How to Swap Out the Tesla Model 3:Y 12 Volt Battery

[@seanverner3407]

At 3:09 you disconnect the negative cable and wrap it in cloth and warn that it should not touch any metal. The other end of the negative cable should be attached to the frame and therefore doesn't matter if it touches metal. The battery is the power source so you need to cover the posts on the battery and not the cables coming from the car. Later on, after attaching the positive cable you need to cover the terminal with the red rubber boot before attaching the negative cable. If the end of your wrench makes contact with the bare positive terminal while tightening the clamp on the negative cable then you will get an arc and potentially damage the battery. Thanks for all of your videos.

[@Beneremps]

the first thing to disconnect should be the negative cable and the last thing to connect also

[@wo3518]

Great video. My wife and I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to create and upload this informational video.

[@Sanjay9442]

All these videos were very useful to me this week. My model 3 bought 2018 Nov gave me warning on 8/2/21 AM to change the 12 V battery. I made an appointment with Tesla mobile service for 8/4/21 afternoon. Drove 3 miles to work. When I tried to use Model 3 to return home in evening of 8/2/21 - my model 3 was dead. Tesla road side assistance arranged for a tow truck which was supposed to take 90 minutes to come by. Around half way through this wait, my model 3 turned on mysteriously and I was able to drive back home. By then mobile service rescheduled my battery swap appointment to 8/16/21. Refused a back up transportation even though my car could not be driven safely. Refused to install Ohmuu battery, if I bought one myself. My car is still under warranty and they would cover battery swap free of charge if I waited until 8/16. However, I could not wait until 8/16 so I bought Ohmuu battery and installed it myself - thanks to your videos. My Tesla service experience has been horrible every time. I do not think I will buy another Tesla. These people do not value their customer's experience.

[@o.tkachov]

I replaced my battery :) Thank you for instruction! Glory to Ukraine 🇺🇦 Glory to the Heroes

[@brianh2787]

I just did this swap out today on my Model Y. Super easy. I'd recommend/emphasize a few safety things. Wear protective lenses and as TFG did, wear insulated gloves. Also, I would leave the negative cap on until you're ready to reconnect, to avoid arcing by accident when tightening the positive terminal.

[@sergedesnoyers2222]

Super vidéo, very well done the steps by steps procedure but at 74 years old I think I will leave that to the experts

[@formerpilot]

Thanks, your steps are easy to follow. I think I might decide to replace my lead acid battery with the lithium one when the time comes because you've shown me how to do it. Thanks, again.

[@stano49]

Replacing the 12 v. battery seems straight forward enough but I’m at the point in my life where paying to have it done is more appealing. Also, the lithium ion battery option seems too expensive….at least for now. And lastly, I’ve yet to need mobile service. When the time comes, I’m curious about that experience. Thanks for the series, it’s very helpful.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Really excellent video! I see too many videos where they don’t disconnect the connector under the rear seat. That’s where all of the 12 volt emergency power comes from. I learned that from Brian at i1Tesla a long time ago. He proved that the lead acid battery could be disconnected and that there was still power to open the doors from the inside in an emergency (probably the windows, too). I’ve seen plenty of people install the swivel center screen and they just trust the Power Off button on the screen. Touch the brake pedal by accident and everything will wake up.

[@CJSLFindaer]

Thanks for this! Due to it being an EV that seems like one of the more advanced maintenance tasks a Model 3 will need and it is not that bad.

[@johnlonergan7237]

Nicely done. That looks relatively easy. Enjoying your videos on this issue.

[@hmspain52]

Thank you for this video! I saved the video just in case. I bought the lithium battery about a year ago, again just in case. Well this morning I got the 12V message, and was ready. I was lucky since I just returned from a long trip from CA to CO. Your steps were PERFECT!

[@FrugalTeslaGuy]

Excellent! Nice way to plan ahead!

[@hmspain52]

@@FrugalTeslaGuy I bought the battery when your video came out (about a year ago). You made SURE I was ready for this PITA event :-).

[@ezpoppy55]

FTG, this is awesome! Whether I’d do it myself or just let the pros handle it is a decision I’ll make when I have to (my Model 3 is 3 mos old, so a while to go yet). However, this video is going to be incredibly useful either way. Thanks for this very informative and useful mini-series!

[@tomdesalvo]

Great video. I might leave it to the professionals just so I don’t have to deal with disposal of the old/dead battery. Thanks again, very informative

[@thepurplemaskknows9383]

EXCELLENT!! I could use all the trite superlatives but just let me say this; this is by far the easiest DIY Tesla video out there. After only one view I successfully changed out my M3 12v battery with an Ommu. NO problemos what so ever. Thank you Thank you Thank you.

