1.5 Roadster Tire Thread

[TEG]

Grrrr.

In case anyone missed it, I think he means that he is disappointed that his 1.5 Roadster doesn't learn to regen properly with his new tires, and then on top of that he finds out that 2.0 Roadsters seem to do just fine with them. Grrrr indeed.

[SByer]

Could it be just better tolerance in the '10 firmware for the tire pressure difference between when driving leaves off and the now-cold tires the next morning? Or maybe there's some TPMS difference that allows for the extra dynamic?
Hmm. I wonder if there's something the tattler could store/restore?

[vfx]

Update.

I did that original 50 mile freeway drive a few times last week. Twice at "off commute" high speed drive-time and once in the middle of LA traffic. The slow to medium speed stop and go (on and off the accelerator) does teach the car to learn the tires to make regen work. Problem is, the car is stupid enough to forget all it's education later on. For me it was a 14 hour work day later on. So I'm not sure if it is forgetting immediately at the key turn off or if the smarts seep out over the course of many hours like a slow leaky tire.

On the good side, Falken says they will give me a full refund.

Now, the question for the group is, which are the tires you are happy with that are the best price?

[Jaff]

Eric,

With respect to Falken tires in general, I've not found that a lot of folks are happy with them...from the few hours that I spent researching tire information last fall (for snows), I noticed that Falken had an inordinate amount of negative responses from those who had purchased them.

I'm ok with the standard Yoko AD07's, but I would like more dry road traction...my TM ranger who has track experience, has suggested that I try the Bridgestone Potenza RE 11's...I might give them a try when my Yokos are spent.

[vfx]

Ok,

Falken gave me a full (pure?) refund on the rears. Replaced with the P4 Toyos. TC works most all of the time (Falkens almost never worked) Tire pressures are 34F 36R. Best of all regen is back!

They are not as grippy and the stock Yokos and on turns it feels like the whole tire is bending over but at half the price they are certainly a good option.

While my regen was off for the last 3K miles I wonder how much miles I lost...?

[vfx]

Eric, With respect to Falken tires in general, I've not found that a lot of folks are happy with them...from the few hours that I spent researching tire information...

Same here but Lotus owners were using them on track days. That's why i tried them when my tire shop said that's what they had. They just don't work on the Roadster. No Regen and nearly 1/2 the Traction Control.

I learn and move on.

[dhrivnak]

When my Neova 07 rears were worn out at 4500 miles I replaced them with Continental Extreme Contact DWS. For me they were 1/2 the cost of new Neova 07's and they have 3X the projected tire life. I only have 100 miles on them and have not been back to the track but I have had no issues with the TC light. So far I am pleased and have not been able to notice a downside.

I just hated to take all the money and CO2 I am saving with the Tesla and spend it on repeated tire replacements.

[Doug_G]

When my Neova 07 rears were worn out at 4500 miles I replaced them with Continental Extreme Contact DWS. For me they were 1/2 the cost of new Neova 07's and they have 3X the projected tire life. I only have 100 miles on them and have not been back to the track but I have had no issues with the TC light. So far I am pleased and have not been able to notice a downside.

I just hated to take all the money and CO2 I am saving with the Tesla and spend it on repeated tire replacements.

I'm with you on the sentiment, but I switched to tires with "280 tread wear" (versus 100 for stock Yokos) and got perhaps 20% more life out of them.

[rugbymonk]

Sorry for the slow reply here, but I can tell you I am very satisfied with the Continental Extremes on the front. But the better news is that on the rears I have Michelin Pilot Sport A/S plus from Costco! Great tire and great price. Not only have I raced them in the 1/4 mile and beat a few Porsches, after the first 11K miles or so, when they wore down, the warranty kicked in and I got a replacement pair almost for free! Who can top that?
So with 26K miles now (stock Yokos replaced after about 8K), I still have plenty of tread, as confirmed at my 24K "tune-up" last week. Tesla NYC staff is pretty impressed...
Hope this helps.

[Eric from NE]

Looking for a recommendation on an all-season "low maintenance" set of tires on a 1.5 non-sport.

98% of my driving is done at highway speeds. I don't want to change tires three times a year for weather (we get everything but tsunamis here... so far). I'm not interested in scratching every last tenth of second out of the 0-60 tie. It's my daily driver, weather permitting.

Also, anything I should be aware of / point out to the shop when taking it someplace that has never seen / heard of a Tesla? I see the jacking points in the manual but didn't see anything about going up on a lift, other than having to buy adapters from Tesla. Is this the only option?