2016 Tesla Tire Fitment Guide

2016 Tesla vehicles in this fitment range use three radial sizes, all for the Model S: 245/45R19, 245/35R21, and 265/35R21. The 245/45R19 mounts on a 19-inch wheel, while both 21-inch sizes mount on 21-inch wheels. For 245/45R19, compatible rim width coverage runs from 7.5 to 9.0 inches on one BFGoodrich version and 7.5 to 9 inches on another, which is effectively the same range.

The practical takeaway is that 2016 Tesla fitment starts with wheel diameter, not just the year and make. A Model S on 19-inch wheels needs the 245/45R19 size, while a 21-inch setup uses one of the lower-profile 21-inch sizes. Check the tire currently on the car, confirm whether the car uses a staggered arrangement, and then match the replacement to the wheel and axle position before choosing a product.

On a 2016 Tesla, 245/45R19 breaks down into three main dimensions: 245 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, and R means radial construction. The final number, 19, is the wheel diameter in inches. In the available 245/45R19 products for the Model S, the size also appears with high-speed service markings such as W and Y depending on the specific tire.

That code matters because it tells you both the basic footprint and the wheel it fits. A 245/45R19 tire cannot substitute directly for a 21-inch Model S fitment, even though all three sizes are radial. Once the size is confirmed, compare the product’s speed rating, sidewall style, and approved rim-width range so the replacement matches the car’s intended use.

No. Within 2016 Tesla coverage here, the Model S uses three different tire sizes: 245/45R19, 245/35R21, and 265/35R21. Those sizes do not all share the same wheel diameter, so they are not direct substitutes. The 19-inch size belongs to one wheel package, while the 21-inch sizes belong to another and may reflect different front and rear positions on the same car.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a confident tire choice on 2016 Tesla. The safest approach is to confirm the exact size molded into the sidewall and verify whether the car has the same size at all four corners or a staggered arrangement. Doing that first avoids mixing 19-inch and 21-inch fitments or ordering the wrong 21-inch size for the wrong axle.

For 2016 Tesla fitment in 245/45R19, available brands include BFGoodrich and Nitto. BFGoodrich appears in both g-Force Comp 2 AS and g-Force Phenom T/A form, while Nitto appears in the NT555 G2 line. All of those are radial Blackwall tires sized for the 19-inch Model S application.

Brand choice on a 2016 Tesla should come after the size is settled, because the available brand coverage differs by size. Once 245/45R19 is confirmed, compare the intended use of each tire line, the speed rating marked on the tire, and any rim-width guidance attached to that product. That gives you a better match than choosing by brand name alone.

For the 2016 Tesla Model S fitment that currently has product coverage here, 245/45R19 is available in Blackwall form. That clean, modern sidewall treatment suits the Model S well, since the car came from an era when performance and luxury EV buyers generally favored a contemporary, understated appearance over wide white or vintage-style sidewall detailing.

Sidewall style is mostly a visual decision once the correct size has been confirmed. On a 2016 Tesla, the larger concern is matching the right 19-inch or 21-inch size and preserving the intended wheel-and-tire proportion. If appearance matters as much as fitment, compare the sidewall presentation of each product within your exact size before making the final choice.

For a 2016 Tesla running 245/45R19, both the BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 AS and BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A are radial Blackwall tires, but their published details are not identical. The g-Force Comp 2 AS appears as 245/45ZR19 98W and weighs 29 pounds, while the g-Force Phenom T/A appears as 245/45ZR19 102Y, carries a maximum load of 1,874 pounds at 50 psi, fits 7.5-to-9-inch rims, and weighs 29.26 pounds.

That comparison gives a Model S owner a clearer way to narrow the field within one size. If load and speed markings matter for your application, the sidewall stamp becomes an important part of the decision rather than a minor detail. Confirm your wheel width and compare the full sidewall information before choosing between two tires that otherwise share the same basic size.

Rim-width guidance is available for 2016 Tesla in 245/45R19. BFGoodrich gives that size a 7.5-to-9.0-inch rim-width range on one product and 7.5 to 9 inches on another, which aligns in practical terms. The 19 in the size code confirms a 19-inch wheel diameter, but width still needs to be checked separately against the actual wheel on the car.

