Rotate all four tires on a 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD using a forward-cross pattern (recommended for AWD with directional or non-directional symmetric tires — verify your tire's rotation pattern). Tesla recommends rotation every 6,250 miles or when tread depth differs by 2/32" or more between tires due to instant-torque wear.

Warnings

Tools required

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
3. Disconnect the 12V (or 16V on applicable 2024 builds) low-voltage battery if you will be lifting the vehicle for an extended period. For a quick rotation with the vehicle staying on jack stands, this step may be skipped — but be aware the car can attempt to self-level/wake. To suppress this, enable 'Service Mode' alternative: place vehicle in Tow Mode (Controls > Service > Towing) to disable wheel speed–based alarms while lifting.
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
5. If at any point you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
6. Verify tire type and rotation direction by inspecting sidewalls. Note any directional arrows.
7. Record current tire pressures (cold) and tread depth at each corner before rotation for reference.

Procedure

1. 1

   Confirm wheel/tire configuration
   Inspect each tire sidewall for directional arrows or asymmetric markings ('OUTSIDE'). For non-directional tires on AWD, use a forward-cross pattern (rears go straight forward, fronts cross to opposite-side rear). For directional tires, swap front-to-rear on the same side only.
2. 2

   Loosen lug nuts while wheels are grounded
   With all four wheels still on the ground, break each lug nut loose 1/4 to 1/2 turn using a 21mm socket. Do not fully remove. The Model 3 uses 5 lug nuts per wheel.
3. 3

   Lift the vehicle at the designated jack points
   Locate the four reinforced pinch-weld jack points (one behind each front wheel, one ahead of each rear wheel). Place a hockey-puck style jack pad between the floor jack saddle and the pinch weld. Lift one corner or one side at a time, then transfer to a jack stand placed at the same jack point. Repeat until all four corners are supported on jack stands.
   ⚠️Lifting at any point other than the four designated jack points can puncture or deform the HV battery case, which is structural on Model 3.
4. 4

   Remove wheels
   Fully remove the 5 lug nuts from each wheel. Pull the wheel straight off the hub. If a wheel is stuck, lower the vehicle slightly to load it, retighten lug nuts finger-tight, then re-lift and rock the wheel from behind the tire — never strike the alloy face.
5. 5

   Inspect during rotation
   With wheels off, inspect: brake pad thickness through caliper window (front pads should be > 3mm), rotor surface for scoring/lipping, CV boots (front), and rear control arm bushings for cracking. Note any abnormal inner/outer tire wear — Model 3 is known to wear inner edges on rear tires due to negative camber.
6. 6

   Rotate tires per pattern
   Forward-cross (non-directional, AWD): LR → LF, RR → RF, LF → RR, RF → LR. Same-side (directional): LF ↔ LR, RF ↔ RR. Mount each wheel on its new corner, ensuring the hub-centric bore seats fully on the hub pilot.
7. 7

   Hand-thread and snug lug nuts
   Thread all 5 lug nuts by hand to avoid cross-threading the aluminum-friendly studs. Snug each lug nut in a star pattern using the socket — do not final-torque yet while wheels are off the ground.
8. 8

   Lower vehicle and final-torque lug nuts
   Lower the vehicle until tires just contact the ground (still partially supported by jack to prevent wheel rotation). Using a calibrated torque wrench, torque each lug nut to specification in a star (criss-cross) pattern. For factory alloy wheels, torque to 130 Nm (96 lb-ft). If the vehicle has aftermarket steel wheels, use 140 Nm (103 lb-ft). Lower fully off jack stands.
   ⚠Do NOT use an impact wrench for final torque. Star pattern ensures even seating against the hub face.
   Torque spec

   Lug Nuts - Alloy Wheels130 Nm (96 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Set tire pressures
   Set cold tire pressure to the value listed on the driver-side B-pillar door jamb placard (typically 42 psi front and rear for 2024 Model 3 LR on 18" or 19" wheels — verify on YOUR placard, as Performance and aero-cap configurations differ). Check all four.

Reassembly

1. Confirm all 20 lug nuts (5 per wheel × 4) have been final-torqued in star pattern.
2. Reconnect 12V/16V low-voltage battery if disconnected. Allow vehicle ~30 seconds to boot before opening doors.
3. Exit Tow Mode if it was enabled (Controls > Service).

Verification

• Drive the vehicle slowly (under 10 mph) in a straight line and gentle turn — listen for any clunking, grinding, or wheel-off-balance shimmy.
• On the touchscreen, navigate to Controls > Service to view tire pressures. After ~5 minutes of driving above 15 mph, all four pressures should populate. TPMS on 2024 Model 3 is auto-locating; no manual relearn required.
• Drive 50 miles, then re-torque all lug nuts in star pattern to 130 Nm (96 lb-ft) — this is critical and accounts for hub/wheel mating settling.
• Schedule the next tire rotation at the current odometer + 6,250 miles per Tesla's recommendation for Model 3 (heavy curb weight + instant torque accelerates tire wear).
• While the wheels were off, if you noted brake pad thickness was marginal, plan a brake service. Also note: Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage — check service history.

More procedures for this vehicle