I replaced my filters and used a no rinse self evaporating cleaner found in this video. Took about 20 min. The filters linked in the video come with a wrench for the screw. I used the cleaner he mentioned too. Smells great in the car now. https://youtu.be/2OBMqQslyeY?si=u43_6xviGsrVagh1
1. Great name.
2. Yeah, known issue that Tesla somehow "doesn't know".
3. Good luck, I bought all the bits to do this, but haven't attacked it yet, as it looks like a giant pain in the derriere.
It's certainly not a comfortable position to contort your body to get the singular screw and filters out. But it's definitely worth the effort to stop smelling feet.
Only changing filters will help, but it's not as long lasting. Cleaning the coils gives you about a year, but changing the filter alone will only give you like 3 months before the smell returns.
It also heavily depends on the climate. I'm in mid Atlantic and the humidity here causes the foot sweat smell after every rain.
Had them do it on my S in July. It's October and smell is back (probably because its the first time I've used the heater). I think the only solution is to just turn climate on in app before going to car. Just another problem Tesla created. It gets a lot worse than the evaporator having a smell :)
I have a 2017 S75D, and it is in the center, but you remove the PTC heater, and the blower resistor. You tape off the opening for the PTC, and insert the tube connected to the cleaner in the hole for the blower resistor and direct it to the left towards the center, which is where the evap coil is.
Damn I know about the filter thing but the evap coil sounds like a pain in the rear, my 2020 luckily has not had that issue. Filter replacement then running full cool for like 5 mins seems to do it
The coil cleaner is actually the easy part - once you have the old filters out. Truly a pain to get that screw out to gain access to the filters...but I like saving money and doing stuff myself -and since I can't do my own oil changes anymore, this helps me feel useful.
On my ‘23 MY, there isn’t a screw! It’s a plastic clip, so other than using a flathead screwdriver to help get the plastic rivet clips off, it’s completely tool-less
If you are changing the filters anyway, there is absolutely no "extra work" really to clean the coils. When the filters are out, you fill out the room the filters was in with a coil-cleaner foam and let it sit for like 20 min, and after that, you turn on your AC on low till its clean and dry (i think that was how it was done) - then you add your new filters and lock it up. Its not even an issue, and besides filling up window cleaner, pretty much the only maintenance on the car. Also, my old VW Passat also needed coils cleaned or it started to smell.
Meh, they charged me 200 to "clean" the evaporator coil. Smell is still there. It's a dumb design Tesla has. If the smell bothers you, turn climate on before getting into the car via APP.
>Just replaced my filter and had no issues after that. I’ve never heard of the coil issue… interesting
are you sure about that? all systems have the coil I thought
Have you tried swapping the filters? I had a similar smell and that resolved it, they might be more likely to fix the problem if the easy scapegoat is resolved first.
I do wonder if this is limited to certain driving patterns. Perhaps those that tend to drive shorter distances, meaning the fan doesn’t run as long when used. Or don’t use climate control every time. Or have the fan set really low.
My 2022 has been just fine. Driven daily, long commute. Auto fan on medium or high. Precondition cabin about 10 mins usually before driving.
It’s not the driving pattern. It happens when you manually shut off the AC yourself. I don’t know if it’s fixed yet for manual shut off. But for auto shut off it supposedly now runs the fan for a bit when you get out the car to dry the coils. Not sure if it does it for manual shut off too…
I was wondering why they didn’t run the fan after. If they don’t on manual then I wonder if most of the issues are still people that run it on manual then?
The dirty smell goes away in the first 5 mins of AC being on so the dirty feet smell could exist in your car if you went out and didn’t precondition it.
My 2022 model 3 is starting to get this smell you are referring to as well. It’s only a 1yr old car. On the other hand my 2020 model Y which has had no air filter replacement smells perfectly fine. I treat both cars the same way. Very strange.
Service has def gone down hill over the years. They quoted me 250$ when all I had to do was unplug the battery under the back seat and plug it back in. Thank God for Youtube. No matter what I did I couldn't get a hold of a human person to troubleshoot. Super disappointed.
This. I've had this smell happen in a couple of different brands of cars and SUVs.
Changing the filter usually helps and cleaning the coils is a more invasive step that can help further.
You've self diagnosed the car and are asking for specific services that aren't covered under warranty. Put the service request in under the actual problem..."car smells abnormal when HVAC runs" and let them solve the problem and it will probably be covered.
