Why Do Tesla Tires Have Foam in Them? Foam Pros Outlined

Teslas have excessive weight because of the large amount batteries in their packs. This caused a few headaches for the company because the tires wore out quickly and caused unnecessary road-cabin noise. Many tire companies helped and partly solved this problem by engineering tires suited for Teslas. Adding foam has a few benefits.

Foam-filled tires may reduce tire cavity noise by up to 9 dB. It prevents vibration from being transferred from the tire to the wheel, axle, and, eventually the cabin. They can also provide a smoother ride, save you money, may never go flat, and you can use any tire brand that fits the wheel.

In this article, I’m going to explain why Tesla tires have foam in them and expand on the benefits they offer. So if you want to learn more about the advantages of having foam-filled tires on your Tesla, keep reading!

What are Tesla Tires?

Tesla does not manufacture its own tires. However, it recommends specific brands that produce tires that are made for Teslas. When you buy a Tesla, it comes with approved tires. When you replace your Tesla’s tires, you can either buy the same ones they came with or purchase other approved Tesla tires.

Tesla tires are produced to create safe driving conditions in the electric vehicles. For example, they offer superior traction compared to traditional tires due to their larger contact patch with the road surface.

Foam in Tesla Tires

Do Tesla Tires Have Foam In Them?

A lot of people are confused about the difference between foam-filled and air-filled tires. You should know that foam-filled tires are not manufactured differently to air-filled tires.

What Tesla sometimes does is fill already-manufactured tires with a foam before inflating the tires on the vehicles.

The foam that fills Tesla tires is a urethane liquid that cures into a solid state within twenty-four hours. The foam functions to maintain constant pressure, remove the possibility of experiencing a flat tire and reduce cabin noise.

“Foam-filled Tesla tires” are thus actually air-filled tires that are lined with a foam layer on the inside.

Do All Tesla Tires Have Foam In Them?

Most models of Tesla cars now come with foam-filled tires. In July 2017, Elon Musk tweeted, “Latest S and X tires have internal acoustic foam.”

However, if you buy new tires for your Tesla, they do not necessarily contain foam. If you specifically want foam-filled tires, make sure that you request them from Tesla or a third-party tire supplier.

Benefits of Foam-Filled Tesla Tires

Foam-filled Tesla tires provide a host of advantages, from improved safety to smoother rides and better range.

In fact, Tesla’s “foam-filled tires” are actually lined with foam, giving them the ability to absorb more shock than conventional air-filled tires. This helps reduce road vibration and impacts, providing a much more comfortable ride for passengers.

Plus, it also increases tire longevity as the foam absorbs impact that would otherwise damage the tire itself.

Foam also helps to reduce noise levels by dampening road noise and providing a more comfortable driving experience.

Here is a YouTube video on the foam inside a Tesla tire:

Why Tesla Puts Foam in Their Tires

Tesla lines their tires with foam because the company is known for being a cutting-edge manufacturer of elevated electric cars. While Tesla did not invent urethane foam, they used the technology for their car tires. Elon Musk called the Tesla tire foam “internal acoustic foam” to improve tire noise.

While the construction industry uses foam-filled tires to reduce the chance of flat tires, Tesla adapted the foam to minimize cabin noise with foam-filled tires. You might think the electric car would make little to no noise in the absence of an engine, but the tires on the road create noise that reverberates inside the vehicle. 

Cabin noise has been the leading complaint of Tesla owners, and this is Tesla’s solution for quieter cabins. 

Noise Reduction

Many people think that because Teslas are electric vehicles, they are very quiet. The average sound in a Tesla is still low compared to gas-powered cars, soft enough to have a normal conversation without raising your voice. This is generally in the 60-70 decibels range. 

However, because the engine sound is quieter, the sound of the tires on the road can feel much loader. This can be annoying if you’re not used to it.

The foam-filled tires reduce the noise inside the cabin by almost 9 decibels. This makes for an even quieter ride, and easier conversation.

Why-Do-Tesla-Tires-Have-Foam-In-Them?

Are foam-filled tires only available for Tesla cars?

