I just did mine today! I'm a 64 year old grandma. :)

Great camera angles. I can actualy see what you're working on!

Super happy that you made this video. This definitely looks easy enough to do on my own, especially the evaporator cleaning! Thank you!

This is an excellent video. You show every step very clearly filmed. I like that you did not skip any steps and that you had good lighting every step of the way. Thank you for a great job.

Thank you for a great video. I found it very informative. I followed your instructions and I found it very easy to complete. I had no issues at all and now the mildew smell is gone! Very happy.!

Awesome video man, thank you for having clear directions, and camera angels that we can see what you’re doing. Good work my man .

I just used your excellent video to help me with my filter change/AC cleaning in my M3DLR (Canadian version, if there is a difference). It was super helpful, but there were a few things that were slighly different in my car that I think might help others who tackle this relatively simple but awkward job. A little piece of advice for anyone before you start, get a compact but bright wide-angle light. This job is farther back and more awkward than the video suggests, and would be rather difficult without sufficient light. 1. First off, I didn't have one of your handy spudger tools, so I just used a 1" putty knife to pull the plastic push pins. It worked fine. 2. Next, I didn't realized a long-press on the fan icon on the screen would turn off the HVAC fan, I found that info elsewhere. This is necessary, LOL :D 3. Two of the clips that hold the orange cable in place for me were different than yours. The easiest to access one was super easy, just like yours, but the other two (the ones further back) have these evil little metal teeth inside a plastic "alligator" holder. It was incredibly difficult to get them off. I used a very small flat-bladed screwdriver to carefully slide in and under the plastic thing and pried it off with some serious fiddling. This one step probably took as long as everything else. Terrible design choice, I wish mine were like yours. 4. The plug for the speaker on mine had a little "barbed" plastic bit that I had to fiddle with to get free. Once I got it disconnected, closer inspection of the plastic plug revealed that it was a rather fragile component, and I should have used a little more care. I didn't break it, but I definitely could have. 5. The little #20 Torx screw was the same, but I had the presence of mind to use a magnetized driver. *Definitely* advisable! There are places where you could drop that screw and lose it forever. Note that it's easy to mistakenly remove a different screw, so to anyone following this tutorial, make sure you get on the right one. 6. The stock filters inside my car didn't have the tabs to assist with removal. I had to fiddle with them to get 'em out. That's about it. I used the same foaming cleaner which I ordered on Amazon. It shipped rather slowly from California, taking much longer than expected. I used the stock Tesla filters which arrived extremely quickly. The ones I pulled from my car (after ~18 months and roughly 18,000km) were full of bugs and poplar fluff. After the swap, I had notably more airflow, and it definitely removed the bad A/C smell. My only concern is that there might have been bug carcasses left in the bottom of the chamber that held the filters, but there was no simple way to check or to remove them if they were there. If I was to recommend one more thing, I'd suggest people get ahold of some kind of vacuum that can fit through the filter access in order to get any large particles that might have fallen off the filter into the chamber. Anyway, thanks for the vid, it was super helpful, despite the differences in our cars.

Great video and camera angles. I was dreading changing the cabin filters in my M3 but your video is a game changer. Many thanks!

Well done man. A lot of work for this filter.

Just changed mine out. About a year overdue. Bad on my part. After watching the video everything fell in place. Your camera angles and lighting were excellent!

About time to do the filters. Great vid. I got a friend you know on twitter that will install for free. Lucky for me

Best Video I have watched for this so far. No one else has mentioned those tabs on the top of the plastic panel under the glove box, or how the push connectors work or the difficulty with the torx screw. I am looking forward to doing mine later today!

I just replaced mine! Thank you, so much for the clear guide. My additional insight: be careful with the white clips holding the side carpet on, half of my repair time was recovering one that fell backward. Also, that torx screw is waaaay the up there. It is why you had to remove the plastic face and it still took me a bit to find it.

Thank you so much for this video!! I was able to change my filters in less than 20 minutes 😊 I was able to use the torx tool that came with the Ring camera!

Super vid! Very well made DIY thanks a lot!

Nice, clear explanation. Thank you!

Great explanation! Thanks for the tip on the tools.

Thanks for making the video. Watched it months ago and had to reference it again today when replacing my filters. You almost need to be a contortionist to remove that T20 screw.

First of all, amazing camera angles, it is very easy to see what you are doing. Thanks! I do have one suggestion, maybe some of the parts can be fast forwarded like when you are removing the screw right after it starts spinning.

Great video! 2nd time I used it to replace cabin filters!

Doing this exact process this weekend

Agreed with the recommendation to stick with Tesla filters. Just ordered and received some with free shipping from Tesla directly for $34 for the pair.

