Tires on an electric car need the same basic care as any other tires: the right pressure, regular rotation and a look for damage. A few things are different on an EV, though, and one of them is that many EVs have no spare tire.
We’re Axl Roadside, a mobile roadside service in Mountain View. This is general guidance, and your owner’s manual is the place to check the details for your own car.
Why do EV tires often wear differently?
Usually because EVs are heavier and their motors deliver torque from a standstill. Many EVs weigh more than a similar gas car because of the battery pack, and more weight puts more load on the tires. Hard acceleration adds to that, since the tires have to put that torque onto the road.
None of this means your tires will wear out early. It means tread wear is worth watching a little more closely than you might on a lighter car, especially if you drive with a heavy foot. Some EVs also come with tires chosen for low rolling resistance, which is meant to help range.
How often should I check tire pressure on an EV?
Regularly, and before a long drive. Tires usually lose a little air over time even when nothing is wrong, and a low tire wears out earlier and puts more strain on the car. A simple pressure gauge is worth keeping in the car.
The correct pressure for your car is usually on a sticker in the driver’s door jamb or in the owner’s manual. Use that number rather than the one printed on the tire’s sidewall. Check when the tires are cold, before you drive, because driving warms them and changes the reading.
Do EV tires need to be rotated?
Usually, yes, as part of regular care. Rotation moves the tires between positions so they wear more evenly, which helps on a heavier car. How often, and in what pattern, depends on the car. Some EVs run different tire sizes front and rear, which can limit how the tires can be rotated. Check your owner’s manual or the manufacturer, or ask a tire shop.
How can I tell if my tires are wearing unevenly?
Look at the tread, not just the pressure. Wear that is heavier on one edge, or that leaves the tread looking uneven across the tire, is worth having checked. Also look for cracks, cuts, bulges on the side of the tire, and anything stuck in the tread, such as a nail or screw. Uneven wear can come from pressure, alignment or missed rotations, and a tire shop can tell you which.
What does the tire pressure warning light mean?
Usually that one or more tires are low on air. The symbol often looks like a flat tire with an exclamation point, and your car may also show a message on its display. When it is safe to stop, check the pressure with a gauge and look at each tire for a nail, a screw or a bulge.
A big temperature change can also bring the light on, and so can a fault in the sensor system. Your owner’s manual explains what the light means on your car. If a tire keeps losing air or looks visibly low, don’t keep driving on it. A tire driven low or flat can be damaged beyond repair, which turns a fixable puncture into a tire that has to be replaced.
Why do many EVs have no spare tire?
The usual reasons given are saving weight and space, but the manufacturer can tell you the reasoning for your model. Many EVs come without a spare. Some carry a tire sealant and inflator kit instead. Your owner’s manual or the manufacturer will say what your car has, and it is better to know that before you have a flat than after.
What if I get a flat and my EV has no spare?
Call or text us and tell us the model. We work on flat tires on EVs and Teslas where the car is parked. If the puncture is from a nail or screw and it is repairable, we can plug it right there. If a tire can’t be repaired and you do have a spare, we can install it.
If it can’t be repaired and there is no spare, the car may need a tow or a tire shop. We don’t tow, but we will tell you plainly if that is where things stand so you can arrange it. It helps to tell us where the damage is and whether the tire was driven flat, because a puncture in the tread is a different situation from a cut in the sidewall.
Have a flat on your EV or Tesla?
Call or text (415) 712-4161, 7am to 8pm daily. We come to your vehicle at home, at work, in a parking lot or on the roadside.