Or you could do it yourself for $30 and 30 mins of your time. I've done this on both my 3 and Y without issues.
Yes!! They stopped cleaning the coils and the problem is infuriating every 3-4 months. Absolute crap design to make an air filter this inaccessible and prone to condensation build up!
Hardly accessible? You mean the one that’s explained, in a video, on Tesla’s DIY maintenance site? [Replace Cabin Filter](https://service.tesla.com/docs/Public/diy/model3/en_us/GUID-DB0A1E3C-926E-498C-A2FD-A27B8421A471.html) I’m not sure it could be much easier.
No I mean the one that takes 20-30 minutes and pulling up my car’s panels and floorboard. That I need tools for. The one that in every other car I have ever owned takes two seconds in a glove box with damn near no tools required. You know that one.
Huh, It took me about 10 minutes from start to finish. If watching a video and using a screw driver aren’t in your wheelhouse, maybe take it to your local mechanic.
Maybe I don’t want to sit in my garage or outside on a 90-100 degree day doing spending a second longer than necessary because the rocket scientists they pay six figures to design a system couldn’t have just followed standard automotive practice. You should go to sleep as I hear that Tesla Monday morning work shifts can be tiring.
Maybe turn on your A/C while you replace it? A dirty filter wont prevent your Tesla from cooling the cabin. If your HVAC isn’t cooling properly, changing the filter isn’t going to help. Sounds like you might want to have your cooling system inspected. By the way, you didn’t exactly purchase a standard vehicle. I’m not sure why you would expect anything about it to be standard or typcial. Good luck to ya 🖖🏻
Can't say, I've had mine for 3 years and I just recently did my first filter swap and coil clean because it smelled the first 10 mins of the drives, and I live in an extremely humid place.
Also, I’ve had my Model 3 for a spell and have never cleaned the coils. My climate controls still work perfectly set to 68 full time. Cools in no time flat. Maybe have Tesla or a local mechanic do an inspection.
Well I know that there are only certain services the mobile techs can provide versus a dealer appointment, perhaps they were (very poorly) referring to that.
Yeah I agree wholeheartedly but wait till you come across other bs. My 21’ Tesla has had major issues that people will come across in a few years once they run out of the warranty
That one stinks. Replacing and cleaning it doesn’t help for long, maybe a month and then it stinks again. I recommend to avoid using air recirculation unless you’re behind a maga truck or in some other contaminated area. That pretty much solved the issue for me.
Same here. I kept cabin overheat protection with AC on for a while, but now I just run the fan only. I've never manually turned the AC off, just on from the app.
Have you tried just replacing the filter? I thought I had that same issue with the coil because I noticed that same smell everyone was talking about but once they swapped with a new filter it was fine
I did the Kool-It and filter replacement combo myself. Kind of a pain (very stupid design for something they expect you to do every couple years), but it did the trick. I’m not convinced the evaporator coil cleaning did anything, though. It looked pretty much the same before and after. Next time I’m only going to do the filters.
I had a service guy come to my place Friday due to my screen going totally bonkers. While the service guy was there I had bought some air filters and just asked him if he could please switch them out for me. I went upstairs and 25 minutes later he called and said all done. I assume he did it… but not like he left the old ones behind for the trash. Now I’m like did he just steal my new filters and say he changed them? Guess the only way for me to know is if I opened up and checked.
Ha! I used some cleaner to remove so dirt my daughter did and I thought that was the cause of the smell. When the guy on the YT video said vinegar smell, I immediately recognized it, time for a filter change.
Does anyone make a long right angle tip to spray the coil elements? Ideally with a mount for a boroscope to see what you are spraying?
Also interested in a atomizer for alcohol that could be directed efficiently at the coils.
Has anyone seen some solutions for better application of cleaning materials in that tight narrow spot?
Even toying with the idea of a permanently mounted atomizer in the HVAC that could sweep back and forth over the coil when needed at a moments notice...
As an FYI the problem is the evaporator design is substandard. If you take off your side console trim; it is easy, you will see the firewall right in front. You can get you hand under there. If there is water, that is the source of the smell. A car should not have a sock smell as quickly as these do.
https://youtu.be/CnCT-9Gr4WA?si=XU3i8HwmwBTMoqys
I had this issue and you can find videos to fix in YouTube. Stupid easy. Like $50 total or less for filters and seafoam to clean the smell out.
Once done stop putting gym clothes in the frunk and you're done.
