License Plate Bulb replacement

[efusco]

I'm curious, has anyone noticed any impact on the rear camera view at night with the new bulbs?

The ground/road immediately behind the car seems better lit/brighter to me now, but I didn't really do a fair before and after comparison so it could just be placebo.

 

[vcor]

I was looking over some old pictures I took in 2009 and found this one. It clearly shows the alpha Model-S with 6 LED license plate lights - 3 on each side! No idea why they changed.

 

[Lloyd]

I'm curious, has anyone noticed any impact on the rear camera view at night with the new bulbs?

No, not at all

 

[orlando]

Just did this. Awesome results for a tiny price. Shame on Tesla for not doing this from the start...

 

[carrerascott]

Just did this. Awesome results for a tiny price. Shame on Tesla for not doing this from the start...

I wouldn't be surprised if it was some government regulation they couldn't get around. Definitely an easy and very cheap and worthwhile upgrade.

 

[NigelM]

Did the upgrade this morning. Had to put some electrical tape around the bulbs as per the OP, didn't have a hole-punch so cutting the tape took longer than actually fitting the bulbs, which was about 2 minutes.

Mandatory photo:

 

[aaronw]

I replaced mine and the LED bulbs are noticeably brighter and rather bluish. The only problem I had was I dropped one of the screws and had a hell of a time finding it since the screws are not magnetic.

 

[Al Sherman]

I have the bulbs but my torx screwdriver is too long to get straight at the screws and get them out. Guess it's off to Home Depot tomorrow to find a shorter torx screwdriver.

 

[Cool-Model S]

I replaced mine yesterday and I love it. I did not use any insulation and is working fine so far. Hope no problems. It took 15 mins. Looks great. Thanks for this suggestion.

 

[JakeP]

Just did mine yesterday, looks perfect! Al, my bulbs were secured with two Phillips head screws, right in the clear plastic. I didn't need to touch the Torx screws on either side.

 

[scooterrr]

Like everyone else - five minutes in and out, just a small Phillips Head needed. Thanks!

 

[mknox]

Put mine in this afternoon. Very easy to do, although I didn't think I needed the extra electrical tape insulation. They are much whiter, but I'll have to wait until after dark to see how much brighter they are.

 

[htsai14752]

The lights makes a huge difference on the car. It's easier on the eye

 

[PeterK]

Yes, I have replaced my license plate bulbs in my Model S with LEDs. The bulbs are 36mm Festoon type (long skinny). I bought a pair of LEDs from eBay. The only "issue" I had was that the LEDs were 1.5W each and produced way more light than the stock bulbs. Since they are unidirectional, I rotated them a little. I've since ordered some LED bulbs that are 1W each - unfortunately, my car is being serviced and I can't replace the bulbs with the 1W ones yet. Here is a link to the 1W bulbs I bought:

2 Super Bright White LED License Plate Lights 1.5" Festoon 6418 C5W 1 WATT

You need to be careful with these LEDs, since they have a metal body. The clips in the license plate light housing that hold them could potentially short out. I covered the LED light housing ends with electrical tape which was appropriately hollow punched.
View attachment 14504View attachment 14505
View attachment 14482

Just found this thread, but the original eBay item has expired. I tried to find the same one and this appears close but not sure.

Look at this on eBay:

2pc White 36mm Festoon 2x 5050 SMD LED Light Bulb Trunk/License Plate Lamp Set

http://bit.ly/17xyGyo


Would appreciate it if someone who got them could check and confirm or post the right one. Thanks.

 

[mitch672]

Just found this thread, but the original eBay item has expired. I tried to find the same one and this appears close but not sure.

Look at this on eBay:

2pc White 36mm Festoon 2x 5050 SMD LED Light Bulb Trunk/License Plate Lamp Set

http://bit.ly/17xyGyo

Would appreciate it if someone who got them could check and confirm or post the right one. Thanks.

Looks similar, but I think these are what I bought, they are also $5.99 including shipping for 2 of them...
2 Super Bright White LED License Plate Lights 1 5 Festoon 6418 C5W 1 Watt | eBay

 

[EdA]

Just found this thread, but the original eBay item has expired. I tried to find the same one and this appears close but not sure.

Look at this on eBay:

2pc White 36mm Festoon 2x 5050 SMD LED Light Bulb Trunk/License Plate Lamp Set

http://bit.ly/17xyGyo


Would appreciate it if someone who got them could check and confirm or post the right one. Thanks.

Peter,

What about this link: 2 Super Bright White LED License Plate Lights 1 5 Festoon 6418 C5W 1 Watt | eBay

(Just purchased mine yesterday)

/Ed

 

[scaesare]

I bought a set of THESE from Amazon, as I prefer dealing with them over Ebay if possible. I chose them because I didn't want the error-free/canbus versions, and they looked like they may be a bit brighter. I'll report back how well they work...

 

[Babylonfive]

Does anyone know what 'error-free' actually means? I assume its a parallel resistor which consumes the current same as a lightbulb, so that bulb failure detectors will not error. Is that right?

 

[WarpedOne]

Yes.

 

[PeterK]

Peter,

What about this link: 2 Super Bright White LED License Plate Lights 1 5 Festoon 6418 C5W 1 Watt | eBay

(Just purchased mine yesterday)

/Ed

Just ordered - thanks Mitch and Ed!