Why Tesla tires wear on the inside.
It is one of the most common complaints we hear from Tesla owners: the tread looks fine from outside the car, but the inner edge of the rear tires is worn down to the cords.
The cause is the alignment, not the tires
Teslas sit with the tops of the rear wheels tilted inward, called negative camber, and on most models the factory rear camber cannot be adjusted. Add the weight of the battery and instant torque, and the inner inch of tread does most of the work. Lowering the car makes it worse, because every bit of drop adds more tilt.
Tread across the width of a rear tire, inner edge on the left.
Check your Tesla if you notice
- Inner edge of the rear tires worn much more than the center
- Replacing rear tires twice as often as the fronts
- Cords or steel showing on the inside shoulder
- Your car has been lowered, or has lowering links
- A fresh alignment did not change anything
How we fix it
- 01Inspect + measureWe read your tire wear, check ride height and measure the current alignment.
- 02Install adjustable armsN2itive camber and toe arms replace the fixed factory rear arms.
- 03Tire-saving alignmentWe set camber and toe for how you drive, stock height or lowered.
- 04PrintoutYou get before-and-after alignment numbers.
Questions owners ask
Can a regular alignment fix Tesla inner tire wear?
Usually not. On most Teslas the factory rear camber is not adjustable, so a standard alignment can only correct toe. Adjustable camber arms are what let us bring the rear camber back to a tire-friendly setting.
Do I need both camber and toe arms?
Often yes. Changing camber changes toe, and the factory toe adjustment has limited range. A kit with both arms, like N2itive Alignment Kit 3 for Model 3 and Y, lets us set both precisely.
Does this work on a lowered Tesla?
Yes. Lowering adds negative camber, which makes inner wear worse, so lowered cars benefit the most from adjustable arms and a matching alignment.
How do I know if my Tesla has the problem?
Look at the inside edge of the rear tires, or run your hand across the tread. If the inner shoulder is much more worn than the center, or you see cords, bring it in for a tire wear check.