I wanted to share my experimental tuning of a 2019 Std Rng Plus Model 3 to compensate for battery degradation. Widely reported, the first year is ~5% followed by a 1% loss every year. My battery is about 3-4% (not an easy metric) so I wanted to start a tuning effort to compensate for the initial loss. My first effort is to replace the OEM rims and tires with lower weight rims and lower rolling drag tires. My particular car has a single, rear drive motor and ~50 kWh battery, 2/3ds the size of the other models. This means I can 'lighten up' on the tire loads because it is ~600 lbs (1,320 kg) lighter. Furthermore, I drive in "chill" mode, about 75% of the maximum, "standard" mode. Using Consumer Reports claims: Bridgestone EP422 Plus - low rolling resistance series 235/45R18 -> 225/55R18 - narrow tread and lighter weight lighter weight rims Compared to the OEM rims and tires, each saves ~5 lbs (2.8 kg) times four tires. Unfortunately, the front has an overhanding, king pin support that forced the first two tires to be on the rear only. Regardless, the high wear rating means these tires should last at least 2-3x longer than the OEM. An on-going experiment, the front tires have a low wear rating and a recent screw event meant the local tire shop would not repair it. The "Stop and Go" kit using a mushroom shaped plug failed so I reverted to 'sticky string' which so far, is doing OK. I have three candidate, front tires and am leaning to lowest rolling resistance tire with modest wear rating. Since the front wheels are not powered, they should have an 'easy life'. We typically saw ~2x difference between the powered versus unpowered tires in our past Prius. Source: Plug tire vs "Road Hazard" - Tesla Owners Online Enjoy! Bob Wilson
Is this something that can be addressed by spacers or a different offset wheel? Reducing that rotating weight makes a big difference. Back in my bicycle racing days we'd say an ounce on the wheel is with a pound on the frame.
I briefly thought about: shaving the inner tire tread - these are 225 vs 235 so they are already narrower spacer - almost a 1" interference on the inner tread which exceeds my comfort zone for a simple spacer Having these larger diameter tires on the rear gives a slight cheetah stance. So yesterday I parked at Whole Foods and a nice lady in her car rolled down her window and said, "I saw your car and had to see it." Bob Wilson
Physically removing tread? No, no. That leaves nothing for flex and tire pressure variations. Danger Will Robinson . . . .
I decided against that for similar reasons plus where do you find someone you could trust to do the job right? Perhaps if I were doing some competition, track driving, where the tires are never going to be on the road ... Regardless, they fit fine on the rear and give the car a slight, crouching cat look. Bob Wilson
