In 2015, Tesla was still defining the modern premium EV market, and the Model S stood at the center of that shift with sleek styling, strong performance, and a very different ownership experience from traditional luxury sedans. Tire choice matters on a car like this because wheel diameter, section width, and road manners all influence how the Model S feels on the road. For 2015 Tesla vehicles, one model uses three radial sizes, with the main distinction coming down to whether your car is on 19-inch wheels or staggered 21-inch fitment. Before choosing a tire, confirm your exact wheel diameter and whether your Model S uses the narrower 19-inch setup or the wider 21-inch arrangement.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 2015 Tesla
Three tire sizes are used on 2015 Tesla vehicles, and all of them apply to the Model S rather than being shared across multiple models. The real decision starts with wheel diameter, since the 19-inch and 21-inch sizes do not mount on the same wheels, and the two 21-inch sizes also reflect a width difference. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps match the tire to your car's actual wheel setup.
Year(s): 2015|Fit(s): Model S|Construction: Radial|Rim: 21-in rim
245/35R21 is a radial metric size with a 245-millimeter section width, a 35-series aspect ratio, and fitment for a 21-inch wheel. This size is used on the 2015 Tesla Model S and represents a model-specific wheel setup rather than a universal size across the year and make. It suits an owner who has already confirmed a 21-inch Model S wheel package and wants to stay with the low-profile proportions that go with that fitment.
Year(s): 2015|Fit(s): Model S|Construction: Radial|Rim: 19 in
245/45R19 is a radial metric size with a 245-millimeter section width, a 45-series aspect ratio, and fitment for a 19-inch wheel. BFGoodrich and Nitto offer this size in Blackwall form, and speed ratings vary by product with W-rated choices to 168 mph and a Y-rated option to 186 mph. This is the right direction for a 2015 Tesla Model S on 19-inch wheels, especially if you want the size with the clearest product coverage on this page.
Year(s): 2015|Fit(s): Model S|Construction: Radial|Rim: 21-in rim
265/35R21 is a radial metric size with a 265-millimeter section width, a 35-series aspect ratio, and fitment for a 21-inch wheel. This size is specific to the 2015 Tesla Model S and reflects the wider side of a 21-inch setup rather than a size shared across every wheel package. It is the size to follow when your Model S uses the broader 21-inch fitment and you need to match that wheel diameter and width class correctly.
One model is covered for this year and make. Even with a single model, tire size still varies, so identifying whether your 2015 Tesla Model S has 19-inch wheels or a 21-inch setup is the first step before choosing a tire. Select the model below for model-specific fitment history and products.
2015 Tesla Model S
The 2015 Tesla Model S was Tesla's flagship sedan, known for combining luxury-car space with EV performance and long-range touring capability. Its tire fitments span both 19-inch and 21-inch wheels, so the same model name can point to meaningfully different wheel-and-tire packages depending on how the car was equipped.
Three products are available across one tire size for 2015 Tesla vehicles. The 245/45R19 has three radial choices from BFGoodrich and Nitto, all in Blackwall styling. Confirm your wheel diameter first, since the 19-inch and 21-inch sizes are not interchangeable.
These FAQs cover how the three 2015 Tesla tire sizes relate to Model S wheel packages, what the metric size codes mean, how available 19-inch products differ, and what to inspect before putting a low-use EV back on the road.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 2015 Tesla vehicles?
2015 Tesla vehicles use three tire sizes: 245/45R19, 245/35R21, and 265/35R21, all for the Model S. The 245/45R19 mounts on a 19-inch wheel, while both 245/35R21 and 265/35R21 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 expressed as 7.5 to 9 inches.
That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for a 2015 Tesla Model S. Start by checking the wheel diameter on the car, then confirm whether the 21-inch setup uses the 245-millimeter width or the wider 265-millimeter size. On cars that have changed hands, it is wise to verify the actual wheel and the sidewall marking on the existing tire before replacing anything.
What does 245/35R21 mean on a 2015 Tesla tire?
