Tesla recommends cleaning and lubricating all brake calipers every 12 months or 20,000 km

[noicepls]

Has anyone done this brake caliper cleaning and lubrication service at a local Tesla Service Centre, or at KalTire, as part of their tire rotation? Cost?
Apparently, this is pretty well the only annual service that Tesla wants us to do because of our cold weather driving conditions.

 

[Hugh Mannity]

Interesting never heard of this. I don’t believe they did mine at my first annual service.

 

[Lon12]

Probably a road salt issue. It’s amazing when you look at how fast calipers rust in Quebec and Ontario. The pads will stop sliding in the clips after the rust builds up. I just cleaned up the pads on a 2017 Leaf from Montreal. Crazy rust. We don’t see that level of corrosion in Alberta or BC.

 

[pcons]

Rich rebuilds just did a video on this. I'll probably do this myself when I swap the winter tires over. Unless it's a reasonable amount thru tesla. So if anyone gets pricing post it here....

 

[richyrich]

For those wondering (as I did), this is now added on this page and yes, it's for cold weather areas - Car Maintenance

 

[ArcticStation]

I had this done last month by Tesla Mobile Service. Cost for rotation and brake service was around $125. I was worried that the brake service would be a simple squirt of brake cleaner, but the service turned out to be quite thorough. In addition, the tech answered all my questions (lots of them), he corrected a problem with the frunk latch that would have caused problems later on and he noted, based on tire wear, an alignment problem (Maine potholes!). Although he couldn't correct the alignment, he provided the specs so I could have it done locally. He was on-site the better part of two hours and he walked me through the process so I can service my own brakes and rotate my tires next year should I choose to do so. If you live in a region where chemicals and sand are used throughout the winter, consider having the annual brake service done.

 

[I am 3LECTRIC]

I did my brake caliper cleaning and lubrication service for my Model 3 at Tesla Toronto Lawrence at the end of August. Cost was $175 plus taxes. It was done alongside a few other things so I was provided a Model S loaner. Otherwise, should be no more than a 2 hour service so no loaner vehicle is provided.

 

[rypalmer]

Yes it's important and cheap insurance against seized brake calipers which are outrageously expensive to replace on a Model S at least.

 

[Tz00]

Is this confirmed to be able to be done via mobile service? From the video, it seems a bit difficult to be done by mobile.

 

[Nixx]

I had this done last month by Tesla Mobile Service. Cost for rotation and brake service was around $125

I thought the mobile guys wouldn't lift the car? Or maybe that's if they have to lift all 4 wheels at the same time?

 

[ilyak]

Is this confirmed to be able to be done via mobile service? From the video, it seems a bit difficult to be done by mobile.

I was told that mobile service cannot do tire rotations or break service in my area (western NY)

 

[ArcticStation]

I thought the mobile guys wouldn't lift the car? Or maybe that's if they have to lift all 4 wheels at the same time?

The technician was able to use a single jack to get both tires off the ground at the same time. He used the rear lift point, not the front.

 

[ArcticStation]

I was told that mobile service cannot do tire rotations or break service in my area (western NY)

Mobile service here in Maine is provided out of Massachusetts. When I submitted the service request, I asked for mobile service. I submitted the request in early August and Tesla scheduled it for mid-September. Note that they will not dispatch service in winter unless it can be done in an area protected from the weather with a temperature above 45 degrees.

 

[Struja]

Kal Tire is about $55 + HST for the brake cleaning service, done when I switch over to my winters.

 

[HAHAyes]

My brakes were a bit squeaky when I left it out in the cold for a bit, I've only had the car for about a month but obviously haven't been actively using the brakes. Anyone else have this issue?

 

[I am 3LECTRIC]

Kal Tire is about $55 + HST for the brake cleaning service, done when I switch over to my winters.

Ahh I never thought about looking elsewhere to get the brake caliper service done. Are all Kal Tire locations trained to perform brake caliper cleaning and lubrication on all Tesla's? Which location did you visit?

 

[camalaio]

This can absolutely be done by a third party mechanic, and likely for cheap. The only thing to keep in mind is that especially cheap chains sometimes skip the cleanup/lubrication when installing new pads. If you request to simply service them, they may do approximately nothing. Take it somewhere reputable and you should be fine.

 

[ArcticStation]

During the brake service by Tesla Mobile, the tech explained that all Model 3 cars are fitted with brakes made by Brembo. Service by a qualified third party should be pretty straight forward.

 

[Struja]

Ahh I never thought about looking elsewhere to get the brake caliper service done. Are all Kal Tire locations trained to perform brake caliper cleaning and lubrication on all Tesla's? Which location did you visit?

Yeah, I think it is a pretty standard and straight forward service.

 

[Muskol]

I did the job myself a couple weekends ago. If you take it to a third party, make sure they disconnect the electric parking brake in the rear, if they use service mode to release the parking brake it will time out in about 20 minutes and activate the e-brake and drive the piston.