Perfect timing. I was just thinking about doing this.

Here's a better tool I've found to access that tricky screw: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fdt2hZRelrusgGw.html

Awesome!! Thank you

You made this look easy lol. Thanks though, eventually got it done!

Thank you

Great slow detailed explanation! Good job.

Thank you for doing this video. I'm 6' tall, and just could not get to the screw from the passenger side. I finally started in the driver's seat, and worked my way across until my head was at the passenger foot space. This allowed me to see what I was doing in removing the screw.

Thanks!

there's a circle of hell personally reserved for whomever designed this

You could also vaccum (carefully) the compartment after removing the filters, to get rid of seeds and leaves.

Thanks so much for posting this video. Mine stinks so badly!!

For the single screw... Take the torx driver off the ratchet and simply tape (by wrapping) the driver to the screw temporarily. This way you don't have to worry about the screw falling off and dropping behind the carpet. Now you can hand tighten the screw a few turns holding the driver until it is well set, pull the tape off, and ratchet the screw in. The screw taped on the driver gives you extra reach making it easier to place the screw.

This has to be the convoluted design for a cabin filter location I have ever seen. I got a sore neck just watching this video.

To everyone watching. If the speaker plug does not come out somewhat easily, just skip that step and do everything else. You’ll save a lot of time

Thank you! Thank you! You made this very clear. I have just completed the procedure on my 1-year old Model 3. The "sour" smell had been getting bad. I am looking forward to a nicer environment now. A couple of things: The camera angles were remarkable - I had enough difficulty getting access to the screw let alone thinking about filming it! Who designed a screw to go where this one does??!!! The filter slot is higher, further back, and smaller than I had anticipated ...your video was priceless. I also couldn't get the speaker connector off and managed to do the work around the panel. Thanks again. Dave

I didn't disconnect the speaker wire and depending on which set I used it was N20 or N15 socket. I had a missing push pin also. 🙄 Thanks though, very useful.

Good vid

That speaker is for the sound of the radio? Regards.

It seems like you just pull out the speaker wire. Is that right, or did you put some work in off camera to make it easy to pull out? Mine seems firmly set in place and it looks like there is a defectable ledge that holds it in place, similar (but not the same) as the light connector. However, it is very difficult to deflect the ledge to get it to disengage.

Can you do a video on the AC reciever Dessicant replacement?

You need about 3 times the surface area for a Hepa filter verses a standard filter. For your house ac do not use anything higher than.a merv 10 rating unless it’s a 5” thick media filter they will drastically cut your airflow and increase wear on the blower motor

Just had this done at the dealership today and question if it was worth $150, but how often do you find yourself having to do this to get rid of the musty smell? I know the filter doesn't need to be replaced for 2 years... but the musty smell showed up after a year so I'm feeling like I'll need to do this at least once a year. Wdyt?

Can you do a video where you fix the B pillar issue with replacing the clips that hold it on? Mine is falling off

I followed your instructions and did mine. I have to say it is very difficult job just to change a cabin filter. I couldn't get the speaker wire off and that torx screw was insane...

These Tesla filters seem to be the MANN "Frecious Plus" series. A really high quality german made activated carbon filter with fine dust (PM2.5) filtering layer and antiallergic, antibacterial and fungicidal coating (that´s the yellow colour). Tesla knows what is good. If they would add an automatic air recirculation system and a permanent partly recirculation mode (like the "Air Care" system from Volkswagen) the climate control would be perfect.

Great vid! Even I might be able to do this! LOL. Question, whats the speaker for that you unplugged next to the ambient foot light?

Completed this job today and found out that the last time when Tesla performed this service via mobile appointment they broke off the air filter cover screw, and my speaker wiring connector. So if you had it done previously by Tesla be careful.

wholy crap is that dwd2 evaporator cleaner expensive! you're really flexing!!

On the newer model 3. The torx screw now is way easier to get off. They did move it down..

Awesome video! Thanks for posting! Quick question, do you leave the AC on “auto” or “on” all the time? Curious if that contributes to the smell.

They have so much room in the car but can't design to make it easy to replace~~

Looks very laborious... I hate to reach those areas. The action cam microphone makes it sound even tougher.

Great video, now if someone can find a thunbscrew with the same threads to replace that dastardly t-20 screw

Thanks for the hardwork involved in creating this video. Million Dollar Question: Why did Tesla make it extremely difficult to replace a maintenance item that is the cabin air filter?

Did you notice any signs of mold on the coils? I don’t have the smell but should probably change the filters soon. Wondering if I should clean the coils to be extra thorough or just replace the filters 🧐

Great video ! What is the torque tool you are using ? I am a complete novice ! Lol.

