The Cybertruck sits on huge tires measuring 285/65 R20. These are mounted on black, actually quite attractive rims, which were previously standard under a hubcap. Because Tesla, like every model, equipped the Cybertruck with aerodynamic hubcaps that were intended to increase the range. But if you are one of the lucky ones who are currently allowed to drive such a truck from the farm, you will no longer be able to get the hubcaps.
The reason is quite embarrassing: the shape and tight fit of the hubcaps directly on the tire leads to a lot of wear on the tire sidewalls and can even destroy them. Tesla had actually even thought of this possible case: There are indentations in the tread where the hubcap protrudes above the tire so that there is no permanent friction. However, the “T Sportline” YouTube channel clearly explains that they apparently did not take into account the changes in the tire that occur while driving.
Because it’s like this: where the tire touches the ground, it bulges. This is completely normal, but it does cause the hubcap and tire to touch each other. Ultimately, this acts like a kind of eraser: the constant friction causes material to be removed, causing the tire to suffer.
Tesla now has to react and redesign the hubcaps – because it is conceivable that the tire sidewalls on a Cybertruck with high mileage will reach their wear limit before the actual tread.
For vehicle owners who already drive a Cybertruck with hubcaps, the advice now is: It’s best to take them off. Tesla also announced this. According to the manufacturer, you should be able to expect a replacement from around March, as those affected report in the “Cybertruck Owners Club”.
However, there is no direct danger: the sidewall of a tire is not as safety-critical as the tread because it does not come into contact with the road. This is more about avoidable wear and tear over a long period of time. Only when you can see the cord threads does a serious problem arise. However, this tends to happen more quickly on sidewalls that suffer from friction than on the tread because they are thinner. It is therefore important to avoid increased wear.
The Cybertruck’s hubcaps have already been criticized: When driving off-road, the manufacturer explicitly recommends removing them beforehand, as they can easily come off under heavy strain on the tires. However, the same seems to apply to driving on normal roads, as there are videos circulating on the Internet that show that Cybertrucks can lose their large covers even on the highway. A redesign probably can’t hurt anyway.
