Reminder to change your air filters.
Reminder to change your tesla air filters.
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Reminder to change your tesla air filters.
Model 3's two cabin filters should be replaced every 2 years. If you live somewhere dry and dusty you could probably do it more often.
I replaced both with new filters from Tesla. I walked into the service center and back out in 5 minutes. They even used my card on file so I literally just had to ask and then I had parts and an invoice in my email.
I replace mine when the AC starts to stink lol which is usually once a year.
Same. I also smell other car exhaust more noticeably too
Take the potato out of the tail pipe
Darn it, I completely forgot to remove it
The strong rotting milk smell? So I had that issue, and my first go when changing the filter was to use a foam cleaner in the filter area. Worked decently, but the smell came back the next year. Something to do with the way the water builds up in there. I did read on one of the forums the trick is to run the defroster on max for half an hour to an hour when that smell starts. I did it once, and I've been good since, so now I'm on the every two year cycle for filters.
I turned off cabin overheat protection and no more smell
Good to know, thanks.
What did they charge you?
$17/per +tax
That’s not bad. If you want to save some money you can buy a 4 pack on Amazon for $36. It’s not hard to change out yourself.
I did change them myself. I prefer to buy OEM parts while my car is in warranty even if it's an air filter.
Tesla ships them free 35$ for the 2 of them for my 2019 M3
I also live 5-15 minutes from 3 Service Centers sooo not going to wait for shipping.
Lucky you! It’s a 3-4 hour round trip for me and using mobile service is fantastic too. I’m very grateful that’s available.
lol my service center would tell you to book an appointment that’s 3 weeks out and don’t even think about a loaner
Lol mine takes me in from making a vague service request the night before and gives me a loaner even though it'll only be 15 minutes. I never turn it in till after they close hours later. Figure I might as well uber their vehicle for the day and get free autopilot 🤣 😂
Did you use the official ones or did you buy a 3rd party brand?
I would like to know this as well since there are a few on Amazon. How often should we change them? I often get that weird smell.
Every two years
Manual says every year
At least once a year. On every vehicle you own.
Cabin filters and intake filters as well if your car has one.
Once a year!
I got the two replacements from a Tesla service center.
my first replacements I bought OEM ones, but this time around I bought 3rd party that have a carbon filter to it. I am hoping it stops my AC from smelling like dirty socks after awhile.
New filters won’t fix it but this video has some workarounds
https://youtu.be/vQxP6PaSmLc?si=7Y9TAyPfqR3ZBpL9
Hate to say it but it won’t. I bought a hepa with carbon prefilter a year ago and it is now stating to stink. You’ll have to buy the AC cleaner from Amazon. It’ll last you about a year before it stinks again.
So obnoxious! My husband’s Chrysler did the same thing. Had to spray that stuff into it every time the filter was changed! Thanks for letting me know!
What year model do you have?
'21
I always go official filters.
Air filters can have different flows, and if a 3rd party brand is more restrictive it can put more stress on the blower motor and burn out your motor.
I have a 2019 and replaced my air filters twice so far and each time I ordered Tesla filters.
They sell them cheap shipped. It helps that they're only like $35 shipped to your door. 1st party no brainer.
https://shop.tesla.com/product/model-3_y-air-filter
edit: Blower motors under high static pressure conditions do not burn out. You'll get less airflow. Or higher power consumption for the same airflow, which means high vehicle power consumption in general. The blower motor uses quite a bit of power IIRC. Like up to 500 watts.
I changed them after a year after listening to so many people about them being filthy and mine were pretty much new. I think it all depends on where you are, how much you drive. Not applicable to everyone.
Of course, but just because there isn't large debris doesn't mean there isn't smaller dust you can't see 🔍
It depends on how much you use your climate control as well!
You don’t need to remind anyone. They can smell it every 3 months
Is it worth to pay for original ones?
I also wonder how expensive are they?
