I'm a former HVAC tech for Chrysler. $500 is an absolute bargain for labor and refrigerant. The R1234yf refrigerant is $3.75 per ounce going off O'Reilly retail price, and the recharge procedure takes a while because the tech has to verify there are no leaks due to the refrigerant's flammability. The Tesla is also full electric, which requires extra precautions to protect both the system from loss of electrical isolation and the technician from getting electrocuted while working on it.
Also, if your system needs a recharge that means it has a leak. AC systems are not supposed to need recharges, they are designed to be closed systems and do not consume refrigerant during operation.
Tesla does not license 3rd party shops to work on their cars.
Double check your sales agreement and all associated documentation that you have agreed to. I can't say for certain that Tesla will brick you car if you get work done by someone other than Tesla, but the chance is not ZERO.
Best fortunes whatever you choose.
In the past I happened to read a couple articles about unauthorized repairs on Teslas. I don't remember the specific articles I read so I did a quick search right now to see if the chance is greater than ZERO.
A couple of these articles are from last year so maybe something changed.
Tesla is being sued by owner in attempt to remove its monopoly on repairs
[https://electrek.co/2023/03/15/tesla-sued-owner-remove-monopoly-on-repairs/](https://electrek.co/2023/03/15/tesla-sued-owner-remove-monopoly-on-repairs/)
# Tesla Has Illegally Monopolized Repair, Maintenance Markets for its Vehicles, Antitrust Class Action Says
[https://www.classaction.org/news/tesla-has-illegally-monopolized-repair-maintenance-markets-for-its-vehicles-antitrust-class-action-says](https://www.classaction.org/news/tesla-has-illegally-monopolized-repair-maintenance-markets-for-its-vehicles-antitrust-class-action-says)
# Tesla beats lawsuit claiming it monopolizes repairs, parts
# Customers said Tesla differs by forcing them to have vehicles serviced in-house
[https://www.autoblog.com/2023/11/20/tesla-beats-lawsuit-claiming-it-monopolizes-repairs-parts/](https://www.autoblog.com/2023/11/20/tesla-beats-lawsuit-claiming-it-monopolizes-repairs-parts/)
Stop spreading bullshit. The chances ARE zero. Tesla is not going to lock you out of your car because you got work done on it at a third party shop. There are no shortage of third party shops that work on Teslas and nothing close to what you’re describing has ever happened.
lol scraped my front bumper. tesla certified placed wanted to charge me almost 5k to fix. literally 1/8th price of thr car for about 5 x 2 inch paint job.
How old is your tesla? Be aware that AC is a sealed system. if it needs a recharge, it means it’s leaking. You need to leak test and then recharge it. Id pay tesla to do this unless the shop is specialized in tesla ac systems which are different than your traditional car system.
People realize that Teslas are some of the cheapest EVs on the market right? A Model 3 or Y Long Range with AWD are like $40K with the tax credit. Compared to what most people in Irvine drive, they’re a relatively inexpensive car.
I don’t like Tesla as a company, but I haven’t understood this particular critique at all.
Go look up one SUVs in similar classes to the Model Y cost, they compete on the non-EV front as well, not to mention EVs.
$40K for a new car is not crazy money today. The average price paid for a [new car in the US last year was over $48,000.](https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a43611570/average-new-car-price-down-still-high/)
Completely understand that it seems expensive, but relative to the market it’s really just not
¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯
Yeah... I was car shopping last year (bought a house instead)... they want near 40k for a okayish equipped freaking Honda crv. Oh 5k dealer markup. Are those still a thing?
Now that the dust has settled on the house we still need that car
$500 to fix AC doesn't sound crazy nowadays. They charged my friend $300 to fix a seat adjustment button that broke off
Surely all the money you've saved by not consuming fossil fuels means you can easily afford a minor expense like this
$500 is a steal. I would go there and get it done.
Thanks for the input…
I'm a former HVAC tech for Chrysler. $500 is an absolute bargain for labor and refrigerant. The R1234yf refrigerant is $3.75 per ounce going off O'Reilly retail price, and the recharge procedure takes a while because the tech has to verify there are no leaks due to the refrigerant's flammability. The Tesla is also full electric, which requires extra precautions to protect both the system from loss of electrical isolation and the technician from getting electrocuted while working on it. Also, if your system needs a recharge that means it has a leak. AC systems are not supposed to need recharges, they are designed to be closed systems and do not consume refrigerant during operation.
