Lowering a Model 3 or Model Y is one of the best-looking upgrades you can do. But how low can you actually go before you're scraping driveways and chewing tires? Here's the practical answer.
The short version
- Lowering springs drop most Teslas about 1 to 1.5 inches — the daily-driver sweet spot.
- Coilovers let you set your exact height, mild to aggressive.
- Past about 1.5 to 2 inches you start trading away usability.
- Almost any drop needs a camber kit and an alignment to protect your tires.
Lowering springs: the easy drop
For most owners, lowering springs bring the car down roughly 1 to 1.5 inches. This is the sweet spot: noticeably lower, still comfortable, and usually fine for daily driving, speed bumps, and most driveways. It's the simplest and most affordable way to get the look.
Coilovers: dial in your exact height
If you want to go lower — or want to set the height yourself — coilovers are the move. They're height-adjustable, so you can run a mild drop for daily use or go aggressive for shows and meets, and fine-tune ride quality along the way. New to coilovers? Read What Are Coilovers and Are They Worth It?
BC Racing BR Series Coilovers — Model 3 & Y
Height-adjustable, street-friendly, and built for a clean, usable drop.
Shop coilovers →So how low is too low?
Past about 1.5 to 2 inches, you start trading away the things that make a Tesla easy to live with.
| Drop | Look | Daily livability |
|---|---|---|
| 0.75" – 1.25" | Clean, factory-plus | Excellent — daily with no drama |
| 1.25" – 1.75" | Aggressive, dialed | Good — mind steep driveways |
| 2"+ | Slammed, show stance | Compromised — scraping and rub |
The lower you go, the more you'll deal with:
- Scraping on driveways, speed bumps, and parking blocks.
- Tire rubbing on aggressive setups or wider wheels.
- Faster inside-edge tire wear from the added negative camber.
Going lower is the easy part. Keeping it usable is where the right parts matter.
The part everyone forgets: camber
The lower you go, the more your camber changes — which is why most lowered Teslas also need a camber kit to keep the tires wearing evenly. Skip it and you'll be buying tires far sooner than you should. Full breakdown here: Do You Need a Camber Kit After Lowering Your Tesla?
Rear Camber Kit — Model 3 & Y
Pair it with your drop so the geometry stays tire-friendly.
Shop camber kit →The right setup for a clean, usable drop
- Springs or coilovers for the drop itself.
- Camber arms to correct geometry and protect your tires.
- An alignment afterward to set everything to spec.
Shop parts for your car: Tesla Model 3 or Tesla Model Y.
Pro tip
Not sure how low to go? Start with a mild drop on coilovers. You can always lower it more later without buying new parts — and your driveways will thank you.
Tell us how low you want to go
Ride Rite comes to you, installs your springs or coilovers plus a camber kit, and sets your Tesla up to sit right and drive right.
Find parts for your Tesla →