Since Tesla’s foam-filled tires are not manufactured by Tesla, they are not exclusive to Tesla. If you would like to use foam-filled tires on your non-Tesla electric vehicle, you can ask tire manufacturers to insert the foam additionally.

How do foam-filled tires affect fuel efficiency in electric vehicles?

When you drive an electric vehicle with foam-filled tires, you can experience improved fuel efficiency and a smoother ride.

Tesla tires are designed to further maximize the potential of electric cars by using the foam inside them to reduce the rolling resistance. This helps to increase the range of your car and reduce energy consumption, thus improving its overall fuel efficiency.

Foam-filled tires also provide a better driving experience for electric vehicles, as they generate less vibration than regular air-filled tires. This means that when you’re driving over rough terrain in your Tesla, the road noise and bumps are significantly reduced, making it much more comfortable for passengers and drivers alike.

In addition, because foam-filled tires don’t need to be inflated as regularly like regular tire tubes do, they require less maintenance and last longer than traditional ones.

The Importance of Tire Maintenance for Teslas

Taking care of your Tesla car’s tires is essential for getting the most out of your investment. Ensuring that they’re properly maintained and in good condition can make all the difference when it comes to performance, safety, and comfort while driving.

Regularly scheduled tire rotations and inspections at a certified tire shop or service center should be part of any Tesla driver’s routine maintenance plan.

Not only will this help to ensure optimal performance, but it can also provide peace of mind knowing that you have an extra layer of protection against potential breakdowns or accidents on the road.

Having access to reliable roadside assistance services is also important for Tesla drivers. If you ever find yourself stranded with a flat tire or other mechanical issue, being able to get prompt and professional help from a qualified technician can mean the difference between getting back on track quickly or being stuck waiting for hours for service.

Do EV Tires Burn Out Faster than Regular Tires?

Tesla and other electric vehicle tires do not last longer than conventional tires. Some tire shops report changing the tires on electric vehicles up to 10,000 miles (16093 km) sooner than conventional tires due to the immediate torque on takeoff and excessive weight of the batteries. 

I also wrote a useful article dedicated to this topic called: “How Long Do Tesla Tires Last?” This serves as a guide. Check it out!

When a Tesla takes off from a stop, the power at acceleration can make the tire treads wear down faster. It is like a mini-burnout that removes a layer of the surface from the tires. 

I explained all the mods you can make when trying to do a burnout in a Tesla. Is it even possible? Check it out!

This is why Tesla recommends specific tire brands and types which are made to withstand the additional wear of electric vehicle driving.

Inserting foam into tires can also assist in letting the tires last longer.

Can foam-filled tires be repaired in case of damage?

Tesla tires, which are typically filled with foam, may have different repair processes than other types of tires. This is because the foam provides cushion and stability to the tire, so it must be taken into consideration when repairing any damages.

Fortunately, it is possible to repair most minor issues on tesla tires with foam fillings. The most common form of damage to tesla tires with foam fillings is a puncture or hole caused by a sharp object like a nail.

If the damage is small enough, then a patch can usually be applied to the affected area of the tire.

Remember, your Tesla will notify you if your air pressure decreases.

However, if the puncture or hole is too large for patching alone, then more intensive repairs will need to be made in order to ensure that the tire remains safe for use.

In such cases, an experienced technician should be consulted for advice on how best to proceed with repairs.

Repairs on tesla tires filled with foam generally require special tools and techniques that may not exist for other types of tires.

For example, there are specific methods used when applying patches over large holes that involve injecting a special sealant into the damaged area before applying a patch over top of it.

Additionally, certain compounds must also be used when filling in any gaps created by larger repairs in order to maximize safety and performance.

It’s important that these processes are followed closely in order to ensure effective repairs and maximum safety while driving your vehicle!

Luckily, Tesla provides Roadside Assistance for flat tires so you aren’t stranded. You can also take your tire to a Tesla Service Centre if it needs to be repaired.

Using Tires Other Than Tesla Official 

Many EV owners want a quiet, comfortable ride on tires that offer sustainability and safety but don’t want the Tesla tire price tag.

In fact, check out this this related article that I wrote about the Best Tesla Model 3 Replacement Tires. It will provide some further insight.

It is possible to use tires other than the ones Teslas come with when replacing your tires.

