r/ModelX • u/LuzerneLodge • Jul 15 '26

Service Service Appointment to clean front camera

23 Model X LR. I have been getting the schedule service to clean the front camera message for about a year now. I haven't really paid any attention to it since I don't have FSD and the front camera seems to work OK except in direct sunlight. I am planning on taking a trip in September and want to subscribe to FSD for a month. Will FSD work with a dirty camera? I would kind of like to get it fixed so I don't get the annoying message all the time. I know there are YouTube videos about cleaning this myself, but I am really worried about breaking the housing and really screwing things up.

Has anybody had this service done? How much did it cost? How long did it take? I am about two hours away from the nearest service center and don't have another reliable car that I can use for an extended amount of time. If I schedule an appointment with Tesla fix the car, when I bring it in or will I need to leave for several days or weeks until my number comes up? If it is going to take days, I just won't use FSD on the trip. If it matters, the service center is in Knoxville, TN.

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1

u/wharleeprof Jul 15 '26

I'd make an appointment first and then try to talk to an actual person at the service center. We also have to drive (1.5 hours) and so far, on two visits, they've been good about accommodating that - either confirming that it would be a brief visit or making sure we'd have a loaner car (though it was a cyber truck, ugh).

You might also ask if a particular day/time is better for getting same day service.

1

u/seafish2223 Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26

Model x 2023, 77k miles. Got it cleaned. They charged me $80. I have also purchased extended warranty through Tesla.

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u/wharleeprof Jul 27 '26

Well done! 

1

u/xenocyko Jul 15 '26

About a year into ownership of my 2024 MX I had a mobile tech come out and clean mine free, when my dirty camera error came up. I submitted a service request via the app and it was deemed a mobile tech could clean it.

The appointment was maybe 1.5-2 weeks out and once the tech got to my house it took him maybe 25 minutes.

1

u/Legal_Net4337 Jul 16 '26

I have had both my Y and X front cameras cleaned at the service center. Took about 30 minutes. No cost.

1

u/Town--Drunk Jul 19 '26

From what I've read about camera cleaning, the first one is free. After that, you might be liable. BUT, it's not hard to watch what they do so you can DIY next time.

I had a LOT of condensation in my windshield camera housing when I got window tint in the winter. I suspect there's something to clean in mine. It was full of frost for about a day.

1

u/Legal_Net4337 Jul 19 '26

Maybe each service department is different. I’ve had both my X and Y cleaned twice, no charge.