Best 18 Inch Wheels That Clear The Tesla Model Y Performance Brakes

The 2022 Tesla Model Y is set to hit Australian dealerships in early August, with Performance models trickling in towards the end of the year. With the arrival of these new Teslas, prospective owners may be looking for aftermarket alternatives to the standard 21-inch Überturbine wheels. After all, with so many Teslas already on the road, who wants to blend in?

In this guide, we’ll introduce you to four of the best 18-inch aftermarket wheels that you can install on your Tesla Model Y Performance without having to worry about clearing those fancy brakes. Each of these wheels offers a different look (at varying prices) to help you stand out from the rest of the electric-powered cars out there.

We’ll also discuss the technical aspects of choosing a smaller-dimension wheel and what benefits you can expect from doing so. Finally, we’ll answer some of your most common questions to guide you towards the best aftermarket wheel choice for your new Tesla Model Y Performance.

Why Choose a Smaller Wheel Size

There are many reasons why you might choose a smaller wheel size in general. For example, smaller wheels are typically cheaper since there’s less material involved. They can also provide a firmer ride, since there’s less rubber to soak up the bumps of the road.

At the same time, availability and variety are higher on smaller wheels. You should be able to choose from more options when it comes to off-road tyres, all-seasons, or those tyres built for comfort.

When it comes to the Tesla Model Y Performance specifically, there are three main potential benefits of note:

1. Smaller wheels will extend the range of your battery charge. This extension relies on the rotational mass that’s reduced in a smaller wheel, therefore reducing the strain on the motor during your drive. Less rotational mass equals a lower energy output.
2. Clearance for a staggered setup. Tesla Model Y Performance variants come with a square configuration from the factory, but that’s not to say you can’t put a staggered configuration on it with a smaller wheel. Plus, wider wheels in the back allows for more traction for power pulls.
3. Better acceleration. Speaking of power, Model Y Performance owner Brian Jenkins was able to shave 0.32 seconds off his 0-60 MPH run with 18-inch wheels versus the standard 21-inch wheels. That could mean the difference between a “W” and an “L.”

What to Look For in Aftermarket Wheels

Besides clearance for the Model Y Performance Brakes, here are a few other characteristics you’ll want to pay attention to when it comes to 18-inch aftermarket wheels.

Bolt Pattern

Making sure to choose wheels with the right bolt pattern is key to ensuring proper fitment. Tesla Model Y Performance wheels have a 5 by 114 bolt pattern spacing, which is something you should look for on each listing you consider. The wheels we’ve listed below are all patterned this way.

Load Rating

The load rating of a tyre/wheel basically denotes how much weight it can support. If you divide the entyre (gross) weight of the vehicle by two, this will give you the weight that will need to be supported by each axle. Divide that in half again to find out how much each wheel/tyre should be able to handle.

Load ratings are specified due to safety concerns. If a wheel and/or tyre cannot support the weight of the vehicle, the tyre/wheel can fail (at any moment) and cause irreparable damage in some cases. Ignoring the required load rating could definitely put you in the path of danger.

Tire Width

The width of a wheel determines how much tyre you can wrap around it. For example, some of the wheels we’ve included are 8.5 inches to 9 inches. This means you can run an 8.5 or 9 inch tyre on that wheel.

Tire width is important when it comes to gripping power. The wider a tyre, the larger the contact patch between the rubber and the road. This is especially important for electric cars, where torque is practically instant but also creates tyres that easily break loose for lack of traction.

Construction

Construction and weight go hand-in-hand, but when it comes to what your wheels are made of, the lighter a component is, the better. For example, this is why carbon fiber wheels are so sought after. Since the carbon fiber that makes up the wheel is such a lightweight substance, it allows for less overall weight that the tyre must move when the pedal hits the floor.

Weight

Generally speaking, a lighter wheel will help fuel efficiency. This is evident in the YouTube video we linked earlier, where a smaller diameter wheel shaves quite a bit of time off a lap. This is because a smaller wheel requires less material to make, therefore making the 18-inch version lighter than the 21-inch version.

Offset

Known as the distance from the hub of the wheel to the center plane of the wheel itself, offset is a factor that helps many drivers get away with the wheels they run. Offset wheels allow you to space the wheels out from the body of the vehicle without having to worry about adding spacers or complicated contraptions to do so.

