Remove stone/debris from brake shield

If you suddenly hear a squeaking, grinding, or scraping sound from the car's brakes or wheels while driving (even at very low speeds), it's likely that a stone or debris has gotten stuck between the brake rotor and the brake shield.

The sound is caused by stones or debris scraping against the brake rotors as they rotate with the wheel. This situation does not affect braking performance, but you should remove the stone or debris as soon as you can.

Remove stones or debris from the brake shield:

Warning: If the vehicle has been driven recently, brake components may be hot. Avoid injury by not touching hot brake components.

• Put the vehicle in park.
• Remove the Aero cover from the wheel if the car is equipped with it. See Remove and Install Aero covers.
• Wear a glove and gently press the top, sides, and bottom of the brake shield until the stone or debris falls out.

Caution: Avoid using tools or objects that could damage the brake shield or wheel. Do not press too hard on the brake shield to prevent permanent bending.

• Repeat steps 2–3 on the other brake shields if necessary.
• Check that the sound is no longer heard.
• Reinstall the Aero cover on the wheel if equipped. See Remove and Install Aero covers.

Note: If you were unable to remove the stone or debris using the above procedure, you can try driving slowly and alternating between forward and reverse (drive forward for a few seconds, stop, and then slowly drive backward for a few seconds). Repeat this several times or until the sound is no longer heard. Make sure to do this in a safe area and be aware of your surroundings. If the sound persists, use the mobile app to contact Tesla or schedule a service appointment.