Tesla Model 3 Performance tyre pressures
Front 42 psi (2.89 bar), rear 42 psi (2.89 bar) on the standard 18-inch wheels, and the figures for the other wheel size it was sold with. Manufacturer data, checked cold.
| Wheels | Tyre size | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18"standard | 235/45R18 | 42 psi · 2.89 bar | 42 psi · 2.89 bar |
| 19" | 235/40R19 | 42 psi · 2.89 bar | 42 psi · 2.89 bar |
Manufacturer figures for the Tesla Model 3 Performance, normal load, tyres cold. If the label on your door pillar or fuel flap says something different, go with that.
Tyres at the MOT
In 2025, the Tesla Model 3 failed its MOT on tyres in 11.2% of 87,481 tests. Cars of the same age failed on tyres 5.0% of the time, so it failed more often than average for its age. Another 27.7% passed with a tyre advisory, usually tread close to the limit.
What the MOT tester checks on your tyres · The full 2025 figures
DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2025: MOT tests on cars (class 4), not counting retests. The figures cover the whole Tesla Model 3 range, not only this version. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Resetting the tyre pressure warning light on your Tesla
Most Teslas have sensors in the wheels and show each tyre's pressure on the touchscreen; some newer Model 3 and Model Y cars use an indirect system that only warns. If you can see pressures under Controls > Service, yours has sensors.
- Inflate all four tyres to the door-pillar label pressure, cold.
- Cars with sensors: drive over 15 mph and the warning clears within about 10 minutes.
- Indirect cars: go to Controls > Service > Tire Pressure > Calibrate Tire Pressure, then drive for at least 20 minutes over 15 mph.
When to reset: After fitting different wheels, choose them under Controls > Service > Wheel & Tire > Wheels.
Menu names vary by model and year, so check your handbook if yours looks different. More in what the warning light means.
Got a different Model 3 Performance? Check by registration
Put your reg in and we'll show the figures for your exact car, including the wheel size it left the factory on.
What tyre pressure should a Model 3 Performance have?
42 psi at the front and 42 psi at the rear (2.89 and 2.89 bar) on the standard 18-inch wheels, with the tyres cold. Larger optional wheels use slightly different figures — see the table above.
Should I use a higher pressure when the car is loaded?
The manufacturer gives one figure for this car, so no. If you're carrying a full load for a long motorway run, the label on the door pillar may show a higher figure — follow that if it does.
What tyre size does the Model 3 Performance use?
235/45R18 or 235/40R19, depending on the wheels it was ordered with. The size is on the tyre's sidewall, e.g. 235/40R18.
Does the Tesla Model 3 fail the MOT on tyres more often?
Yes, more often than average for its age. In 2025, 11.2% of Tesla Model 3 MOT tests failed on tyres, against 5.0% for cars of the same age (DVSA MOT data, 87,481 tests). Another 27.7% passed with a tyre advisory.
Check them cold. Pressures are set for tyres that haven't been driven more than a mile or two. After a run they read 3–4 psi high.
Once a month, and before a long trip. Tyres lose about 1 psi a month on their own.
The sticker wins. If your car's door-pillar or fuel-flap label says something different, go with that — it knows your exact spec.