A Tesla driver with a flat tire on the shoulder of an LA County freeway gets different help depending on whether the car has run-flat tires. Most Model 3 and Model Y cars don’t have run-flats. The Model S and Model X use them on some trims. Here’s what that means for the shoulder.
What run-flat tires do
Run-flat tires are designed to keep working after a puncture. They have reinforced sidewalls that support the car’s weight even when the tire has no air. A driver can typically drive 50 miles at reduced speed on a run-flat after a puncture.
Run-flat tires let the driver reach a tire shop without changing the tire on the shoulder. The driver gets off the freeway, finds a tire shop, and replaces the tire at the shop.
Which Teslas have run-flats
The Model S and Model X use run-flat tires on some trims. The Model S Plaid and the Model S Long Range use run-flats as standard equipment. The Model X Plaid and the Model X Long Range use run-flats as standard equipment.
The Model 3 and Model Y don’t use run-flats as standard equipment. They use the tire repair kit. The kit inflates the tire and seals small punctures, but the kit doesn’t replace the need for a tow for larger damage.
The Cybertruck uses different tires than the other Tesla models. The Cybertruck’s tires are larger and more expensive. They aren’t run-flats.
What the tire repair kit does
The Tesla tire repair kit includes a compressor and a sealant bottle. The driver plugs the compressor into the 12V outlet, attaches the sealant bottle to the tire valve, and inflates the tire. The sealant seals small punctures in the tread.
The kit doesn’t seal sidewall damage. It doesn’t seal large punctures. It doesn’t seal damage to the rim. The driver needs a tow in those cases.
The kit is in the trunk of every Tesla. The driver should check the kit periodically to confirm the sealant bottle isn’t expired. An expired sealant bottle won’t seal a puncture.
What this means for roadside help
A Tesla driver with run-flats gets an on-site tire change from Tesla’s basic program. The contractor comes out and changes the tire. The driver gets back on the road with the spare.
A Tesla driver without run-flats gets a tow to a tire shop from Tesla’s basic program. The basic program covers the tow as a courtesy in many cases. The driver pays for the tire at the shop.
A driver with the tire repair kit can attempt a self-repair for small punctures. The kit inflates the tire and seals the puncture. The driver gets to a tire shop for a permanent fix.
Tesla flat tire help: what they send, and what they skip covers the dispatch in more detail.
What about upgrading to run-flats
A Tesla driver can upgrade to run-flat tires after the car is delivered. Several tire manufacturers offer run-flat tires in the sizes that fit the Model 3 and Model Y. The driver pays for the tires and the installation.
The upgrade isn’t free. Run-flat tires are more expensive than conventional tires. They also have a stiffer ride. Some drivers don’t like the feel.
The driver should weigh the cost and the ride quality against the convenience of on-site tire changes. For some drivers, the upgrade makes sense. For others, the tire repair kit is enough.
What about aftermarket run-flats
Several tire manufacturers offer run-flat tires in Tesla sizes. Michelin, Continental, Pirelli, and Bridgestone all have run-flat options. The driver should confirm the tire is rated for the Tesla’s weight before installing.
A driver who installs run-flat tires should also confirm the Tesla’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) works with the new tires. The TPMS sensors may need to be reprogrammed.
What AAA covers
AAA covers tire changes for any car. The AAA dispatch sends a contractor who changes the tire on the shoulder. The driver gets back on the road.
AAA’s coverage depends on the membership level. Basic AAA covers tire changes. Premier AAA covers more. The driver confirms with AAA what the plan covers before the dispatch.
AAA also covers tows longer than the basic Tesla program covers. A Tesla driver with AAA as a backup has more options for long tows.
Tesla, AAA, or a local mobile rescue: how the three actually differ compares the three columns in more detail.
The combined answer
Most Model 3 and Model Y cars don’t have run-flats. The Model S and Model X use them on some trims. Run-flat tires let the driver reach a tire shop without changing the tire on the shoulder. The tire repair kit handles small punctures. AAA or a Tesla tow handles larger damage.
The number to call for a Tesla flat tire is the basic program or AAA. The number to call for a mobile charge is (213) 410-1991.