2017-2023 Tesla Model 3 Performance 20" OEM Tire Replacement Guide

The Model 3 Performance came from the factory on 20” Sport Wheels or 20” Überturbine wheels with summer performance tires. The OEM tire is a 235/35R20. This guide covers what came from the factory, what to consider when replacing them, why you should move to a wider treadwidth tire, and whether summer tires are still the right answer for you. For 18” Aero wheels see the 18” guide. For 19” Sport wheels see the 19” guide.

OEM Wheel and Tire Specs

The Model 3 Performance was originally equipped with a 20” Sport Wheel, resembling its 19” sibling. It measured 20x8.5” with a +35 offset. In October 2020, Tesla moved to the 20” Überturbine wheel, a 20x9” wheel with a +34 offset. Both wheels wear a 5x114.3 bolt pattern.

All Performance variants shipped with a 235/35R20 summer performance tire with an acoustic foam inner liner. The initial OEM tire was the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S carrying a Tesla T0 designation and a 92Y XL service description. Later production years saw the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 ELECT be the primary tire.

The T0 marking indicates Tesla has tested and approved the tire for noise, ride, and range to their standards, and that the tire manufacturer paid for that certification. You do not need to buy a T0 tire to replace your existing tires.

There is also a third, relatively rare, 20” Model 3 Performance wheel. The “Zero G” wheel was offered as an early reward for Tesla’s referral program as well as being sold as part of the Model 3 Track Package. It shares the Überturbine’s 20x9” +34 dimensions. The optional Track Package was equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires in 245/35R20.

The Case for Wider Tires (or Smaller Diameter Wheels)

The non-Performance Model 3s come with seemingly pedestrian 18” or optional 19” wheels. The 20-inch wheel and tire combo on the Performance is heavier and has reduced range. They are more prone to road damage and have cost certain individual owners thousands of dollars in repairs. There is no doubt that the 20” wheels have a sportier look and feel. They are hard to miss aesthetically and the thinner sidewalls provide more stiffness to the overall suspension. And therein lies the rub.

The 235/35R20 tire has (235mm * .35 =) 82mm (3.2”) of sidewall between the wheel and the road. Furthering the problem is that the 82mm of sidewall is measured from the inner rim where the tire mounts to the wheel, not the visible part of the face of the wheel. 17.5mm of the sidewall is hidden behind the wheel flange which leaves just 54.5mm (~2.1”) available between the outer lip of the wheel face and the road. If you are currently making a caliper with your index and middle finger to see how much that is, you can see that it is not a lot of tire holding up a 4,000lb car.

The 235/35R20 is a stretched fitment on the wider Überturbine wheels. A mild stretch can reduce sidewall flex and sharpen steering response, but the 235 section width on this wheel goes further than beneficial. Stretch reduces the sidewall protection against curb strikes, increases heat buildup in the contact patch with nowhere to dissipate, and adds stress to the sidewall under load. This is not a claim that Tesla put an unsafe tire on the car, but those factors have a real-world consequence that many Model 3 Performance owners have encountered: higher incidence of tire failure and wheel damage.

This is something I personally experienced a couple of hundred miles from home with a blown out sidewall far away from a major metropolitan area where you might find a 235/35R20 tire. After a couple of hours on the phone and an assist from a friend I was able to find an off-brand non-foam-lined tire to get back home. This is why many Model 3 Performance owners down-size to 19” or 18” wheels.

If you are insistent on keeping the OEM 20” wheels, consider a 245/35R20 or 255/35R20. These are known to fit without rubbing on the stock wheels and are an ever so slightly larger diameter, but within 3% of the OEM diameter. The increased treadwidth provides both marginally improved grip and wheel protection. See other compatible tire sizes in our 235/35R20 Tire Table.

Before You Buy

Tire size. The OEM size is 235/35R20. The 35-series aspect ratio is the shortest sidewall of any gen 1 Model 3 wheel package. A 255/35R20 is the widest practical alternative on the OEM wheel, a better fill on the 9” rim with a slightly larger contact patch, and remains within the ±3% overall diameter threshold. 245/35R20 provides a balance of grip and rolling resistance. Summer performance tires in 20” sizing have reasonable availability in all of these widths.

Load index. Use XL-rated tires of 92 load index or higher. The 35-series profile means the XL construction is carrying more structural load per tire than on the taller profiles found on the 18” and 19” wheel packages. Standard Load tires are not appropriate here.

