Tesla Cybertruck owners are raising concerns about premature tyre wear, with some reporting their tyres have worn down after as little as 6,000 miles. Although excessive tyre wear in high-performance electric vehicles is not unheard of, the issue has left many Cybertruck owners frustrated, with some pointing to possible manufacturing defects.
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One member of the Cybertruck Owners Club shared his experience online, stating that his Cybertruck, which had only been on the road for three months with 6,251 miles on the odometer, was already in need of a tyre change. He wrote, "These tyres are specially made for the Cyberbeast, so for them to be this bad is unforgivable. I have an appointment on Oct 1st to discuss this with Tesla."
In the U.S., tyre tread depth is commonly measured in 32nds of an inch. Most new vehicles come equipped with tyres that have a tread depth of around 10/32 or 11/32. The Cybertruck typically uses either Pirelli Scorpion ATR all-season tyres or Goodyear Wrangler Territory RT all-terrain tyres. According to the owner's post, his tyres had worn down to 4/32 in the front and 5/32 in the rear – halfway worn down in just a few months.
For reference, experts recommend replacing tyres once they reach 2/32 of remaining tread depth, as worn tyres can become hazardous, especially in wet or icy conditions. TyreRack, a popular U.S. tyre retailer, advises changing tyres even earlier if you're driving in rain or snow, recommending changes at 4/32 or 5/32 for those conditions. The concerned Cybertruck owner lives in Colorado, where varying weather conditions could further compound the issue.
Electric vehicles (EVs) such as the Cybertruck are heavier than their internal combustion engine counterparts, with the Tesla Cybertruck weighing in at nearly 7,000 pounds. The added weight places significant stress on tyres, which may explain the faster-than-usual tread wear.
Rivian, another EV manufacturer, faced similar complaints regarding tyre wear, as owners reported premature wear due to the vehicle’s "Conserve" mode, which shifts extra weight to the front tyres to maximise range. This uneven weight distribution, particularly in extended use, can lead to alignment issues and faster tyre wear.
While Tesla vehicles feature a "Chill Mode" to smooth acceleration and limit power output, many owners may prefer the power of "Beast Mode", which provides 845 horsepower on demand. The Cybertruck owner in question admits to using Beast Mode "a few times", but otherwise says the truck has only been driven on highways and streets, never off-road or at top speed.
Although some Cybertruck owners believe the issue lies in the tyres themselves, it’s worth noting that high-performance electric vehicles, due to their weight and power, generally experience faster tyre wear than traditional vehicles. EVs generate instant torque, leading to greater stress on the tyres, especially during hard acceleration and braking.
Driving habits also play a role, but even when driven conservatively, moving around a nearly 7,000-pound vehicle is taxing on tyres. For many Cybertruck owners, expecting their tyres to last the average 50,000 miles might not be realistic.
As more Cybertruck owners voice their concerns, it will be interesting to see if Tesla addresses the issue or if tyre manufacturers will need to develop new designs to better accommodate the unique demands of heavy electric vehicles like the Cybertruck.
