How to change your Tesla Model 3 Highland Cabin Air filter aka Aircon filter

What you need:

1) Trim removal tools

2) Tweezer

3) Gloves to protect your hands

4) Tesla Model 3 cabin air filters (2 pcs) - Part number: 1813371-00-B

Note: No Torx screw driver needed for Tesla Model 3 Highland cabin air filter replacement

DIY Skill level : 8/10

Let us have a view of the center console area. Can you locate the cabin air filter lid ?

Can't find it?

It's located on the extreme right hand side near where the resting foot area is.

If you refer to Tesla DIY documentation on how to change your cabin air filter, you would have thought that this is an easy process. Well, nothing could be further from the truth.

Ok, let's begin!

1) Safety First! If you are driving a RHD version of Tesla Model 3 Highland, please set the car in Camp mode before performing these steps. Don't put it in Park mode. The reason why I recommend this is that during the disassembly process of the center console cover and trim cover, there is a chance that the accelerator pedal may be stepped on accidentally. Wear your gloves to protect your hands. It is very easy to get scratches during this installation process.

2) Pull down the cover below your steering wheel using the trim removal tool:

3) When the cover is pulled down, you will note that there is a plastic screw holding this cover. You can use the prying tool to unlock and remove the plastic screw so that the cover will be left connected with the dome light housing only. Remove the dome light connector from its housing by using a tweezer to press the center button down. It take some practice to do that as the wire connecting to it is short and you probably will need to feel and press the center button rather by relying on your sight.

  

4) Once the entire cover has been removed, you can continue to work on removing the center console side panel. Note that the side panel has more than 8 white clips connected to it and the fitting is very tight. 

Warning: During this process, for RHD version of Model 3, there may be a chance that "Drive" mode will be enabled followed by sudden acceleration. Make sure that "Auto shift" feature is disable and nothing is placed on the driver seat which may accidentally trigger the "Drive" mode. Subsequent accidental pressing of the accelerator pedal will lurch the car forward. LHD version does not have this issue since the brake/accelerator pedals are on the left side and the cabin air filter is located on the right.

Use the trim removal to pry out the cover. It takes a bit of strength to do that and be wary of flying clips. Note that there are absolutely no screws holding this side panel. This process is not for the faint hearted and you may accidentally pressed the brake/accelerator pedals due to this "violent" process.

It is alright to lose or even broke some of the white connectors as shown below. It will not affect the fittings at all and the side panel remains tightly secured even with few connectors missing. If you are the OCD type, you can still purchase them as spares in online stores.

5)  Once the entire panel has been removed, you will be able to locate the position of the cabin air filter cover on the extreme right(for both RHD & LHD) . Pull the trim out so that the cabin air filter lid can be access by hand. 

6)  At the bottom, squeeze the lid cover lock to unlock the lid and take it out.

7) Remove the cabin air filter by pulling the filter paper handle. There are two filters to be pulled out. Put back the new cabin air filters noting the direction of the air flow marked on the filter.

8) While kneeling on your car, put back the cabin air filter lid by slotting it in and then press it against the holder to lock it. This is another process that takes some practice.

9) Put back the side panel by aligning the clips and push it back using soft knock.

10) Plug in the dome light to the plastic cover connector, secure the plastic screw on the cover and push the cover back as per original state.

Congratulations on performing the impossible!

You can put your trauma behind for another year or so! Let's enjoy the fresh air!