2019 Tesla marked the point when the brand’s lineup was split between the high-volume Model 3 sedan and the larger, more established Model S luxury fastback. Both were engineered around modern low-profile radial tires, but they do not share sizes across the range, so the right choice depends first on which model you own and then on which wheel package is on the car. Across the two-model lineup, six different metric radial sizes appear, with Model 3 using 18-, 19-, and 20-inch fitments and Model S using 19- and 21-inch fitments. Before choosing a tire, confirm your exact model and wheel diameter so you can match the proper size with confidence.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 2019 Tesla
2019 Tesla vehicles use six tire sizes, and those sizes vary by model rather than being shared across the full lineup. Since every fitment here is a radial but rim diameters range from 18 to 21 inches, the real first step is confirming whether you have a Model 3 or Model S and which wheel package is on the car. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps ensure the right match.
Year(s): 2019|Fit(s): Model 3|Construction: Radial|Rim: 19 in
A 235/40R19 is a metric radial with a 235-millimeter section width, a 40-series aspect ratio, and a 19-inch rim diameter. This size is specific to the Model 3, and it is available from BFGoodrich in a Blackwall sidewall style with a Y speed rating to 186 mph. It suits a 19-inch Model 3 wheel package where you want a modern radial in the exact factory-style size family used on that model.
Year(s): 2019|Fit(s): Model 3|Construction: Radial|Rim: 18 in
A 235/45R18 is a metric radial with a 235-millimeter section width, a 45-series aspect ratio, and an 18-inch rim diameter. This size is specific to the Model 3, and it is available from BFGoodrich in Blackwall form across the g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A lines, with W speed ratings to 168 mph. It is the Model 3 choice for 18-inch wheels and gives you several product personalities within the same modern radial fitment.
Year(s): 2019|Fit(s): Model 3|Construction: Radial|Rim: 20 in
A 235/35R20 is a metric radial with a 235-millimeter section width, a 35-series aspect ratio, and a 20-inch rim diameter. This size is specific to the Model 3, and it is available from Nitto and BFGoodrich with Blackwall sidewalls, with speed ratings that vary by product: W to 168 mph and Y to 186 mph. It fits 20-inch Model 3 applications where staying with the low-profile factory-style size matters more than comparing it to the smaller-wheel alternatives.
Year(s): 2019|Fit(s): Model S|Construction: Radial|Rim: 21-in
A 245/35R21 is a metric radial with a 245-millimeter section width, a 35-series aspect ratio, and a 21-inch rim diameter. This size is specific to the Model S and represents one of the larger-diameter wheel fitments used on that model. It is the correct starting point only for Model S cars equipped with the matching 21-inch wheel package, not for the 19-inch setup.
Year(s): 2019|Fit(s): Model S|Construction: Radial|Rim: 19 in
A 245/45R19 is a metric radial with a 245-millimeter section width, a 45-series aspect ratio, and a 19-inch rim diameter. This size is specific to the Model S, and it is available from BFGoodrich and Nitto in Blackwall form, with speed ratings that vary by product: W to 168 mph and Y to 186 mph. It is the 19-inch Model S fitment to focus on when your car is not equipped with the 21-inch wheel package.
Year(s): 2019|Fit(s): Model S|Construction: Radial|Rim: 21-in
A 265/35R21 is a metric radial with a 265-millimeter section width, a 35-series aspect ratio, and a 21-inch rim diameter. This size is specific to the Model S and serves the 21-inch fitment family rather than the 19-inch setup used elsewhere in the range. It should be chosen only after confirming the exact Model S wheel configuration, since it is not interchangeable with the smaller-diameter options.
Two Tesla models are covered for 2019: the Model 3 and the Model S. They do not share the same tire sizes, so identifying the model is essential before narrowing the search to the correct wheel diameter and tire size. Select your model below to explore model-specific fitment history and tire options.
2019 Tesla Model 3
The 2019 Tesla Model 3 was the brand’s compact sport sedan, aimed at a broader market than the larger flagship Model S while still carrying Tesla’s minimalist design and strong electric performance character. Its tire fitments mount on 18-, 19-, or 20-inch wheels depending on configuration, so wheel diameter is the key detail to confirm first on a Model 3.
The 2019 Tesla Model S remained Tesla’s larger premium sedan, known for long-range touring ability, fast acceleration, and a more substantial road presence than the Model 3. Its fitments mount on either 19-inch or 21-inch wheels, and some Model S applications use staggered 21-inch sizing, making exact wheel confirmation especially important.
