Cabin Air Filter Replacement Questions

[PianoAl]

Cabin Air Filter Questions:

1. We've had Nick for 2.5 years and 67K miles. Coastal area, high humidity, never need AC. No funky smell. Should I replace the filters anyway?

2. I've heard that if you use a HEPA filter, you need to replace them less frequently. That doesn't make sense to me. Is that right?

3. Some say it's best to just go with the normal ones from Tesla. True?

4. What is the exact Torx bit I need for that one screw?

5. Is this video appropriate for Nick (2020)? I've heard the design has changed.

Thanks!

 

[fholbert]

My MY is always on recirculate air. I don't think that uses the HEPA filter.

I always like the Fugal Tesla Guy videos.

 

[ewoodrick]

Cabin Air Filter Questions:

1. We've had Nick for 2.5 years and 67K miles. Coastal area, high humidity, never need AC. No funky smell. Should I replace the filters anyway?

2. I've heard that if you use a HEPA filter, you need to replace them less frequently. That doesn't make sense to me. Is that right?

3. Some say it's best to just go with the normal ones from Tesla. True?

4. What is the exact Torx bit I need for that one screw?

5. Is this video appropriate for Nick (2020)? I've heard the design has changed.

Thanks!

The Model 3 and Model Y, AFAIK, don't use HEPA filters. But HEPA filters are way overrated.
A service rep recently recommended changing yearly, but looking at the maintenance schedule, it's every 2 years.
If your car ever has to have a visit to Tesla, that's always a great time to do it.

 

[Black306]

Cabin Air Filter Questions:

1. We've had Nick for 2.5 years and 67K miles. Coastal area, high humidity, never need AC. No funky smell. Should I replace the filters anyway?

2. I've heard that if you use a HEPA filter, you need to replace them less frequently. That doesn't make sense to me. Is that right?

3. Some say it's best to just go with the normal ones from Tesla. True?

4. What is the exact Torx bit I need for that one screw?

5. Is this video appropriate for Nick (2020)? I've heard the design has changed.

Thanks!

1. IMO, the poor pre-filtering of debris makes it worth replacing the filters and cleaning the bottom of the filter housing.

2.

3. OEM ones were easy to replace. Seen posts voicing issues with figment on occasion with aftermarket filters. Personally, since the OEM ones are so cheap, I go OEM.

4. T20 IIRC

5. ‘20-older use the screw-up-top door. ‘21-newer have the screw on the bottom. Everything else is [basically] the same.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Cabin Air Filter Questions:

1. We've had Nick for 2.5 years and 67K miles. Coastal area, high humidity, never need AC. No funky smell. Should I replace the filters anyway?

2. I've heard that if you use a HEPA filter, you need to replace them less frequently. That doesn't make sense to me. Is that right?

3. Some say it's best to just go with the normal ones from Tesla. True?

4. What is the exact Torx bit I need for that one screw?

5. Is this video appropriate for Nick (2020)? I've heard the design has changed.

Thanks!

I had mine replaced about 2 months ago when the mobile tech was over. It was well worth the $20 Canadian in labour to do it. In case things go wrong, it’s their problem.

 

[fholbert]

The Model 3 and Model Y, AFAIK, don't use HEPA filters. But HEPA filters are way overrated.
A service rep recently recommended changing yearly, but looking at the maintenance schedule, it's every 2 years.
If your car ever has to have a visit to Tesla, that's always a great time to do it.

My Y has HEPA filters, it was introduced on the 3 and Y in 2022.

 

[stopcrazypp]

Cabin Air Filter Questions:

1. We've had Nick for 2.5 years and 67K miles. Coastal area, high humidity, never need AC. No funky smell. Should I replace the filters anyway?

Just because there is no smell doesn't mean the filters aren't dirty. You can visually check if they are dirty, but if you are going to remove them anyways to check it may make sense to just replace them, given by most accounts it's not exactly easy to access them.

2. I've heard that if you use a HEPA filter, you need to replace them less frequently. That doesn't make sense to me. Is that right?

Where have you heard this? I don't see any reason why HEPA filters would be replaced less frequently. Given presumably they are more restrictive, wouldn't you have to replace them more frequently? This is assuming you are talking about straight replacement of the OEM filter with filters that are said to be "HEPA", not modifying the car in some way to use larger filters.