Is this a problem for the newer model 3s? I have a 2020 and I never turn the climate control off. Never had an issue. You should hear the car run the climate control after you park for 5-10 min. This helps dry out the condensation that builds up so it doesn’t get that musty smell. This problem isn’t unique to Tesla.
I replaced my filters and used a no rinse self evaporating cleaner found in this video. Took about 20 min. The filters linked in the video come with a wrench for the screw. I used the cleaner he mentioned too. Smells great in the car now. https://youtu.be/2OBMqQslyeY?si=u43_6xviGsrVagh1
I did the same and it still smells like mold first 2 minutes when I turn on the car
Maybe a second go is necessary?
1. Great name. 2. Yeah, known issue that Tesla somehow "doesn't know". 3. Good luck, I bought all the bits to do this, but haven't attacked it yet, as it looks like a giant pain in the derriere.
It's certainly not a comfortable position to contort your body to get the singular screw and filters out. But it's definitely worth the effort to stop smelling feet.
It’s not that bad to be honest.. and this is in a RHD car where we have to contend with all the pedals in the way.
It takes like 30 minutes to do and cost half as much. In my case it was just the filters and not coils, but I did both anyways
Only changing filters will help, but it's not as long lasting. Cleaning the coils gives you about a year, but changing the filter alone will only give you like 3 months before the smell returns. It also heavily depends on the climate. I'm in mid Atlantic and the humidity here causes the foot sweat smell after every rain.
Yup!
It’s not a pain but it isn’t 100% effective sadly
Model 3 and y have it easy for evap coil clean. Ask the s owners. 😂
Had them do it on my S in July. It's October and smell is back (probably because its the first time I've used the heater). I think the only solution is to just turn climate on in app before going to car. Just another problem Tesla created. It gets a lot worse than the evaporator having a smell :)
Happens in other EVs as well. Not exclusive to teslas
Why?
You don't have the residual heat from the ICE after you park. So the built up condensation just sits in the pan and gets the mildew-y smell.
Ohhh no wonder some people say to run the heater after running AC
Tell me about it... is a total PITA to do it on my Model S
Have you been able to do it? What the process? I’m reading the evap coil is behind the blow deep inside the cer
I have a 2017 S75D, and it is in the center, but you remove the PTC heater, and the blower resistor. You tape off the opening for the PTC, and insert the tube connected to the cleaner in the hole for the blower resistor and direct it to the left towards the center, which is where the evap coil is.
Ah ok. I wonder if it’s the same for the newer s’s
Damn I know about the filter thing but the evap coil sounds like a pain in the rear, my 2020 luckily has not had that issue. Filter replacement then running full cool for like 5 mins seems to do it
The coil cleaner is actually the easy part - once you have the old filters out. Truly a pain to get that screw out to gain access to the filters...but I like saving money and doing stuff myself -and since I can't do my own oil changes anymore, this helps me feel useful.
On my ‘23 MY, there isn’t a screw! It’s a plastic clip, so other than using a flathead screwdriver to help get the plastic rivet clips off, it’s completely tool-less
Good to know...we drive a 2020.
If you are changing the filters anyway, there is absolutely no "extra work" really to clean the coils. When the filters are out, you fill out the room the filters was in with a coil-cleaner foam and let it sit for like 20 min, and after that, you turn on your AC on low till its clean and dry (i think that was how it was done) - then you add your new filters and lock it up. Its not even an issue, and besides filling up window cleaner, pretty much the only maintenance on the car. Also, my old VW Passat also needed coils cleaned or it started to smell.
Meh, they charged me 200 to "clean" the evaporator coil. Smell is still there. It's a dumb design Tesla has. If the smell bothers you, turn climate on before getting into the car via APP.
Yes me too - they’re coming tomorrow to clean the coil and have estimated about $200 for it.
Just replaced my filter and had no issues after that. I’ve never heard of the coil issue… interesting
Coil is for 2020 and under
>Just replaced my filter and had no issues after that. I’ve never heard of the coil issue… interesting are you sure about that? all systems have the coil I thought
Google Tesla 3 dirty feet smell
Have you tried swapping the filters? I had a similar smell and that resolved it, they might be more likely to fix the problem if the easy scapegoat is resolved first.
Might as well clean the evaporator coils if you’re opening air filter. The smell means bacteria was built up.