Companies like Nokian and Michelin manufacture premium tires targeting the electric car niche. These tires offer innovative tire solutions to meet the year-round weather-related needs of Tesla owners.

Price tags differ across different companies, different tire sizes and styles, and tire suppliers.

You can Use Any Tire Brand on a Tesla

Technically, you can use any tire brand on a Tesla as long as the tire fits the wheel. Teslas usually require eighteen or nineteen-inch (45.72 or 48.26 cm) tires. 

This means that your tire service can fill any size tire with urethane foam, and it will work well. After they inject the foam, the tires must lay on a flat surface for twenty-four hours. The foam will be rigid, and the tires will be ready to mount on the car.

Tesla Tire Rotation and Service Recommendations

You might be confused and think Tesla tires need special care and service. This chart will help you understand the service requirements for your tires and anticipate replacements.

Tesla Model Tire RotationAlignmentReplacement 
Model 3Every 6,250 miles (10,000 km)If tire wear is unevenWhen tread has worn down to 4/32” (3mm)
Model XEvery 6,250 miles (10,000 km)
Side to side for front and back tires.
When noticeable vibration in the steering yokeWhen tread has worn down to 3/32” (2mm)
Model SEvery 5,000 miles (8,000 km)Annually Around 30,000 miles
Model YEvery 5,000 miles (8,000 km)Annually When tread has worn down to 2/42” (1.5 mm)
While the chart above indicates when to rotate, align, balance, and replace Tesla tires, many Tesla owners report a practical lifespan of almost 10,000 miles (16093 km) longer than the Tesla manual says to perform this tire maintenance.

I would recommend having the tires checked at your service center starting around 15,000 miles (24,140km). Some models are hard on the tires when you start quickly from a stop, causing the rear tires to wear faster.

Driving style can also affect tire longevity – so if you like to accelerate and have many stop-starts in your drives, your tires may wear out faster.

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You can use this online Tesla tire calculator to find how long any Tesla Model tire will last. You can also estimate the number of miles left on your current set and how many days you have until they need to be swapped out for new ones. If that is the case, you can also find the price for any set of Tesla tires by selecting the appropriate tires. Have fun!

Can you plug a Tesla foam tire?

You might be surprised to learn that the foam inside Tesla tires is not something that you can “plug” or fix like a traditional puncture in a tire.

The foam is actually embedded in the tire during manufacturing to help reduce road noise and vibration, offering a smoother and quieter ride. If your Tesla tire gets punctured or damaged, it’s recommended to get professional help.

Repairing a tire with foam can be a bit more complicated than a standard tire and it’s important to ensure that the integrity of the foam is maintained. So, if your Tesla tire is damaged, take it to a professional who is familiar with these specific types of tires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Have To Change All the Tires on a Tesla at One Time?

Tesla recommends replacing tires in pairs. You need to replace either both front or rear tires, especially when your Tesla has a staggered tire setup.

Can Tesla Tires Be Filled With Air Instead of Foam?

You can put air into Tesla tires. Check inside the front door to find the correct PSI (pressure per square inch) and fill your tires to that number. You can use the air compressor at any gas station. Foam-filled Tesla tires are not completely filled with foam, they only have a foam lining to reduce noise in the cabin.

What Are Tesla Tires Filled With?

Tesla tires are not entirely filled with foam; rather, they are air-filled tires that have a lining of foam on the inside. The foam is a urethane liquid that solidifies within 24 hours, functioning to maintain consistent pressure, reduce the likelihood of tire punctures, and minimize road-cabin noise.

Tesla uses this innovative approach to enhance the driving experience, ensuring a quieter ride for its electric vehicle owners. While the tires are not exclusively manufactured by Tesla, they are engineered to meet the demands of electric vehicle driving, providing improved safety, comfort, and longevity.


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Erwin Meyer
Erwin Meyer

A renowned Tesla enthusiast, and successful entrepreneur, enlightens global audiences through his compelling EV narratives. Discover more about his electric journey on his About Me page. Venture to read Erwin's incredible story that's reshaping the future of motoring. Want to spark a conversation with Erwin? Visit his Contact page, and let’s electrify the world together.