Nine products are available across four tire sizes for 2019 Tesla vehicles. The 235/40R19 has one BFGoodrich radial in Blackwall form; 235/45R18 has three BFGoodrich radials in Blackwall form; 235/35R20 has two Blackwall radials from Nitto and BFGoodrich; 245/45R19 has three Blackwall radials from BFGoodrich and Nitto. Confirm your exact size first, since speed ratings vary within some sizes.
These FAQs sort out the six-model-and-size combinations used across 2019 Tesla vehicles, including how Model 3 and Model S fitments differ, what the metric size codes mean, and what to check on modern low-profile tires before regular driving or longer storage.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 2019 Tesla vehicles?
2019 Tesla vehicles use six 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 therefore span 18, 19, 20, and 21 inches across the full year-and-make range, and the rim width guidance available by size includes 7.5 to 9.0 inches for 235/45R18, 8.0 to 9.5 inches for 235/40R19, and 7.5 to 9.0 inches for 245/45R19, with one 245/45R19 product specifying 7.5 to 9 inches.
That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for a 2019 Tesla. You need to identify whether the car is a Model 3 or Model S and then confirm the wheel diameter already on the vehicle. Once that is settled, the correct size becomes much clearer, especially because none of the Model 3 sizes transfer directly to the Model S and the 21-inch Model S setup sits in a different fitment family than the 19-inch one.
What does 235/45R18 mean on a 2019 Tesla tire?
On a 2019 Tesla, 235/45R18 is a modern metric radial size code. The 235 is the section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 45 percent of the section width, R identifies radial construction, and 18 is the wheel diameter in inches. For 2019 Tesla fitment, that size belongs to the Model 3 and appears in Blackwall radial products from BFGoodrich with W speed ratings to 168 mph.
That decoding matters because it tells you this is not just an 18-inch tire, but a specific width-and-profile package intended for the Model 3. A different 18-inch tire with another width or aspect ratio can change overall diameter, clearance, and driving character. When you are replacing tires on a 2019 Tesla Model 3, matching the full size code is more important than matching wheel diameter alone.
Do all 2019 Tesla models use the same tire size?
No, 2019 Tesla models do not use the same tire size. The Model 3 uses three sizes centered around 235-millimeter widths on 18-, 19-, and 20-inch wheels, while the Model S uses 245/45R19 plus 21-inch sizes that include 245/35R21 and 265/35R21. Every fitment in this year-and-make group is a radial, but the actual dimensions are model-specific.
The practical result is simple: if you know you have a 2019 Tesla but you have not yet confirmed whether it is a Model 3 or Model S, you are still one step short of the correct tire choice. On the Model S, wheel package confirmation is especially important because the 19-inch and 21-inch setups are separate fitment paths, and some 21-inch applications use different widths within the same car.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 2019 Tesla tires?
2019 Tesla fitments in the available 18-, 19-, and 20-inch product range use Blackwall sidewalls. That applies to 235/40R19, 235/45R18, 235/35R20, and 245/45R19, with BFGoodrich and Nitto products centered on a modern performance appearance rather than a decorative whitewall or vintage-style sidewall treatment. The overall look is consistent with the clean, contemporary design language of Tesla vehicles from this period.
For most 2019 Tesla owners, that means sidewall appearance is not the main decision point. The more important comparison is size, wheel diameter, and the specific tire line within that size. If your goal is to keep the car visually aligned with its original era and market position, a straightforward Blackwall performance radial is the natural fit for a 2019 Tesla.
What brands make tires for 2019 Tesla vehicles?
BFGoodrich and Nitto both cover 2019 Tesla fitments here, although coverage depends on size. BFGoodrich appears in 235/40R19, 235/45R18, 235/35R20, and 245/45R19, while Nitto appears in 235/35R20 and 245/45R19. Within BFGoodrich, the available lines include g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A, and Nitto coverage appears in the NT555 G2 series.
Brand choice on a 2019 Tesla therefore comes after fitment choice, not before it. Once you confirm the exact size on the car, you can compare which brands cover that size and whether you prefer a given series based on its speed rating, load figure where shown, or wheel-width compatibility. If you are comparing two different Tesla models, do that fitment step separately for each one.
What is the difference between BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp 2 and BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A for a 2019 Tesla?
