2013 Tesla Tire Fitment Guide

2013 Tesla vehicles use three radial tire sizes, all on the Model S: 245/45R19, 245/35R21, and 265/35R21. The 245/45R19 mounts on a 19-inch wheel, while the two 21-inch sizes mount on 21-inch wheels. Rim width guidance is available for the 245/45R19 at 7.5 to 9.0 inches, with one BFGoodrich entry expressing the upper end as 9 inches. The 21-inch sizes are not interchangeable with the 19-inch size because the wheel diameter is different.

That means the first fitment step on a 2013 Tesla is confirming which wheel package your Model S actually has. If the car wears 21-inch wheels, also verify whether the same size is used at all four corners or whether the car uses the wider 265/35R21 as part of a staggered setup. Checking the sidewall on the tires already mounted to the car is the quickest way to avoid ordering the wrong diameter.

On a 2013 Tesla, 245/45R19 is a metric radial size. The 245 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, the R means radial construction, and 19 is the wheel diameter in inches. For the Model S, this size is tied to the 19-inch wheel package and appears in blackwall performance-oriented radial choices from BFGoodrich and Nitto.

Knowing how to read the code helps you separate tire size from tire character. Two 245/45R19 tires can share the same basic dimensions yet differ in speed rating, load capacity, and recommended rim-width range. If your 2013 Tesla uses 19-inch wheels, match the full size code first, then compare the specific product details that matter for how you use the car.

On a 2013 Tesla, both 245/35R21 and 265/35R21 are metric radial sizes for 21-inch wheels. The first number is section width in millimeters, so the 265 is wider than the 245. The 35 is the aspect ratio, the R identifies radial construction, and 21 is the wheel diameter in inches. These sizes belong to the larger-wheel Model S fitment rather than the 19-inch package.

The practical point is that width and wheel diameter both matter. A 245/35R21 and a 265/35R21 may appear similar at a glance because both are 21-inch radials, but they are not the same size and should not be swapped casually from one axle position to another. Compare the tire on the car to the intended replacement position before making a selection.

Choose the size that matches the wheel package already on your 2013 Tesla Model S. The 245/45R19 is for a 19-inch wheel, while 245/35R21 and 265/35R21 are for 21-inch wheels. All three are radial sizes, so this is primarily a wheel-diameter and application decision rather than a bias-ply-versus-radial decision. The 21-inch fitment may also require two different sizes on the same car.

If your priority is replacing tires on the wheels currently fitted to the car, stay with the exact size on the sidewall. If you are evaluating a second wheel set or correcting a previous owner's changes, confirm the front and rear wheel diameters and compare each axle separately. That approach is much more reliable than choosing by appearance alone, especially on an early Model S with optional wheel packages.

The 2013 Tesla tire products available in 245/45R19 use blackwall sidewalls. That look suits the Model S well because the car was designed as a modern luxury-performance sedan rather than a vintage whitewall-era vehicle. No alternate sidewall treatment appears within the available 245/45R19 products, so the overall appearance stays clean and contemporary.

For most 2013 Tesla owners, sidewall style will be a simpler decision than size or speed rating. The more important comparison is whether the tire matches your wheel diameter, carries the load and speed capability you expect, and fits your rim-width range. Once those points are settled, the blackwall look aligns naturally with the original design language of the Model S.

BFGoodrich and Nitto make 245/45R19 tires for 2013 Tesla applications. BFGoodrich appears in both the g-Force COMP-2 A/S and g-Force Phenom T/A series, while Nitto appears in the NT555 G2 series. All of those are radial blackwall tires aimed at modern road use. Brand choice in this fitment is less about era-correct restoration and more about selecting the characteristics you want within a modern performance-tire category.

A useful way to compare brands on a 2013 Tesla is to look beyond the name and focus on the exact version. Speed rating, load specification, and recommended rim-width range can differ even when two tires share the same 245/45R19 size code. Once your wheel diameter and tire size are confirmed, compare the individual tire’s markings and published specifications instead of assuming every brand behaves the same.

For 2013 Tesla applications in 245/45R19, the supported rim-width range is 7.5 to 9.0 inches, with one BFGoodrich entry expressing the upper end as 9 inches. That guidance applies to the 19-inch tire size itself rather than to every wheel Tesla may have used. Rim-width details are especially important when a car has aftermarket wheels or when a second wheel set is being matched to replacement tires.

