I have a 2018 Model 3 coming up on 4 years (October). I have never replaced either of my cabin filters, but the past couple of days they have developed that awful smell. I read a bunch of posts and watched a few videos and while the older Model 3s seem to have a difficult to access screw which has since been relocated, over all the replacement process did not seem so bad. I also noted several recommendations to spray AC coil cleaner and let it blow on high for about 15 minutes to clean out any mold.
I was all prepared to give it a go myself (I do not typically do any auto work etc) but when I checked the Tesla Canada web site for the OEM filters, a pair is about $44 and Tesla service was going to charge me CDN$73 to come to my house and do it in the driveway; I figured I would let them do it.
I have my service to swap the filters booked for Wed and in the chat, I mentioned there is also a bad smell; do they spray clean the AC unit. The response was that if there is a smell coming from the vents, there is an option to clean the vents with their evap cleaner in addition to replacing both filters for CDN$180.
I clarified that changing the cabin filters is about CDN$75, but cleaning the vents (which I would have thought it just spraying; do they take them apart?) is $180. Unless they are actively removing the AC unit / coils and cleaning them, that seems a little excessive. ?
(I am assuming that simply changing the filters is not going to be enough to remove the smell.)
Any thoughts? I also asked them about my 12v - I have not received any notice or warnings, but it is coming up on 4 years. Any thoughts on pro-actively changing it?
Thx in advance.