On my M3, 2020, I couldn’t figure out how to remove the 2 “orange cable” clips from the black cover. I thought there were tabs that needed to be bent or similar, but those suckers just wouldn’t let go. I left them on there. Any ideas

What is the small ratchet set you are using ? Very difficult spot to get in.

Perfect just broke the speaker connector

Does model Y use the same filter? I didn't see model Y air filter in Tesla website.

Why did you not cover up the filter hatch and run the fan IMMEDIATELY after filling the compartment with the foam? Wouldn't that have helped insure that the cleaner was getting into all the areas that it needs to? Why wait till after it has 'collapsed' and drained out of the bottom of the car?

Hi! How do you know when to replace the cabin filters? New to Tesla here. TIA!!

What ratchet did you use? I can barely see the torx bit that needs to be removed let alone get a driver bit in it.

Been 6 months & my car is already smelling funky.

I only have 1,200 miles on my P3 so I have a ways to go before worrying about changing the filters but I’m trying to understand why the evap coil needs to be cleaned? That tells me the filters aren’t doing their job. I do have HVAC background and am mind blown about this because every car I’ve ever owned, all I had to do was change the filter and never once had to clean the evaporator.

Thanks for a great how to video. I have two questions. First, I noticed one of the push pin is missing when trying to undo them to remove the panel below the glove box. I tried to find a replacement but unable to find it. There are many out there but not sure which one would be the correct one to get. Do you have any recommendations? Second, I noticed while trying to put the panel back on I am also missing the right sided plastic piece that the panel slot is supposed to slide onto. Unclear as to why it's missing but do you know if there is a replacement piece for that? Tesla do make their cars "unique". You just don't know what makes yours unique until you start looking I guess.

Pro tip: do the torx screw step on your back looking up

2020 Cleaning Update: The Kool-It cleaner was available this year so I tried it. They both seem to have performed well, but Kool-It definitely smells stronger for longer. The DWD2 is more of a subtle starch smell compared to a strong mint smell on the Kool-It. I prefer the DWD2, but it costs twice as much, so pick your priorities there. DWD2: amzn.to/2LmMgRT Kool-It: amzn.to/39yqxy8 Also, this tool worked great to get to that top screw: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fdt2hZRelrusgGw.html

How long should you wait to change the filters?

Did it help to eliminate the smell? In my case, the smell returned just in two weeks.

I assume someone has already suggested that Tesla should reverse the fasteners on that little door. A clip on top and a screw on the bottom so it can be easily accessed.

Should I turn off the power before I replace the filter?

You don't really need to take off the speakers just slide it over and work around it. I never took it off and was completely fine!

If you can do most of the job with one hand I should be able to do it with two

How did you remove the speaker cable so easily?! It wouldn’t budge for me, so I had to just work with that piece moved to the side

Thanks for a great video. But WTF was TESLA thinking when they designed this.

wonder if using the spray from inlet makes any difference ? gezz they couldn t put that screw on the bottom of the cover now could they lol

I had Tesla mobile service come to my garage, did the same work, more thorough HVAC tract spray and cleaning too, plus tire pressure refill (CA law mandate), all for $141. I swear I will lose all my DIY skills if this pattern continues.

How the hell did you get the light and speaker connections off so easily? I can't for the life of me get them to detach without feeling like I'm going to rip the damn wires off

Much more awkward and difficult than it should be. So, you save trips to the dealer for oil changes vs an ICE, but most people would end up having to drive to a service center anyway just to get this filter changed every year. You can change the cabin filter of most ICE cars in less than 1/4 the time without tools. Simply open the glove box door, disconnect the release so it drops down all the way and reach behind to swap the filter.

The filter you put back in looked dirty. Why? Nice video though.

The screw size on my 2019 M3 was T15, not T20.

What a freaking pain!

This looks so complicated for an air filter. I thought it would take 30 seconds.

Why do car manufacturers design cabin filters so complicated & hard to access, why not just keep it simple and easily replaceable in the glove compartment (plug & play) without screws and having to take the car apart to replace it. It would even be good business if car owners could easily replace it.

So you drove 2 hours to "your" Tesla Service Center to buy these filters? And you didn't say how much the filters cost?

The plastic removal tool he's using looks too thick, and those pop-out fasteners look pretty torn up already. Use a thinner "spluger" (aka "splooger") tool like they use for prying apart cell phones or thin laptops.

This looks way too complicated to just replace an air filter.

What a pain in the ass.

Tesla's mechanical structure design was SO terrible.

just get to the change. nobody cares about minutes and minutes of monologue at the beginning of these vids