Do Not Buy “HEPA” Cabin Air Filters for Model 3

[Suspect]

I was doing my annual maintenance on my cabin air filter and discovered that the “HEPA” type filter I bought on Amazon was disintegrating inside my cabin air filter compartment.

The type of filter I purchased is quite common on Amazon and goes by many different brands. The one I purchased is by a brand called “Basenor”.

Do not use this type of filter as the foam around the filter can disintegrate and create a mess you can’t clean up because the cabin air filter compartment is not easy to clean. It’s a huge design flaw and the manufacturers behind this product do not want to acknowledge their flaw. Please stick to the OEM style Tesla paper filters.

See the pictures attached.

 

[Willy’sEV]

Thanks, good post

 

[pikeman]

This business of cabin air filters is a swamp! My response was to use the OEM filters.

 

[rpiotro]

This business of cabin air filters is a swamp! My response was to use the OEM filters.

You can NEVER go wrong using OEM parts. Never.

 

[Don.Church]

I would like someone to test these aftermarket filters that claim to be HEPA, to see if they even come close to the the filtration standard for a HEPA filter.

 

[SalisburySam]

I would like someone to test these aftermarket filters that claim to be HEPA, to see if they even come close to the the filtration standard for a HEPA filter.

…and also test the impact of these filters on air flow. If reduced, what’s the effect on blower motor longevity and cooling/heating the vehicle effectively and quickly, defrosting the windshield, etc. For me, I’ve chosen to just use the Tesla filters at least until my area is declared a biohazard. Then I’ll likely just stay home.

 

[ken_neth]

Excellent warning and I feel for you having to repeat the job. It's no fun going through the filter change.

(I'm 75 with arthritis in both hand rated "moderate to severe" and will NOT change another set of cabin filters)

Agree with Don above about verifying the "HEPA" claim.

 

[ay221]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08N69XWMP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had purchased this one, but I haven't installed it yet. Was waiting until it got stinky. Should I avoid using it? Is it the same type as yours? Thanks

 

[EatsShoots]

I was doing my annual maintenance on my cabin air filter and discovered that the “HEPA” type filter I bought on Amazon was disintegrating inside my cabin air filter compartment.

The type of filter I purchased is quite common on Amazon and goes by many different brands. The one I purchased is by a brand called “Basenor”.

Do not use this type of filter as the foam around the filter can disintegrate and create a mess you can’t clean up because the cabin air filter compartment is not easy to clean. It’s a huge design flaw and the manufacturers behind this product do not want to acknowledge their flaw. Please stick to the OEM style Tesla paper filters.

See the pictures attached.

Although I make about 200 amazon purchases a year I've more or less learned to never use it for anything "important". Almost everything non-branded (with known brands) is garbage and it basically goes straight to the landfill. Anything like an air filter, safety glasses, brackets that you don't want to fail, etc. you have to buy branded, often from another web site.

 

[KenC]

Informative, but now I have to decide if I take out my filters to check them. They're not Basenor, but as OP notes, some OEM is making these and they get branded by lots of 3rd party resellers.

 

[SteveM3Perf]

Hi,
Had a Tesla engineer at our house a few months back to do a small warranty job - he advised to stick with OE filter and he told me many of the 3rd party ones are causing problems.
Tesla will supply and fit one at our house for a reasonable price - so that is what I will be doing when mine needs changing.
Cheers
Steve

 

[GalacticHero]

Agreed on OEM. The replacement is infrequent, the OEM part is not that expensive, and the equipment it goes in -is- expensive.. An exemplar for a time to use the manufacturer part.

 

[fholbert]

My cars are always set to recirculate air. Am I correct in assuming no air goes through my HEPA filter?

 

[XPsionic]

My cars are always set to recirculate air. Am I correct in assuming no air goes through my HEPA filter?

Nope... air goes through the fan to the filters, then the AC/Heat

 

[Flybyglass]

I have a pair of original filters o the shelf (2/2020) and new ones from Tesla. I notice the latest Tesla filters are a bit heavier weave and look like they have been improved.

 

[CityHunt3R911]

Just replaced mine with a aftermarket hepa from Amazon. We will see if it get worse overtime. Plan to change it every year.

 

[CityHunt3R911]

How long did you have the filter installed for?

 

[rotarypower101]

Are there any long term reports of aftermarket options that are not having any of these issues?

Has anyone done a filter shootout to help make a better selection, even if the OEM option is the optimized choice?

 

[Adam3]

I trust Tesla over some 3rd party that is just trying to make a buck. The stock filters are very nice.

 

[holmgang]

suggestion to rename thread to do not buy BASENOR / 3rd party filters. "Hepa" is not the cause here.