Open the driver's door and look at the placard on the jamb. That figure is specific to your model, model year and the wheels fitted to your car — and it is the number Tesla engineered the car around. Wheel size changes it, so a page on the internet quoting a single psi for "a Tesla" is guessing about your car. Check the placard, then set them cold.

How temperature moves it

Temperature change	Effect on pressure	What to do
Every 10°F colder	About 1 psi lower	Top up to the placard figure, cold
First hard frost	Often 3–5 psi lower	Expect a TPMS warning; it usually is not a puncture
After 20 minutes driving	About 3–5 psi higher	Do not set pressures now — you will end up under-inflated
Hot day, motorway run	Can read 6+ psi high	Normal. Never bleed air from hot tires to hit the cold figure

Why this is a range question

Under-inflated tires are one of the most common causes of range loss that owners misread as battery degradation. A few psi down across four corners is free range you are throwing away, and it is the cheapest fix available to you. If pressures are correct and range is still down, then it is worth measuring the pack — or checking what speed and temperature are costing you.

Questions

What tire pressure should a Tesla be?

Use the placard on the driver's door jamb — it is specific to your car and wheel size and it is the only authoritative number. Most modern Teslas call for something in the low-to-mid 40s psi cold, which is higher than drivers coming from petrol cars expect, but do not take a figure off the internet when the correct one is printed on your own car.

What does 'cold' pressure mean?

Measured before driving, or at least three hours after. Rolling heats the air and raises the reading by several psi, so a warm check reads high and tempts you into under-inflating.

Why does my pressure warning appear in winter?

Air contracts as it cools — roughly 1 psi for every 10°F drop. A car set correctly in autumn can trip the warning on the first cold morning without anything being wrong. Top up to the placard figure, cold.

Does tire pressure affect range?

Yes, noticeably. Under-inflation increases rolling resistance and is one of the most common causes of unexplained range loss. If your range has dropped, check pressures before assuming battery degradation — and if you still suspect the pack, measure it.

Should I inflate above the placard for more range?

Not recommended. A few psi over can marginally reduce rolling resistance, but it shrinks the contact patch, lengthens braking distances, worsens wet grip and wears the tire centre. The placard figure is the engineered compromise.

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Independent fan project. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Tesla, Inc. Figures are estimates for planning only, not a quote or a substitute for a service diagnosis.