How to tell if Model S has Radar?

[rpower123]

I'm looking at purchasing a new model S, most likely plaid, and want to know if there is a way based on VIN or other info to know if the car has radar or not?

I know since mid Feb all S and X's are also purely Tesla Vision but after speaking to someone at Tesla, who initially said all Model S cars still had radar, circled back and found one in inventory that he mentioned had radar.

I know the refresh has better headlights but I've heard the vision has a lot of phantom braking so I'm leaning towards the radar.

 

[DerbyDave]

Even if yours physically has a radar, that does not mean it is being used. To know this really doesn't answer your questions.

 

[mswlogo]

I'm looking at purchasing a new model S, most likely plaid, and want to know if there is a way based on VIN or other info to know if the car has radar or not?

I know since mid Feb all S and X's are also purely Tesla Vision but after speaking to someone at Tesla, who initially said all Model S cars still had radar, circled back and found one in inventory that he mentioned had radar.

I know the refresh has better headlights but I've heard the vision has a lot of phantom braking so I'm leaning towards the radar.

Keep in mind that over time the software won’t care if you have Radar or not, it won’t use it. Just as it does on FSB Beta. Eventually everyone will be on “FSD Beta” Vision Only.

 

[brico84]

It's pretty simple once you have the car. Radar allows autopilot to 90mph, non-radar cars are limited to 80mph autopilot.

 

[B-lon]

I wouldn't worry about this. The radar will be disabled sometime this year anyway with a software update.

It's pretty simple once you have the car. Radar allows autopilot to 90mph, non-radar cars are limited to 80mph autopilot.

FSD (and I think non-FSD Vision cars) TACC is 90 MPH but yes autosteer is 80MPH for now.

 

[BPeter]

Old lights = has radar
New lights = no radar

 

[mikemi]

As others said, radar will most certainly be disabled in the near future as all new Model 3/Y/S (maybe X as well) won't be shipped with radar. It will not make any sense for Tesla to continue supporting radar as they focus on vision only and transition everyone to it.

If I were you, I get the car with new lights.