Did drive unit fluid change today

[zwede]

My 2013 P85+ got a new drive unit last spring so it was time for the fluid change. I followed a guide on youtube (first hit if you search for "model s fluid change"). It's an easy job and the biggest part is removing and re-installing the plastic shield (many bolts of 2 different types). Plus the service center damaged 2 clips that I had to fix and left 2 push pins out all together.

What I didn't like was just how much metal there was in there. The magnetic drain plug had a thick coat of metal goo on it and the old fluid had a shimmer and sparkled. No wonder Tesla added an oil filter on the Model 3.

After seeing all the metal in the old fluid I'm not comfortable with only one fluid change. I will do another one next year and then probably more fluid changes every couple three years.

 

[odguy]

That youtube video has the car on a lift. Would it be possible to drive it up onto a rhinoramp? Also I have a dual motor and not sure how different that would be for the front?

 

[Cram collision]

The front is a bit more of a challenge, you have to remove the front tub and trim and remove the belly pan or lower front splashshield. Then there is a insulated cover on the drive unit that has Velcro that is bear and most be partially removed to gain access to drain plug. I believe it took dextron 6 capacity was around a quart.

 

[zwede]

That youtube video has the car on a lift. Would it be possible to drive it up onto a rhinoramp?

I did mine on jack stands (jackpoint) and had plenty of room. A lift is just a luxary, not a necessity.

 

[Jpballer88]

can anyone link me to the dex 6 fluid they bought?

 

[zwede]

I used Valvoline synthetic Dexron VI that I got from oreilly auto. Any auto parts store should have it, I'd think.

 

[ricebucket]

My 2013 P85+ got a new drive unit last spring so it was time for the fluid change. I followed a guide on youtube (first hit if you search for "model s fluid change"). It's an easy job and the biggest part is removing and re-installing the plastic shield (many bolts of 2 different types). Plus the service center damaged 2 clips that I had to fix and left 2 push pins out all together.

How many miles did you drive in the past year?

 

[SM18]

My 2013 P85+ got a new drive unit last spring so it was time for the fluid change. I followed a guide on youtube (first hit if you search for "model s fluid change"). It's an easy job and the biggest part is removing and re-installing the plastic shield (many bolts of 2 different types). Plus the service center damaged 2 clips that I had to fix and left 2 push pins out all together.

What I didn't like was just how much metal there was in there. The magnetic drain plug had a thick coat of metal goo on it and the old fluid had a shimmer and sparkled. No wonder Tesla added an oil filter on the Model 3.

After seeing all the metal in the old fluid I'm not comfortable with only one fluid change. I will do another one next year and then probably more fluid changes every couple three years.

If it's a new drive unit, I wouldn't be surprised if that's just the result of the initial break in. Next fluid change probably won't be as bad.

 

[odguy]

Looking at service manual and the fluid change for the small dual moters are very different than large rear motor (for both rear and front)

We need more YouTube diy tutorials

 

[zwede]

If it's a new drive unit, I wouldn't be surprised if that's just the result of the initial break in. Next fluid change probably won't be as bad.

Oh, no doubt it's the break-in. But considering just how much metal was in there I'm not convinced one fluid change (like Tesla recommends) is enough.

 

[zwede]

How many miles did you drive in the past year?

Not many. Maybe 6K.

 

[Grossvater]

If it's a new drive unit, I wouldn't be surprised if that's just the result of the initial break in. Next fluid change probably won't be as bad.

That is disappointing. I had expected much higher quality of product.

 

[sorka]

That is disappointing. I had expected much higher quality of product.

Break in material is not a sign of inferior quality.

 

[Xn3Fan]

I did mine on jack stands (jackpoint) and had plenty of room. A lift is just a luxary, not a necessity.

Our have a friend who's a mechanic and will let you use his lift after hours.

 

[bsoo]

Looking at service manual and the fluid change for the small dual moters are very different than large rear motor (for both rear and front)

We need more YouTube diy tutorials

Curious how you got your hands on a service manual?

 

[selfbp]

Needless to say this will void any warranty you have on the DU (disclaimer for newcomers in the future)

 

[Jashev]

Needless to say this will void any warranty you have on the DU (disclaimer for newcomers in the future)

Only if they know you changed the fluid ;-)

 

[jelloslug]

Oh, no doubt it's the break-in. But considering just how much metal was in there I'm not convinced one fluid change (like Tesla recommends) is enough.

From what I understand, Tesla changes the fluid at the first service and then again every two years?

 

[Olle]

Needless to say this will void any warranty you have on the DU (disclaimer for newcomers in the future)

Why do you think that a fluid change would void the warranty?

Anybody know how often Tesla recommends fluid change?

 

[zwede]

Needless to say this will void any warranty you have on the DU (disclaimer for newcomers in the future)

In some countries (<cough> <cough> Europe) it can. In the US the federal Magnusson-Moss warranty act states that they can't require you to have service done by them to keep warranty intact. You can have service done anywhere or do it yourself and it has no effect on warranty status.

Note that this only applies to any initial warranty (4 years bumper-to-bumper, 8 years drivetrain). For the extended warranty you have to do service at the SC. So for me who does my own service that would bring total cost of a 4 year extended warranty to over $7K, so I skipped that.