Doing your own maintenance

[KarenRei]

Hi - new to the forum here. For all of you who do your own maintenance - what's it like (difficulty, unexpected things, etc) relative to a gasoline car? I mean, apart from the obvious (no oil changes, never changing spark plugs, etc) - what's been your experience?

 

[kev1n]

the only major items i see are that i would still let tesla do are,

battery coolant replacement
drive unit fluid service

everything else seems pretty straight forward anyone handy can do

 

[MIT_S60]

the only major items i see are that i would still let tesla do are,

battery coolant replacement
drive unit fluid service

everything else seems pretty straight forward anyone handy can do

Is the "A/C desiccant bag replacement" easy for DIY too? (Unrelated) I'm coming up on 12.5k miles and need to decide if I will pay Tesla for service. $475 seems steep for what's listed on the website.

 

[mrElbe]

Unless you have automotive A/C experience and all the right tools - DO NOT ATTEMPT.

 

[John5396]

I don't know if AC service is traditional or special for the Tesla. The Prius also has an electrical compressor and requires special instrumentation. In the case of the prius, the compressor is variable speed and requires Toyota diagnostic software to set the compressor into a known RPM so that pressure can be set.

Since Tesla does not publish a shop manual, it's hard to know.

 

[TexasEV]

Problems are found and corrected at annual service. For example, my radiator louvers were found to be inoperable and were replaced with an updated version. You don't know what it is that you don't know.

Some would say that if you can afford a Tesla, you can afford to have it serviced annually. I would agree with the some who say that.

 

[kev1n]

Problems are found and corrected at annual service. For example, my radiator louvers were found to be inoperable and were replaced with an updated version. You don't know what it is that you don't know.

Some would say that if you can afford a Tesla, you can afford to have it serviced annually. I would agree with the some who say that.

and some of us think paying tesla to change batteries in a key fob, wiper blades, cabin filters is ridiculous

plus those items you mentioned are not maintenance items, although they should be covered under warranty which you can bring at any time

 

[TexasEV]

and some of us think paying tesla to change batteries in a key fob, wiper blades, cabin filters is ridiculous

plus those items you mentioned are not maintenance items, although they should be covered under warranty which you can bring at any time

Yes it was covered under warranty. But the problem wouldn't have been noticed had I they not inspected the car at annual service.

 

[jelloslug]

Here is what is done during the annual service per the Tesla shop manual:

Annual Service

Note: Not all of the procedures listed here need to be performed at each Annual Service. Refer to SC-15-00-001 for a list of the procedures to perform at the relevant service interval.

Check for Alerts, Repair any Issues Found, Clear Alerts

1. Connect a laptop with Toolbox to the vehicle.
2. In Toolbox, select Perspectives > Predefined Perspectives > Service Default.
3. Check the Currently Active Alerts, Alert History, and DTCs panels.
4. After performing any necessary repairs, clear any DTCs:
   1. In the DTCs panel, select the "Clear DTC" radio button.
   2. Click the Start/Play button.

Panoramic Roof

1. Fully open the sliding glass.
2. Use compressed air to blow out the drain hoses.

Caution: Do not exceed 25 PSI (1.7 Bar).

1. Wrap a clean cloth around a plastic pry tool or other thin tool, then use it to remove dirt and old grease from the 4 channels on each side of the panoramic roof.
2. Apply Klübersynth noise reduction grease to the 4 channels. Caution: Use only Klübersynth noise reduction grease, Tesla part number 1031102-00-A. Other greases can permanently damage the roof seals.
3. Move the sliding glass to the 30% open position.
4. Remove the sliding glass.
5. Apply Klübersynth noise reduction grease to the sections of the tracks that were blocked by the sliding glass.
6. Visually inspect the links and shoes for damage.
7. Reinstall the sliding glass.
8. Calibrate the panoramic roof.
9. Use alcohol wipes to remove any grease from the glass and appliques. Use a clean, dry cloth to remove grease from the rubber seals. Caution: Do not use alcohol to remove grease from rubber seals. Alcohol degrades the rubber seals.

Wiper Blades
Replace the wiper blades.

Cabin Air Filter
Replace the particulate filter.

Coolant
Drain and refill the cooling system.


Steering Gear Bolts

Ensure that the bolts (x2) that secure the steering rack to the subframe are torqued to 175 Nm.

Note: Components have been removed in this graphic to aid clarity.

Hood Release Latch
RWD vehicles: Clean the secondary latch, then apply the proper lubricant.

Dual Motor vehicles: Clean the latch, then apply the proper lubricant.

A/C Desiccant Bag
Replace the desiccant bag.

Brake Fluid
Perform the full system bleed procedure.

Brake Caliper Pad Slides
Note: This is recommended for cold weather regions.

Note: Cleaning and lubricating the caliper pad slides/abutments is not included in the Annual Service price.

Note: Perform the following steps on all 4 calipers.

1. Remove the pad retaining pins and collect the anti-rattle spring.

Note: Always check that the anti-rattle clip has not been damaged. This part is easily damaged and is important to help eliminate squeaks.

1. Use a suitable tool to gently push the pistons back into caliper.
2. Remove the brake pads from the caliper.
3. Thoroughly clean the caliper pad slides and abutments with a hand brush (1057223-00-A) and soapy water.

Caution: If there is rust or pitting on the caliper that cannot be removed with a hand brush, replace the caliper.

1. • Front brake caliper.
   • Rear brake caliper.
2. Apply an even layer of Silaramic lubricant (1063021-00-A) to the caliper pad slides. Remove any excess lubricant.
3. Apply an even layer of copper paste between the shim and the backing plate. Remove any paste that squeezes out after installing the shim.

Caution: Ensure that the brake pads move freely.

Caution: Do not apply copper paste to the caliper, seals, or any component other than the shim and backing plate.

Transmission Fluid

Drain and refill the fluid from the gearbox(es):

• Rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicles:
  • Drain and refill the fluid from the large rear drive unit.
• Non-Performance Dual Motor vehicles:
  • Drain and refill the fluid from the front drive unit.
  • Drain and refill the fluid from the small rear drive unit.
• Performance Dual Motor vehicles:
  • Drain and refill the fluid from the front drive unit.
  • Drain and refill the fluid from the large rear drive unit.

Tire Rotation

1. Refer to the recommended tire rotation pattern for the vehicle.
2. Remove the wheels and reinstall them in the appropriate positions.

Thermal System Test

1. Connect a laptop with Toolbox 2.0 or later to the vehicle.
2. Navigate to Panels > Thermal > Thermal System Test.
3. Click the Start/Play button.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions.

Suspension Fasteners

1. Check the torque of the front suspension bolts.
2. Check the torque of the rear suspension bolts.

Wheel Alignment Check

Perform a wheel alignment check

Wheel Alignment Adjustment

Note: This is recommended if the wheel alignment check determines the wheel alignment is out of specification.

Note: Wheel alignment adjustment is not included in the Annual Service price.

Perform a wheel alignment adjustment.

 

[GaryREM]

Yes it was covered under warranty. But the problem wouldn't have been noticed had I they not inspected the car at annual service.

Agree completely.

I wouldn't know what to look for, don't have a lift so can't get underneath, don't have manuals so can't learn about things.