2020-2024 Tesla Model Y 19" OEM Tire Replacement Guide

The tires on your “Gen 1” Tesla Model Y will wear out before anything else on your car does. The 19” “Gemini” wheels that came on Standard Range, Long Range RWD, and most Long Range AWD trims use a 255/45R19 tire. When it’s time to replace them, there are better (and cheaper) options than what Tesla originally spec’d. This guide covers what came from the factory, what actually matters when replacing them, and which tires to buy. For 20” Induction wheels see the 20” guide. For 21” Überturbine wheels see the 21” guide.

OEM Wheel and Tire Specs

The 2020-2024 Model Y shipped with several 19” OEM “Gemini” wheel variants over its production run, but consistently came in 255/45R19 with Grand Touring All-Season Tires. The standard factory tire was the Continental ProContact RX with an acoustic foam inner liner. Later production years saw some builds leave the factory on Kumho Majesty 9 Solus TA91 EV or Pirelli Scorpion M+S, also with foam liner, at a slightly lower speed rating.

The T# markings on the sidewall are Tesla’s own OE designation program. They indicate the tire has been tested and approved for noise, ride, and range within Tesla’s standards. They also mean the tire manufacturer paid for that certification. You do not have to buy a T0, T1, etc. tire to replace your existing tires.

Before You Buy

Load index. Use XL-rated tires on the Model Y. Given the car’s weight (4,100–4,500 lbs depending on configuration) you will want a sufficiently load rated tire with at least a 104 load index, which is what the tires came with from the factory. All tires in this guide are XL-rated.

Acoustic foam liner. Road noise is typically more apparent in EVs as there is no combustion engine to mask tire hum. Foam-lined tires dampen internal resonance and can make a meaningful difference, particularly on coarser pavement. That said, many owners run tires without foam without complaint. If road noise is a priority, look for the foam variant of a tire: Michelin labels them “Acoustic,” Continental uses “ContiSilent,” Pirelli uses “PNCS.” Not every recommended tire below has an acoustic version available in 255/45R19, and that’s fine.

EV Specific Tires. You do not need an EV-specific tire model for your Model Y as long as it meets the appropriate load specifications. Non-EV specific tires will often perform better in traction categories at the expense of longevity or efficiency. A long-lasting tire that rides poorly is not a great tradeoff. There is no one best tire for an EV so choose whether handling and traction performance or efficiency matter more to you.

TPMS. The Model Y uses direct TPMS with sensors integrated into the valve stem assembly. When your tires are swapped, 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. Your shop may charge a small fee to inspect or replace the valve stem seal, which is standard practice and worth doing. What you should not pay for is a new sensor itself on a standard tire replacement. After the swap, recalibrate via Controls > Service > TPMS Calibration on the touchscreen.

Tire size. The OEM size is 255/45R19, but 265/45R19 is a popular and fitment-safe alternative. The 265 is 10mm wider and about 1.2% larger in overall diameter, but well within the safe ±3% threshold and negligible on the speedometer. It sits at the lower end of the recommended rim width range for the 9.5” Gemini wheel, but this is a widely used combination in the Model Y community without issue. The slightly wider contact patch can marginally improve grip, offset by equally marginal increases in rolling resistance and road noise.

Replacing in pairs. Unlike other AWD vehicles, you can replace tires on the Model Y axle-by-axle. You do not need to replace all four at once unless they are all equally worn. Rear tires on the Model Y wear faster than fronts. Rotate every 5,000–6,000 miles to keep tread depth even across all four corners.

Grand Touring All-Season

Most Model Y owners want a comfortable, long-wearing all-season that handles light snow, stays quiet, and requires no seasonal thinking. Grand Touring All-Season tires do just that.

In recent years the major tire brands have sought 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating on their signature tires and all of our recommendations are 3PMSF-rated. While Continental was Tesla’s initial supplier with the ProContact RX, they have relatively recently released the SecureContact AW which features a lower price tag and a cutting edge compound that prioritizes traction and efficiency. Michelin’s CrossClimate 2 has typically been the pick for those seeing more inclement weather, but the value standouts come from Vredestein. Their tires typically test well against the higher priced tires in their categories with noticeably lower pricing.

Ultra High Performance All-Season

If you want real handling capability without giving up year-round usability you will typically turn to an Ultra High Performance All-Season. These tires are sharper than grand touring all-seasons and will earn their keep in spirited on-ramp acceleration or a canyon road. They are not winter tires, but they will manage light snow.

Summer Performance

If you live somewhere without real winter and want the full performance the platform is capable of, summer tires are the correct answer. Expect meaningfully better dry and wet grip, faster steering response, and higher road noise than any all-season. These are warm-weather only tires. The compound loses grip below 40°F and below freezing they become a liability. Furthermore, tire availability is relatively limited in Model Y sizing, making the recommended list quite a bit shorter.

Visit TireRack to find more availability in 255/45R19 or 265/45R19 sizing.

Winter

If you live somewhere with actual and serious winter, the correct answer is a dedicated seasonal swap, not an all-weather or all-season tire. The stopping distance difference between a dedicated winter tire and an all-season on ice is significant. It is usually more economical to buy a second set of wheels, mount winters on them, and swap twice a year rather than swapping tires on stock wheels.

Tesla’s OEM Winter Wheel package featured Pirelli's Winter Sottozero 3. This is a relatively unique winter tire as it retains a foam lining and features a T1 Tesla designation. The majority of Model Y’s with dedicated winter tires will be in two major categories of studless winter tires.

Performance Winter and Snow

Performance winter tires were developed for European highway conditions where high-speed capability must coexist with snow traction. They carry a 3PMSF rating and are fully winter-capable, but prioritize dry and wet handling over maximum ice grip. For Model Y owners who want to retain a spirited driving character in winter without the outright ice focus of a studless tire, this is the right category.

Studless Ice and Snow

Studless ice and snow tires deliver maximum winter performance without metal studs, using advanced siping and tread rubber compounds that remain pliable in extreme cold. These tires excel in severe winter conditions including ice, packed snow, and slush, but trade away some dry-road handling and tread life. These tires are best suited for regions with long, harsh winters where maximum winter grip outweighs summer usability concerns.

Mounting and Installation

A few reminders for the Model Y:

• TPMS sensors stay in the wheel. The valve stem-integrated sensors are not disturbed during a tire swap. Do not pay for new sensors — a valve stem seal inspection or replacement is normal, a new sensor is not.
• 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 for your Model Y and has properly torqued all lug nuts.