns o the Tire Pressure indicator light.
If the indicator light flashes for one minute whenever
you power on Model 3, a fault with the TPMS is
detected (see TPMS Malfunction on page 167).
NOTE: Display tire pressures in the "Cards" area,
located toward the bottom on the left side of the
touchscreen, as described in Touchscreen Overview on
page 4. You can also choose whether you want to
display tire pressures using BAR or PSI by touching
Controls > Display > Tire Pressure.
WARNING:
Under-inflation is the most common
cause of tire failures and can cause a tire to
overheat, resulting in severe tire cracking, tread
separation, or blowout, which causes unexpected
loss of vehicle control and increased risk of injury.
Under-inflation also reduces the vehicle's range
and tire tread life.
WARNING:
Check tire pressures using an accurate
pressure gauge when tires are cold. It takes only
about one mile (1.6 km) of driving to warm up the
tires suciently to aect tire pressures. Parking
the vehicle in direct sunlight or in hot weather can
also aect tire pressures. If you must check warm
tires, expect increased pressures. Do not let air
out of warm tires in an attempt to match
recommended cold tire pressures. A hot tire at or
below the recommended cold tire inflation
pressure is dangerously under-inflated.
WARNING:
Do not use any tire sealant other than
the type provided in a Tesla tire repair kit. Other
types can cause tire pressure sensors to
malfunction. If your Model 3 did not include a tire
repair kit, you can purchase one from Tesla.
Checking and Adjusting Tire Pressures
Follow these steps when tires are cold and Model 3 has
been stationary for over three hours:
1.
Refer to the Tire and Loading Information label
located on the
driver’s center door pillar for the
target tire pressure.
2.
Remove the valve cap.
3.
Firmly press an accurate tire pressure gauge onto
the valve to measure pressure.
4.
If required, add or remove air to reach the
recommended pressure.
NOTE: You can release air by pressing the metal
stem in the center of the valve.
5.
Re-check pressure using the accurate tire gauge.
6.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 as necessary until the tire
pressure is correct.
7.
Reinstall the valve cap to prevent dirt from entering.
Periodically check the valve for damage and leaks.
Inspecting and Maintaining Tires
Regularly inspect the tread and side walls for any sign
of distortion (bulges), foreign objects, cuts or wear.
WARNING:
Do not drive Model 3 if a tire is
damaged, excessively worn, or inflated to an
incorrect pressure. Check tires regularly for wear,
and ensure there are no cuts, bulges or exposure
of the ply/cord structure.
Tire Care and Maintenance
163Maintenance