A Tesla with winter tires is surprisingly good at getting around during winter in Overland Park, Kansas. As an electric vehicle (EV), many people assume a Tesla would have a poor reputation for winter driving, but thanks to their factory winter-testing facility, Tesla owners in Overland Park can feel confident that they’ve made the right decision for which EV to own year-round.
As with other EVs, a reduction in range is the only real drawback when it gets extremely cold. A range penalty in cold weather is unavoidable for any EV, but the same can be said for fuel economy in other vehicles, too. And with how close everything in Overland Park and the Kansas City Metro area is, that’s not likely a problem.
Reduced range isn’t as significant for Teslas as it was for early-generation EVs. Plus, driving range in winter is slightly reduced due to winter tires that don’t have the same low-rolling-resistance as the mileage-friendly factory all-season tires. With the constant chance of real winter weather in Overland Park, if you want to get around safely, it’s worth the trade-off for increased traction when there’s snow or ice, or even when average temperatures are at or below 45°F.
Things to consider for your Tesla winter tires
Regardless of the driving range, there are other factors to consider when shopping for Tesla winter tires in Overland Park. Are you using the factory wheels which will mean changing tires on them each fall and spring, or will you have a second set of dedicated Tesla winter wheels and tires?
Tesla offers factory winter wheel and tire packages whether you drive a Model 3, Model S, or Model X. While that might seem like the simplest solution, you might change your mind when looking at their prices. The factory wheels they offer, along with TPMS sensors and a decent set of winter tires can be incredibly expensive. Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 tires are the most common tire offered by Tesla, but they’re not priced as the greatest value. You can find wheels of equal or better quality and a wider variety of winter tires in Overland Park for considerably less money.
Depending on the trim level of your Tesla, you can choose factory tire sizes or you might be able to go down a size. Downsizing your wheel diameter normally opens up more options for winter tires and will likely save you considerable money. Plus, reducing wheel size increases the sidewall height which improves winter performance, comfort, and wheel protection. Winter tires for smaller-diameter wheels are great for winter in Overland Park and can sometimes cost half the price of something larger.
The typical light snowfall in Overland Park, Kansas means that performance winter tires like Pirelli Winter Sottozero, Dunlop SP Winter Sport, Michelin Pilot Alpin, or Bridgestone Blizzak LM-series tires might be ideal for you if dry-weather performance is your priority. On days with heavier snowfall or ice build-up, or if you have a steep and slippery driveway, the overall winter safety of a premium set of studless winter tires like Micheline X-Ice XI3, Bridgestone Blizzak WS90, Yokohama Iceguard, Nokia Hakkapeliitta, or Continental VikingContact tires will get you through almost any adverse winter conditions with confidence.
Choosing the right Tesla winter tires in Overland Park
Teslas are equipped with anything from 18” (RWD Model 3) to 22” wheels, and you may have staggered wheel and tire sizes on top of that depending on whether you have a Rear-Wheel Drive, Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive, or Performance Model 3 or any variant of the Model S or Model X. Tesla offers their factory winter tire and wheel packages for each model, but you should seriously consider other options to open up the choices and save money.
Factory wheel and tire packages are always more expensive than what’s available in the aftermarket, and Tesla generally offers only one winter tire brand: Pirelli. Zohr gives you many more options in Overland Park.
Winter tire sizes for Model 3
Model 3 owners with staggered wheels and tires should consider switching to equal sizes for the front and rear for the winter. The wide 265- or 275-section width factory rear tires help with performance and stability in warm, dry weather, but the narrower 235-width tires on the front are more appropriate for driving in the snow. Plus, the narrower tires will save money.
If you have 19” or 20” wheels on your Model 3 and plan to use dedicated winter tires and wheels, 18” wheels are worth considering. The slightly smaller 18” tires are less expensive and give you more choices over 19” or 20” tires.
Winter tire sizes for Model S
Model S variants are optioned with either staggered or non-staggered wheels, and as with most vehicles with staggered wheels, it’s lighter on your budget with more winter tire options if you have non-staggered wheels and tires for winter driving in your Tesla.
The current options for 21” winter tires are minimal at best, and there are few choices for 20” winter tires, too, so 19” diameter opens up more choices.
Best winter tires for Model 3 and Model S
Winter tire choices for Tesla owners are constantly expanding. Since Tesla owners in Overland Park don’t need studded winter tires, we’ll just cover the basics of studless and performance winter tires.
Studless winter tires like the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 are popular and have proven to be good in Overland Park winters. The new Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 replaces the old-but-popular WS80 and is competitive with the Michelins. The new Continental VikingContact 7 has received extremely high ratings across Europe and Canada, they excel in most winter driving situations, and they’re competitively priced.
Of course, if you prefer tires that put performance handling in wet or dry conditions ahead of ultimate snow and ice traction, then performance winter tires might be more ideal for your Tesla. A few options at the top of the list are Pirelli Winter SottoZero, Blizzak LM-32, and Michelin Pilot Alpin tires.
Winter tires for Model X
Model X owners in Overland Park have the toughest choice regarding winter wheels and tires. Factory wheel sizes are 20” and 22” with staggered tire widths. Downsizing the wheels to 19” would be a great option, but because of the size of the Model X and its staggered wheels, 20” wheels give the most options currently.
Staggered 20” wheels on a Model X give you great light truck/SUV winter tire options. There’s the popular Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tires, as well as Pirelli Scorpion Winter and Michelin Alpin tires in the performance winter category.
We’re here to help
Choosing the best winter tires for your Tesla in Overland Park, Kansas can be tough, but once you’ve decided if you’re going to use your stock Tesla wheels or get dedicated winter wheels, we’re happy to help narrow down your choices.
Note: When deciding to get a second set of wheels for your Tesla, especially when you’re considering an alternate size, be sure to verify that the wheel specifications are correct, and make sure to get the appropriate TPMS sensors with the wheels.
Whether you need to have winter tires mounted to your Tesla’s current wheels, need a separate set of winter wheels, or if you need help deciding on the perfect winter tire for your Tesla in Overland Park, contact Zohr online or call/text us at 816-800-9175. We’re happy to help, and we specialize in mobile tire installation, so our tire technicians will deliver your tires directly to you and install them at your home or office.
How to Get Your Tires Ready for Winter in Kansas | Zohr
