Ever wondered what lies beneath those sleek Tesla aero wheel covers? Many Tesla owners love the futuristic look and aerodynamic benefits, but sometimes, you want to reveal the alloy wheels underneath for a different aesthetic or simply for routine maintenance. The good news is, removing them is a breeze! ️ Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to confidently remove your Tesla aero wheel covers and transform the look of your vehicle.
Step 1: Prepare for the Transformation! ✨
Alright, Tesla enthusiasts, before we get our hands dirty (or rather, keep them clean!), let's gather our thoughts and a few essentials. This initial step is all about making the process as smooth and scratch-free as possible.
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| How To Remove Tesla Aero Wheel Covers |
Sub-heading: Why Remove Them Anyway?
You might be thinking, "Why would I want to remove these cool covers?" Well, there are a few reasons:
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Aesthetics: Many people prefer the look of the naked alloy wheels, finding them sportier or more traditional.
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Cleaning: It's much easier to thoroughly clean your wheels and brake calipers with the covers off.
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Maintenance: To access the lug nuts for tire rotation, flat tire changes, or wheel repairs, the aero covers must be removed.
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Aftermarket Options: Some owners opt for aftermarket wheel caps or different styles of covers, which requires removing the stock ones first.
Sub-heading: What You'll Need (Spoiler: Not Much!)
One of the best things about this process is how minimal the tool requirements are. You typically won't need anything specialized.
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Your Hands: Yes, really! For most Tesla aero covers, your own two hands are the primary tool.
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Optional: A Soft Microfiber Cloth or Towel: This can be useful for protecting the wheel cover edges if you feel more comfortable using a prying motion, though it's generally not necessary for the main removal technique.
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Optional: Gloves: If you want to keep your hands clean from brake dust.
Step 2: The Direct Approach – Grasp and Pull
This is the primary method recommended by Tesla itself, and it's surprisingly effective. The aero covers are held in place by a series of retaining clips that simply need to be disengaged.
Sub-heading: Positioning Yourself
Tip: Read once for gist, twice for details.
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Park your Tesla on a flat, stable surface. Ensure the parking brake is engaged for safety.
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Approach the wheel you want to work on. You'll want good leverage, so crouching or kneeling is usually best.
Sub-heading: The Two-Handed Technique
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Grasp the Aero Cover Firmly: Use both hands to get a good grip on the aero cover. It's often easiest to grip near the outer edge of the cover, ideally at opposite sides (e.g., 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions).
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Pull Directly Toward You: With a firm, steady pull, pull the aero cover directly away from the wheel, straight toward your body. Don't twist or yank violently. The goal is to disengage all the retaining clips simultaneously. You should hear a series of "pops" or "clicks" as the clips release.
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Continue Pulling Until Free: Keep pulling until the entire aero cover comes free from the wheel. It might feel a bit resistant at first, but with a consistent pull, it will release.
Pro Tip: If it feels stuck, try shifting your grip slightly to different points around the perimeter and applying even pressure. Avoid pulling just one section, as this can put uneven stress on the clips.
Step 3: The Gentle Pry (If Needed) ️
While the direct pull works for most, sometimes a cover can be a little stubborn. In such cases, a gentle prying motion can assist, but extreme caution is advised to prevent cosmetic damage.
Sub-heading: Tools for a Gentle Pry
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Plastic Trim Removal Tool (Recommended): If you have one, a plastic pry tool designed for automotive trim is ideal as it's less likely to scratch.
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Flathead Screwdriver (Use with Extreme Caution!): If you absolutely must use a flathead screwdriver, wrap the tip in a thick microfiber cloth or electrical tape to prevent scratching the wheel or the cover.
Sub-heading: How to Pry Safely
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Locate a Seam or Edge: Find a small gap or edge where the aero cover meets the actual wheel rim.
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Insert the Protected Tool: Carefully insert the protected tip of your tool into this gap.
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Leverage Gently: Apply a gentle, outward leverage. Do not force it. Work your way around the cover, applying slight pressure at multiple points to help release the clips. This is more about assisting the release than brute force.
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Combine with Pulling: As you gently pry, simultaneously try pulling the cover outwards with your hands, similar to Step 2. The combination of gentle prying and pulling often does the trick.
