Home

Tesla

Model 3

News

Dirty Tesla? Owner Finds 15 Pounds Of Dirt In His Model 3: Video

There's dirt, then there's this amount of dirt.

dirt model 3

Eric Loveday Eric Loveday

By: Eric Loveday

Jul 14, 2019 at 5:53pm ET

Add InsideEVs as a preferred source in Google

Share

Comment

Have dirt, will travel. Will travel for gravel. Or something like that. 

There have been a few reported cases of the Tesla Model 3 accumulating quite a load of dirt in its undercarriage, but this one is quite extreme.

This Tesla Model 3 owner, while conducting an examination of his car at 15,000 miles, found a not-so-pleasant surprise.

More Model 3 News

Sentry Mode Captures Jaguar Salesmen Checking Out Tesla Model 3

Watch Tesla Model 3 Set New 1/4-Mile World Record: Video

It seems some 15 pounds of dirt found its way into the panels under the Model 3 and was trapped inside. This range-reducing (mostly a joke) dirt had likely accumulated over time, but regardless the car was carrying the weight of a bowling ball in dirt in its undercarriage.

It's not unusual to find dirt in the various plastic panels underneath a car. However, 15 pounds is excessive. Our advice would be to periodically remove those panels on your Tesla to let the filth out.

What do you think?

View

Comments

Grab a look at the video to see the so-called dirt avalanche.

Video description via Dirty Tesla on YouTube:

0:00 Teaser

0:16 - Overview and a little background on my driving habits

1:01 - Jack pads needed to lift the car

1:43 - Bottom looks good at first inspection

1:56 - Lifting the car

3:21 - Suspension is basic

4:26 - Removing some plastic piece

6:26 - Looking at the aero shield and deciding what bolts to remove

7:04 - The opening where dirt can enter

7:22 - removing bolts

8:55 - Sticking the camera into the aeroshield...uh oh

9:30 - Looking into the aeroshield from the tire

9:55 - Finally releasing the aeroshield...dirt avalanche

11:18 - Looking into the exposed aeroshield

11:43 - The pile and talking about other cars with the same issue

13:05 - Checking tire tread

14:06 - Checking the shocks

14:54 - The brakes are brand new

15:35 - Putting the plastic thing back on

15:46 - A lot of torque for the lug nuts

15:54 - Summary and my thoughts

 

More Tesla News

Tesla Sentry Mode Captures Shoplifter Busted By Police: Video

Electric Pickup Trucks: Tesla And Rivian Top This Week's Trucking News

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Insideevs.com?

Take our 3 minute survey.

- The InsideEVs team

Share this Story

GO TO COMMENTS

(

)

Got a tip for us? Email: tips@insideevs.com

View all comments ( )

Trending

Kia EV3 Lease Deals Are Here, And It’s Cheaper Than The Chevy Bolt And Nissan Leaf

Kia EV3 Lease Deals Are Here, And It’s Cheaper Than The Chevy Bolt And Nissan Leaf

I Let Android Auto Plan My EV Roadtrip. Here’s How It Worked

I Let Android Auto Plan My EV Roadtrip. Here’s How It Worked

This Chevy Bolt Has 470,000 Miles. Here’s How Much A New Battery Was

This Chevy Bolt Has 470,000 Miles. Here’s How Much A New Battery Was

Here's What It's Like To Take Delivery Of A Rivian R2

Here's What It's Like To Take Delivery Of A Rivian R2

latest articles

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU



The Boring Company Uses Tesla Model 3 Sleds To Shuttle Shipping Containers Through Its Tunnels



Can The BMW iX3 Take Down The Tesla Model Y L And Rivian R2?



The Longest-Range EVs You Can Buy In 2026



Waymo Plans To Have 20,000 Cars By The End Of 2027



The Tesla Model 3 And Model Y Can Now Power Your Home In A Blackout



How Much Range Do EVs Lose When Parked? (And How to Stop It)



The Tesla Model 3 Gets A Range Bump And A New Screen In The U.S.