Mechanics and shop owners discovered a sneaky game that was implemented in the middle of last year in the 80s. Tesla slapped on some smaller rear brake components hidden under the sporty-looking red brake calipers. Tesla basically offered buyers an “upgrade” that you could just as easily do at AutoZone. Despite the actual size of the rear brake parts, the calipers make them Look bigger.
Did Tesla ever mention that the 2023 Model Y features new brakes?
Technically yes. According to , Tesla said the 2023 Model Y features new brakes, sort of. Tesla said it was changing brake manufacturers for the 2023 model year. The previous Model Y used brake components from ; now, those built after August 15, 2022, use Mando parts. DriveTeslaCanada reports that Tesla has also said this change will not affect braking performance.
— ZEVcentric (@ZEVcentric)
“When we took delivery of our 2023 Model Y last month. At some point, Tesla decided to put caliper covers on the Performance Y. What does that mean? It’s a smaller caliber and smaller rotor which is the same on the LR [Long Range]. So now you’re just paying for the same brakes, just red.
Did Tesla promise “performance brakes?”
Old caliper, bigger rotor = more surface area = better stopping power!
— ZEVcentric (@ZEVcentric)
This wouldn’t be a big deal without the fact that Tesla’s website specifically states that part of the Model Y performance upgrade is “Performance Brakes.” Admittedly, the website copy doesn’t explain what exactly that means.
“You pay for an upgrade and you don’t get an upgrade. Paint is not an upgrade in my book, much less a ‘performance’ one,” says ZEVcentric.
There really doesn’t seem to be any benefit to these new red brake calipers other than, well, they’re red. I believe if this is important to you, then you are in good shape. The first Twitter post mentions that they are nearly identical to the brakes used on the Long Range model. CarScoops cite the only measurable difference between the two sets of brakes is that the “performance” version’s rotor is 2mm thicker.
The folks over at ZEVcentric also noted that the front brakes could be the same as well. The shop has not tested his theory. They have yet to confirm. However, the shop feels “cheated” by the change of rear brake rotors and calipers.
Did Tesla lie?
I feel this question is being asked more and more. Either way, practices like this aren’t helping customers feel any better about the ever-changing landscape that is Tesla. Maybe Elon will clarify everything in a Tweet.