Acoustic foam liner. The very short 35-series sidewall transmits road texture and cavity resonance into the cabin more directly than any other gen 1 Model 3 configuration. Foam-lined tires make a meaningful difference on the 20” Performance wheel. OEM tires included foam liners. Look for tires labeled “Acoustic” (Michelin), “ContiSilent” (Continental), or “PNCS” (Pirelli) if road noise is a concern. That said, many owners run tires without foam without complaint. Not every summer performance tire has an acoustic version in this size.

Summer vs. all-season. The factory spec is a summer performance tire. If you live somewhere with actual winters, the correct answer is a seasonal swap to dedicated winter tires rather than switching to all-season on the 20” wheels. If you have milder winters and you want year-round capability, ultra high performance all-season tires are widely available in OEM sizes.

TPMS. The Model 3 uses direct TPMS with sensors integrated into the valve stem assembly. During a tire swap, the valve stem and sensor stay in the wheel. The installer demounts the old tire, mounts the new one, and the sensor is never disturbed. You should not be charged for a new sensor on a standard replacement. A valve stem seal inspection or replacement is normal and inexpensive. After the swap, recalibrate via Controls > Service > TPMS Calibration on the touchscreen.

Replacing in pairs. Unlike most AWD vehicles, you do not need to replace all four tires at the same time on the Dual Motor Model 3. Replace in pairs and put the newer tires on the rear axle. Rear tires wear faster than fronts, so rotate every 5,000–6,000 miles to keep tread depth even.

Summer Performance

Summer tires are the correct starting point for Model 3 Performance replacements. They deliver meaningfully better dry and wet grip, sharper turn-in, and shorter braking distances than any all-season. The Model 3 Performance was built around this category, and the chassis rewards it. However, these are warm-weather-only tires. The compound loses grip below 40°F and becomes a liability below freezing, especially with snow and ice.

Note that the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S comes in both T0 Tesla designation with foam lining as well as a traditional (read: lighter) version without foam lining. To make matters even more confusing, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 comes in the OEM size in T0, T1, and without foam in Porsche and McLaren designations. Our current pick of the litter for the OEM wheel and daily driving would be the Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 in 255/35R20. Visit TireRack to find full availability in 235/35R20, 245/35R20, or 255/35R20 sizing.

Ultra High Performance All-Season

If seasonal swapping is not practical and you want year-round usability, ultra high performance all-season tires are the right compromise. These are sharper than grand touring all-seasons, handle light snow, and eliminate the need for a seasonal swap. The trade-off is less dry and wet grip than a summer tire and higher road noise than a grand touring tire.

The Continental ExtremeContact DWS line and the Michelin Pilot Sport AS lines are perennial favorites among consumers.

Winter

If you live somewhere with real winter, a dedicated seasonal swap is the correct answer. The stopping distance difference between a winter tire and an all-season on ice is significant, and the Performance trim’s power delivery makes winter traction more important, not less. Running a second set of wheels with dedicated winter tires is the most cost-effective approach for Model 3 Performance owners. A smaller diameter means lower-cost tires, more sidewall for impact absorption, and a much wider selection of available winter compounds. 19” is the safest bet for a winter wheel diameter as 18” wheels may or may not clear the Performance’s upgraded brake calipers depending on the specific wheel, so we are not recommending a specific 18” fitment here. For non-Performance AWD Model 3 owners, TireRack has 18" winter wheel packages worth browsing. See our 19” tire guide for sizing and visit TireRack for 19" winter wheel packages.

Tesla’s OEM Winter Wheel package features Pirelli's Winter Sottozero 3. If you prefer to stay on the 20” wheels through winter…

Performance Winter and Snow

Performance winter tires deliver full 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake-rated capability while retaining meaningful dry and wet handling. These are suitable for owners in climates with regular but not severe winters who want to retain a spirited driving character.

Studless Ice and Snow

Studless ice and snow tires prioritize maximum grip in severe winter conditions — ice, packed snow, and deep cold — at the expense of dry-road performance and tread life. Best suited for regions with long, harsh winters.

Note that winter tire availability in 235/35R20 is limited. The 18” winter swap approach is strongly recommended for Performance owners in serious winter climates.

Mounting and Installation

A few reminders specific to the Model 3:

• TPMS sensors stay in the wheel. Do not pay for new sensors on a standard tire swap. A valve stem seal check is normal and worth doing; a new sensor unit is not necessary unless your existing sensor has failed.
• Recalibrate TPMS after the swap via the touchscreen: Controls > Service > TPMS Calibration.
• Lug nut torque spec: 129 lb-ft. Confirm your installer knows the torque spec and has a properly calibrated torque wrench.
• New tires go on the rear. When replacing in pairs, always put the newer tires on the rear axle regardless of which axle wore faster.