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It’s easy to assume that tires are a “set it and forget it” part of car ownership, especially with a brand-new lease. But that illusion wears down pretty fast when you’ve already burned through two full sets of rear tires in under 18,000 miles, and no one can give you a straight answer why. That’s the situation Tesla Model Y owner Willis Reed found himself in. And even after pointing out a likely camber or alignment issue, the tire shop said there’s nothing they can do. He shared his frustration in the “Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Owners Club” Facebook group:
“I’m leasing a 2024 Tesla Model Y. Currently at 17,800 miles. Already going through 2 sets of rear tires but I don’t drive fast or aggressive. Camber and alignment seem to be off, but they say there’s nothing they can do about it at the tire shop. Is there something Tesla can do or is this covered under warranty going through tires every 8k miles? This is a 3 year lease so I really don’t want to add modifications if I don’t need to as I am not the owner.”
A Surprising Problem That’s Not So Rare
While it might not be universal, this isn’t the only case. Many Tesla Model Y and Model 3 owners have reported unusually fast rear tire wear. Contributing factors often include potential alignment issues from the factory, the vehicle’s heavy weight, and the immediate torque delivery common to EVs, all of which can put additional stress on tires even during normal driving.
And while many Tesla drivers love the performance, few expect that they’ll be shelling out for replacement tires this early in a lease. In fact, it brings to mind stories like this Tesla owner who had to replace a tire in the middle of nowhere, only to realize how much harder it is to get quick help when your tire isn’t as “standard” as others.
Community Steps In With Solutions and Warnings
As Willis’s post gained traction, it drew in other Tesla owners who have wrestled with similar frustrations. Their experiences and technical insights painted a clearer picture of what might be going on.
Jaymar Ganal offered a sharp technical observation that cuts to the heart of the problem: “Looks like your toe was out with your camber. Camber alone isn’t bad, but with toe it will eat fast. With an alignment it will help.”
This distinction matters because camber refers to the tilt of your wheels inward or outward, while toe describes how much the tires point in or out from a top-down view. Camber wear tends to be gradual, but misaligned toe, especially on the rear, can shred tires in a matter of months.
Kellyand Manny Ruiz chimed in with something just as critical: tire rotation timing. “Rotate your tires. Tesla’s are way too heavy for you to not rotate them every 5k miles. Look at your tire service center and it will tell you when it hits 5k miles. I have mine scheduled for tomorrow.”
Tire rotation often gets overlooked, particularly by first-time EV drivers who don’t realize how much weight distribution plays into tire longevity. And on an EV like the Model Y which often comes in dual-motor configurations, skipping a rotation cycle can rapidly unbalance tire wear front-to-back.
Thomas Behrens emphasized a missed opportunity many owners realize in hindsight: “It’s a lease so you should have taken it to a Tesla service center the first time.”
He’s got a point here. Since Tesla leases technically make the company the owner of the vehicle, any recurring issues like premature tire wear could fall under their responsibility. That’s especially if an alignment issue was present from the start. But the gray area lies in proving it.
That uncertainty becomes even more frustrating when you factor in Tesla’s service consistency. While some owners report amazing experiences, others say they’ve been brushed off. Still, taking the issue to Tesla service at least creates a paper trail, which is critical if the problem worsens over time.
Niraj Patel added a fascinating angle that doesn’t get talked about enough: “Aggressive regen is a tire killer no one seems to talk about. Especially if you do a lot of local driving. Even if you don’t have a heavy foot, if your lifting is aggressive it is the same as braking hard. It’s fun, but it eats tires….especially when nearly every new Tesla comes from the factory needing an alignment.”
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Tesla’s default regen braking setting may feel satisfying to drive, but it could introduce unique tire strain. That instant deceleration from high regenerative braking puts extra load on rear tires, especially during stop-and-go urban driving.
Patel continued with a broader industry observation: “Some car makers choose to set light regen as the default setting and the driver needs to actively ask for aggressive regen after every restart. These companies realize regen kills tires and range. But yes, regen is fun.”
This isn’t just about Tesla, but about how electric driving redefines maintenance. Regen might save your brake pads, but it often does so at some expense of your tires, especially when paired with rear-heavy wear tendencies.
Not the Only Cost Tesla Owners Didn’t Expect
Tires aren’t the only ownership surprise. For many Tesla drivers, the initial cost savings of fuel and maintenance can get swallowed by things like tire replacement, charging costs, or expensive insurance add-ons. As we saw with one Cybertruck owner who was shocked to learn their tire insurance was $384 compared to $160 on their Model X, other related expenses can stack up fast.
For Willis, it’s not just a question of maintenance, but principle. Why should a leased car burn through tires like a track weapon with no abuse? It makes you question what’s reasonable wear and what’s a design flaw when it happens to you.
Could It Be a Design Oversight?
What’s even more confusing is that many drivers don’t realize how uneven wear can creep in silently. No warning lights or vibrations, just disappearing tread. And by the time you notice it, you might already need a replacement.
Despite these quirks though, many owners still stick with Tesla. The combination of innovation, performance, and connectivity tends to outweigh the downsides for most owners. As one frustrated Rivian owner once admitted, despite software glitches in both his R1T and R1S, his Tesla Model Y never gave him problems with the phone key or app functionality. That’s why it’s not just about tires, but about the overall ownership experience.
What I find most interesting is how community knowledge fills some of the gaps left by automakers. Threads like the one Willis posted become a lifeline for real owners helping each other navigate real problems. And that’s something I believe deserves more attention, because the future of EV ownership will hinge on how well we share what we learn.
Key Takeaways
- Tire wear on Teslas can often be accelerated by a combination of regen braking, alignment issues, and vehicle weight.
- Rotating tires every 5,000 miles and getting an alignment check early can prevent bigger problems.
- Tesla’s service response varies, but documenting the issue through their channels early can help with warranty claims.
- Unexpected ownership costs like tires and charging can add up fast, like this Model Y owner who spent over $700 on Supercharging in two weeks.
Let’s Hear from You
Have you ever had to replace your tires way earlier than expected on your car? What did the service center say when you brought it up?
And if you’re leasing a Tesla like Willis, how are you managing tire rotation and alignment without spending too much out of pocket?
We’d love to hear your experience in the comments below.
Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.
Image Sources: The “Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Owners Club” public Facebook group and Tesla’s gallery, respectively.
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Source: torquenews.com
