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Best tyres for the Tesla Model 3 RWD (2024)

The Tesla Model 3 RWD (2024) is a rear-wheel drive electric car with 208 kW and a kerb weight of 1,760 kg. That’s 118 kW per tonne, in the warm tier. Warm hatches, roadsters and quicker EVs. Tyres start to shape how the car feels.

Power-to-weight

118kW/t

hp/t
158
kg/kW
8.5
lb/hp
13.9
0–100 est.
≈ 6.3 s

Likely under the P-plate limit. Under 130 kW/t on kerb weight. Legal eligibility uses tare mass, and engine modifications or a banned listing can still rule a car out. Check eligibility →

Your car sits at 118 kilowatts per tonne. Reference cars: Picanto 62, Corolla 93, MX-5 127, Golf GTI 136, Civic Type R 164, BMW M3 217, 911 GT3 261, Ferrari 296 396, Rimac Nevera 612 kilowatts per tonne.

Model 3 RWD tyre size

Factory sizes. Wheels get changed: your tyre placard, in the driver’s door jamb, is the authority on size, load index and speed rating.

Recommended tyres by how you drive

For a mild, wet climate. Cold and snowy climates are further down.

Daily driving

Ultra-high performance summer

Warm-tier power starts to overwhelm touring rubber, especially in the wet. UHP tyres add the braking and steering you need and still last.

Spirited road driving

Ultra-high performance summer

Warm-tier power starts to overwhelm touring rubber, especially in the wet. UHP tyres add the braking and steering you need and still last.

Road + occasional track days

Max performance summer

At 118 kW/t, your car leans hard on its tyres under power and braking. Max-performance tyres are what cars like this are engineered around.

Also consider: optional track set, extreme 200TW.

What to look for on the sidewall

Speed rating
Typically V or W. V covers up to 240 km/h.
Load index
Whatever your placard shows: it is the authority. Our rough estimate for this car laden is 92 (630 kg per tyre), with XL or HL construction preferred.
Treadwear (UTQG)
300–400 for UHP summer tyres; expect 30,000–50,000 km.

Estimates from power and weight. The tyre placard on the driver’s door jamb is the legal minimum.

Ultra-high performance summer: character

Dry grip
4 out of 5
Wet grip
5 out of 5
Below 7 °C
2 out of 5
Snow & ice
0 out of 5
Quiet & comfort
3 out of 5
Tread life
3 out of 5
Efficiency
3 out of 5

In cold or snowy climates

Cold winters, little snow

  • Summer set: Ultra-high performance summer

    Michelin Pilot Sport 5 · Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 · Michelin Pilot Sport EV

  • Cold-season set: Winter

    Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 · Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

  • If you want one set: All-season / all-weather

    Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 · Continental AllSeasonContact 2 · Michelin CrossClimate 2

Snow and ice

  • Summer set: Ultra-high performance summer

    Michelin Pilot Sport 5 · Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 · Michelin Pilot Sport EV

  • Winter set: Winter

    Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 · Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

  • If you want one set: All-season / all-weather

    Continental AllSeasonContact 2 · Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 · Michelin CrossClimate 2

Things to know about the Model 3 RWD

  • Rear-wheel drive

    Your rears put down the power and wear a little faster. If both axles use the same size, rotate every 10,000 km.

  • Electric: weight, torque and noise

    EVs are heavy and deliver torque instantly, so tyres often wear noticeably faster than on a similar petrol car. Look for EV-specific versions (Elect, EV, ContiSilent, Acoustic), which add foam to cut cabin noise, and for XL or HL (high load) service descriptions. Low rolling resistance adds real range.

  • Buying only two?

    Put the new pair on the rear axle, even on a front-driver. Grippy rears keep the car stable when braking or cornering in the wet; worn rears are what cause spins.

Quick answers

What size tyres does the Tesla Model 3 RWD (2024) use?

From the factory: 235/45 R18 98Y (18in Photon); 235/40 R19 (19in Nova (option)). Wheels get changed, so check your car's tyre placard, in the driver's door jamb, before buying.

What is the power-to-weight ratio of the Tesla Model 3 RWD (2024)?

118 kW per tonne (158 hp per tonne), from 208 kW and a 1,760 kg kerb weight. That puts it in ratio's Warm tier.

What tyres should I buy for my Tesla Model 3 RWD (2024)?

For everyday driving, ultra-high performance summer tyres. Good options include the Michelin Pilot Sport 5, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, Michelin Pilot Sport EV. Always match or exceed the load index and speed rating on the car's tyre placard.

Can P-platers drive the Tesla Model 3 RWD (2024)?

Likely, on power-to-weight: at 118 kW per tonne on kerb weight it is under the 130 kW/t limit for P-platers in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. Legal eligibility uses tare mass, and engine modifications can still make a car off-limits.

What speed rating does the Tesla Model 3 RWD (2024) need?

Cars in the Warm tier typically run V or W-rated tyres. The legal minimum is whatever your placard, on the driver's door jamb, specifies.

Cars with a similar power-to-weight

All 90 cars ranked by power-to-weight