Use that range as a check against the actual wheel before mounting a 245/45R19. A tire that matches in diameter and section width can still be a poor choice if the wheel is too narrow or too wide for the product’s approved range. If your 2013 Tesla uses 21-inch sizes, confirm the exact wheel specifications on the car before assuming they mirror the 19-inch setup.

The 245/45R19 tires for 2013 Tesla use modern radial sizing with no tube-type marking in the available products, which points to tubeless construction for that fitment. That is consistent with modern passenger-car wheel design and with the Model S as a 2013 production vehicle. Inner tubes are not part of the normal setup for this size when used on the correct wheel.

The practical check is to match the tire to the wheel condition and valve hardware rather than adding a tube by default. If a wheel has damage, corrosion, or an air-loss issue, solve the wheel problem first instead of trying to compensate with the wrong setup. For any 2013 Tesla tire, confirm the sidewall markings on the exact product and inspect the wheel before installation.

A 2013 Tesla should be stored out of direct sunlight and away from ozone sources such as electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and air compressors whenever possible. Keep the tires clean and dry, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically so the same section of tread and sidewall is not carrying the load for months at a time. Even modern radials benefit from avoiding long static periods on one contact patch.

Collector storage is about reducing environmental aging as much as preserving tread. If the car will sit for an extended season, many owners either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces long-term stress on the tires, following safe storage practices. A controlled garage environment does more for tire life on a 2013 Tesla than low mileage alone.

Tires on a 2013 Tesla should be judged by age as well as wear. A common collector-car guideline is to evaluate them carefully once they are around five to seven years old and to treat ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the sidewall identifies when a tire was manufactured, which is often more useful than mileage on a low-use car.

Electric cars can accumulate age with surprisingly little tread wear because many spend time in seasonal or occasional use. That makes calendar age, sidewall condition, and how well the tire holds air especially important on a 2013 Tesla. If the tires look sound but are aging out, replace on age rather than trying to stretch service life simply because the tread still appears deep.

Tires on a 2013 Tesla should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Check for cracking, punctures, bulges, uneven wear, foreign objects in the tread, and changes in pressure retention. On a heavier, high-torque EV such as the Model S, small problems can become noticeable quickly because the tires work hard under acceleration and vehicle weight.

A quick walk-around catches far more issues than many owners expect. Pay close attention to inner shoulder wear, sidewall scuffs from curbs, and any mismatch between front and rear sizes if your 2013 Tesla runs a 21-inch staggered setup. Building that habit into every drive is one of the simplest ways to protect both the tires and the wheels.

Yes, the available 245/45R19 tires for 2013 Tesla are modern radial performance tires with speed ratings suitable for highway driving when they are in sound condition and correctly matched to the wheel. W-rated versions are approved to 168 mph, and the Y-rated version is approved to 186 mph and above. Those ratings are well beyond normal U.S. highway speeds, so day-to-day safety usually depends more on condition, inflation, alignment, and overall vehicle health than on the tire’s speed symbol alone.

The important distinction is that a high speed rating is not a substitute for inspection or proper setup. On a 2013 Tesla, quiet wear patterns, battery weight, and immediate torque can disguise tire issues until they become more serious. Check pressure, tread condition, and sidewall health before sustained highway use, and make sure the size matches the wheel position exactly.

For 2013 Tesla tires, use the vehicle’s factory pressure recommendation as your starting point and compare it with the tire manufacturer’s maximum load and pressure information for the exact size you choose. Within the available 245/45R19 products, one BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A carries a maximum load capacity of 1,874 pounds at 50 psi. That figure is a maximum rating for the tire, not an across-the-board operating pressure for every 2013 Tesla application.

Treat inflation as size-specific and product-specific rather than transferring one number from one tire to another. A 19-inch Model S tire should not automatically use the same pressure approach as a 21-inch fitment, and one brand’s maximum sidewall number is not the same thing as Tesla’s recommended cold pressure. Verify the placard or owner’s manual, then fine-tune only within the tire maker’s limits.

Before a longer drive in a 2013 Tesla, inspect all four tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, and uneven wear, and confirm cold inflation pressure at each corner. Check the spare or emergency tire solution if your car carries one, and look closely at the valve stems and wheel lips for damage that could lead to air loss. Make sure the front and rear sizes are correct if the car uses the 21-inch wheel package.

Tires are only one part of a longer-drive check on an early Model S, but they are among the easiest items to inspect carefully at home. A short test drive around town can reveal vibration, pulling, or pressure loss before you commit to highway miles. If anything about the tire wear or sizing looks inconsistent, resolve it before the trip rather than after the car is loaded and underway.