[@FrugalTeslaGuy]

That’s great Ed! I’m glad I could help and I hope you enjoy your new battery! Thanks for watching!

[@bladcrpw7961]

After you connect the +/- cables, there's a couple of wires sticking out - what did you do with them?

[@MichaelKire]

I think those cables were his frunk autoopener thingy. Not something you'd have

[@TheNewAccount2008]

Nice video. You just left one little detail out: How do you power your car back on when you are finished? Or will it just magically restart? I will most likely leave such work to the professionals, despite it being a relatively easy thing to do.

[@FrugalTeslaGuy]

It just powers back on by itself.

[@jeffnreno5080]

@@FrugalTeslaGuy Will it retain all previous settings? After I had my FSD computer upgrade, I had lost all my trip readings that I had been saving for my lifetime efficiency, tire mileage, and had to reprogram my preference for things like my seat positions. I also had to reprogram my Homelink settings.

[@sambira]

@@jeffnreno5080 I'm not sure but I'm guessing this process will retain everything. All your options are probably in non-volatile storage on the board that was replaced by the computer upgrade (which would explain why nothing was saved in the FSD upgrade). I just look at a Tesla as a computer on wheels and that appears to be how Tesla has created it.

[@chippatullo2824]

Welll done camera work, planning your shots, your script, all around. Not to mention accurate info on a necessary step for maintenance.

[@FrugalTeslaGuy]

Thanks for noticing and thanks For watching.

[@raffly4449]

Access to that 12V battery is SUPER EASY compared to my 2014 Ford Escape which is under the windshield. I had to remove the wipers, the cowl cover and an intake duct just to get at it !! Tesla service is MUCH easier !!

[@kdjorgensen98]

Thanks for the guide, seems to have worked great! Only complaint is against Tesla for having all those stupid plastic connectors holding the covers in place. Those things suck.

[@AlanDayley]

Thanks for showing the hard to see, hard to reach attachment points.

[@Milliegs]

Thanks, good information. I’ll do it myself at 2:1/2 years in.

[@sentino68]

So you went with OHMMU. Big expense compared to OEM. Probably worth it. Thanks for posting!

[@nukem384]

I'm like excited for my 12v to die, but not at the same time lol. Maybe I should just go get one sooner than later on my 2018 for peace of mind. Install looked pretty pro to me! Nice job!

[@skane3109]

Would i change out the battery myself? Depends. Probably not. If I’m at home, within 25 miles of a Tesla service center, I’d pay the Tesla mobile service to do it. If I’m on the road and outside their mobile service area, I would definitely consider doing it, assuming i have the right tools with me. But chances are I’d call AAA and they’ed swap it for me. Having said that, this is an excellent tutorial and i love knowing i could swap it myself if I had to. Thanks!

[@Sanjay9442]

what type of gloves did you use and where did you get them? Thanks

[@ericdelacruz2733]

What about the gas vent tube? It doesn’t have to be reconnected?

[@joec1978]

Looks like the LI battery does not need the drain on the side of the battery?

[@tommckinney1489]

Why do you have to roll down the windows and open the doors before battery replacement?

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

You don’t want to accidentally lock yourself out of the car when it’s totally powered down. You might be able to open the frunk by using the emergency power connection behind the access hole for the tow hook in the front bumper. It’s software locked unless the 12 volt battery is too weak or dead. The idea is that you can open your frunk, replace the lead acid battery and then you would be able to gain access to the passenger compartment. When the Model 3 first came out, anyone could open your frunk, then Tesla had an over the air software update and then that hack didn’t work unless the lead acid battery was dead! I spoiled the next part of this video, I think.

[@jbrcich709]

Okay, I curious. Why do you need to roll down all the windows and open all the doors? Seems an odd requirement. Pulling the high voltage interlock makes sense since this will disable the DC to DC converter that would be trying to charge the battery.

[@StormsparkPegasus]

On the 2021 refresh Model 3 this is slightly easier - you do not have to remove the air intake grill. It's smaller because of the Octovalve system. When you open the frunk and take the plastic panel off, the battery is just right there fully exposed. This is also because the frunk itself is deeper, but not quite as wide (to make room for the Octovalve stuff). You just have to undo the two terminals and the clamp.

[@ejduffy]

Is the disconnect still under the rear seat?

[@StormsparkPegasus]

@@ejduffy In my car it is. I can't speak for the new Highland refresh as I don't have one.

