Recommended Tire Pressure for Tesla

Your tire pressure is one of the first things you should consistently prioritize when maintaining your Tesla. Without the proper tire pressure, your tires may not be balanced and can put your safety at risk. 

Typically, your tires should be between 40 and 45 PSI, depending on the configuration of your electric vehicle. Ensuring your Tesla has the right pressure goes beyond meeting the PSI requirement. In this post, we look at how to check that you have the right tire pressure and the best practices to maintain your Tesla tires for the short and long term. And if you’re looking for more information, sign your EV up with us!

How Do You Find the Tire Pressure on Your Tesla?

If you’re a new Tesla driver familiarizing yourself with the many features that accompany your Tesla, the first thing you may ask yourself is, ’How do I check my Tesla’s tire pressure?’ The answer is in your Tesla touchscreen. 

To see your Tesla tire pressure, select the Controls option, then the Service option. The pressure for each of your tires will be displayed on the screen. You can even choose the display preferences to customize how your tire pressure shows up, whether in bar or PSI. This is the same process you would go through to display tire pressure on the Tesla S, X, Y, and 3 models. 

You Can Use the App to Check Your Tire Pressure As Well 

Tesla made a key change on one of its APIs during a recent software update this past winter. Tesla drivers have noted that the EV maker’s vehicle API includes data from the internal Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

As a result of the updated APIs, it appears that tire pressure data will be available for viewing on the Tesla mobile app. Currently, the system alerts Tesla drivers when the PSI in their tires is too low. However, the potential update allows Tesla drivers to get notifications anytime their tires are under or overinflated. The update is potentially helpful for drivers living in cold climates as tire pressure decreases one PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit drop in temperature.

The update also allows tire pressure sensors to report any tire pressure reading, even while your Tesla vehicle is stopped. Alternatively, Tesla could report the last tire pressure reading within its app.

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How Do You Properly Maintain Your Tire Pressure?

To keep the required PSI for the optimal operation of your vehicle, you must do one of two things: 

1. Find the proper tire pressure information by following the instructions in this blog to find your Service details. 
2. You must read the Loading Information label on the front passenger center door pillar. 

Even if the tire pressure information on the tire itself is different from what you find in either of the above options, you must follow the Service details or the Loading Information. ‍

Whether for Tesla Model S tire pressure or any other Tesla, keep an eye on the Tire Pressure Indicator light on your touchscreen. The light doesn’t immediately disappear once you adjust your tire pressure. Once you have inflated your tires to the correct pressure, you must drive more than 15 miles per hour for a short time to properly activate the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. After taking the short drive, the indicator light will go off. Should the indicator light flash for longer than a minute on your Tesla, it indicates a system malfunction. 

How Do You Handle Tesla Tire Pressure in Cold Climates?  

If you live where cold weather is common (and sometimes harsh), you must be aware as tire pressures automatically drop in low temperatures. Ensure you adequately inflate your tires before you drive, protecting you from potholes and improving your range amid the low temperatures. Under-inflation is the biggest cause of tire failures, causing overheating and leading to tread separation and tire blowout, which can lead to losing control on the road and putting your safety at risk. 

How Can You Check and Adjust Tesla Model S Tire Pressure?

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When your tires are cold, and your Tesla Model S has been stationary for more than three hours, you need to refer to your Tire and Loading Information label to know what you should be looking for.

Then remove the valve cap and firmly press an accurate tire pressure gauge onto your valve to measure the tire pressure. You can remove or add air to reach the targeted pressure. 

Once finished, reinstall the valve cap to keep out dirt. Examine the valve to detect if any leaks or damage have occurred. This process is the same for all models. 

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How Can You Boost Your Tire Mileage?

By keeping your Tesla tire pressure at the required PSI, you can improve how much mileage you get out of your Tesla. If you optimize your Tesla Model S tire pressure, for example, you can capitalize on the over 400 miles of range that accompany versions of the S model like the Tesla Model S Long Range. 

To maximize your mileage, stick to the recommended pressure and avoid hard acceleration to put undue stress and wear on your tires. Things to avoid for boosting the tire mileage on your Tesla include: 

• Making quick turns and pressing too hard on your brake
• Any potholes or obstructions in the road 
• Hitting any curbs when parking or making a turn at an intersection
• Putting fluids in your tires that contaminate them, causing damage
• Exceeding your tire’s speed rating, located on the sidewall of your Tesla’s tires.

Finally, when the time comes to replace the original tires, only use tires that match the original specifications dictated by your Tesla owner’s manual.

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The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 

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The Tire Pressure Monitoring System typically accompanies all Tesla models. 

The TPMS is compatible with all Tesla Model X and S vehicles created for 2021 and beyond, as well as Tesla Model Y and Refresh Model 3 vehicles. For Refresh Model 3 Teslas, they should have chrome-delete door handles, and window trims to accommodate the monitoring system. 

Tesla recommends that you refer to the valve color on the wheels of your Tesla to select replacement TPMS colors in the dropdown. 

The TPMS comes in multiple styles and colors, from a silver version to a black one. 

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How Do You Reset the Tire Pressure Monitoring System?

Resetting the TPMS sensor requires you to use the touchscreen.

The built-in TPMS feature can only function when your Tesla is running. When turning on the touchscreen on your Tesla, you must select the Controls option before pressing Settings, which then takes you to the Tire Pressure Monitor section. In the latter section, select Reset Sensors. Depending on the size of your Tesla wheels, you should reset the TPMS sensors differently. 

Selecting the wrong wheel size can trigger false tire pressure warnings. Anytime a tire pressure warning is displayed after selecting the wrong size, get out of the vehicle as quickly as possible, close all doors and the trunk of your Tesla and wait for your touchscreen to go black. 

Once you have done the above-mentioned things, you can re-enter your Tesla and make sure that the correct size is selected before you press the Reset button on the touchscreen. 

Never reset your TPMS sensors to attempt clearing Tesla tire pressure warnings. 

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Perform a Road Test After Resetting Your TPMS 

After resetting your Tire Pressure Monitoring System, perform a road test to ensure your tires are stable. Auto learning starts when your Tesla vehicle passes the 25 mph mark. Following the completion of auto-learning, all Tesla tire pressure information will display for all wheels, and all TPMS faults will be cleared. Auto learning can take up to 20 minutes to complete. 

You may notice a ‘Tire Pressure System Needs Service’ warning pop up when doing auto-learning. If so, you’ll need to go over the process. If the warning persists after five minutes of driving, contact Tesla immediately and take it to your nearest service center to address the problem. 

For the most accurate tire pressure results when checking whether or not your tires are at the correct PSI for safe traveling, make sure you check your tire pressure when your Tesla is at home and you’re not driving. If you are driving, ensure that you’re driving at the lowest possible speed and the shortest possible distance.