Rotate all four tires on a 2012 Tesla Roadster to equalize wear. The Roadster is RWD with staggered considerations — verify tire sizes front/rear before rotating, as many Roadsters run different sizes front to rear and CANNOT be rotated front-to-back.

Warnings

Tools required

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place transmission in 1st gear (manual) or P (if equipped), and engage the parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with the 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 low-voltage auxiliary battery before working under the vehicle. On the 2012 Roadster the 12V APS battery is located in the front compartment area — refer to the owner's manual for exact location.
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal. Orange HV cabling runs along the chassis between the rear ESS/PEM and front components.
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. Inspect all four tires and record sizes from the sidewalls. Confirm whether the vehicle is running square (same size all four) or staggered (different front/rear sizes) before choosing a rotation pattern.
7. Check that tires are not directional (look for arrow markings on sidewall). Directional tires can only be rotated front-to-back on the same side.
8. Place wheel chocks on the wheels that will remain on the ground first.

Procedure

1. 1

   Determine rotation pattern
   For a square setup (same size all four corners) on a RWD Roadster with non-directional tires, use a rearward cross pattern: rear tires move straight forward, front tires cross to opposite rear positions. For staggered setups, perform side-to-side swap on each axle only. For directional tires, swap front-to-back on the same side only.
2. 2

   Loosen lug nuts while tires are on the ground
   With the vehicle still on the ground, break loose (do not remove) each lug nut approximately 1/4 turn. This prevents the wheel from spinning when lifted.
3. 3

   Lift the vehicle at manufacturer-specified jack points
   Using a floor jack with a rubber/hockey puck pad, lift at the manufacturer-specified jacking points only. The Roadster uses Lotus-derived chassis lift points — typically reinforced sill points behind the front wheel and ahead of the rear wheel. Do NOT lift on the floor pan, suspension arms, or anywhere near the rear ESS housing or orange HV cabling. Lift one corner at a time or use the cross-axle method per Tesla/Lotus service guidance.
   ⚠️Never place a jack or stand under the HV battery enclosure or orange cable runs.
4. 4

   Support the vehicle on jack stands
   Place jack stands under the manufacturer-specified support points. Confirm vehicle is stable before removing any wheel. Never rely on the jack alone.
5. 5

   Remove wheels
   Fully remove lug nuts and pull each wheel straight off the hub. Place wheels near their destination position so you do not lose track of the rotation pattern. Inspect each wheel for cracks, curb damage, or corrosion on the mounting face.
6. 6

   Inspect brakes and tires
   With wheels off, visually inspect brake pads, rotors, and the inner tire sidewalls. Note tread depth at inner, center, and outer positions. Roadsters often show heavier inner-shoulder wear on rears due to negative camber and torque loading. Record tire pressures before reinstalling.
7. 7

   Clean hub mating surfaces
   Wire-brush any rust or debris from the hub face and the wheel's mating surface. A clean interface prevents seized wheels and ensures correct torque retention.
8. 8

   Install wheels in new positions
   Mount each wheel in its new rotated position per the pattern determined in Step 1. Hand-thread all lug nuts to ensure no cross-threading before applying any tool.
9. 9

   Snug lug nuts in star pattern
   Using a hand wrench, snug each lug nut in a star/cross pattern to seat the wheel evenly against the hub. Do not fully torque while the wheel is in the air.
10. 10

    Lower vehicle and final torque
    Lower the vehicle until the tires just contact the ground (enough to prevent spinning but with weight not yet fully settled), then torque each lug nut to specification in a star pattern. Then fully lower the vehicle and re-verify torque.
    ⚠Do NOT use an impact wrench for final torque. Always finish with a calibrated torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Lug Nuts - Alloy Wheels130 Nm (96 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Set tire pressures
    Set each tire to the pressure listed on the vehicle's tire placard (typically on the driver's door jamb). Front and rear pressures often differ on the Roadster — do not set them equally without checking the placard.

Reassembly

1. Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery.
2. Remove jack stands and wheel chocks.
3. Confirm all lug nuts are at final torque before driving.

Verification

• Recheck all lug nut torque to 130 Nm (96 lb-ft) after 50 miles of driving — this is critical on alloy wheels.
• Drive at low speed initially and listen for any wheel noise, vibration, or pulling that could indicate a loose wheel or misseated hub.
• Note the odometer reading. Tesla recommends tire rotation every 6,250 miles — schedule the next rotation accordingly.
• If the Roadster is approaching service intervals, consider also inspecting brake fluid (2-year interval) and gearbox oil (Tesla Gearbox Oil) — both are commonly overlooked on early Roadsters.

More procedures for this vehicle