2017 Tesla Tire Fitment Guide

2017 Tesla vehicles use six distinct tire sizes across two models. The Model 3 uses 235/45R18, 235/40R19, and 235/35R20, while the Model S uses 245/45R19, 245/35R21, and 265/35R21. Rim diameters span 18, 19, 20, and 21 inches, so there is no single year-wide Tesla size to order by year and make alone.

That means the first fitment question is whether the car is a Model 3 or a Model S, and the second is which wheels are actually on it now. If the wheels have been changed, verify the tire sidewall and wheel diameter before selecting anything. On the Model S, pay especially close attention to 21-inch applications, because they can involve different front and rear sizes rather than a square setup.

On a 2017 Tesla, 235/45R18 means the tire is 235 millimeters wide, has a 45-series aspect ratio, uses radial construction, and mounts on an 18-inch wheel. In the 2017 Tesla range, that size belongs to the Model 3. Products in this size are Blackwall radials from BFGoodrich, with W speed ratings that carry a 168 mph ceiling.

Modern metric sizing is straightforward once you know the code: width first, profile second, construction in the middle, and wheel diameter last. For a Model 3 owner, the key is not just recognizing the code but confirming that the car actually has 18-inch wheels. A 235/45R18 cannot substitute for the Model 3’s 19-inch or 20-inch fitments without changing the wheel as well.

No, 2017 Tesla models do not use the same tire size. The Model 3 uses 235-width sizes on 18-inch, 19-inch, or 20-inch wheels, while the Model S uses 245/45R19 on 19-inch wheels or 21-inch sizes that include 245/35R21 and 265/35R21. None of those sizes are shared across both model lines.

That separation matters because a buyer who only knows the year and make can still end up with the wrong tire if the model is not confirmed first. The difference is not cosmetic; it changes section width, profile, and wheel diameter. Start with the model name on the car, then verify the current wheel package, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels or a staggered 21-inch Model S arrangement.

2017 Tesla tire options here use Blackwall sidewalls across the available product range. That applies to Model 3 sizes such as 235/45R18, 235/40R19, and 235/35R20, as well as the available Model S 245/45R19 products. The overall look is contemporary and performance-oriented, which fits the period character of a late-2010s Tesla better than a vintage-style sidewall treatment would.

Because 2017 Tesla is a modern EV application rather than a classic restoration-era fitment, sidewall choice is mostly about maintaining the correct modern appearance instead of concours authenticity. The practical decision usually comes down to selecting the right size and then comparing brand, speed rating, and wheel-width compatibility. Once those are settled, the Blackwall presentation keeps the finished look in line with how these cars were typically equipped.

BFGoodrich and Nitto both cover parts of the 2017 Tesla size range. BFGoodrich appears in 235/40R19, 235/45R18, 235/35R20, and 245/45R19, while Nitto appears in 235/35R20 and 245/45R19. All of those available products are modern radial performance tires rather than vintage-style reproductions.

Brand choice matters most in the sizes where more than one option exists, such as 235/35R20 and 245/45R19. In those cases, compare the exact speed rating, any stated load figure, and wheel-width suitability before deciding. If your Tesla wears a size with only one current option, the process is simpler: confirm the wheel diameter and size code first, then make sure the tire’s overall category matches how you use the car.

For 2017 Tesla fitments where both appear, BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A and Nitto NT555 G2 are both radial Blackwall performance tires, but their published details are not identical. In 235/35R20, the Nitto carries a W speed rating with a 168 mph ceiling, while the BFGoodrich carries a Y speed rating with a 186-plus mph ceiling and a stated max load of 1,389 pounds at 50 psi. In 245/45R19, the same pattern appears: the Nitto is W-rated, while the BFGoodrich is Y-rated and carries a stated max load of 1,874 pounds at 50 psi.

Those differences do not change fitment, but they do affect how closely you match the tire to your priorities. A buyer comparing the two should look at the exact speed symbol, any available load figure, and the wheel-width range when it is stated. That approach is more useful than choosing by brand name alone, especially on a heavy EV where size, load support, and wheel match deserve close attention.

Several 2017 Tesla sizes include stated rim width ranges. The 235/40R19 fits 8 to 9.5-inch rims, 235/45R18 fits 7.5 to 9 or 9.0-inch rims depending on the product, and 245/45R19 fits 7.5 to 9 or 9.0-inch rims depending on the product. Some other sizes appear without a published rim-width range in the available product details, so the exact tire you choose matters.

Rim width is worth checking before you focus on brand or speed rating because the same nominal tire size can have slightly different approved wheel ranges from one product to another. Use the wheel that is actually on the car as the reference point, not assumptions about what the model originally carried. If the wheel falls near the edge of the approved range, it is smart to verify the exact tire before final selection.

