Tesla AC Smells like Dirty Socks - how to fix it yourself and save $$$

Chris' Tesla Model Y smelled like dirty socks when the air conditioning was running. In this video, he shows how to replace the cabin air filters and clean the AC system to quickly eliminate the smell.
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[@EricN604]

Just did this myself and came here to say- Definitely do not skip the coil/vent cleaner spray if you have the gym sock odor! Replacing only the filter wont do, you wont get rid of the smell completely. After the spray it was like a whole new car.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks for the advice!

[@deblynne9440]

I just replaced my filters and the AC smells brand new! Maybe it depends how long it's been?

[@EricN604]

@@deblynne9440 it might shorten how long your new filter lasts. The air is filtering through new medium which will have an immediate positive effect but you're pulling the pre existing mildew from your dirty coil into your new filter fibers, might give the smell a head start foothold into the new filters and come back sooner.

[@TheMackfee]

I almost gave up because I had a hard time getting the clips undone, but then I used a long, beefy screwdriver to push on the white part of the clip and gently pry, and they came off much easier without any breaking,

[@handydadtv]

Smart move!

[@speaklifegardenhomesteadpe8783]

What would happen if you just skip the filter totally?

[@handydadtv]

The coil and blower would clog up with all the outside dirt and pollen that was trapped by the filter.

[@leilaninevarez2783]

Thanks KZbin dad. Can you just do it for meeeeeeee🥺

[@handydadtv]

No, but Tesla will.

[@beardve1]

This video is hard to follow because you can’t even tell where you’re removing these panels from??

[@handydadtv]

The passenger side.

[@chriswebb4124]

Thanks, Chris. I just ordered the parts and will be doing this in the next few days. But, as an HVAC engineer, I think it would be helpful to let people know where the smell comes from in the first place and how to keep it from coming back. Here's what I do on all my cars, not just my Tesla: If you're running your AC, as you approach your destination, turn the AC off, open your window(s) to increase airflow and decrease static pressure of the system fan, and turn the fan on high. This gets rid of the excess moisture sitting on your AC coil and also sitting in your condensate drain pan. Now, be advised, as that moisture is removed from your AC coil, your fan will be depositing it into the cabin making it feel hot and swampy, and that's why the windows are open (this works better when the car is moving than when it's stopped). Now, due to a rather complicated thing called vapor pressure, it depends on where you are as to how long you need to do this. Here in SoCal, usually less than a minute. In the Midwest, this might take a minute or two. In Phoenix, maybe ten or fifteen seconds. In Miami, might take quite a bit longer. But if you can keep that condensate pan dry, then microbials that smell bad will have a much harder time growing. However - there's always a however with engineers - although I do this fairly regularly, my wife and daughters do not. That's why I'll be following your excellent instructions in a few days. Thanks for all you do. We appreciate you!

[@handydadtv]

Thanks for the explanation. I’ve heard this advice before but Tesla doesn’t make it easy to turn off the AC and just leave the fan. Takes a couple of clicks but it would be a good habit to keep.

[@gofortyninerss]

I'm not good with clips, so I'll just let Tesla come by and pay the extra for the no hassle. Excellent video!

[@handydadtv]

Good plan

[@westownsend8228]

I've had cars that require cutting factory plastic to replace, so I'd say this isn't too egregious. That said, I'm scheduling the mobile service lol

[@handydadtv]

LOL 😂

[@kprince7684]

It looks like the arrow is backwards on the new filter. Charcoal side shows to be the entering air side on the website. That would also make the tabs correct.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks. I’ll have to look closer next time.

[@805NAVE]

It might as well be a unique problem to Tesla lol. I valet park cars for a living, and I swear 70 percent of the teslas I get in reek of nasty mold dirty socks. Very few other cars ever smell this bad, or smell at all. Maybe once ever 200 cars had a similar smell. It’s ridiculously common in teslas. Nasty things. My Lexus with 343,000 miles smells like delicious fruit punch when I use the AC lol

[@handydadtv]

They can resolve it with a software update to run just the fan for a few minutes after it’s parked and conditions are right. Still waiting for that…

[@MegaLifeChanging]

At near end of trips driving, turn off AC and run blower on high. This will help dry things off inside AC areas and help prevent mold growth and smell.

