Actually, I have the hotter bulbs in the heater control panel because the previous owner put them there. They haven't melted anything yet, but then I hardly ever drive that car at night. But those knobs get so hot to the touch that I think those bulbs cannot be good for the long term health of the plastic. It is well known that brighter (hotter) bulbs in the instrument cluster will melt the housings.

There are at least three different versions of those panels that I have seen, so an exact replacement may not be easy to come by. So I would prefer to err on the safe side and get cooler bulbs.

Anyway, yes the A/C control knob just pulls straight off. Pull harder. Under the knob you will find the big brass nut that must be removed. Then you can pull the panel.

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References