On a 2015 Tesla, 245/35R21 is a metric radial size. The 245 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the 35 is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 35 percent of the section width, the R identifies radial construction, and the 21 is the wheel diameter in inches.
That combination points to a low-profile 21-inch fitment, so it is important not to confuse it with 245/45R19 just because both begin with 245. The wheel diameter is completely different, and the shorter sidewall changes the look and feel of the car as much as the fitment itself. Always match the full size code, not just the width number.
Do all 2015 Tesla models use the same tire size?
No. The 2015 Tesla range covered here includes the Model S, and even that single model uses more than one tire size. The available fitments span a 19-inch setup in 245/45R19 and 21-inch setups in 245/35R21 and 265/35R21.
For a buyer, that means the model name by itself still is not enough. A Model S with 19-inch wheels needs a completely different tire than one with 21-inch wheels, and the 21-inch arrangement may involve different widths as well. Confirming the exact wheel package first prevents ordering a tire that is correct for the year and model but wrong for the car in your garage.
Buying the Right Tire
What brands make tires for 2015 Tesla vehicles?
For 2015 Tesla vehicles, the 245/45R19 size is available from BFGoodrich and Nitto. BFGoodrich appears in both the g-Force Comp 2 AS and g-Force Phenom T/A series, while Nitto appears in the NT555 G2 series. All of those choices are radial Blackwall tires sized for 19-inch Model S applications.
Brand choice within this size comes down to the exact product characteristics you want rather than a change in basic construction, since all three options are radial. If your Model S uses 19-inch wheels, compare the specific series and speed rating rather than assuming every 245/45R19 behaves the same. If your car uses 21-inch wheels, begin by confirming size before comparing brands.
What sidewall styles are available for 2015 Tesla tires?
2015 Tesla tire coverage here centers on Blackwall styling. Every available 245/45R19 product uses a Blackwall sidewall, which suits the clean, modern appearance of the Model S and aligns with the understated look most owners expect from a contemporary performance sedan.
That makes the sidewall decision simple for a 19-inch 2015 Tesla Model S: you are choosing among Blackwall performance-oriented radials rather than between whitewall, redline, or other vintage sidewall treatments. The more important visual and functional choice is wheel package, since the 19-inch and 21-inch fitments give the car a noticeably different stance and tire profile.
What is the difference between BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 AS and BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A for the 2015 Tesla?
For a 2015 Tesla in 245/45R19, both are radial BFGoodrich choices with Blackwall styling, but they are not identical. The g-Force Comp 2 AS appears as a 98W tire weighing 29 pounds, while the g-Force Phenom T/A appears as a 102Y tire weighing 29.26 pounds and carrying a maximum load figure of 1,874 pounds at 50 psi. Both share a 19-inch rim diameter and a 7.5-to-9-inch rim-width range.
In practical terms, the Phenom T/A carries the higher speed rating and includes a published load-and-pressure figure, while the Comp 2 AS stays very close in weight and wheel fitment range. If you are comparing the two for a Model S, use the car's wheel size first, then compare how the rating and intended character of each series match your driving expectations.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 2015 Tesla tires require?
For 2015 Tesla fitments covered here, rim-width guidance is available for the 245/45R19 size. BFGoodrich pairs that size with a 7.5-to-9.0-inch rim-width range, with one entry phrased as 7.5 to 9 inches. The wheel diameter for that size is 19 inches.
That range is useful when confirming whether an existing Model S wheel is appropriate for a replacement tire in 245/45R19. Rim width affects sidewall shape and how the tire sits on the wheel, so it is worth checking the wheel specification instead of relying only on the sidewall code. If your car runs a 21-inch setup, confirm the exact wheel and tire pairing before moving forward.
Do 2015 Tesla tires require inner tubes?
The 2015 Tesla products covered here do not carry tube-type markings in the size description, and the available 245/45R19 tires are modern radial designs intended for contemporary wheel applications. Nothing in this group points to a vintage tube-type fitment such as you would expect on much older collector cars.