Important Note: The primary goal is not to bend or damage the plastic clips on the back of the aero cover or scratch your beautiful alloy wheels. Patience and a gentle touch are key here.
Step 4: Storing Your Aero Covers
Once you've successfully removed your aero covers, proper storage is essential to keep them in pristine condition.
QuickTip: Read with curiosity — ask ‘why’ often.
Sub-heading: Cleaning Before Storage
Before putting them away, it's a great idea to give your aero covers a quick clean.
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Wipe Down: Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe off any dirt, dust, or brake residue.
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Gentle Soap (Optional): For stubborn grime, a mild car soap solution can be used. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
Sub-heading: Ideal Storage Solutions
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Flat Surface: Store them flat, ideally stacked on top of each other with a soft cloth or foam padding in between each cover to prevent scratching.
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Wall Mounts/Hooks: Some enthusiasts use specialized wall mounts or large hooks to hang their covers, ensuring they don't get bent or creased.
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Original Packaging (If Available): If you still have the original packaging, it's often designed for safe storage.
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Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Store them in a place where they won't be exposed to extreme heat or cold, as this could potentially affect the plastic over time.
Step 5: Admire Your Uncovered Wheels (and Consider the Next Steps!)
Congratulations! Your Tesla now boasts a new look. Take a moment to admire the alloy wheels underneath.
Sub-heading: What You Might See
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The "Naked" Alloys: You'll see the bare alloy wheels, which often have a more intricate or sporty design than when covered.
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Lug Nuts: The lug nuts will now be visible. If your Tesla has lug nut covers (small caps over each lug nut), you might want to remove those too for a fully exposed look, or to access the lug nuts for tire work. Tesla typically provides a small tool for removing these in your glovebox.
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Brake Dust/Grime: Don't be surprised if there's some accumulated brake dust or road grime on the wheels themselves. This is an excellent opportunity to give them a thorough cleaning!
Sub-heading: Aftermarket Accessories
Many owners choose to add custom center caps or even entire aftermarket wheel cover kits that offer a different aesthetic or aerodynamic profile. This is the perfect time to consider those options if you're looking for further personalization!
QuickTip: Skim the intro, then dive deeper.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to remove Tesla Model 3 aero wheel covers?
Grasp the cover firmly with both hands, pulling directly outwards from the wheel to release the clips.
How to remove Tesla Model Y aero wheel covers?
Similar to the Model 3, grasp the cover with both hands and pull steadily outward until the retaining clips release.
How to remove Tesla aero wheel cover center cap?
The center cap is usually integrated into the aero cover itself. If you're referring to the small Tesla logo center cap when the aero cover is removed, there's often a small tool provided by Tesla (or a plastic pry tool) to gently pry it off.
How to remove Tesla Model S aero wheel covers?
While less common on newer Model S, if your Model S has aero covers, the principle is the same: firm, even pulling directly away from the wheel.
Tip: Keep the flow, don’t jump randomly.
How to clean Tesla aero wheel covers?
Wipe them down with a damp microfiber cloth. For stubborn grime, use a mild car soap solution, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely.
How to install Tesla aero wheel covers?
Align the aero cover with the valve stem on the wheel. Firmly press the center of the cover, then work your way around the outer perimeter of each spoke until all clips snap into place.
How to protect Tesla wheels after removing aero covers?
Consider applying a ceramic coating or sealant to the alloy wheels to make them easier to clean and protect against brake dust and environmental elements. You can also purchase a wheel cap kit to cover the lug nuts and center hub.
How to avoid scratching wheels when removing aero covers?
Use a soft microfiber cloth if prying, and apply even, steady pressure when pulling. Avoid using sharp metal tools directly against the wheel.
How to know if my Tesla has aero wheel covers?
Aero wheel covers are large, often plastic, covers that completely cover the underlying alloy wheel spokes. They typically have a more enclosed design to improve aerodynamics.
How to reattach a loose Tesla aero wheel cover?
Ensure all clips on the back of the cover are intact. Align the cover with the valve stem, and then firmly press around the entire perimeter until all clips audibly snap back into place. Give each spoke a quick pull to confirm it's secure.
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