As an all-electric vehicle, your Tesla doesn’t need an air filter for the engine. Instead, it uses air filters to keep dirt and debris out of the cabin space. You’ll need to replace these often to optimize the air quality inside your car.
What are the best air filters for 2020 Teslas?
You can buy your two OEM air filters for your Model 3 from Tesla for $17. For the Model S and Model X, get the HEPA upgrade instead for $500, software included. The Model Y does not have any replacements yet.
Which air filters are best for Teslas? Are the HEPA upgrades worth it? How often should you change your cabin filter? We have all the answers to these questions and much more. Just browse through this guide to learn all you need to know.
Ideal Service Interval for Tesla Air Filters
Tesla recommends that you replace the cabin air filters in your car every two years, regardless of mileage. You can replace them more often if you want, but that’s not necessary, especially not for their HEPA upgrades.
Replacing the cabin air filters is so easy that you can do it by yourself with just a couple of hand tools. You’ll need a trim tool to pry off the trim pieces that sit over the installation point plus a screwdriver.
With those items in hand, you’ll just need to:
- Remove the panel on the passenger side of the center console
- Unclip the footwell cover and disconnect its electrical connectors
- Unscrew the T20 screw and press the lever to pull out the cover
- Unfold the tabs on the filters and pull them out one by one
- Put in the new filter and work in reverse order to put all the pieces back
As you work, make sure to avoid damaging the orange High Voltage cables that connect to the cover over the cabin air filter. If anything happens to these cables, step away from the vehicle and get in touch with Tesla to report the issue.
Aftermarket vs. OEM: Which is Better for Your Tesla?
You only have the option of OEM vs. aftermarket cabin air filters if you have a Tesla Model 3. You can either buy the OEM options for $17 apiece or go with an aftermarket K&N filter for $50 each.
Unlike the disposable OEM filters, K&N cabin air filters are reusable. You just have to clean and refresh them at the recommended service intervals to keep them in good shape. With that level of attention, they should last you up to one million miles or 10 years.
For the Model S and Model X vehicles, you can choose between OEM and their HEPA upgrade instead. At $500, the HEPA upgrade is a huge step up from the OEM option, which is under $35 total.
The reason this upgrade costs so much is due to the Bioweapon Defense Mode software it comes with. They also throw in installation at your nearby Tesla service center.
Beyond that, you get a filter housing and a new HEPA filter. There’s no word on what replacement HEPA filters will cost you later on, however.
Since the Model Y just came out, Tesla does not have any replacement cabin air filters or HEPA upgrades available at this time. That’s sure to change as soon as they hit the road and start accumulating debris in the filter elements.
To decide between aftermarket, OEM, and upgrade filters for your 2020 Tesla, it’s important to think about your preferences. Do you want a reusable filter that will further reduce your carbon footprint? Then, it might be wise to go with the K&N.
But if you want the added peace of mind that comes with the HEPA filter, then don’t hesitate to go that route. As long as you get the highest quality parts possible for your car, you really cannot lose.
Photos: Tesla
