Do most people run the hub caps or remove them?

They provide an air drag reduction at highway speeds. It’s been proven with science and stuff. You can remove them, but on the highway it might cost you a percent or so of range. I leave mine on.

Yeah, I was wondering how much they actually help.

I recall seeing highly intimidating colorful graphs indicating a non-insignificant amount. Like a full percentage point if you were driving the whole range of the charge at highway speeds.

I leave them on.  I have a 2022 M3LR with 18" aero covers.  They rattle a lot.  I think they're easily damaged when tires are rotated and then start rattling.  I took them off once but then you need some kind of cover for the hub nut.  I haven't really looked into better OEM or aftermarket covers, but I might someday.

Grok gave me an answer of 3-5%, citing several studies.

took mines off. got cheap nut cap set on amazon. car looks much nicer. [https://www.amazon.com/Knomix-Exterior-Decoration-Center-Hubcaps/dp/B0F7LN1X3G?crid=2DHS5MXC8PWIE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tNagUriu\_coOcEnSemvNplbpGQwwXPu6tYoaajbk3P2WBs2Bqu8FKoAj4XbgW0eVLnuDMO55Tloqi5n3w6414PSEKTs1amNKIkxRt7ypNmmOAEx4ZISGPkW9TQIRGwMrumUYEtb5lreICZ9pm\_GArDYjgL2QJ0j3ZC2F6X3Wnk4Mwz8EkUoLYMspnHK47FOoVldF3fLfvfWaxHc2\_pg7LUoLr0qacOxpQdUUwsvzyC0.jLHDM8GMR\_Gpjb6BEdF\_D2PTOlif\_3qYagSyZJbQs8U&dib\_tag=se&keywords=tesla%2Bwheel%2Bnut%2Bcover&qid=1766153985&sprefix=tesla%2Bwheel%2Bcnut%2Bover%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-10&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/Knomix-Exterior-Decoration-Center-Hubcaps/dp/B0F7LN1X3G?crid=2DHS5MXC8PWIE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tNagUriu_coOcEnSemvNplbpGQwwXPu6tYoaajbk3P2WBs2Bqu8FKoAj4XbgW0eVLnuDMO55Tloqi5n3w6414PSEKTs1amNKIkxRt7ypNmmOAEx4ZISGPkW9TQIRGwMrumUYEtb5lreICZ9pm_GArDYjgL2QJ0j3ZC2F6X3Wnk4Mwz8EkUoLYMspnHK47FOoVldF3fLfvfWaxHc2_pg7LUoLr0qacOxpQdUUwsvzyC0.jLHDM8GMR_Gpjb6BEdF_D2PTOlif_3qYagSyZJbQs8U&dib_tag=se&keywords=tesla%2Bwheel%2Bnut%2Bcover&qid=1766153985&sprefix=tesla%2Bwheel%2Bcnut%2Bover%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-10&th=1)

I have them off. They are ugly.

I like my Photon covers. They look cool.

Go with the gloss or matte black?

Really all up to you. Lots of companues ake them. tesla also made their own version where its like just a star cap. I think the ones i got are gloss. All black.

You have the base model 3?

I run the covers, would get the smaller ones to test it out but they're too expensive for what they're worth, i also don't trust other manufacturers to get the color right

They rattle, and trap a lot of brake dust, too. But I leave mine on for the efficiency factor. 🤷🏻‍♂️

just to mix it up I like to take them off in the summer and put them on in the winter when range is a little more important

I mostly city drive so the efficiency hit to remove them is so minor, and the 18's look so much better with them off, I leave them off. If I have a road trip or something coming up I'll throw them on

I've read 4% before, so that would back that up

2023 Long Range Model 3

i had one break here, one there. I trued the cheap knock offs, they didnt last long. Now i'm running with hub plugs and that's in. those arro covers dont last long in crappy winter conditions.

I’ve also read 4%. On Reddit, just now.

Replaced mine with Haloblk covers but may upgrade to aftmkt 20s at some point.

I actually like the look on my 24 M3P.

run it. get get 3-5% extra range.

Telsa says it would reduce 10 miles to your range in the manual or their site

I see most all cars running with the covers. I maybe see 1 here and there without them. I have driven Hundreds of miles with them, without them, and with a super flat one. And overall have not seen any real world differences in distance. Weather, Temp, driving style seem to far far far outweight any benefits provided. I am sure there are measurable differences. But I have gotten 340 mi/kw with them and then 260 mi/kw without them on the same trip. And then it all flips the next day. and later in the same day. What I mean is. All of the other stuff is sooo much more impactful. Whatever benefit these provide is lost in the noise. I use mine for peace of mind knowing they are doing "something" and cause I prefer the way they look over the rims.

I’ve had mine on since early 2020 in Maine and they’re holding up just fine.

On

Me too.  I've tried putting tape on the clips, but I didn't do a great job and they still rattle.  Toying with the idea of foam tape  or sticky rubber bumpers on the outer edges.  Might end up looking dorky though.

They’re hideous and I have no plans to run the battery low enough to ever matter

They look good to me. And serve a purpose. Leave them on!

Nah, mine came off 5 minutes after getting home from the dealership. Covers went into bags and my new center caps went on.

Totally agree. They turn a nice-looking, luxurious car into a Hyundai.

On in winter and off in summer replaced by the center caps you can buy.

Also cover up nice wheels for 3% extra range lol.

Off. They're ugly and 1 or 2% is meaningless

Same I just read 4% here on reddit. About 2h after you posted this.

I left mine on… call me lazy but I just don’t wanna be bothered… I actually think it probably looks better with them off, but I think they’ll stay cleaner, the rims that is, with them on and of course you get the better mileage, not that I’m even worried about a couple miles… the option is always there.

2018 Model 3 here… Give yourself 30 days with them on. When I first got the car I was sure I was going to ditch them - even bought the decorative center cap and lug nut covers. But, the aero’s grew on me and now I much prefer the look.

But is 10-12 miles per charge really worth looking like a dork? This is sort of a joke but also, not a joke.

Look at my haloblk thread. I have different ones haha got flamed 🔥

I've had mine through several nasty winters with lots of snow ice slush salt you name it and they're doing just fine.

What's a hub cap? I have a 2025 M3P with black 20" wheels.

Same

I leave mine on but by huge coincidence I lost one a couple of days ago. Maybe it was a victim of a pothole. £34 / $46, including shipping, for a replacement.

I saw somewhere it’s around 4%

4% according to many via Reddit.

I removed them. The car looks a lot better. Yes, I realize there is a reduction in efficiency. But oh well…

I can also confirm I saw that on reddit.

Uhhhh..just looks at the million teslas you see driving every day?

I'll see your 4% and raise you 1.

this is the way

Strictly speaking, these are also hub caps: https://www.ebay.com/itm/376372203002 :P

I like how it looks with them removed. That being said they're just to improve fuel efficiency. I'd take em off.

Which is correct and not worth sacrificing looks, IMO.

Um..... OK honestly, it's not the wheel covers that make me look like a dork.  But let me think so please...

I hit standing water on a flooded, unlit country road at night, it took off my front number plate and the two front hub caps. I never recovered them, so I took the rear two off as well, for balance.

Yes.

I remember when I got my first model 3, the manual said 3-5% on the old 18” aero rims. I’d imagine it’s a bit more on the highland performance rims since I remember seeing someone say they got a 20 miles reduction with them off which is a little over 5%.

On for us. Wife likes them and it saves money, so double win.

When I took the covers off of my car, everyone I work with commented on the car saying stuff like "Wow, did you get new wheels? Your car looks great!" Kind of sealed the deal for me keeping them off. 2026 Model Y AWD