The other points others already addressed.

 

[PianoAl]

Where have you heard this? I don't see any reason why HEPA filters would be replaced less frequently.

Agree. I heard in the above video or another YouTube video.

 

[PianoAl]

Just because there is no smell doesn't mean the filters aren't dirty.

I agree, so then my question is, what problems does a dirty filter cause? I guess the answer is that the fan has to work harder, there's less airflow, and it's unhygienic. Significant?

 

[stopcrazypp]

I agree, so then my question is, what problems does a dirty filter cause? I guess the answer is that the fan has to work harder, there's less airflow, and it's unhygienic. Significant?

Yes, that's generally it. The same applies to a lot of people's home air handler filters. They basically never replace them, but if you open it up, you will see it's caked full of dust. But they can still use it blissfully unaware, given most have enough power to easily power through regardless of the dust.

Depending on your local environment, that may not necessarily be the case for you (as such most car manufacturers have filter replacement requirements that vary, some saying if you live in very dusty environments, it may suggest an alternative interval). The problem here is it's a hassle to check, so once you have them out, it may make sense to swap them so you don't have to try to get at them again.

 

[PianoAl]

Thanks. I'm ordering new filters from Tesla, buying the coil cleaning spray, and I'll do it myself, even though I hate twisting my body into a pretzel.

 

[PianoAl]

Many say that removing the screw at the top of the cover is a major pain. I'm wondering if I'll be able to replace it with something that will make it easier to remove in the future. Wing bolt?? Knurled screw? Screw it in loosely?

 

[Perscitus]

There are aftermarket solutions for this, see e-Commerce sites, MiC resellers and MiA 3D printed options:

AbstractOcean
SilverStand Design
etc.

 

[PianoAl]

Nice.

Air Filter Magnetic Cover

The Air Mag Cover is a USA-designed Cabin Air Filter Magnetic Cover for the Tesla Model 3.

abstractocean.com

That won't make this install easier, but it will make the next one easier. I've got to decide whether spending $37 is worth it, since I might not need to replace the filter again before I sell the car.

Another option is described here:

 

[android04]

Nice.

Air Filter Magnetic Cover

The Air Mag Cover is a USA-designed Cabin Air Filter Magnetic Cover for the Tesla Model 3.

abstractocean.com

That won't make this install easier, but it will make the next one easier. I've got to decide whether spending $37 is worth it, since I might not need to replace the filter again before I sell the car.

Another option is described here:

Here's a better option for $10 Tesla Model 3/Y Cabin Air Filter Access Panel Screw Replacement | eBay

 

[PianoAl]

Here's a better option for $10 Tesla Model 3/Y Cabin Air Filter Access Panel Screw Replacement | eBay

Nice. Ordered.

 

[P3dStealth]

Anyone try this filter yet? It claims to have an antimicrobial layer to prevent smell. It's also likely made in the same factory as OEM.

Purolator PBC41506 PurolatorBOSS Premium Cabin Air Filter with Febreze Freshness fits Select Tesla Models Amazon.com

 

[Perscitus]

Anyone try this filter yet? It claims to have an antimicrobial layer to prevent smell. It's also likely made in the same factory as OEM.

Purolator PBC41506 PurolatorBOSS Premium Cabin Air Filter with Febreze Freshness fits Select Tesla Models Amazon.com

Search is your friend: Non-OEM Cabin Air Filter Options

Its indeed very good and made in the same factory as the OE part. Used a set, two years ago, last year and this year.

 

[P3dStealth]

Search is your friend: Non-OEM Cabin Air Filter Options

Its indeed very good and made in the same factory as the OE part. Used a set, two years ago, last year and this year.

Are you replacing this filter every year as regular maintenance or because it smells like gym socks?

 

[Timbo2]

Search is your friend: Non-OEM Cabin Air Filter Options

Its indeed very good and made in the same factory as the OE part. Used a set, two years ago, last year and this year.

I’m on my second set as well. Just changed it yesterday.

No difference from OEM in my experience either. I’m on year 2 here in the Northeast and just noticed a slight funk that prompted me to change it and clean the coil.

Mine had minimal debris, no mold, and no smell from the filters. My assumption is most of the funk was within the coil.