By: Otaiba Ahsan

When it comes to maintenance, the Tesla ownership experience is wildly different from most other cars. There’s no need for frequent oil changes, and thanks to regenerative braking, they don’t have to be replaced as often either. However, there are some things that are still the same. For instance, if there’s any damage to the windshield wipers they’ll likely have to be replaced as they would in any vehicle. Continue reading for steps on how to replace the windshield wipers on a Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

Replacing Wiper Blades

Tesla Service recommends that the wiper blades be replaced at least once a year for optimum performance. The new wipers must meet the following criteria:

• The blade on the driver’s side must be 26 inches (650 mm) long and 19 inches (475 mm) long for the blade on the passenger’s side.
• You must ensure the connector on the replacement blade is the same as the original blade. Different connectors may prevent the replacement from attaching to the wiper arm on the vehicle.

The vast majority of Tesla drivers I know fail to replace the wiper blades annually. See our breakdown on the maintenance schedule for Tesla’s to keep your vehicle in top shape.

Now that we have the criteria, here are the steps to replace the wiper blades for your Tesla Model 3 and Y:

1. Shift the vehicle into Park and turn off the wipers. Next, tap Controls > Service > Wiper Service Mode to move the wipers into service position.
2. Lift the wiper arm a short distance away from the windshield so that it’s far enough to access the wiper blade. Wiper blades don’t lock into a lifted position, so don’t raise the arm beyond its intended position.
3. Place a towel between the wiper arm and windshield to avoid scratching or cracking the glass.
4. Hold the wiper arm and press the locking tab and pull the old wiper out. Tesla has created a useful visual to display where to press.
5. Align the new wiper blade on the wiper arm and slide it toward the end of the wiper arm until it locks into place.
6. Turn the Wiper Service Mode off to return them to their normal position.

If you’re having trouble, see the video tutorial from Tesla on how to replace the windshield wipers for the Tesla Model 3 and Y specifically.

Where to Get Wiper Blades

Tesla states that you should only install replacement blades that are identical to the original ones. Using inappropriate blades can damage the wiper system and windshield.

Luckily, it’s not hard to get OEM windshield wiper blades straight from Tesla. You can find them for both the Model 3 and Model Y. When on the page, you can select whether you’d like the wiper for the passenger or driver’s side.

The Bottom Line

The steps on how to replace the windshield wipers on a Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are easy. Shift the car into Park and turn off the wipers. Next, tap Controls > Service > Wiper Service Mode. Lift the wiper arm a short distance from the glass then place a towel in between for protection. After that, press the locking tab and pull out the old wiper, then place the new one in. Ensure it locks into place, and you’re done!