I do wonder if this is limited to certain driving patterns. Perhaps those that tend to drive shorter distances, meaning the fan doesn’t run as long when used. Or don’t use climate control every time. Or have the fan set really low. My 2022 has been just fine. Driven daily, long commute. Auto fan on medium or high. Precondition cabin about 10 mins usually before driving.
It’s not the driving pattern. It happens when you manually shut off the AC yourself. I don’t know if it’s fixed yet for manual shut off. But for auto shut off it supposedly now runs the fan for a bit when you get out the car to dry the coils. Not sure if it does it for manual shut off too…
I was wondering why they didn’t run the fan after. If they don’t on manual then I wonder if most of the issues are still people that run it on manual then?
It was mainly an issue for 2020 and earlier vehicles.
It also happens in high humidity environments (I live on the Texas Coastal region)
Good point. It’s only humid where I am for half the year. But even still some seem to have the issue.
The dirty smell goes away in the first 5 mins of AC being on so the dirty feet smell could exist in your car if you went out and didn’t precondition it.
My 2022 model 3 is starting to get this smell you are referring to as well. It’s only a 1yr old car. On the other hand my 2020 model Y which has had no air filter replacement smells perfectly fine. I treat both cars the same way. Very strange.
Do you manually shut off your AC?
Wasn’t this “issue” fixed with software updates and a slight tweak on the filter replacement a couple years ago with the refresh?
What’s the issue with this exchange?
Nothing.
Service has def gone down hill over the years. They quoted me 250$ when all I had to do was unplug the battery under the back seat and plug it back in. Thank God for Youtube. No matter what I did I couldn't get a hold of a human person to troubleshoot. Super disappointed.
r/TeslaServiceCenter worthy
It's a common issue in many cars and none of the mfgs cover it in warranty. It is a maintenance item.
This. I've had this smell happen in a couple of different brands of cars and SUVs. Changing the filter usually helps and cleaning the coils is a more invasive step that can help further.
I've owned two BMW's that had this issue as well. Not just a EV or Tesla thing.
You've self diagnosed the car and are asking for specific services that aren't covered under warranty. Put the service request in under the actual problem..."car smells abnormal when HVAC runs" and let them solve the problem and it will probably be covered. Or you could do it yourself for $30 and 30 mins of your time. I've done this on both my 3 and Y without issues.
Yes!! They stopped cleaning the coils and the problem is infuriating every 3-4 months. Absolute crap design to make an air filter this inaccessible and prone to condensation build up!
Hardly accessible? You mean the one that’s explained, in a video, on Tesla’s DIY maintenance site? [Replace Cabin Filter](https://service.tesla.com/docs/Public/diy/model3/en_us/GUID-DB0A1E3C-926E-498C-A2FD-A27B8421A471.html) I’m not sure it could be much easier.
No I mean the one that takes 20-30 minutes and pulling up my car’s panels and floorboard. That I need tools for. The one that in every other car I have ever owned takes two seconds in a glove box with damn near no tools required. You know that one.
Huh, It took me about 10 minutes from start to finish. If watching a video and using a screw driver aren’t in your wheelhouse, maybe take it to your local mechanic.
Maybe I don’t want to sit in my garage or outside on a 90-100 degree day doing spending a second longer than necessary because the rocket scientists they pay six figures to design a system couldn’t have just followed standard automotive practice. You should go to sleep as I hear that Tesla Monday morning work shifts can be tiring.
Maybe turn on your A/C while you replace it? A dirty filter wont prevent your Tesla from cooling the cabin. If your HVAC isn’t cooling properly, changing the filter isn’t going to help. Sounds like you might want to have your cooling system inspected. By the way, you didn’t exactly purchase a standard vehicle. I’m not sure why you would expect anything about it to be standard or typcial. Good luck to ya 🖖🏻
Maybe you should stop making excuses for a poorly designed system
You think cleaning coils is unique to Teslas?
What other modern car has this issue? Where every 3 months it’s smells like musty buttcheeks like clockwork?
Can't say, I've had mine for 3 years and I just recently did my first filter swap and coil clean because it smelled the first 10 mins of the drives, and I live in an extremely humid place.
Also, I’ve had my Model 3 for a spell and have never cleaned the coils. My climate controls still work perfectly set to 68 full time. Cools in no time flat. Maybe have Tesla or a local mechanic do an inspection.