[@handydadtv]

Good idea. The car should do that automatically after being parked.

[@MegaLifeChanging]

@@handydadtv I do it on all my cars

[@vinumcopia9850]

I believe Tesla now offers an option to upgrade the Model Y filters to the larger HEPA filter that would enable the Bio-weapon Defense mode previously available only on the model S & X. That might be a worth-while (after-market) upgrade. (Model 3 doesn't have enough room for the larger filter)

[@handydadtv]

I’d be curious to know if that helps prevent the stink.

[@makesaveinccomm]

​@@handydadtv hahaha it would not help with the smell after a while daddy :D... BUT it would cost you more money after every 6 months or so ... hahahaha.....

[@silverdoggg]

@@handydadtv I have that Hepa filter on my model S and it STILL stinks! Hence my visit to this video, lol. The problem is, all the vids on this are for the model 3

[@handydadtv]

@silverdoggg Record it when you change yours and I’ll publish it so other S owners will see how it’s done.

[@Bane92]

It’s not the filter but flawed design because horizontal drip???

[@hughmorris]

Tesla has now stopped cleaning the coils. They just change filters which does not correct the issue. Had to turn mobile away when he told me they don’t stock the cleaner at the dealer anymore.

[@handydadtv]

Wow. Thanks for sharing.

[@ddanielpho]

Tesla come to my House to clean and change the cabin filter for $70.90 , so I leave it to Tesla. . It's not expensive

[@handydadtv]

👌🏻

[@jimbo4551]

👍 I’ve owned other vehicles that were probably just as hard to replace the filter. Not that unique to only Tesla

[@handydadtv]

Well I’ve done Honda, Toyota and Hyundai. They were all easier.

[@ambera4002]

😫 I've only had mine for 8 months and its got the trademark Tesla Stank already 🤢

[@handydadtv]

I had it once in three years.

[@tubetop123]

Thanks! In Canada, Tesla is charging (with tax) $88 to do this. The same filter (without charcoal) + spray can will be about (with tax) $ 47. Save $40 worth my efforts? Hmmm Oh wait, Tesla's quote does not include the spray cleaning!

[@handydadtv]

I heard it’s $150-200.

[@harveypaxton1232]

With the endoscope look at the very bottom of the evaporator housing to make sure your drain is not clogged. Also look under the car after spraying the cleaner to see if any is coming out of the drain.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks

[@NickVarn]

Came here for the car fixing advise, stayed for the dad jokes

[@handydadtv]

Sadly I don’t have many

[@bigtom1948]

I'll have Tesla do it as I am 76 years old and unfortunately not as flexible as I once was.

[@handydadtv]

I don’t blame you!

[@bobasaur_]

If you guys smell rotten eggs get the 12v battery checked out! My Tesla couple months in my Tesla AC smelled stinky so I replaced the filter and it did great until it slowly started to smell. Then one morning went into my garage it stank. Found out it was my Tesla and I tried operating the car and it went dead. Tesla had to tow it out of my garage and now it’s currently being serviced.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks for the info!

[@sirsleeves]

Did this twice now... smells comes back within 1-2 weeks...

[@handydadtv]

Mine was good for two years and then I sold the car.

[@DJRahulEntertainment]

The first production model 3 is a little bit trickier. The screw to remove the filter cover is on the top and not the bottom. I had to use a flexible screw driver.

[@handydadtv]

Wow! What the heck were they thinking!!

[@bac3phi]

Hi Chris, Just want to say "Thank You!" for your video on how to install the NEMA. It was very easy to follow. I got it done within a day. Even my Electrician friend was surprised when he came over for a drink.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks. Glad it was helpful.

[@EGeorgePerry]

Gonna try. Thanks. I wouldn’ve turned on all vents when you turned AC on. I would also spray foam in the intake duct. And after 20 min, run AC and spray Lysol so that all of the vents can be cleaned of bacteria. Then put the new filters in.

[@handydadtv]

Sounds like a man with a plan 👍🏻

[@aaronbounds1336]

Where is the intake duct?

[@weekendwarrior3420]

Elon puts on new socks every evening and the old ones they stick as souvenirs into random Teslas. Everybody loves Elon, but I wish his socks were as hard to change. You need a body shop to work on it! As you break more clips it'll become easier and easier. Kilma Cleaner Pro! Pay Tesla - if you own one your a fanboy with more money than you need, so use it this time to actually make your life easier.

