Model Y and 3 Cabin Air Filter Moisture Barrier Clip Instructions


Tesla has an official DIY cabin air filter replacement guide available here. We’ve reformatted their instruction video below for an improved experience.

Step 1

Turn off the climate control system.

Step 2

Move the front passenger seat fully rearwards and remove the front passenger floor mat.

Step 3

Use a clip pry tool to carefully release the push clips that secure the front passenger footwell cover to the instrument panel.

Then, while supporting the footwell cover, disconnect the two electrical connectors and move the footwell cover aside.

Important! To avoid damage, do not pull on the wires when disconnecting the connectors. When disconnecting the connectors, make sure to pull from the plastic on the connectors themselves.

  • For the light, carefully press down on the tab while releasing the connector.
  • For the speaker, carefully angle the vehicle-side connector so that the small tab releases from the hole in the footwell cover-side connector while releasing the connector.

Step 4

Working from top-to-bottom, use a trim tool to carefully release the right side panel from the center console.

Step 5

Depending on the vehicle year, the filter cover may have a T20 screw mounted high, a T20/6mm hybrid screw mounted low, or locking tabs with no screw. Refer to the appropriate instruction for your vehicle.

T20 screw: Remove the T20 screw that secures the cabin filter cover at the top. Rotate the cover down to release it and move it aside.

T20/6mm screw: Remove the T20/6mm screw that secures the cabin filter cover at the bottom. Rotate the cover up to release it and move it aside.

Locking tabs: Use your index finger and thumb to squeeze the two tabs at the bottom of the cabin filter cover. Tilt the cover outward to remove.

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Important! Some vehicles have orange High Voltage cables across the cover. Do not stretch, bend, or otherwise damage the orange High Voltage (HV) cables! If the HV cables are damaged, immediately discontinue this procedure. HV shock can result in serious injury or death.

Step 6

Fold the upper cabin filter’s tab upward and the lower filter’s tab downward.

Step 7

Using the tab on the upper cabin filter, pull the upper filter out from the HVAC module.

Step 8

Using the tab on the lower cabin filter, pull the lower filter upwards and then out from the HVAC module.

Step 9

Before you install the filters as shown in the video, attach the moisture barrier clip on the bottom of the filter that will be installed in the lowest position. The centerline should be 4.25″ from the side with the handle and text.

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Ensuring that the arrows on both new filters face towards the rear of the vehicle, insert the lower cabin filter into the HVAC module and lower it into place. Then, insert the upper cabin filter above it.

Step 10

Fold the tabs inward so that the cabin filter cover can be installed.

Step 11

Install the cabin filter cover by engaging the lower cover tab then securing the T20 screw or T20/6mm hybrid fastener. Tighten the screw to 1.2 Nm/0.89 ft-lbs.

On vehicles with tabs instead of a T20 screw: maneuver the top notch of the cabin filter cover into place, then secure the tabs at the bottom of the HVAC module.

Step 12

Align the right side panel with the front and rear locator slots on the center console, then apply pressure until all of the clips are fully secure.

Step 13

Reconnect the two electrical connectors to the components in the front passenger footwell cover, then re-secure the cover with the push clips.

Step 14

Reinstall the front passenger floor mat then move the front passenger seat back into place.