They were $17 each and you need two. Kind of pricey for filters I suppose but I'd rather put OEM for a few more bucks than for Tesla to be able to deny a warranty claim on the HVAC system due to not using their filters.
Idk)
Yes of course
I saw you can get replacement screws or something to make it easier to change. The stock one is a slight hassle.
Yes I have that. It is magnetic
Wait, first I've heard of that. Where did you get it? Google/amazon search not showing me any.
Here I ran a search for you. If you use keywords like Tesla, cabin, air filter, magnetic or screen you can be successful. Here’s an example product https://abstractocean.com/products/air-filter-magnetic-cover
You can also find modified screws.
Thank you, sir. Unfortunately, looks like its only for pre 2020 models.
Which were much more of a PITA to change. The newer ones are a lot easier. Not sure about Highland.
I think Abstract Ocean
Didn’t they did an investigation that the mold smell was coming from those types of filters, because the bottom piece is always wet?
I saw someone did a video on that recently, mine were not wet even after recent rains and they did not appear to have ever been wet either. There definitely is a flaw in the design of the cars HVAC ingress though that allows water in.
https://youtu.be/vQxP6PaSmLc?si=jFGs7AT-nLhpkW_g
Watch part 1 and 2 to avoid the inevitable wet cabin air filter bacteria mold smell
Does the car tell you when to change?
NO, I do it every year. This winter was a wet one. Water probably got in the filter.
Clean the AC coils while youre at it.
I replaced it myself it only took about 10 mins
Yep it's very easy, especially if youve done any work on cars. I think it gets overlooked by people because we don't have to service much else.
I've changed air filters in all my cars since my 2001 BMW 5 series, just open the hood and remove plastic covers. Looked up where filters are in my 2019 Model 3 and...yeah I'm not doing that myself. It's easier with the newer models though. I think it's cost me $100 do have the Tesla guy come to my driveway and do it, well worth it.
Engine air filters are in the engine bay sure, all cabin filters on the myriad of cars I've worked on are in the cabin. It's quite easy but if you don't mind the extra cost absolutely have them come do it. For me I have the tools and it was easy enough that it took less than 10 minutes to do.
How often do we need to do the change?
Every 2 years is the recommended interval.
Thanks for the advice!
Is mildew smell still an issue for the 2022 model 3’s?
My wife has a 2023 rwd and it has the smell.
The stank is reminder enough.
i replace mine every year. lots of allergens such as dust and pollen here in austin. the humidity in some parts of texas doesn't help either.
Can I spray perfume on my filters to make my cabin smell nicer?
Can I spray perfume
On my filters to make my
Cabin smell nicer?
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Dampness is what enables mold or fungus to grow on it. When I had a couple of low humidity years in Denver, the filters lasted for two years. When in a high humidity area (I'm now in Houston), you can expect the mildew smell to become noticeable more often.
I think the Tesla air system has something in its design that traps moisture. Running the fan at its lowest speed continuously would probably address the issue. But with an EV, you don't want the constant drain.
Do you drive by a lawn mower daily?
I bought the car used and it came this way. I live in the desert though so more or less 😂
Has anyone had any issue with Tesla using the 3rd party ones?
I paid Tesla $50 total to do this one. Have them do it about once a year. With how much the filters cost I don’t mind paying a small amount more to just have them do it. Totally worth it.
I still have the originals in my car. They're still fine after 5.5 years, right? Right?
Even if it doesn’t smell. I would change it lol. Especially after 5.5 years.
I actually do plan to actually change them this spring.
Thats disgusting. If they are full of debris it will make your HVAC work harder which leads to failure.
It only takes 10 minutes to swap filters...
Lol well pictured is 4 years of desert abuse, I would probably change them sooner than later, you'll surely notice a difference.
I swapped mine recently for the first time after a horrid deathly smell was consistent in the car when we would get in. The air intake design is super flawed and throws water into it and I live in a pretty wet/humid climate. Bought some frunk seal upgrade off Amazon and it forces the water to divert directly down and only allows air to intake from the grate and it made a massive difference.