For a 2019 Tesla Model 3 in 235/45R18, both the BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp 2 and BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A are Blackwall radial options with W speed capability in that size family, but they are not identical products. The g-Force Sport Comp 2 carries a 1653-pound maximum load at 50 psi and weighs 26 pounds, while the g-Force Phenom T/A carries the same 1653-pound maximum load at 50 psi and weighs 27.45 pounds. Both fit 18-inch wheels, with rim-width guidance at 7.5 to 9.0 inches for the Sport Comp 2 and 7.5 to 9 inches for the Phenom T/A.
That makes this comparison less about basic fitment and more about product character within the same size. If your car needs 235/45R18, both stay within the correct dimensional family for a 2019 Tesla Model 3, so the final choice comes down to the particular tire line you prefer and whether the wheel on the car falls comfortably within the stated width range. Checking the actual wheel width before final selection is the smart move.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 2019 Tesla tires require?
Rim width guidance varies by size on 2019 Tesla fitments where that information is available. The 235/40R19 fits 8.0 to 9.5-inch rims, the 235/45R18 fits 7.5 to 9.0-inch rims, and the 245/45R19 fits 7.5 to 9.0-inch rims, with one 245/45R19 product specifying 7.5 to 9 inches. Those ranges apply to the tire sizes themselves, not to every wheel fitted to every 2019 Tesla across both models.
That is why checking your actual wheel matters before replacing tires, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels or a wheel swap from another trim or package. A tire can match the nominal size on paper yet still be a poor setup if the wheel width falls outside the recommended range. Confirming both the size code and the wheel width keeps the fitment process straightforward.
Do 2019 Tesla tires require inner tubes?
The available 2019 Tesla fitments here are modern radial performance tires, and none carries a tube-type marking. Sizes such as 235/40ZR19, 235/45ZR18, 235/35ZR20, and 245/45ZR19 appear in contemporary tubeless-style sizing, which is what most owners would expect on a late-model Tesla using modern one-piece wheels. Nothing in these fitments suggests a tube-type application.
For a typical 2019 Tesla, the practical concern is usually wheel condition and valve-stem condition rather than tube selection. If the car is on original late-model Tesla wheels, you would normally stay within a tubeless setup. If there has been an unusual wheel conversion, treat that as a separate wheel-and-tire project and confirm compatibility before mounting anything.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 2019 Tesla when the tires are fitted?
A 2019 Tesla should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors that create ozone, battery chargers, welders, and petroleum contamination. Modern radials tolerate storage better than old bias-ply designs, but they still age from heat, UV exposure, and long static periods. If the car will sit for an extended season, moving it occasionally or supporting it to reduce one-position loading can help preserve the tire shape.
The key is to think of the tires as part of the vehicle’s storage plan, not just something to revisit when driving season starts. Before putting a 2019 Tesla back into regular use, inspect the sidewalls, tread surface, and valve stems, and check that all four tires have held pressure evenly. A well-stored tire usually gives better ride quality and more predictable road behavior when the car returns to service.
How long do tires on a 2019 Tesla typically last?
Tires on a 2019 Tesla should be judged at least as much by age as by tread depth. A good collector-and-low-mileage rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the reference for age, and that matters even on cars that have spent most of their time garaged.
Electric vehicles can accumulate age and tread wear in a different pattern than older gasoline collector cars, but the underlying tire-aging principle stays the same. If a 2019 Tesla still has older tires with visible cracking, hardening, vibration, or pressure loss, replacement deserves attention even if the tread looks respectable. Time, heat cycles, and storage conditions all matter more than odometer mileage alone.
How often should tires on a 2019 Tesla be inspected?
Tires on a 2019 Tesla should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer highway trip. Look for sidewall cracking, punctures, bulges, irregular tread wear, and pressure loss, and make sure the tread surface is wearing evenly across the width of the tire. Because these are low-profile radial sizes, curb damage and impact damage deserve close attention as well.
Frequent inspection is especially important on a 2019 Tesla because quiet electric operation can make subtle tire issues easier to miss until they become more obvious. A quick visual check and a pressure check take very little time and can prevent a trip from being shaped by vibration, uneven handling, or a preventable roadside problem. Include the spare or tire repair plan in that routine if your specific car uses one.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 2019 Tesla Model 3?
