Tire Rack not only sells tires, but also reviews them. The company’s most recent evaluation focuses on rubber for EVs. The tester wanted to know how the recommended replacement tire would perform compared to the original equipment.
Tire Rack conducted the test using two sample 2022 Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor Long Range. The tire model for evaluation was the vehicle’s original Continental ProContact RX T1 versus the replacement Continental PureContact LS on 19 x 8.5-inch wheels. It also compares the original Michelin Primacy MXM4 T1 to the Michelin CrossClimate2 on 18 x 8-inch wheels.
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In general, tests show that the replacement tires offer better performance than the original equipment but with less noise. However, Tire Rack found some interesting details about certain tire models.
For the Continental tires, Tire Rack notes that ride quality is very similar between the two, but that the replacement offers better steering and handling. Although, the replacement exhibits “additional sound but not noise,” according to Tire Rack.
Although the replacement Continental tires had better wet track traction, lateral grip and braking, testers actually preferred the steering characteristics of the original tires. “The team was slightly frustrated with the replacement PureContact LS tyre, concluding that the entire package was very unhappy with what was asked for,” wrote Tire Rack in announcing its test results.
Tire Rack notes that Michelin original equipment is very quiet. Its replacement makes a bit more noise and has a similar ride quality. Testers noted that they were “firmer” than the OE rubber.
Both replacement tires offered better lateral grip in wet and dry conditions than the original components.
Wet braking tests showed mixed results. Tesla stopped nearly 23 feet short on Michelin replacement tires. However, the original Continental rubber brought the car to a stop quicker than its replacement.
The table below shows the effect of each tire on the efficiency of the Model 3:
| Tire | Vehicles Reported Watt/Mile | Range Estimates at 100 Percent Cost |
| Continental ProContact RX T1 (OE) | 274 | 262 miles |
| Continental PureContact LS (Replacement) | 286 | 246 miles |
| Michelin Primacy MXM4 T1 (OE) | 236 | 305 miles |
| Michelin CrossClimate2 (Successor) | 263 | 271 miles |
The testers did several evaluations to check the tires. There are 6.0 miles of freeways, state highways, and county roads, including challenging rubber in a variety of concrete and asphalt conditions. There is also wet and dry testing on the Tire Rack’s one-third mile track. To check the effect on efficiency, they traveled 200 miles in both vehicles simultaneously to ensure equal conditions for each tire.
