The cabin filter's health is displayed as a percentage
CheekyTesla
Tesla’s Service Mode, a feature that allows both users and technicians to diagnose and view vehicle information, has had several features added to it recently. Chief among them for everyday Tesla owners is a health meter for your vehicle’s Cabin Filter.
Cabin Filter Health
The update displays a “Cabin Filter Health” UI in the HVAC section of Service Mode. This health readout is shown as a percentage of health, with a lower number indicating that the cabin filter needs to be replaced. However, we’ve also seen some users report they had a value over 100%. The health meter is intended to provide an approximation of the useful life of your Cabin Air filter.
Tesla likely approximates the health of the cabin filter based on the filter's age and how many hours the HVAC system has been used. It may also consider the fan speed of the HVAC system to account for higher airflow through the filter.
When to Replace
In general, Tesla recommends replacing the Cabin Air Filter every 2 years, and that the HEPA filter, for vehicles with access to Bio-Weapon Defence Mode, be replaced every 3 years, but this can vary depending on usage and the amount of debris going into the cabin.
Tesla is one of the few manufacturers, if not the only one, that runs air continuously through the cabin filter, regardless if it’s coming in from the outside or inside the vehicle when the recirculating air option is on. This helps the air inside the vehicle to become cleaner as it continues to be filtered.
How to Replace
The Cabin and HEPA Air filter replacement procedure is straightforward and could be a DIY task. Tesla provides instructions on a model-by-model basis on how to replace them, but in general, the basic steps are below.
The filter replacements can differ based on model year as well. High-voltage connections are also passing through the HVAC module, so extra caution is needed. We recommend reading your vehicle’s specific instructions before proceeding. They will advise against touching any electrical connections.
Basic Replacement Instructions
1. Turn off Climate Control
2. Remove the passenger-side floor mat and move the seat fully back.
3. Use a pry tool to release the clips that hold the right-side front footwell cover to the instrument panel, and then disconnect the two electrical connectors inside.
4. Working from top-to-bottom, use a trim tool to release the right-side panel from the center console.
5. A single T20 screw secures the cabin filter cover, remove the screw and cover.
6. Fold the 2 tabs securing the filter away, and then pull the upper and lower filters out.
7. Ensure that the arrows on the new filters face towards the rear of the vehicle, and install them.
8. Proceed through steps 6-1 in reverse to reassemble.
Once again, these steps vary by vehicle configuration, model year, and do not apply to legacy vehicles without a heat pump.
A new patent claimed by Tesla has revealed some additional details on the upcoming Robotaxi’s Sanitization System – which will automatically sanitize enclosed spaces. It discusses how Tesla expects to use this system, including some hints on the upcoming Robotaxi app. Rimac also recently announced their upcoming robotaxi, which looks a lot like what we may see in Tesla’s Cybercab.
Most interesting is that this patent isn’t strictly based on some specific systems in the Robotaxi itself but is rather based upon an overall routine and process for sanitizing enclosed spaces that are shared among multiple people, particularly around vehicle interiors. This means it is likely applicable to all of Tesla’s vehicles.
You can view the entire patent here, although we went through it all so you wouldn’t have to.
Sanitization
The sanitization patent is focused on observing and analyzing the conditions of the closed space and then generating a sanitization routine based on the conditions, and then finally executing it. This essentially means that the system will scan a vehicle, determine what kind of cleaning is required, and then conduct that cleaning.
Analysis - Interior & Exterior
Let’s take a look at the analysis portion first. There are a few key detection parameters – ambient temperature, humidity, the presence of pathogens or unclean air, and the presence or absence of certain conditions in the enclosed environment. Using a multitude of sensor data, including some from the vehicle itself, the system will create a sanitization plan.
The robotaxi's interior
Not a Tesla App
The sanitization plan doesn’t just include the interior of the vehicle – but can also consider external parameters like weather and vehicle usage history. Rain, snow, and mud could be some pretty big factors for a Robotaxi cleanup, and taking these into account is essential.
