Properly aligned wheels extend the life of your tires and keep your car from pulling to one side. So, maintain proper wheel alignment to keep your Tesla running smoothly.
The starting price of getting wheel alignment starts from $80 and can go up to $336 max depending on your exact location and the current rate of your selected service provider.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix Tesla Wheel Alignment?
Tesla claims that this alignment cost starts from $80 and may go up to $300.
But the average cost of getting wheel alignment on your Tesla from any Tesla-Authorized Service Care mostly stays between $127 and $134.
For example, if you go to an approved dealership like RepairSmith or Town Fair Tire for getting the service, they will charge you:
- An average of $134 for aligning Tesla Model S wheels,
- An average of $129 for aligning Tesla Model X wheels,
- An average of $127 for aligning Tesla Model 3 wheels, and
- An average of $232 for aligning Tesla Model Y wheels.
Similarly, Tesla Service Centers located around Pennsylvania and the New Jersey area may charge up to $293, while Michigan Center may charge up to $275 for wheel alignment service.
However, the local body shop may charge between $280 and $340.
The following estimates will give you an idea of how much you would have to pay for such Tesla repairs from Tesla-approved Services:
Tesla Cars | Approximate Wheel Alignment Cost | |
Model S | 2016 Electric 90D | ($119 to $145) |
2017 Electric 60 | ($125 to $153) | |
2017 Electric P100D | ($127 to $155) | |
Model 3 | 2017 Electric Base | ($105 to $129) |
2018 Electric Performance | ($108 to $132) | |
2019 Electric Performance | ($114 to $140) | |
2021 standard Plus | Around $146 | |
Model X | 2016 Electric P90D Founder | ($113 to $138) |
2018 Electric P100D | ($116 to $142) | |
2016 Electric 90D | ($127 to $155) | |
Model Y | ($100 to $250) |
Related Post: The Complete Guide to Tesla Brake Replacement Costs!
6 Signs of Misaligned Wheels in Teslas
If you notice any of the following signs, most probably the wheels on your Tesla got misaligned:
- If you notice a crooked steering wheel while driving straight, it happens when your car wheels got out of alignment.
- If you notice uneven tire wear or an off-center steering wheel that won’t return to the center after turning.
- Noticing unusual vibration through the steering wheel during drives.
- If you find that your Tesla is abruptly pulling to one side.
- Whenever you notice the handling feels loose or uncomfortable.
- If any wear or tear issue causes your tire/s to be changed earlier than usual, your wheels will get misaligned too. So, you should check and re-align the wheels every time you replace the tires.
Tesla Wheel Alignment Guide
Luckily, aligning the wheels on the Tesla car is not too difficult either. If you have technical expertise and are familiar with the Tesla car’s maintenance procedures, you can perform the wheel alignment yourself by using the correct components.
So, if you are interested, follow the below step-by-step instructions:
STEP 1 – The first step in the process is to check each tire’s pressure to ensure they are at the recommended level. During this inspection, examine for any wear or damage on any of those tires.
Remember, any underlying issues should be addressed before proceeding with the alignment.
So, if you need to replace the tire/s or inflate them, do it before the main alignment task.
STEP 2 – Next, determine if your car is pulling in one direction or another. To verify that, drive down a flat road and see if the car veers to one side when you let go of the steering wheel.
Now you need to calculate the total toe at each axle.
So, use your toe plates and two matching tape measures. Then, place the plates flat against the wheels (while keeping the steering wheel straight).
Then, calculate the distance between them. If you find that the front measures bigger than the rear, this is Toe-Out.
STEP 3 – Now consider the findings you have after examining all the scenarios.
For example, if your Tesla is pulling to the right, either Toe OUT the Rear Right or Toe IN the Rear Left while toward the pull’s direction.
But if your Tesla is pulling to the left, do the opposite, which means Toe IN the Rear Right or Toe OUT the Rear Left while toward the pull’s direction.
Similarly, if you notice that your car’s steering wheel is off to the right, either Toe OUT the Front Right or Toe IN the Front Left while moving in the opposite direction of the wheel.
But if your steering wheel is off to the left, Toe IN the Front Right or Toe OUT the Front Left while moving in the opposite direction of the wheel.
In any of the above scenarios, you can use the Tesla Factory Toe Adjuster tool to adjust according to your particular need.
You can even follow the steps shown in this video to fix your car’s alignment:
STEP 4 – If the earlier mentioned step is not useful for your car and you are having typical alignment issues do you have bad tires. Jack up your car securely. Then replace and check the air pressure on the new tires first.
After that, move your car to the alignment machine and attach the specialized devices to your car wheels that are connected to a computer to measure the alignment of the wheels.
Now adjust the alignment as needed. Once the adjustments have been made, take a final measurement to ensure that the adjustments have resulted in the correct alignment.
STEP 5 – After that, take a test drive to ensure that the vehicle is handled correctly. If the alignment is still off, further adjustments may be needed, and if you’re struggling to figure it out, it’s better to contact the expert now.
Tips to Maintain Proper Wheel Alignment in Teslas:
Here are the five tips that will help you to keep proper wheel alignment on you Tesla:
- Rotate the tires every 10,000 km or if the tread depth difference is 1.5 mm or greater, whichever comes first to ensure even wear on all four tires and improve their lifespan.
- Keep an eye on your automobile while traveling on a flat road to see if it begins to pull to one side or the other. Because if it does, you must check and adjust the wheel alignment.
- Put the vehicle in a high air suspension to properly align it.
- Trick the door latch to think the door is closed and a driver is behind the wheel to be able to roll the car in neutral and check the alignment specs.
- Remember that whenever you replace the tire/s, wheels, and suspension components, it’s necessary to align the wheels too.
Read Also: Tesla Airbag Replacement Cost: A Detailed Breakdown
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
How long do Tesla wheels last?
Popular OE sets can last an average of 20,000 to 30,000 miles, but some Tesla owners have reported higher ranges than that too.
However, it may also go down to 18,000 to 20,000 miles depending on driving habits and driving terrains or conditions
Is it required to get your Tesla wheels aligned at a Tesla-only service center?
No, since many local technicians are now more familiar with Tesla servicing procedures. Any good local third-party workshop can align the wheels using a Hunter Hawkeye elite alignment machine.
But if the body shop does not have the OEM scanner specific to Tesla, like the LOKI Tesla Diagnostic tool or Tsla Pro Diagnostic Tools, they can’t perform the alignment correctly.
Can I replace or align Tesla wheels myself?
Yes, you can. Even though Tesla does not recommend that and highly advises contacting the nearest Tesla Specific Service for such tasks, if you’ve enough expertise you can perform those tasks following the right instructions.
How long does it take to align Tesla wheels?
Tesla wheel alignment can take at least one to three hours max unless your car requires several additional repairs or servicing besides the alignment.
Can I get a Tesla wheel alignment for free?
No, you cannot get your Tesla wheel alignment for free.