It sounds like a minor annoyance — dust and leaves stuck between the radiators. But owners of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are now being told to check there regularly. Specialists at the independent workshop EV Clinic warn that dust, leaves, insects and other road debris build up between the heat exchangers over the years — and it’s not as harmless as it looks.
The buildup restricts airflow and cuts the efficiency of a system that cools not just the cabin, but the traction battery, the charger and the power electronics too. The result isn’t just a slightly higher energy draw — in some conditions, real driving range is on the line.
EV Clinic recommends a professional cleaning every 80,000–120,000 km. The job takes two to four hours and costs around €180. One caveat: this interval and price aren’t an official Tesla schedule — they’re a recommendation from an independent workshop.
That said, Tesla’s own service documentation does include procedures for cleaning the radiator and condenser with a vacuum and compressed air. The automaker explicitly warns of the risk of damaging the thin fins and requires proper safety precautions — but no fixed service interval turned up in the manual. Tesla appears to leave that call to the owner.