The 2019 Tesla Model 3 was a modern electric sedan designed around contemporary radial tires, not vintage bias-ply construction. Within the Model 3 fitment family, the relevant factory-style size group centers on 235/45R18, 235/40R19, and 235/35R20 depending on the wheel package on the car. Blackwall styling is consistent with the period and vehicle type, and a modern radial construction is the correct baseline for authenticity on a 2019 Tesla.
If originality matters, start by confirming the wheel diameter currently on the car and whether it matches the configuration it left the factory with. That narrows the fitment path immediately. For trim-specific or market-specific verification beyond basic size family, Tesla-focused owner communities and marque specialists are the best place to confirm exactly how a particular 2019 Model 3 was equipped when new.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 2019 Tesla?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 2019 Tesla if the car is being judged for originality or presented as a well-preserved contemporary vehicle. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts will notice whether the tire size matches the wheel package, whether the construction is appropriate to the era, and whether the sidewall appearance looks consistent with a late-2010s production car. On a 2019 Tesla, a simple Blackwall radial is much more era-appropriate than any decorative or retro sidewall treatment.
That does not mean every show applies the same standard. Some events care most about clean presentation, while others care about factory-correct details down to wheel and tire configuration. If your goal is serious authenticity, confirm the original wheel package for your specific 2019 Tesla and compare it carefully against the tires on the car now. Event rules and marque-specific communities can clarify how strict a given judging field will be.
What tires were originally fitted to the 2019 Tesla Model S?
The 2019 Tesla Model S used modern radial tire construction as part of its original engineering, with fitments centered on 245/45R19 for 19-inch wheels and 21-inch sizing that includes 245/35R21 and 265/35R21. That sizing split reflects the Model S practice of offering different wheel packages with distinct visual and driving character. As with the Model 3, Blackwall sidewalls are the natural period-correct look for a 2019 Tesla.
Authenticity on a 2019 Tesla Model S starts with making sure the wheel and tire package on the car matches the configuration you intend to represent. The 19-inch and 21-inch setups are not interchangeable from a presentation standpoint, and the 21-inch fitment family deserves extra care because width differences can be part of the package. Owner forums and Tesla specialists can help verify the original setup for a specific car.
Safety & Road Use
Are 2019 Tesla tires safe for highway driving?
Yes, the available 2019 Tesla tires are modern radial performance tires intended for contemporary road use, and the speed ratings shown are well within normal U.S. highway conditions. Depending on size and product, the ratings include W to 168 mph and Y to 186 mph. Those figures do not suggest how fast a 2019 Tesla should be driven on public roads, but they do show that the tires themselves are engineered for high-speed capability beyond ordinary highway travel.
The more important safety question is whether the tire is the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and matched to the wheel on the car. On a 2019 Tesla, quiet operation and strong acceleration can hide developing tire problems until they become more serious. Highway confidence comes from correct fitment, careful inspection, and realistic attention to road hazards, suspension condition, and alignment as much as from the speed letter on the sidewall.
What inflation pressure should I use for 2019 Tesla tires?
Inflation pressure on a 2019 Tesla should follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for the exact model and wheel package first, then be checked against the tire’s own rated information. Where load-and-pressure figures appear in these fitments, examples include 1565 pounds at 50 psi for 235/40R19, 1653 pounds at 50 psi for some 235/45R18 products, 1389 pounds at 50 psi for one 235/35R20 product, and 1874 pounds at 50 psi for one 245/45R19 product. Those are maximum load-at-pressure figures for the tire, not blanket operating pressures for every 2019 Tesla.
That distinction matters because a tire’s maximum sidewall figure is not the same thing as the car’s recommended service pressure. If you transfer pressures casually from one size to another, you can affect ride quality, wear, and overall behavior. Use the placard or owner information for your exact 2019 Tesla as the starting point, then confirm that the installed tire is being used within its own rated limits.
What should I check before taking a 2019 Tesla on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 2019 Tesla, inspect all four tires for cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and visible sidewall damage, then verify pressures when the tires are cold. Check tread depth across the full face of each tire, not just at the center, and look closely at the inner sidewalls if the car has low-profile performance sizes. On vehicles that see occasional use, age and storage-related cracking deserve just as much attention as tread wear.
A tire check should be part of a broader pre-drive routine that also includes brakes, suspension feel, battery state of charge, and anything unusual in steering response. For a 2019 Tesla, that is especially worthwhile before a highway trip because the car’s instant torque and substantial vehicle weight can magnify small tire issues. If one tire shows unusual wear or repeated pressure loss, correct that before committing to distance.