Tesla Refuses to Work on Vehicles With non-OEM Tires

[DAE1]

What’s the service request? If it’s something related to the tires and wheels, that would make sense

One tire rubbing fender. According to a non-Tesla shop the lower control arm was damaged/ worn and causing the entire wheel to pivot. Still, I could foresee a similar situation with a CT occurring in the future.

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[DAE1]

Try again or try another SC. This isn't normal and it seems like this person is an idiot, unless the issue is with the tire/wheel.

I've always had different tire types on my Teslas and no one at Tesla has ever said a thing.

Me too. That’s why this was so strange. Even for wheel/tire related services, they never said anything.

 

[Derektsla]

FWIW… I have stock tires (all terrain) with about 9,000 miles on them. Had them rotated at 8,000 miles and everything look good. Plenty of tread, no uneven wear. So far, this is much better than my model 2018 X. Always wore out tires at 20k miles, and I kept fighting uneven wear.

also, don’t drive your pickup like a sports car. That’s probably the main reason my truck tires are fairing better than my X

 

[ÆCIII]

Tesla has a policy requiring all replacement tires be ordered by the Tesla Service Center if they are to install them.

If you want to order tires yourself from Tire Rack or other third party, Tesla will not install them and you must get them installed somewhere else.

Tesla likely has had litigation or lawsuits where people falsely claimed liability on Tesla for an accident if they were the ones who installed the current tires, so Tesla is done with installation of customer provided tires. I don't really blame them, considering how some customers or insurance companies are quick to try blaming Tesla for something.

This policy has been in place for a few months now.

- ÆCIII

 

[CTInProcess]

Good job by Tesla, the OEM tires are perfect

 

[rudedawg78]

also, don’t drive your pickup like a sports car.

 

[bigbangbadaboom]

Yeah usually if its anything related or near the aftermarket they won't touch it

 

[OldDirtyRobot]

I was planning on purchasing non-OEM tires for my CB as I hear they burn through tires every 6K miles, however, I recently discovered that Tesla refuses to work on vehicles with tires that they don’t personally certify, even when the sizing, speed rating, etc. is the same. Has anyone else heard of this? They refused to work on my Model S because I have Bridgestone tires (exact same specs as OEM). They called them “after market” as though they were modified but they are not.

Update: to add more context, service request was because the front drivers side tire was rubbing the fender when the steering wheel was turned.

You should change title based on your “update”. Aftermarket wheels rubbing isn't Tesla services issue.

 

[Mini2nut]

I'm am confident the strict policy is for liability purposes. Most likely stems from a past lawsuit in involving aftermarket tires.

 

[DAE1]

FWIW… I have stock tires (all terrain) with about 9,000 miles on them. Had them rotated at 8,000 miles and everything look good. Plenty of tread, no uneven wear. So far, this is much better than my model 2018 X. Always wore out tires at 20k miles, and I kept fighting uneven wear.

also, don’t drive your pickup like a sports car. That’s probably the main reason my truck tires are fairing better than my X

Which trim do you have and what mode do you drive in normally? That seems really good.

 

[DAE1]

You should change title based on your “update”. Aftermarket wheels rubbing isn't Tesla services issue.

There may be some confusion here. Just to clarify:

1. There were no after market wheels in this equation. They were Bridgestone tires as opposed to their certified Michelin version. Same specs.

2. A single tire of 4 was rubbing the fender. Nothing related to wheels (I have OEM wheels).

3. The issue was later determined to be a lower control arm.

4. This is still relevant for CTs as any issue experienced with wheels, fenders, control arms, etc. may be refused by Tesla if you don’t have their OEM tires installed. I’ve seen many threads where other owners were looking at alternative tires based on cost or the tread life.

 

[OldDirtyRobot]

There may be some confusion here. Just to clarify:

1. There were no after market wheels in this equation. They were Bridgestone tires as opposed to their certified Michelin version. Same specs.

2. A single tire of 4 was rubbing the fender. Nothing related to wheels (I have OEM wheels).

3. The issue was later determined to be a lower control arm.

4. This is still relevant for CTs as any issue experienced with wheels, fenders, control arms, etc. may be refused by Tesla if you don’t have their OEM tires installed. I’ve seen many threads where other owners were looking at alternative tires based on cost or the tread life.

That helps. Just not looking forward to seeing "Tesla voids cybertruck warranties if you buy aftermarket tires" on Jaloponik tomorrow.

 

[DAE1]

That helps. Just not looking forward to seeing "Tesla voids cybertruck warranties if you buy aftermarket tires" on Jaloponik tomorrow.

Okay. If you feel that the heading could be improved concisely, please let me know. I tried but realized that I don’t know the entire scope of repairs they may deny… and listing them all in the heading would be difficult as well. In this case it was actually a control arm which may be classified as suspension. Should I change to:
Tesla Refuses Repairs (suspension, tire, wheel, etc) on Vehicles With non-OEM Tires

 

[Derektsla]

Which trim do you have and what mode do you drive in normally? That seems really good.

AWD, normal accel mode (not chill) and higher ride height.

 

[webwrangler]

I had the suspension squeak situation on the Model 3. It was an out of warranty repair and the tires were Les Schwab. no issues. I have TSportline wheels on the Y with non OEM tires. Tesla sent a tow when I got a flat. They couldn’t fix the problem but they did help me get it to Discount tire. I’m kinda surprised you are having this issue.

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