Your Tesla doesn’t come with a spare tire, and the repair kit isn’t included either

New owners often assume there’s a spare tire tucked under the trunk floor. There isn’t — and unlike a lot of other automakers, Tesla doesn’t include a tire repair kit standard, either. Here’s what’s actually available, and what to do if you get a flat.

Tesla sells the repair kit separately

Tesla’s Air Compressor + Tire Repair Kit is a $110 accessory, not something that comes with a new car. It includes an air compressor, a bottle of sealant, and a storage bag; Model Y versions add an extension cable. You have to be signed in with a verified Tesla account tied to an owned vehicle just to buy one.

Per Tesla’s support page, the kit only handles punctures up to 6 mm (about a quarter inch) in the tread — not the sidewall — and it’s a temporary fix. Tesla says not to drive more than 62 miles on a repaired tire before getting it inspected by a specialist.

What Roadside Assistance actually covers

If you don’t have a kit and get a flat, Tesla’s roadside assistance policy covers flat-tire service — repair or replacement completed through Tesla — for up to 50 miles from where you’re stranded. Request it from the Roadside button in the Tesla app. In some regions, Tesla’s contracted providers carry a limited number of loaner wheels for a quick swap; mounting a replacement tire on your original wheel at a service center costs extra. If nobody nearby can help on the spot, the car gets towed to the closest Tesla Service Center.

What that means for you

Most owners end up in one of two camps: buy Tesla’s kit (or a comparable third-party sealant-and-compressor kit) and keep it in the trunk, or rely entirely on Roadside Assistance and hope help is within range. Given that Tesla’s own kit can’t touch a sidewall puncture or anything larger than 6 mm, it’s worth knowing its limits before you count on it — for anything bigger than that, you’re calling for a tow either way.

Photo by Erik Mclean.