[@handydadtv]

It’ll be easier next time.

[@alexk6745]

Just break all clips the very first time so you do not have problems after that )))

[@jesswang03]

My dad’s Y smells like gym shoes funk and I definitely feel like I could replace the air filter after watching this video. Damn that clip on the side panel though!

[@handydadtv]

Yeah

[@Bane92]

It’s not the air filter !!!

[@_colelyy]

Just did it! Great video thanks!!

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@chrisallmand1805]

Thanks for the video. I think this is the first time I’ve seen a KZbinr suggest a thumbs down lol

[@handydadtv]

They didn’t make it easy. But it’s the only maintenance I’ve done on the car in 3 years. That and wiper blades.

[@alternatereality7713]

Knowing myself I'll break whole bunch of clips if not more and then after being frustrated will have to take it in for a professional to finish it off - might as well start with a Tesla in the beginning. Less aggravation.

[@handydadtv]

You know your limits.

[@MUsmanQamar-kh9ix]

Somebody have to reach out to elon musk about this problem.

[@handydadtv]

Good idea

[@sjruiz7]

they sent you two top filters, in my case I receive one filter with tab on top and one with tab on bottom

[@handydadtv]

Good to know! Thanks!

[@maanal-obyde4238]

Great job! Your video is so helpful appreciated your time 🙏

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@zacharypiech2930]

Yep or 2022 Tesla X smells like dirty feet and socks.

[@handydadtv]

Mine has been good for nearly 2 years since this video was made. But I can tell it’s going to probably need it again this summer.

[@volpswagen_marco]

👍🏼 I do it myself already

[@handydadtv]

Did you have trouble getting that panel off too?

[@volpswagen_marco]

@@handydadtv I do it myself, but I don’t have Teslas. 😁. It seems like most manufactures seem to find the most inconvenient place to put their filters though.

[@handydadtv]

On all of my other cars, it was behind the glovebox.

[@pk-76]

Never realized there was a speaker down there. I have a ‘23 MY with the giant HEPA filter in the frunk. Does that filter replace these filters?

[@handydadtv]

I’m not sure.

[@ToreOnYouTube]

Follow up? What’s the verdict? Did it help, 10 months later?

[@handydadtv]

I changed it late summer 2021. It’s now Fall 2022 and still good.

[@mamatolucas]

Help! I did this all step by step.. thought all was well but a few weeks later it stinks again. My model 3 is the worst, model y is moderately bad. Any other suggestions?

[@handydadtv]

Call Tesla service I guess.

[@bkcalvine]

@@handydadtv LOL

[@yescivic]

Unbeliveable how backward that is, and its quality.

[@handydadtv]

It’s the only maintenance I’ve done in 20 months owning the car, so I’m okay with a little extra effort. But they could definitely have made it easier.

[@PilotVBall]

That is some horrible engineering. Yikes!

[@handydadtv]

I have to agree.

[@johnforjustice]

Okay! But it is a temporary solution. It gets stinky every year after filter replacement. Cleaning ac coils every year sucks. I really do not see any visible clog and mold. For my next project, I planned to implement UV light inside to kill mold and germs and finally get rid of the smell forever.

[@handydadtv]

I only did it once in 3 years. But I just traded up to the 2023 MY with the HEPA filter so I’m interested to see how this one goes.

[@hayleykenyon5679]

@@handydadtv Any issues with your 2023 MY with the HEPA Filter? I have a "sweet" smelling, smell when I turn on the AC, and wondering if you have any issues with your Y like you did in this video?

[@handydadtv]

@hayleykenyon5679 No, not yet.

[@ManE36]

How often do you have to do this ?

[@handydadtv]

I only did it once.

[@AntonioMontezMauricio]

Why do you keep on sniffing it.. 😊

[@handydadtv]

Trying to describe it.

[@jaymendoza8424]

I think you like how it stinks.👍

[@handydadtv]

🤣

[@jjones8587]

I have a 2018 MS 75D and have never changed the hepa filter or the cabin filter. Car has 32,000 miles always garaged. My car smells brand new, nothing stinking. Yet my 2022 MS LR started smelling like sour wet socks intermittently after only a few months. Tesla Mobil service came out and pulled my cabin filter out first (2022 MS LR) and it was very clean. He did not replace it. He did however suggest that I take it to the service center and have the HEPA filter replaced for $600. NOPE not gonna do that. My 2018 never has had any foul smell and it has never had a new filter. Any ideas on the 2022 MS?