Wheel width matters because even a correct overall size can behave differently when mounted outside its intended range. If your 2016 Tesla Model S uses 245/45R19, confirm both diameter and width before replacement. For the 21-inch sizes, verify the wheel and sidewall markings directly so the tire you choose matches the setup already on the car.

2016 Tesla Model S tires in these sizes are modern radial fitments, and the 245/45R19 products shown here do not carry tube-type markings in their size descriptions. That points to tubeless construction for those 19-inch options. Tube requirements should still be confirmed from the exact tire sidewall and wheel condition, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels or a nonstandard setup.

For most Model S owners, the practical check is whether the replacement tire and the wheel are both intended for tubeless service. Avoid assuming that every product within every size follows the same specification unless the sidewall confirms it. If your car has been modified from its original wheel package, verify compatibility before mounting.

A 2016 Tesla should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors that generate ozone, solvents, and standing moisture. Keep the car off bare earth, and if it will sit for long periods, move it periodically or support it in a way that reduces prolonged stress in one contact patch. Radial tires generally tolerate storage better than old bias-ply designs, but they still age from environment and time.

That matters because a low-mileage collector or hobby car can show age-related tire issues long before the tread is worn out. For a Model S, long static periods can also hide pressure loss that is easy to miss until the next drive. Check inflation regularly during storage and inspect the sidewalls before putting the car back into normal use.

On a 2016 Tesla, tire age is usually more important than calendar mileage alone, especially for a car that may see seasonal or low-use driving. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are in the 5-to-7-year range and to treat about 10 years as a serious replacement consideration regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the starting point for that age check.

Electric performance can also place real demand on tires even when the odometer stays relatively low, so wear and age need to be judged together. Sidewall condition, even wear, and pressure retention all matter. If your 2016 Tesla still wears older tires simply because it has not been driven much, inspect age before assuming the remaining tread means the tire is still suitable.

Tires on a 2016 Tesla should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended highway outing. Look for cuts, bulges, punctures, irregular shoulder wear, objects in the tread, and sidewall cracking. Pressure should be checked with the tires cold, since an underinflated tire can look acceptable at a glance but still be operating below its intended range.

Frequent inspection is especially important on a Model S because incorrect pressure or unnoticed damage can affect ride quality, steering response, and tire life very quickly. Include the spare only if your particular setup has one, and make valve stems part of the inspection routine. A few minutes in the garage is easier than discovering a problem after the drive has already started.

Yes, 2016 Tesla tires in these radial sizes are intended for modern road use when they are the correct size, in good condition, and carrying appropriate speed and load markings. In 245/45R19, available products include W-rated tires with a 168 mph ceiling and a Y-rated tire with a 186 mph ceiling. Those ratings are well beyond normal highway speeds, assuming the tire is properly maintained and matched to the wheel.

Highway safety still depends on more than the letter on the sidewall. Age, inflation, alignment, and overall condition matter just as much, especially on a heavy, quick-accelerating electric sedan. For a 2016 Tesla, the right approach is to confirm the exact fitment first, then make sure the chosen tire’s speed and load credentials suit how the car is actually driven.

Inflation pressure for a 2016 Tesla should be matched to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for the exact wheel and tire package, not guessed from another size. One 245/45R19 BFGoodrich option carries a maximum load of 1,874 pounds at 50 psi, but that figure is the tire’s rated maximum and should not automatically be used as the day-to-day operating pressure for every Model S setup.

The best practice is to start with the factory placard or owner’s manual for your 2016 Tesla, then compare that to the tire manufacturer’s sidewall information for the specific product. Keep pressures consistent side to side and check them cold. Do not transfer a pressure value from 245/45R19 to either 21-inch size without confirming the correct specification first.

Before a longer drive in a 2016 Tesla, inspect each tire for cracking, punctures, sidewall damage, uneven wear, and any bulges or cuts that could worsen under sustained speed. Confirm cold pressure, make sure the valve stems are sound, and look at the tread for anything embedded. If the car has sat for a while, pay extra attention to age and to any signs of temporary flat-spotting or pressure loss.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive routine, but they are one of the easiest places to catch trouble early. On a Model S, it is also wise to confirm that the tires match axle position correctly if the car uses staggered 21-inch sizing. A careful walk-around before departure can prevent the wrong-size or underinflated tire from turning into a roadside problem.