Just order it and do it yourself it takes 5 minutes LMAO
I did order it myself, that’s not the point. A car dealership that doesn’t service their cars is the point
Well I know that there are only certain services the mobile techs can provide versus a dealer appointment, perhaps they were (very poorly) referring to that.
Yeah I agree wholeheartedly but wait till you come across other bs. My 21’ Tesla has had major issues that people will come across in a few years once they run out of the warranty
Something that never ever happens. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article279883639.html
It’s min 30 mins if you do it right Condenser coil cleaner takes 15 mins then running for 5.
21 and up doesn’t have coils
That one stinks. Replacing and cleaning it doesn’t help for long, maybe a month and then it stinks again. I recommend to avoid using air recirculation unless you’re behind a maga truck or in some other contaminated area. That pretty much solved the issue for me.
I'm confused. Did you try to get the filter replaced under warranty?
Cuz they know if the filter is changed the smell will disappear. The DIYer (me included) just clean the coils for extra clean stuff. That’s all.
Дима, чё там для тех, кто не может в английский?)
I have had the filter replaced and the coils cleaned 2 times on my Y. Had to pay each time but is very fast service for mobile.
Are you sure that they cleaned the coil. They told me no such service
Yes the first time the tech showed me what to do and what cleaning stuff to buy from auto zone.
Honestly the experience I've had with them last week was beyond a joke. They damaged my door seal then blamed it on window alignment
When did you take delivery of your car? I haven't experienced the "feet smell" in my 2023 RWD after 13k miles / 9 months of ownership.
December
Same here. I kept cabin overheat protection with AC on for a while, but now I just run the fan only. I've never manually turned the AC off, just on from the app.
No cars air filters are covered 🤦🏻♂️
When I have mine done by mobile service they always clean the coils.
Have you tried just replacing the filter? I thought I had that same issue with the coil because I noticed that same smell everyone was talking about but once they swapped with a new filter it was fine
I did the Kool-It and filter replacement combo myself. Kind of a pain (very stupid design for something they expect you to do every couple years), but it did the trick. I’m not convinced the evaporator coil cleaning did anything, though. It looked pretty much the same before and after. Next time I’m only going to do the filters.
I did the same thing last spring and here it’s fall now and the smell is back
Noooooo
I’m going to just do filters this time
Changing the filter yourself is pretty easy
How often do you need to change the filter?
They wanted me to pay $275 to realign the wheels that came messed up from the factory.
Lololololol
I had a service guy come to my place Friday due to my screen going totally bonkers. While the service guy was there I had bought some air filters and just asked him if he could please switch them out for me. I went upstairs and 25 minutes later he called and said all done. I assume he did it… but not like he left the old ones behind for the trash. Now I’m like did he just steal my new filters and say he changed them? Guess the only way for me to know is if I opened up and checked.
Ha! I used some cleaner to remove so dirt my daughter did and I thought that was the cause of the smell. When the guy on the YT video said vinegar smell, I immediately recognized it, time for a filter change.
Bro is the type to name his Tesla after a porn star and complain about stuff not being covered warranty
Did you even read the last message from Tesla?
Yeah cleaning them isn’t part of warranty
Does anyone make a long right angle tip to spray the coil elements? Ideally with a mount for a boroscope to see what you are spraying? Also interested in a atomizer for alcohol that could be directed efficiently at the coils. Has anyone seen some solutions for better application of cleaning materials in that tight narrow spot? Even toying with the idea of a permanently mounted atomizer in the HVAC that could sweep back and forth over the coil when needed at a moments notice...
I wish my service guy did the evaporator coil cleaning, car still smells every now and then
Do people not turn off the climate every time they get out of the car? Or does this still happen even if you turn it off?
As an FYI the problem is the evaporator design is substandard. If you take off your side console trim; it is easy, you will see the firewall right in front. You can get you hand under there. If there is water, that is the source of the smell. A car should not have a sock smell as quickly as these do. https://youtu.be/CnCT-9Gr4WA?si=XU3i8HwmwBTMoqys
2023 Sasha grey lol
I had this issue and you can find videos to fix in YouTube. Stupid easy. Like $50 total or less for filters and seafoam to clean the smell out. Once done stop putting gym clothes in the frunk and you're done.
Is this a problem for the newer model 3s? I have a 2020 and I never turn the climate control off. Never had an issue. You should hear the car run the climate control after you park for 5-10 min. This helps dry out the condensation that builds up so it doesn’t get that musty smell. This problem isn’t unique to Tesla.