[@handydadtv]

Try the coil cleaner. It eliminated my stink. Now almost 2 years later I get a slight smell when the AC starts up on really humid days. But I can live with doing it every 2 years.

[@Bane92]

Yup. It’s the horizontal drip. Super flawed design. Most people don’t know this

[@jjones8587]

@@handydadtvI ended up having the HEPA filter replaced by tesla. I fought them on the pricing they wanted $600. I got them to install for $300 since I told them that the car started stinking only a few months after being delivered. The service center took my old HEPA filter out and put in another MS and it started smelling as well. It has been a couple of months and I have not smelled anything.

[@aaronbounds1336]

I have been finding the persistent wet socks mess in my 23 MY, about every 15K miles. I have cleaned the coils with vinegar, bleach, condenser coil cleaner, and the smell still comes back. Changed the clean looking cabin air filters too, still with the bad AC smell. Never had a car like that in the past, ever. Too bad because the drivetrain and related pets have been flawless thus far.

[@ero5music534]

Keep the dad jokes!

[@handydadtv]

Thanks 😊

[@geoncox]

Yea no. I won’t be doing that

[@handydadtv]

It’s not for everyone

[@EpicConspiracy]

Yikes. I hope my Ford Lightning doesn’t have this issue. I will be constantly checking lol.

[@handydadtv]

Let’s hope Ford makes the filter easier to replace.

[@AntonioAugusto1010]

No it will just suck everywhere else

[@sal6830]

Winter time in Jersey pay the $150 lol

[@handydadtv]

Haha good point. I don’t know if it would smell with heater. So it might be fine until temps rise in the Spring anyway.

[@aanneell]

just rotate the bottom filter 180 degrees so the tabs are on top? arrow would still be the same way?

[@handydadtv]

Then the tab would be on the wrong side.

[@aanneell]

@@handydadtv gotcha. Looked like there were tabs on both sides.

[@MRIMan]

Thanks just did it!

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@jmoneys90]

This happened to my Model Y after 6 months.

[@handydadtv]

Mine made it a year.

[@peteyoh]

Mine too! Tesla came out and replaced the filter for $54usd. Well worth it if the aftermarket filter is $47. He even topped off my tire pressure for free.

[@PaulSri]

hey thanks for the video! curious what brand of tray that is you have under the tesla catching the condensation / klima? thanks!

[@handydadtv]

Just a generic boot tray.

[@jasonlebon2834]

from Ikea 😉! I use the same for dripping my wetsuit in the garage. Works well and it does look good too.

[@handydadtv]

Haha yeah it probably came from IKEA.

[@beamer6136]

Because it’s a Tesla

[@handydadtv]

Indeed 😂

[@macsterguy]

👍🏼 Boy, Tesla did you no favors on making that job easy! Nice Tab catch and fix. (that’s what she said ha ha Ha)

[@handydadtv]

It was tight. 🤣

[@johnk1325]

Great video. Thankyou 👍

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful

[@eusouocara23]

How long before it would start smelling again? Great video!

[@handydadtv]

I did this in the Fall of 2021. As of January 2023, it still smells fine.

[@eusouocara23]

@@handydadtv gonna try it out! Thanks!

[@thiscorneroftheworld2514]

In my case, I first replaced the filters + cleaned the coil at 7000 miles. Now at 35000 miles and the smell has returned, so time for wrestle #2 with the trim piece. A stinky problem for a "semi" luxury car. Haha.

[@MrPlasmo]

@@handydadtv i have changed my model 3 filters and cleaned the coils every year about this time of year...in fact watched your video to refresh my memory on the instructions. I think this will be my 4th year doing it, but it is always around the end of summer - beginning of Fall when the smell comes back :(

[@hughmorris]

I got Tesla Mobile to do mine with cleaning in July 23 by Dec 23 it was coming back by Feb it’s easily noticeable. Called to have it done again mobile came and said they don’t clean anymore even though my estimate included the charges so I turned him away. Filters alone won’t fix this. I contacted them and they refuse to use cleaner want me to drop the car off and wait days in a queue to change filter only.

