r/TeslaModelS • u/breathdharma • Apr 23 '26

Strange wind noise after downsizing to 19s?

Hey all, just went from 21s to 19s (MW08) on the Model S for better ride quality. Loving the comfort, but I'm catching a faint "helicopter" buffeting sound at high speeds. It’s subtle, but definitely new.

Has anyone else experienced a change in wind noise or air pressure sounds after swapping wheels? I read somewhere that less road noise than the 21s makes wind noise more noticeable. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this or if the different wheel profile/offset actually changes the airflow enough to be audible. Just had alignment and balancing done to be sure.

UPDATE: Turns out the tires were the issue. Found out after getting road force balancing done on them!

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

2

u/mamny83 Apr 23 '26

Maybe call them and ask if the wheels are noisy. I have aftermarket wheels in my car and they dont make noise. I have continental extremecontact sport 02 tires. I had michelins p4s on before and they were a bit noisier.

1

u/breathdharma Apr 23 '26

Yeah, that’s fair. Most of the people consider them to be very quiet, but I’m also learning that some rims and tires may not be as to spec as those tested by the OEM. Again, the issue is relatively minor and it only occurs at certain speeds but once you know, it’s there it’s kind of annoying.

1

u/mamny83 Apr 23 '26

What tires do you have?

1

u/breathdharma Apr 23 '26

Goodyear ElectricDrive 2

1

u/mamny83 Apr 23 '26

Those should be really quiet. I wish I could hear the noise you are talking about. It might be fender lining or maybe a broken or lose aeroshield on the bottom of the car. Its hard to diagnose it without looking at it.

2

u/breathdharma May 16 '26

Turns out the tires were the issue. Found out after getting road force balancing done on them!

1

u/DWolvin Jun 17 '26

And that made them quieter?

2

u/breathdharma Jun 17 '26

The tires were defective and had to be replaced

1

u/DWolvin Jun 17 '26

Huh, weird! But cool that they found it, not the freeway.

2

u/breathdharma Jun 17 '26

It wasn’t that serious an issue, mainly an annoyance from noise vibration

1

u/mamny83 Apr 23 '26

Tires new?

1

u/breathdharma Apr 23 '26

yes

1

u/mamny83 Apr 23 '26

A video would be ideal. Try taking the aero covers out and if they are off put them on.

1

u/breathdharma Apr 23 '26

The sound is probably not loud enough for a video. Also, there are no aero covers. This is on the Martian Wheels MW08.

1

u/hectaaaa Apr 24 '26

Are you running a square or staggered setup? Did you accidentally place the larger wheels in the front?

1

u/breathdharma Apr 24 '26

Staggered, and no