Tesla Model 3 Modern Spare Tire Review

Add the roadside safety kit to the cart and then type "Frugal" as the coupon code. (This code is good until 7/3/2020)

My flat tire experience:

[camrodger]

The quality of this video is what elevates this channel above most Tesla channels. Thank you.

[bryansmith]

I realize your video is two years old now, but I have to say thank you for the time and effort you put into this. It’s an amazing review that answered all my questions. My spare tire is on its way.

[Korruptor]

Even though i've watched multiple videos of this spare, this is my favorite video because you actually removed it and tested it. I'm not looking to buy a Tesla until next year or 2022, but this is something that I will get.

[Swaangin]

My brand new 2023 Model 3 LR Tesla got a flat on i95 turnpike in the truck lane. I had 16 wheelers ripping past me while I waited for a tow truck to show up. I have ordered this tire. Thanks for this review

[harryfranks]

Just ordered. Had my first flat (a bolt like you had in the tire). I called Tesla roadside. I’m 17 miles outside their service area. They wouldn’t bring a spare - would only send a tow to take the car to a tire store. Like you’re bolt experience, I could put air in the tire and get to the tire store. But it made me nervous about using the car on a road trip or to drive to the airport for a flight. I would not have time to deal with that. This will get added to the car anytime I’m going someplace not in my local town. Mine is a Model Y and that version of the kit will ship in early July. Thanks for the video.

[drobert]

I hope I’m not “spilling the beans” but I ordered the spare tire last night (August 20). You mentioned that if we enter your coupon code, we would get the emergency kit for free. But it was supposed to end on July 3. I took a chance and ordered the extra kit. I entered your code....and kit added to my order. Thanks buddy!

[BecauseTesla]

I've had this kit for a while now, and love it! I kept it in my trunk all winter because of the horrible potholes here in Chicago, and I plan on taking it on every road trip. I hope I never have to use it, but I'm sure glad that I have it! For those reading this, I recommend the full kit with a carrying case. Everything stows away neatly inside, and it's so convenient to remove the kit from the trunk in one piece to store it for later use. The entire kit only weighs something like 42 lbs, so it won't hurt range. I know the upfront investment is a bit steep for some of you, but trust me when I say it is well worth the cost. There is nothing "cheap" about this product. Great review, Mike!

[Donutmann]

5:56 “for convenience and size it starts out small, pull it out and it gets larger. Very nice “

[deblynne]

My son has a brand new car, hit a pothole and burst the tire. My Tesla is new and now I'm forewarned. Just ordered this spare and very much appreciate this video, thank you!

[kehaugen]

great video ordered one. had a flat in Oklahoma City. it took tesla roadside assistance over three hours to send a tow. It was going to take 3 days for the tire shop to get the tires I wanted so I had to take the ones they could get in that day. it still took them all day. this spare tire would have saved me a day of my life that I can't get back.

[ut]

Great Video. I was stuck in the middle of nowhere for 5 hours. Outside of 50 miles circle for t. roadside, it cost me about $230 for a third party tow service to bring me a spare tire. 5 Hours!! So, the cost of this tire is great!! Thank you for pointing this product out !!! Tip: Tow service could not get lift under puck like you showed. He had a spare piece of wood in his truck. Place that by the tire, pull forward a few inches, and the wood helps lifts the car the few inches that's needed. I now keep a small piece of wood in the car. Side note: At dealer later, a couple was returning their Tesla. They were stranded for days because of the lack of a spare tire. They were really mad about T. roadside and never wanted to go thru that again. I second that!!

[PurpleSideBlack]

I like the look of that spare. I think full-size wheels with the same look as that spare wheel would be great.

A tip for using a small jack like that. Bring a small piece of plywood to put under the jack so it doesn't sink into the ground or dent your pavement. I did it once and wish I'd used some wood under it.

Great video and product!

[travis]

One of the best Tesla videos I have seen! Clean explanation of what is going on and field tested the tire. Very clean communication on your part without a lot of stammering or “uhs” ! I cannot watch YouTube videos when the person cannot clearly articulate their thoughts!

[richyt]

I got mine for Father’s Day; plan to carry in the car anytime I go out of state (road trips).

[alexgayer]

4 months after watching your video, I finally ordered my complete kit. :) Thanks!

