When it rains, it pours. I just got my Tesla Model Y back from service to address some door issues, and wouldn’t you know it, Abby takes the car out and catches a screw in the tire. To make matters worse, it was in that “no-repair” zone near the sidewall. After checking prices at America’s Tires and getting quoted nearly $800 just for two OEM Continental RX replacements, I decided it was time for a change.
If I’m already shelling out that kind of cash, why not go all in? I decided to pull my old 20-inch RVRN wheels out of storage and wrap them in a fresh set of Falken Azenis tires. This wasn’t just about looks, though; I wanted to solve some specific issues I had with the stock 19-inch setup.
The Strategy: Going “Squared” for Longevity
On my previous setup, I ran a staggered fitment (wider tires in the rear). This time, I’m going with a squared setup. For those who don’t know, a squared setup means the wheels and tires are the same size on all four corners.
Why do this? Rotations. Tesla vehicles are notorious for eating through rear tires because of the weight of the battery and the aggressive negative camber. By going squared with 255/40/20 tires all around, I can actually rotate them properly and extend the life of the set. Plus, I bumped the aspect ratio from a 35 to a 40. I wanted more “meat” on the bone—more sidewall to protect the rims and keep the ride quality plush.
Technical Specs: The New Setup
I headed down to see Javier at Rialto Tire Center. He’s been my go-to guy for a while now, and he helped me source these Falkens. These specific tires feature the “Silent Core” technology, which is essentially a foam insert inside the tire designed to dampen road noise—a must-have for EVs.
| Feature | Stock 19″ Setup | New 20″ Upgrade |
| Wheel Size | 19-inch Crossflow | 20-inch RVRN |
| Tire Model | Continental RX | Falken Azenis (Silent Core) |
| Tire Size | 255/45/19 | 255/40/20 (Squared) |
| Aspect Ratio | 45 | 40 |
| Special Tech | OEM Foam | Silent Core Foam Technology |
| Configuration | Squared | Squared |
The Install Process and a Small Hiccup
The process at Javier’s shop was smooth, though I did have a “classic Sherwin” moment—I forgot my custom lug nuts at home! I had to drive the Model Y back home on the stock wheels (sans TPMS sensors) just to grab them.
Once we got the TPMS sensors swapped over to the RVRN wheels and the Falkens mounted, the car looked transformed. The 40 aspect ratio fills out the wheel well beautifully. It gives the Model Y a more aggressive, planted stance without looking like I’m riding on rubber bands.
Road Test: Noise, Comfort, and Efficiency
The big question with any wheel upgrade on a Tesla is: How much range am I going to lose?
1. Road Noise
Thanks to the Silent Core foam, the road noise is almost identical to the stock 19s. If I’m being hyper-critical, it’s maybe a tiny bit noisier, but once the music is on, you can’t tell the difference.
2. Ride Quality
I was worried that jumping to a 20-inch wheel would make the ride harsh. However, by choosing the 40 aspect ratio instead of a 35, I maintained enough sidewall to absorb the bumps. It feels just as comfortable as the stock setup, if not slightly more stable in the corners.
3. Efficiency
Here is where the trade-off happens. Moving from the aerodynamic 19-inch Crossflow wheels (with covers) to open 20-inch alloys naturally creates more drag. On my first few commutes, I definitely noticed a dip in efficiency. I’ll be doing more long-term testing to get the exact Wh/mi numbers, but for now, the aesthetic and handling gains are well worth the small range hit.
Final Thoughts on the Falken Upgrade
I’m stoked with how this turned out. Both the Cybertruck and now the Model Y are rocking Falkens. There’s something about the sidewall design on Falken tires that just looks “right” on tech-forward vehicles like Teslas. If you’re looking to upgrade your wheels, I highly recommend looking into a squared setup for better tire longevity.