[@mkzenthusiasts]

You can't STOP RUNNING YOUR A/C for LONG PERIODS OF TIME I made made that mistake once I left the a/c off all winter long and I got that rotten smell come springtime. I bet to save energy you took the climate control off Auto & with it on auto even when cooling isn't needed the air-conditioning runs occasionally and prevents that nasty smell

[@handydadtv]

I leave climate control on Auto all year long. It started to smell in early Fall.

[@tarmacsurfer101]

150 fiddy... Yeah I'll let Tesla do this one... Great video otherwise!

[@handydadtv]

Good choice

[@lisettegarcia]

I don't own a Tesla and prolly won't ever. But the topic is fascinating. Good work!

[@handydadtv]

Thanks!

[@paulspurlock2420]

I had the problem last year, $120 and a Tesla visit solved the problem. I've never had the problem on another car but know it exists so I've had a habit of turning off the AC but leaving the fan run for a while to attempt to dry out the evaporator before putting the car to bed. I had been doing the same on the model 3 but noticed something new this year as I began to use the AC. After parking the car if I happen to pass by it some time later (don't know how long maybe 20 minutes?) the HVAC fan was running. Now its my guess that Tesla has made a software change to run that fan to dry out the evaporator, if so the problem is fixed permanently. I would however like for Tesla to provide an explanation of what's going on, can I forget trying to dry it out myself and under what conditions does that fan run. Whatever the deal is it didn't do it until I started using the AC.

[@handydadtv]

Good question

[@Bane92]

It’s a flawed design. Every other vehicle has vertical drip and Tesla has horizontal drip causing bacteria build up on water !!!

[@luvmechanix]

I am not buying something that i need to use duct tape on. Any design flaws on aftermarket parts are a deal breaker to me.

[@handydadtv]

Someone commented that I did it wrong and I shouldn’t have needed to use the tape.

[@mjezzi]

Is it lasting longer?

[@handydadtv]

Yes. I didn’t have that issue this summer.

[@JasonPrice1]

First, I like your content so nothing aimed at you at all fine sir. Tesla, however. Ya, no. It is videos like this that make me more and more of a lifetime Honda guy. FAR easier to do ANY maintenance on and FAR better overall quality. Except for the first gen CRV, every Honda I have ever changed air filters on is less than 5 minutes, NO tools and I can get the filters at ANY auto parts stores. For the record, that is Gen 7, 10 and 11 Civic; Gen 1, 3 and 5 CRV, Gen 1 Ridgeline. I haven't looked into it but I can readily assume this is the same for basically everything from Honda from 2001/2002 forward. And my answer for what I would do? Not buy a Tesla in the first place.

[@handydadtv]

I respect that opinion. I have owned several Hondas and you are correct, they are designed for easy maintenance. I’m not a wearing rose-colored Tesla glasses though. Looking forward to more EV choices in the future.

[@hughmorris]

This is the only issue people have with Tesla. Far less moving parts than an ice car. No oil changes, most people go well over 100k for brakes etc. This is the only thing that has been an issue for mine. By now my other cars would be in the shop a few times. My Land Rover is right now ha!

[@alexk6745]

If it is once in 36 months it is ok to Tesla to do it. If it is more often then I'd like to have another car

[@handydadtv]

Ok

[@AntonioAugusto1010]

Could have just flip it the filter and tabs would be up Lol IQ of a door

[@handydadtv]

Perhaps

[@withramya]

I didn’t pay this much to have a smelly car

[@handydadtv]

It’s a common problem, not just Tesla.

[@alexk6745]

​@@handydadtvI have pajero 2009 and I do not have described problem at all. May be I have not sniff it. You know socks do not smell until you sniff them. My wife always likes the way I check is my socks are clean or not. May be I should check my Pajero

[@Atekcs]

Reason #27 I will not own a Tesla. How could they have made that any harder!?

[@handydadtv]

I didn’t need to remove the seat. 🤪

[@alexk6745]

Could you provide a link to all you 27 reasons? I wanted to buy but now after this issue not sure if I should or not

[@ch3apjoe]

6 months and this is happening

[@handydadtv]

Seems to happen when the weather gets humid.