That said, wheel condition still matters. A damaged bead seat, prior wheel repair, or an aftermarket wheel can affect how any tubeless radial seals, so it is wise to inspect the wheel before mounting a new tire. On a Model S, especially one that has seen curb damage or long periods of storage, check the wheel carefully rather than assuming every 19-inch wheel is equally ready to use.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 2015 Tesla when the tires are fitted?
A 2015 Tesla should be stored away from direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone-producing equipment such as electric motors, air compressors, and battery chargers that sit close to the tires. Keep the tires properly inflated, move the car periodically if possible, and avoid letting it sit for long periods on one contact patch without attention.
Low-profile radial tires like the 19-inch and 21-inch Model S fitments generally tolerate storage better than older bias-ply designs, but they still age from time, environment, and neglect. If the car will sit for a season or longer, clean the tires, keep the storage space dry and cool, and consider reducing static stress with periodic rolling or appropriate support methods.
How long do tires on a 2015 Tesla typically last?
On a 2015 Tesla, tire age matters as much as tread depth, especially on a car that may see limited annual mileage. A sensible collector and enthusiast rule is to begin evaluating tires closely around five to seven years of age and to treat the ten-year mark as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the starting point for that timeline.
Electric vehicles can be deceptively hard on tires because instant torque and vehicle weight can wear them even when mileage stays modest. If your Model S still has usable tread but the tires are aging, inspect for hardening, cracking, or irregular wear before assuming they are road-ready. Age, condition, and storage history should all matter more than tread depth alone.
How often should tires on a 2015 Tesla be inspected?
Tires on a 2015 Tesla should be checked before every drive and again before any extended highway outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, irregular tread wear, and any loss of pressure. On a performance-oriented sedan like the Model S, even small condition changes can affect road feel and stability.
A quick visual walkaround catches many problems before they become expensive or unsafe. For a car that spends time parked, pressure checks matter just as much as tread inspection, because an underinflated tire can develop damage while simply sitting. If the car has been stored for a while, inspect the spare strategy as well, whether that means a compact spare solution or roadside support planning.
Safety & Road Use
Are 2015 Tesla tires safe for highway driving?
2015 Tesla tires can be appropriate for highway driving when the correct size is matched to the wheel and the tire is in sound condition. The available 245/45R19 products carry W and Y speed ratings, which correspond to 168 mph and 186 mph respectively. Those ratings are far beyond normal U.S. highway speeds, so condition, inflation, alignment, and the car's mechanical state matter more in everyday use than headline speed capability.
A Model S is a high-speed-capable car, but safe road use still begins with the basics. Check age, pressure, tread condition, and any signs of impact damage before a longer drive, especially on low-profile fitments. Highway safety depends on the complete package of wheel condition, suspension health, and tire age just as much as the size code molded into the sidewall.
What inflation pressure should I use for 2015 Tesla tires?
Inflation pressure for a 2015 Tesla should follow the vehicle placard or owner's manual first, because factory pressure targets are tuned to the car's weight distribution and wheel package. Within the available 245/45R19 products, one BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A carries a maximum load figure of 1,874 pounds at 50 psi. That maximum sidewall figure is not automatically the same as the carmaker's recommended running pressure.
Use the Tesla-recommended cold pressure as your baseline, then verify that the tire's own rating supports the application. Do not transfer a pressure number from a 19-inch tire to a 21-inch tire, or from one tire series to another, just because the car is the same model. Pressure is one of the simplest things to check and one of the easiest ways to affect tire wear and ride quality.
What should I check before taking a 2015 Tesla on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 2015 Tesla, inspect each tire for cracking, punctures, bulges, impact damage, and uneven wear, then confirm cold inflation pressure. Look closely at the wheel lips as well, since low-profile 19-inch and 21-inch tires can leave the wheels more exposed to curb or pothole damage. Any vibration, slow leak, or recent impact deserves attention before departure.
Tires are only one part of a proper pre-drive check, but they are one of the easiest places to prevent trouble. On a Model S, also think about range planning, charging strategy, and the condition of the car's suspension and braking system before a trip. A sound tire in the correct size is essential, but it works best as part of a complete mechanical once-over.