[@ejduffy]

@@StormsparkPegasus thanks, I have a 2021 too.

[@johncahill3644]

I just needed a new 12 V in my 3 year old Model 3...but I let Tesla come out and replace it for free. With an 8 year warranty, I’ll be letting them replace the next one for free as well.

[@erikandmarcie]

Why worry about the ground cable touching ground?

[@neburNight26]

Nice job as always. I did have a few questions as I will be at 2 years in January. 1. Any idea if doing the work yourself voids any Tesla warranty? 2. Is the battery a standard 12v just smaller to fit in the Tesla space?

[@cowdesigner]

Great video showing the details. You did an awesome job! Thank you!

[@jtburn7862]

Is there any concern with how the car manages the Lithium battery? i.e how it monitors the voltage, knows when and how much to charge it and detection of when it is going bad? I am sure it probably has different characteristics such as votage drop under load and off load, capacity etc. I am not an electrician so I may be speaking rubbish!! My car is coming up to 3 years old so concerned I should do this pre-emptively.

[@FrugalTeslaGuy]

Legitimate concerns for sure. I personally am not concerned about it. It has been on the market for over a year (or 2 or 3?) and has proven itself to work so far.

[@TheAtlantaparker]

Any reason you didn't use dielectric grease between the spacer and battery post and then again on the wires?

[@ezitobezito5251]

@FrugalTeslaGuy is there on the + plug a battery temperature sensor? and can it be replaced or removed? my error says something wrong with the battery temperature sensor but i cannot seem to find where this sensor is located.

[@vinceandtheresa1243]

Thank you. My 3 is around the same age as yours, so this has been on my mind. What about the vent tube? Not needed? Thanks again.

[@northernliving2750]

No venting with the lithium batteries

[@scotteladd2537]

Nice job. Very informative video. Thank you!

[@raywflam]

Where can I get the 12 volt battery?

[@lidiasipe3016]

if I replace the 12v battery in my tesla model 3 does it void any warranties; 2019 w/140,000 miles.

[@rich1383yt]

What happened with the red and black dangling wires at around 6:50? Where did they come from?

[@rich1383yt]

Ah - someone said it was your frunk-opener device. Maybe you could annotate the video and note that?

[@FrugalTeslaGuy]

Yes, it was the frunk and trunk wires.

[@jeffnreno5080]

Great video and makes it look simple enough to change it preemptively. I was wondering if doing it myself would affect my warranty if I bought a battery other than the one Tesla sells? I didn't see anything about bringing the car back on so assuming the car just comes back on normally when finished. Thanks for doing this for us DIY types.

[@peterrwagner3289]

I noticed you had some accessories attached to the battery. I will be installing an underglow kit that connects to the 12v battery. Do I need to power down and disconnect the plug under the rear seat when tapping into the 12v battery? Or is that only when you are changing out the 12v battery?

[@MohamedAlJneibi]

Thanks for the awesome videos and Information as always! I've just bought a Model 3 Tesla and I'm loving it. My only question with regards to the video: are these steps the same across all models like a LR, SR+ and Performance? Sorry if its a stupid question, but just wanted to make sure. Currently driving a LR Model 3

[@FrugalTeslaGuy]

No difference at all

[@MohamedAlJneibi]

@@FrugalTeslaGuy Thanks a million for that and happy driving!

[@ColonelRHS]

Always enjoy your videos....I feel confident now in changing the battery. The only question is do I use a regular or go for the Ohmmu. The price is offset by the fact that people are hanging onto their cars now and unless that changes, having the extra years might be the deciding factor.

[@FrugalTeslaGuy]

If you plan on keeping your car for the long haul the Ohmmu battery might be the way to go.

[@helenebardinet4634]

Your videos are fantastic! I’m still under warranty so if at all possible, i’ll let Tesla swap my 1st battery. However i know ill get back to this video if i have to do it myself. Quick question: you unplugged a “battery vent” but I didn’t see you plug it back. Simple omission or on purpose?

[@FrugalTeslaGuy]

Thank you! I didn’t mention it (I probably should have) but the vent hose isn’t used with the Lithium battery.

[@nateLegakis]

In a new 2022 Model 3, it's a 12v battery with about 7000 mah, correct? If you leave several things charging in it over night, does the 12v battery go dead or does the main battery automatically start charging it when it gets low?

[@s4127419]

But after replacing the battery that warning still pops up and might need the Tesla Star machine to register the replacement of the 12v battery, I replaced a battery for model s , and that message still there after the job .