Much like tyre width, offset can help increase the contact patch of the tyre you run, since you’re widening the amount of room underneath the fender that the wheel and tyre pair have to function. Some folks also like the offset for the look it gives their car.

TPMS Sensors

You should also be looking to see if tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensors are included with the wheels you purchase. Depending on which wheels you choose, the TPMS sensors may stay in their stock location, or they may be relocated to the valve stems, which are also typically replaced when changing wheels.

Shipping

If you can’t find Tesla specific wheels to run (even though we’ve got a list of four of them for you below), you can also search your local shops for the specific size, width, and bolt pattern. Oftentimes you can run these wheels; they’re just not advertised specifically for the Tesla Model Y Performance setup.

Local shops can also save you money on shipping versus buying online. Keep in mind that you’ll also have to pay import tax duties on anything you purchase from the USA, on top of shipping and initial purchase price.

The 4 Best 18-Inch Wheels That Clear The Tesla Model Y Performance Brakes

Here they are, in no particular order: the four best 18-inch wheels with enough room to comfortably fit around the Model Y Performance brakes.

Best Value

MW03 Forged Wheels

WHERE TO BUY

Buy Online

REASONS TO BUY

• Fully forged
• 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum for quality, strength, stiffness
• Ultra lightweight
• Available in satin black, silver, or satin gunmetal

REASONS TO AVOID

• No other width available besides 8.5 inches

SPECIFICATIONS

• Weight: 19 pounds
• Size: 18 inches by 8.5 inches
• Offset: +35 offset
• Load: 2,200 pound load rating
• Warranty: Lifetime structural warranty

This particular set of Martian Wheels features a machined lip to accommodate the Performance brakes. A knurled bead keeps the tyre firmly on the wheel. Martian Wheels manufactures this set to be compatible with factory Tesla lug nuts, center caps, and TPMS sensors, though they do provide a color-matched set of Martian Wheels center caps as well.

Best Turbine Design Wheel

Replika R241 Turbine Wheels

WHERE TO BUY

Buy Online

REASONS TO BUY

• Winter approved satin black finish
• Lightweight
• Mimics turbine design for a blacked-out stock look

REASONS TO AVOID

• Very expensive
• Does not come with center caps or lug nuts

SPECIFICATIONS

• Weight: 21.2 pounds
• Size: 18 inches by 8.5 inches
• offset: +40
• Load: 1,653 pound load rating

The Replika R241 Turbine Wheels come standard with a winter-approved finish of satin black. These wheels are flow formed and are compatible with Tesla’s factory lug nuts and center caps.

Best Premium Wheels

MW05 Forged Race Wheels

WHERE TO BUY

Buy Online

REASONS TO BUY

• Allows you to run bigger brakes and a wider tyre in the back
• Which allows for more traction
• Lightweight
• Stunning design
• Allows for view of brake caliper and rotor

REASONS TO AVOID

• Expensive
• Cheaper options that mirror the same design
• Large offset and width may make it harder/more expensive to find/buy tyres

SPECIFICATIONS

• Weight: 22 pounds
• Size: 18 inches by 10.5 inches
• Offset: +40 offset
• Load: 2,204 pound load rating
• Warranty: Lifetime structural warranty

The forged construction of these Martian Wheels gives them a lightweight footprint for greater efficiency. Brake clearance is built into these, so you won’t have to worry about sacrificing one or the other.

Martian Wheels build a knurled bead into this wheel to prevent the tyre from slipping off. They also provide a color-matched center cap and black lug nut caps, though you can run the stock lug nuts, center cap, and TPMS sensors if you’d like.

Best Budget Chrome Wheel

RTX Elite Wheels

WHERE TO BUY

Buy Online

REASONS TO BUY

• Chrome finish
• Spoked design
• Large offset for wider tyres

REASONS TO AVOID

• Can be too flashy for some
• May or may not be able to use factory Tesla center cap with this wheel

SPECIFICATIONS

• Weight: 26.62 pounds
• Size: 18 inches by 8 inches
• Offset: +42 offset
• Load: 1,521 pound load rating

If you’re not looking to break the bank on wheels, choose these chromed-out RTX Elite Wheels from Discount Tire. They bring a certain nostalgia to a car otherwise associated with the future, which might suit the style of some Tesla drivers out there. In any case, the chrome is a refreshing set of bling that sets these wheels apart from your typical matte silver wheels.

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