How It’ll Clean
Once the plan is generated, the system will utilize various sanitization routines, based on the plan that was generated. This can include using the HVAC systems, using UV lighting, using steam generators, and a few other processes. The system can also take into account whether the sanitization process can be accomplished by the resources available – e.g. if there is a human or humanoid robot available to accomplish some of the tasks.
There are a few basic methods described in the patent on how Tesla expects to sanitize vehicles, including blowing warm air toward the steering wheel, doors and windows, and the central display to sanitize. It also has a method to expose various parts of the vehicle, including the seats and seatbelts, to a sanitizing UV light.
There are some interesting and unique methods – using active or passive elements to create heat and sanitizing surfaces like the central touchscreen. That’s not all – the patent also talks about tilting the vehicle’s central display to reflect the sanitizing UV light around the vehicle. Tesla has some unique ideas on how to implement its automated sanitization process.
If there’s additional sanitization needed, the system can cooperate with external service robots (possibly Tesla’s Optimus), to sanitize the interior and exterior of the vehicle. It can also direct the Full Self Driving system to adjust the vehicle’s orientation, exposing certain parts of the interior to sunlight.
When and Where to Sanitize
Tesla expects this sanitization routine to begin running immediately after a passenger exits the vehicle, reducing downtime as much as possible between potential passengers. If the sanitization system identifies that deeper cleaning is needed, the system will redirect the vehicle in need of cleaning to a cleaning location, while another vehicle will be directed to the next potential passenger.
There are some Robotaxi-unique features, such as a disinfecting spray system and special disinfecting UV light that are not present in any of Tesla’s current vehicles. Whether these current vehicles will receive a refit or a refresh to include these features remains up in the air at this time, however, the patent did notably use the Model Y as the figure vehicle.
Some other features, such as using humidity, temperature, seatbelt retractors, seat adjustment motors, and motorized vents – are already in every Tesla vehicle.
Killing Germs
One of the most unique things about this patent is Tesla has looked at various airborne pathogens – such as SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), amongst others, and identified what temperatures and humidities will kill these off. It will use this information to change the ambient environment in the vehicle to one unsuitable for pathogens to survive, helping to prevent illnesses from transferring from one passenger to the next.
We’re going to see some unique things at Tesla’s Robotaxi unveiling on 8/8, and some more details of how this system functions will probably come up then. Sanitization of Robotaxis is absolutely one of the key steps that will help to build Tesla’s ambitious Robotaxi fleet – and we’re hoping to see more on how they expect to charge Robotaxis in the upcoming weeks.
Tesla has recently changed the language in its Foundation-series Cybertruck configuration and order invites and is reaching out to customers who have ordered the Tactical Gray Interior or Core Wheels.
Non-Foundation Delays
Tesla has added the following language to its order invites: “Due to continued high demand, we expect to deliver only the Foundation Series through late 2024.”
We previously reported that the foundation-series was ending soon, based on the Q&A answers from Elon Musk at the Tesla’s Shareholder Meeting. However, this no longer appears to be the case, and it seems the Foundation series is continuing for at least another quarter, into late 2024.
Here is the Cybertruck's new Tactical Grey interior color.
Tactical Gray, the updated darker interior for the Cybertruck, as well as the Core wheels, have been delayed. Limited vehicles with Tactical Gray started going out to customers this weekend, but the Core wheels haven’t been shipped just yet.
The default wheels, as well as the Core wheels, are both 20”, but the Core wheels offer lower rolling resistance and slightly more range. The Core wheels also have a smaller aero cover, but we haven’t seen these on a customer truck just yet.
Tesla has begun to reach out to customers offering them a free upgrade to the default wheels and offering them a vehicle sooner if they switch to the white interior instead of the Tactical Gray interior. Customers have also been informed that there may be a delay in receiving their vehicles if they stay with Tactical Gray or with the Core wheels.
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![Rimac Announces 'Verne' Robotaxi - Comparing it to Tesla's Upcoming Robotaxi [Photos + Video]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/robotaxi/rimac-verne/rimac-verne-6.jpeg/a20efe2509046bbdfc6377ee56ac4fa8/rimac-verne-6.jpg)