The available 2017 Tesla products are modern radial tires with size markings such as 235/45ZR18, 235/35ZR20XL, and 245/45ZR19, and none carry tube-type markings. That points to tubeless construction across the available product range for these Tesla sizes. Nothing in these fitments suggests an antique or tube-type application.

For a modern Tesla wheel and tire setup, the practical concern is usually the condition of the valve stem, wheel sealing surface, and TPMS-related service rather than inner tubes. If the car has non-original wheels, inspect them closely for bead-seat condition before mounting new tires. A tubeless radial still depends on a sound wheel and correct installation to hold pressure properly over time.

A 2017 Tesla should be stored away from direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors, battery chargers, welders, or compressors. Clean, dry surfaces are better than dirt or damp concrete, and the car benefits from occasional movement so the tires do not sit in one position for long periods. Because these are low-profile radials, proper inflation during storage matters as much as the storage environment itself.

Long static periods can age any tire before tread is truly worn out, especially on a heavy EV. If the car will sit for months, check pressure regularly and consider reducing load concentration by moving it periodically or using storage supports as appropriate for the vehicle. The goal is to prevent flat spotting, sidewall stress, and slow pressure loss from turning a good tire into a questionable one before driving season returns.

Tires on a 2017 Tesla should be judged by age and condition as much as by remaining tread. A good rule is to inspect them closely once they reach about five to seven years old and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of miles, especially on a collector or low-use vehicle. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the key reference for tire age.

That matters because many specialty or enthusiast-driven cars accumulate little mileage, yet their tires still harden and age. A Tesla can feel composed enough to mask early tire aging, so visual condition and date-code review are important even if the car seems to drive normally. If you see cracking, repeated pressure loss, or impact-related damage, replace sooner rather than relying on age alone.

Tires on a 2017 Tesla should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer highway trip. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, punctures, and signs of impact damage, then confirm that pressures are stable and appropriate for the car’s intended use. Because these are modern tubeless radials, valve stems and wheel sealing surfaces also deserve attention during routine checks.

Frequent inspection is especially important on low-profile sizes, where curb impacts and pothole damage can be easier to miss until vibration or pressure loss appears. A quick walkaround catches problems while they are still manageable. If the car has sat for a while, add a closer inspection of tread blocks and sidewalls before returning it to regular road use, since storage can reveal issues that were not obvious when the car was parked.

2017 Tesla tires can be suitable for highway driving when the correct size is used, the tire is in sound condition, and its speed rating matches the application. Available products here carry W and Y ratings, which correspond to 168 mph and 186-plus mph ceilings. Those ratings are well above normal U.S. highway speeds, but safe road use still depends on proper inflation, alignment, load support, and the condition of the wheel and tire together.

In practice, most highway concerns on a 2017 Tesla come from age, damage, or incorrect setup rather than an inadequate speed symbol. A low-profile tire on a bent wheel or with hidden sidewall damage is a bigger problem than the letter on the sidewall. Before longer freeway use, confirm that all four tires match the car’s wheel package and that any staggered Model S arrangement is mounted in the correct position.

Inflation pressure for 2017 Tesla tires should follow the vehicle placard or owner’s manual for the car’s original wheel and tire package, with the tire’s own pressure markings used as the product’s rated maximum rather than a default running pressure. Available max-load figures include 1,565 pounds at 50 psi for 235/40R19, 1,653 pounds at 50 psi for some 235/45R18 products, 1,389 pounds at 50 psi for one 235/35R20 product, and 1,874 pounds at 50 psi for one 245/45R19 product.

Those numbers should not be transferred from one size to another or treated as the everyday cold pressure for every 2017 Tesla application. The right approach is to start with Tesla’s specification for your exact model and wheel package, then make sure the chosen tire is being used within its own rated limits. If the car has non-stock wheels or a different size than original, confirm the setup carefully before settling on a pressure routine.

Before a longer drive in a 2017 Tesla, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and any sign of sidewall impact. Check cold inflation pressure, verify that the tire sizes match the wheels on the car, and make sure the spare or mobility solution is ready if the vehicle relies on one. On a Model S with 21-inch fitments, confirm that front and rear tire sizes are in their correct positions.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive checklist, but they are one of the easiest places to catch trouble early. A fast inspection can prevent vibration, poor range, or a roadside failure caused by damage that developed during storage or daily use. If the car has recently hit a pothole or curb, add a wheel inspection as well, since low-profile Tesla fitments can hide rim damage behind an otherwise intact-looking tire.