Mechanics and shop owners discovered a clever move that Tesla implemented sometime in the middle of last year on the 2023 Tesla Model Ys. Tesla slapped down some smaller rear brake components hidden under the sporty-looking red brake calipers. Basically, Tesla gave Model Y buyers an “upgrade” that you could easily get at AutoZone. Despite the actual size of the rear brake parts, the calipers make them Look larger.
Did Tesla ever say that the 2023 Model Y has new brakes?
Technically yes. According to CarScoopsTesla 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 Brembo; now those built after August 15, 2022 use Command parts. DriveTeslaCanada reports that Tesla also said this change would not affect braking performance.
CarScoops also mentions that aftermarket Tesla parts supplier ZEVcentic took to Twitter to share their unique insight. Sometime last weekend, ZEVcentric posted this little tidbit about Tesla’s brake swap to their feed:
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 caliper and smaller rotor which is the same on LR. So now you’re just paying for the same brakes, just red. pic.twitter.com/FXinpySrTu
— ZEVcéntrico (@ZEVcéntrico) January 8, 2023
“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 caliper and smaller rotor which is the same on 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! pic.twitter.com/udBZFB3JRi
— ZEVcéntrico (@ZEVcéntrico) January 8, 2023
This wouldn’t be such a big deal without the fact that Tesla’s website specifically says that part of the Model Y Performance upgrade is “Performance Brakes.” Granted, 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, let alone a “performance” one, says ZEVcentric.
There doesn’t really seem to be any advantage to these new red brake calipers other than, well, they’re red. I think if that matters to you, then you’re in good shape. The first Twitter post references that they are almost identical to the brakes used on the Long Range model. CarScoops mentions that the only measurable difference between the two sets of brakes is that the rotor on the “performance” version is 2mm thicker.
The folks at ZEVcentric also noted that the front brakes could be the same as well. The store has not proven his theory. They have yet to confirm. However, the shop feels “cheated” by the change to the rear brake rotors and calipers.
Did Tesla lie?
I feel like this question is being asked more and more often. Either way, practices like this don’t help customers feel better about the ever-changing landscape that is Tesla. Maybe Elon will clear all this up in a Tweet.