[@FrugalTeslaGuy]

How long ago did you replace the battery. Doesn’t seem to be a issue anymore. Maybe a software fix?

[@deanlevang6031]

I take it that the new battery didn't need to be vented since you didn't show re-connecting the vent tube.

[@brookemiller7230]

I think that even I could do that! Can you replace the lead acid with a lithium ion battery?

[@warrenmcelroy6998]

He didn't note it in this video, but he is replacing with lithium. www.ohmmu.com/product-page/12v-lithium-battery-for-tesla-model-3.

[@Resist4]

I've never seen an AGM battery with a gas vent tube before.

[@Akira282]

Likewise. That is interesting, if not strange.

[@Resist4]

@@Akira282 I think someone doesn't know what AGM batteries are, because they don't have vent tubes as there are no liquids in them.

[@josephfalkner9049]

Excellent, excellent video.

[@jimadams2113]

Will the car display any errors with the non Tesla battery?

[@laloajuria4678]

its not a tesla brand 12v battery, the car does not care.

[@FrugalTeslaGuy]

Nope

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

I did see some issues a while ago from an unrelated software update, but the battery company took care of it. I’m leery of changing it too, unless you live in a really hot climate, like Phoenix, Arizona, where the lead acid batteries do not last very long.

[@jackolantern7342]

@@FrugalTeslaGuy No issues at all with HV battery charging up the 12V Lithium battery?

[@erikandmarcie]

@@laloajuria4678 misinformation, it causes because the voltage standards are different

[@islandsnow]

What was under the back seat that needed to be unplugged?

[@FrugalTeslaGuy]

It’s essentially a power cable to the main battery.

[@islandsnow]

@@FrugalTeslaGuy scaryyyyy! Any risk to you by disconnecting that?

[@davidr3246]

After installing the Omnu battery, does the gas vent tube from the lead acid battery just hang loose in the bay beside the battery? Also, how do you power the main 15” screen back on when the job is complete?

[@FrugalTeslaGuy]

The gas vent is no longer used and the screen turns back on when you connect the power.

[@bohicajohnson7203]

Me, I would have just replaced the 12V battery. None of this mucking about with the back seat!! What is this? A Land Rover?

[@eebach]

Looks easy

[@starchild5477]

Can you jumpstart the 12 volt battery?

[@jackolantern7342]

I'd like to know this also.

[@mattaut88]

@@jackolantern7342 Yes behind the tow hook cap are wires.

[@jackolantern7342]

@@mattaut88 I thought those wires were to open the frunk latch and not jump the 12V?

[@mattaut88]

@@jackolantern7342 yes correct

[@Wol747]

Did you have any issues with the software after fitting the Ohmmu?

[@FrugalTeslaGuy]

Nope

[@Wol747]

@@FrugalTeslaGuy Thanks! I’ve been wondering whether to get a Li battery in advance ready for when the 12v dies, but have seen one or two comments against them including that they don’t last as long as advertised and that you have to do something with the car’s software to make them compliant. Glad to hear your experience.

[@ken90004]

you didn't put back the vent tube. You may want to go back and check.

[@mehsdomi]

Did you put the gas tube back on? You skipped that step

[@FrugalTeslaGuy]

Don’t need it for the Ohmmu battery

[@yued9898]

Li-Ion battery does not produce any gas when charging. So not vent tube is required.

[@JonathanRootD]

Legacy tech. Shame Tesla didn't future proof with a lithium ion 12v at the very least.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Way too expensive and lead acid batteries work in high and low temperature extremes, those were the excuses years ago.

[@jackolantern7342]

I think newest S/X have Lithium 12V now

[@famoussasjohn]

They are now moving forward with lithium ion 12v batteries. Starting with the new S and X that Elon talked about a few months ago.

[@mattaut88]

@@famoussasjohn 3 and Y get them too

[@D130401]

You didn't reattach the battery vent pipe!

[@warrenmcelroy6998]

He didn't note it in this video, but he is replacing with lithium battery that does not use the vent hose.

[@mikehedrick6544]

Did Tesla say this new battery will not void any warranty? The car was designed to charge and maintain the charge for a lead acid battery.

[@phyzygy]

Previous video FTG stated car has ~60K miles so past warrantee so work is at his own risk.

[@g00glechr0me8]

The 12 volt battery should charge when the car is plugged in and/or "running/driving"....there's no reason it shouldn't stay charged up and last for many years....something seems wrong.

[@FirstClass-]

OMG ... I would NOT replace it with an Ohmmu...

[@frecklesx20]

You didn’t explain each step. For us technically challenged .