Cabin Air Filter Swap

Tesla's cabin air filter lives behind the center console, accessed from the passenger footwell rather than under the hood. It's a bit more involved than a typical filter swap, but entirely doable with basic trim tools — no special equipment beyond a Torx screwdriver.

Materials Required

The Process

1. Preparation

   Turn off the HVAC system through the center touchscreen. Slide the front passenger seat all the way back to maximize working space, then remove the passenger floor mat.

2. Remove the Footwell Panels

   Locate the plastic panel directly underneath the glovebox and carefully pull down to release the push clips (or magnets on newer models). Disconnecting the small wire harnesses for the footwell light and speaker is optional but recommended, since it lets you set the panel completely aside.

   Next, use your trim tool to pop open and peel back the carpeted plastic side panel along the right side of the center console (the transmission tunnel). Start pulling from the rear near the footwell and work your way forward.

3. Open the Filter Cover

   Look deep into the exposed center console area to find the narrow, vertical plastic filter door. Use your T20 Torx screwdriver (or a 6mm socket) to remove the single screw securing the top of the cover — some newer revisions use a toolless clip/tab setup at the bottom instead. Pull the door away, taking care not to stretch any orange High Voltage (HV) wires routed nearby.

4. Swap the Filters

   Locate the fabric pull tab on the upper filter, fold it outward, and pull the filter straight out toward the seat. Reach inside, lift the bottom filter straight up into the top slot, and pull it out using its tab.

   Before installing the new filters, note the airflow arrows printed on the old ones — they point toward the rear of the vehicle, away from the firewall and into the cabin. Slide the first new filter into the housing, push it all the way down to the bottom slot, then slide the second filter into the top slot. Keep the pull tabs facing outward so you can grab them next time.

5. Reassemble and Reset

   Re-engage the filter cover tabs, position the door, and secure it with the T20 Torx screw. Realign the center console side panel and press until all clips snap firmly into place, then reconnect any disconnected light/speaker wires and snap the under-glovebox cover back up.

   Finally, sit in the driver's seat, navigate to the Service menu on your touchscreen, and reset the cabin air filter replacement interval to clear the maintenance tracking.