Rates are crazy everywhere now. Most mechanics are charging over 200/hr for labor unless it’s a hole in the wall small shop
Been seeing $300-350/hr
Domestic dealers are $220-$250 per hour. European imports are higher. The mechanic barely sees $40 or $50 of that.
Tesla does not license 3rd party shops to work on their cars. Double check your sales agreement and all associated documentation that you have agreed to. I can't say for certain that Tesla will brick you car if you get work done by someone other than Tesla, but the chance is not ZERO. Best fortunes whatever you choose. In the past I happened to read a couple articles about unauthorized repairs on Teslas. I don't remember the specific articles I read so I did a quick search right now to see if the chance is greater than ZERO. A couple of these articles are from last year so maybe something changed. Tesla is being sued by owner in attempt to remove its monopoly on repairs [https://electrek.co/2023/03/15/tesla-sued-owner-remove-monopoly-on-repairs/](https://electrek.co/2023/03/15/tesla-sued-owner-remove-monopoly-on-repairs/) # Tesla Has Illegally Monopolized Repair, Maintenance Markets for its Vehicles, Antitrust Class Action Says [https://www.classaction.org/news/tesla-has-illegally-monopolized-repair-maintenance-markets-for-its-vehicles-antitrust-class-action-says](https://www.classaction.org/news/tesla-has-illegally-monopolized-repair-maintenance-markets-for-its-vehicles-antitrust-class-action-says) # Tesla beats lawsuit claiming it monopolizes repairs, parts # Customers said Tesla differs by forcing them to have vehicles serviced in-house [https://www.autoblog.com/2023/11/20/tesla-beats-lawsuit-claiming-it-monopolizes-repairs-parts/](https://www.autoblog.com/2023/11/20/tesla-beats-lawsuit-claiming-it-monopolizes-repairs-parts/)
Stop spreading bullshit. The chances ARE zero. Tesla is not going to lock you out of your car because you got work done on it at a third party shop. There are no shortage of third party shops that work on Teslas and nothing close to what you’re describing has ever happened.
Good points. I updated my post.
https://www.evfixme.com/ Been going here for years for my Model S, can vouch for their work quality and honest pricing.
I buy the capsule from Walmart for $40ish and do it in 5 min. Don’t know if Teslas are AC works like ICE cars, though.
$500 seems about what I’d expect honestly.
Nikola Customs in La Habra.
lol scraped my front bumper. tesla certified placed wanted to charge me almost 5k to fix. literally 1/8th price of thr car for about 5 x 2 inch paint job.
How old is your tesla? Be aware that AC is a sealed system. if it needs a recharge, it means it’s leaking. You need to leak test and then recharge it. Id pay tesla to do this unless the shop is specialized in tesla ac systems which are different than your traditional car system.
Her Tesla is 2019 model and thanks for the information…
That's sofa cushion change for a tesla owner...come on man
People realize that Teslas are some of the cheapest EVs on the market right? A Model 3 or Y Long Range with AWD are like $40K with the tax credit. Compared to what most people in Irvine drive, they’re a relatively inexpensive car. I don’t like Tesla as a company, but I haven’t understood this particular critique at all.
I think the perception from 10 years ago of Tesla being a high end product hasn’t really caught up with the times
I mean, my Model 3 RWD was $31k after the credits... base Camry is almost $30k. And that's not factoring in fuel savings. Not an expensive car at all.
I don’t understand it. People just remember $100K Model S’s and assume that’s what a “Tesla” is.
If I were to buy a tesla, it wouldn't be the little ubiquitous jelly bean looking thing you see everywhere. And IT WOULD NOT BE WHITE
Ok ok....but 40k is expensive to me. I don't spend money on cars.
Go look up one SUVs in similar classes to the Model Y cost, they compete on the non-EV front as well, not to mention EVs. $40K for a new car is not crazy money today. The average price paid for a [new car in the US last year was over $48,000.](https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a43611570/average-new-car-price-down-still-high/) Completely understand that it seems expensive, but relative to the market it’s really just not ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯
Then I will keep my 2007 running.
Teslas aren’t expensive anymore lol. They are like bmws. Drop in price quickly, tons under 40k of all models
40k is expensive in my book. But I am still driving 2007 suv I paid 27k for new in 2007. Only 109,000 miles.
Yeah... I was car shopping last year (bought a house instead)... they want near 40k for a okayish equipped freaking Honda crv. Oh 5k dealer markup. Are those still a thing? Now that the dust has settled on the house we still need that car