[reasonitout]

Excellent video. You actually did the work and showed what was involved. I will probably buy one of those spare tire kits since I do not have snow tires to throw in the trunk for trips.
(By the way, 30 minutes after writing this which forced me to remember a few "horror" flat tire experiences in my life in cars, pickup trucks, on motorcycles and bicycles, I ordered the tire and rim.)
Here are a few things I do to continue my trip with the least hassle and wasted time and money. I also have a safety protocol that keeps my family and me as safe as possible when breakdowns occur while travelling.

Regularly scan for pressure drops on the TPMS. Anything below the other tires is my trigger. Address the problem before it becomes a problem.
I give myself the option to inspect the trouble tire and pump it up to 42 - 45 PSI range. at a safe place. Personal Safety is paramount. Drive the car to a safe spot unless you have a death wish. Read the papers for why.
I have driven to a safe place to inspect, pump, replace tire without getting vaporized by an errant truck, bus, car, motorcycle. Even if it means destroying the rim. Slowly riding a totally deflated tire does not necessarily ruin the rim but it might...it depends on how the tire lays and if it has come off the beads.

Drive on the shoulder to an exit or to where there are people and light. A toll plaza is best if on the interstate toll road.
Inspect: if it is a nail or screw that is within reach without removing wheel then plug* and inflate. You must have a plug kit.
Although plugs can work for years and many miles they are considered temporary. In fact many shops will not plug your tire. For a heavy, high speed, high horsepower car, an internal patch is a minimum requirement for me so plug it to get to your destination but have it properly serviced as soon as practical.
I put the jack/puck/and small plywood under the car BEFORE it goes flat or pump it back up with my portable 12 volt pump if it is flat.
Carry a $7 Harbor Freight breaker bar with a 6 point 21 mm impact socket.

If you have snow tires then use one as a spare. Make sure to bring the lug nuts that come with the snow tire rim.
I have changed tires in the rain at the toll plaza in 11 minutes from start to finish.
Drop the tire off at a tire shop when appropriate.

The primary directive is to not get killed screwing around or waiting on the side of the road if your car is still driveable. IF you have a road service, then I would still take it to a safe place. The reason NY has a Pull over law is because of the hundreds of people killed trying to help someone.
*A plug by itself or a patch by itself is not an acceptable repair because the plug does not permanently seal the inner liner and the patch does not fill the void left by the penetrating object, which allows water to enter the body of the tire and starting corroding the steel belts. Not all tires can be repaired. Specific repair limits should be based on recommendations or repair policy of the tire manufacturer and/or type of tire service.


When tires are repaired improperly, the results can be deadly. Be sure to ask your service technician if industry standard procedures are used in the repair process. When a puncture is within the limits established by the industry and properly repaired, you can expect the tire to continue to deliver thousands of miles of safe and reliable performance.

[anthonyjagodnik]

Great video! I am about to order one for my new M3P for father's day. Here are some ideas based on the comments here.
1. Continental kit that mounts on a trailer hitch.
2. A velcro bottom on the bag like what comes with the Tesla charging cable bag, very effective to keep it from sliding around. That is on my DIY list.
3. Add cargo tie downs like Saabs and Volvos have had for decades. That is on my DIY list.
4. Combine the lug wrench and ratcheting jack handle in a single tool to save weight.

[woof]

Yes, this is the solution for a spare I have been looking for. This is the kind of spare that should be in every car. I’ve had nightmares in the past with the cheap donuts they gave me with previous cars, and when I found out that Tesla didn’t include a spare, just a phone number, I’ve worried about it every trip.

I remember the video on EE when he hit a pothole on the interstate in Illinois and ruined the tire and the rim, and how he had to wait until service came and it cost him a ton of money. This would have got him back on the road in less than 15 minutes and gave him options. I plan to get one for my car soon. Thanks a bunch.

[KennethWPonder]

Liked how you showed luggage would fit around and on the spare in the trunk. (shown after 18:20)

[LordTimelord]

Excellent Video! I just ordered the complete spare kit for my MY LR.

Your video was very thorough and covered all bases! Much appreciated! 👍

What is kind of infuriating is the fact that Tesla has those two separate compartments in the floor.

They should have been able to engineer it with enough room for a complete spare tire kit.

Even if they did not include it, it SHOULD have the room in there! 🤬