Rotate all four tires on the 2024 Tesla Roadster Tri Motor AWD to even out wear. Tesla recommends rotation every 6,250 miles due to instant torque and heavy curb weight accelerating tire wear; the Roadster's staggered or non-staggered fitment must be confirmed before rotating.

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/48V on applicable models) low-voltage battery. See architecture notes above for location.
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. Confirm tire fitment: inspect sidewall markings on all four tires. If front and rear sizes differ (staggered), plan for side-to-side rotation only.
7. Check sidewalls for directional arrows. Directional tires rotate front-to-rear on the same side only.
8. Record current tire pressures (cold) and tread depths at each corner before rotation for reference.
9. Place wheel chocks at the wheels that will remain on the ground during partial lifting, if not lifting all four corners simultaneously.

Procedure

1. 1

   Loosen lug nuts while wheels are on the ground
   With the vehicle still on the ground, break each lug nut loose approximately 1/4 turn using a breaker bar and the correct socket. Do not remove yet. This prevents the wheel from spinning on the jack.
2. 2

   Lift the vehicle at manufacturer-specified jack points
   Locate the OEM-specified lift points on the Roadster chassis (the vehicle is built on a Lotus Elise-derived chassis; refer to the Service Manual for exact jack pad locations). Use a floor jack with appropriate puck/pad to raise one end at a time, then support with jack stands rated for the load. Repeat for the opposite end so all four wheels are off the ground. Never rely on the jack alone.
   ⚠️Lifting at incorrect points can crush body panels, bend chassis tubes, or contact HV components on this platform. Confirm jack points before lifting.
3. 3

   Remove all four wheels
   Fully remove lug nuts and pull each wheel straight off the hub. Set wheels aside in their original positions (LF, RF, LR, RR) and label them with chalk or tape so the rotation pattern can be tracked correctly.
4. 4

   Inspect brakes, hubs, and tires
   With wheels off, visually inspect brake pads, rotors, wheel bearings (check for play), and the inboard sidewall of each tire for wear, cupping, bulges, or damage. Note any abnormal wear pattern that may indicate alignment issues — common on heavy EVs with high torque.
5. 5

   Clean hub mating surfaces
   Wire-brush or wipe the hub face and wheel mounting surface to remove rust or debris. Clean threads on the wheel studs. Do not apply anti-seize to studs unless specified by the manufacturer — it can affect torque accuracy.
6. 6

   Determine and execute correct rotation pattern
   For non-staggered, non-directional tires: use a rearward cross pattern (rear tires move straight to the front; front tires cross to the opposite rear). For directional tires: front-to-rear on the same side. For staggered fitment: swap left-to-right on the same axle only (if the tires are non-directional and asymmetric tread allows). Confirm the chosen pattern against the Tesla Roadster Service Manual.
   ⚠Rotating staggered or directional tires incorrectly can cause handling instability and rapid wear.
7. 7

   Mount wheels at new positions
   Lift each wheel onto its new hub location, aligning the bolt holes with the studs. Hand-thread all lug nuts until snug to ensure proper seating before applying torque.
8. 8

   Initial snug-down in star pattern
   With wheels still off the ground, snug each lug nut in a star (criss-cross) pattern to seat the wheel evenly against the hub. Do not fully torque yet.
9. 9

   Lower vehicle and final-torque lug nuts
   Lower the vehicle so the tires just contact the ground (loaded but not full weight if possible) and torque each lug nut to specification in a star pattern. Use the alloy wheel spec for OEM alloy wheels. If the vehicle is fitted with steel wheels (rare on Roadster), use the steel wheel spec instead. Verify the correct spec from the Service Manual before applying torque.
   ⚠Never use an impact wrench for final torque. Always use a calibrated torque wrench in a star pattern.
   Torque spec

   Lug Nuts - Alloy Wheels130 Nm (96 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Lower vehicle fully and remove jack stands
    Carefully remove jack stands and lower the vehicle completely to the ground. Re-verify lug torque with the vehicle fully on its wheels.
    Torque spec

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

    Set tire pressures
    Set all four tires to the cold pressure listed on the door jamb placard or in the Service Manual. Pressures may differ front to rear, especially if staggered.

Reassembly

1. Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery if it was disconnected for related work.
2. Reinstall any wheel center caps or trim removed during the procedure.
3. Reset/relearn the TPMS system if required — refer to the Tesla Roadster Service Manual for the procedure (the Roadster's infotainment may not auto-relearn like newer Model S/3/X/Y).

Verification

• Confirm all lug nuts are torqued to OEM specification using a calibrated torque wrench in a star pattern.
• Test drive at low speed and listen for any wobble, vibration, or pulling. Vibration at speed often indicates an unseated wheel or imbalance.
• Verify TPMS warning is not illuminated and that all four sensors report correct pressures (if equipped).
• Re-torque all lug nuts after the first 50 miles of driving — this is critical and required by the verified spec.
• Log the rotation in your service records. Tesla recommends tire rotation every 6,250 miles due to high torque and curb weight accelerating wear.
• While the vehicle is being serviced, also note upcoming Tesla-recommended intervals: brake fluid every 2 years, cabin air filter every 2 years, drive unit fluid inspection per Tesla's revised guidance, and battery coolant inspection at 4 years / 50,000 mi.

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