Tesla Alignment: Things You Should Know

Last updated on September 12th, 2023 at 03:04 am

Like other vehicles, Tesla wheels also require alignment; however, most users are not precisely conversant with this service, especially new owners.

Wheel alignment services vary based on the vehicle. But since electric vehicles are fairly unfamiliar, several people are hesitant about getting a Tesla alignment.

However, your Tesla wheels are in great hands with a licensed technician during an alignment.

If your Tesla tires seem unaligned after using them for a while, and you’re wondering if there’s an alignment service, you’re in luck.

Tesla alignment focuses on the service rendered to Tesla owners whose wheels/tires are unaligned due to an incident or longtime usage. Rest assured; Tesla tires are securely aligned upon purchase without needing a checkup until after 13,000 miles. After that, an alignment can be done by a licensed and experienced technician using the exact recommended measurements.

In this article, I’ll explain if Tesla cars need alignments and how to keep your Tesla in neutral mode during an alignment service.

Ultimately, you’ll know when your Tesla needs an alignment and if it’s safe to drive a Tesla without an alignment.

Does Tesla Need Alignment?

Tesla tires need an alignment after they’ve been used for 13,000 miles, but it’s best to check the tires after 6,000 miles.

A checkup should be administered after every 10,000 miles or 6,000 miles covered with your Tesla to ensure your driving safety.

However, if your tires are changed or rotated due to damage, it’s best to get them aligned to avoid accidents or bumpy driving.

Regular tire alignment, as recommended in a Tesla, extends the lifespan by minimizing tire tears and preserving the tire’s tread wear.

While an alignment is great for Teslas, some people confuse it for balancing, and while these services are similar and essential, they serve different purposes. 

In several cases, wheel alignment and tire balancing services are rendered together to ensure your car is sturdy and safe for road trips.

Below is a table that shows the differences between wheel alignment and tire balancing for a Tesla:

Tesla Wheel Alignment	Tesla Tire Balancing
It rectifies the angling of the tires when they move to ensure smooth trips.	It rectifies any weight imbalance on your car’s wheels and tires.
It eliminates squealing noises that your tires make while driving.	It fixes the trembling in your tires that make driving bumpy.
It focuses on the wheels just as much as the tires.	It helps to make your wheel lighter after a tire rim hits an obstacle.
It reduces the risks of accidents caused by misaligned tires.	It fixes the flat spots under your tires after being parked for long periods.

How Do I Keep My Tesla Neutral for Alignment?

You can keep your Tesla in neutral mode during an alignment by using the manual method or the car’s touchscreen to secure it.

If you’re used to having your Tesla set to drive, figuring out how to put it in neutral for the first time might be tricky.

Unfortunately, there’s no escaping the process of putting your Tesla in neutral mode, especially because that’s the best way to keep it stable during an alignment.

Luckily, we’ve provided the steps to guide you to place your Tesla on neutral mode using the manual or touchscreen method.

Below are the various ways to keep your Tesla in neutral mode during a wheel alignment;

• If your Tesla is set to park, push the drive stalk up or down until it reaches the first position to shift to neutral.
• If your Tesla is set to drive, move the drive stalk to the first position to shift to neutral.
• If your Tesla is set to auto-steer, shift to neutral by pushing the drive stalk to the first position and holding for more than a second.
• If your Tesla is set to reverse, move the drive stalk to the first position to pit your vehicle in neutral.

How Can I Tell if My Tesla Needs an Alignment?

Various signs indicate when your Tesla is due for a wheel alignment, including uneven tires, unusual noises, and unbalanced wheels.

If you need to learn how to tell when your Tesla needs an alignment, there are a few simple ways to figure it out.

Below are the ways to tell when your Tesla needs a wheel alignment:

#1. When Your Tires are Misaligned?

The most common reason for getting a wheel alignment for a Tesla is the need to correct misaligned tires.

Your Tesla wheel can become misaligned after suffering a pothole hit or running into an obstacle while you drive.

If you’ve been in any of the above situations, getting an alignment is best before other problems develop.

A misalignment is likely to make your steering wheel lose and cause tire wear, so it must be corrected as soon as it is noticed.

#2. When Your Tires Have Uneven Wear?

Jagged tears or wear on your Tesla vehicle tires indicate that you need to get a wheel alignment.

Driving with uneven tires makes your movement uneasy and out of control because the tire treads are thin and imbalanced.

Therefore, whenever your Tesla tires look worn out, get them changed and aligned before resuming driving.

#3. When Your Tesla’s Tires or Steering Wheel Makes Unfamiliar Noises?

A major tell sign that your wheels are misaligned is squeaky noises or vibrations that can be heard coming from your steering and tires.

As soon as you notice these unpleasant and unusual noises coming from your Tesla tires or steering, it would help if you got an alignment.

#4. When Your Tesla is Unstable After Tire Inflation?

A Tesla tire pressure is tricky to work your way around, especially after a slash or an incident that affects its pressure levels.

In these situations, you may notice that your vehicle is unstable while driving after the tires have been refilled to meet Tesla’s recommendations.

It is best to align your Tesla wheels after your tires have suffered inflation to ensure your driving is smooth afterward.

#5. When You’ve Recently Lowered Your Tesla?

Some people lower their cars to reduce the weight being shouldered by their tires and increase the acceleration potential.

Tesla owners also get their cars lowered for this reason, but the lowering process might affect the alignment of their steering and tires.

However, if you get your Tesla wheels aligned right after lowering the vehicle, you will not likely struggle with uneasy driving. 

Is it OK to Drive a Tesla Without an Alignment? 

It’s not advisable to drive a Tesla without an alignment; this exposes you and others in your surroundings to harmful incidents while causing.

When you continue to drive a Tesla with misaligned wheels, your tires become prone to more damage, especially on bumpy roads.

Additionally, your steering wheel will begin to loosen and affect your driving which could result in accidents and unruly driving. 

Below is a list of other dangers that might arise from driving a Tesla without a wheel alignment:

• A misaligned Tesla will likely develop a crooked steering wheel that makes it difficult to drive straight.
• A misaligned Tesla could cause an uncomfortable steering wheel vibration while driving. 
• A misaligned Tesla could cause your vehicle to pull over abruptly to the side while you’re driving.
• A misaligned Tesla can lead to squeaky noises in your tires while you drive. 

These dangers indicate that wheel alignment in a Tesla is essential for the driver’s safety and that of others in their surroundings.