Fresh air HVAC mode: where does air exit the car?

tomp · Aug 24, 2015

Hi all,

I'm trying to better understand the recirc vs fresh air modes of the HVAC system. I'm asking to see if there are creative ways to improve the air flow to the 3rd row, which is generally lacking, although it can be improved using a combination of 1) fresh air mode; 2) tinting the windows and buying Tesla's rear window shade; or 3) some sort of fan system (my approach is described here and here).

So, my specific questions include:
1. When HVAC is set to fresh air mode, I understand there are vents in the rear of the car. Where are these vents?
2. WHen HVAC is then set to recirc mode, do these vents then close? (Any idea how?)
3. Where are the vents that air is drawn from when HVAC is set to recirc?

Thank you all in advance!!

llavalle · Aug 26, 2015

tomp said:
So, my specific questions include:
1. When HVAC is set to fresh air mode, I understand there are vents in the rear of the car. Where are these vents?
2. WHen HVAC is then set to recirc mode, do these vents then close? (Any idea how?)
3. Where are the vents that air is drawn from when HVAC is set to recirc?

1. In my other cars it was under the bumper cover in the rear. Looks like the model S is similar. The 2 black rectangular vent : Look under the taillight (behind the wheel)
2. Not 100% no. They close using gravity but they can "flap around" a bit and are not 100% sealed. With the bumper removed, if you slam a door closed, they will open to avoid pressure build up (even with the window down a bit)
3. In front of the wipers, under the hood.

mknox · Aug 27, 2015

llavalle said:
3. In front of the wipers, under the hood.

That's the fresh air intake. Just from the sounds of it, the air is drawn in from somewhere under the glove box when on recirculate.

llavalle · Aug 27, 2015

mknox said:
That's the fresh air intake. Just from the sounds of it, the air is drawn in from somewhere under the glove box when on recirculate.

Correct, I misread the OP question. I have no ideas where the air is drawn from when recirculate is on.

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Fresh air HVAC mode: where does air exit the car?

tomp

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llavalle

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mknox

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llavalle

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