The P85D had projector HID headlights which are far superior to reflector based headlamps before the refreshed matrix headlights.
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Wiki Matrix LED Headlights Retrofit Journey
- Thread starter pengy
- Start date
I received my brand new matrix headlights and one set of the connectors. The other connectors should be here soon and I'll start the conversion process and post my progress. Thanks for the links and information!
Sorry if already posted, but how much are those two new matrix headlights these days?
Can't wait to read your full report--good luck and please keep us posted!
leecox
Member
There are a couple of sellers on eBay with them for $800 a pair.
ChrisWoodard
Member
Leecox, you mentioned that you need to find someone to change the Tesla Gateway Configuration. I am brand new to Tesla so where would someone go for that service? I called my local Tesla service center in East Texas and they said it is not possible.
Xenoilphobe
Well-Known Member
I've been looking at these for my refresh 2016 Model S, both DRL eyebrows are blown on mine. AlphaRex NOVA-Series 5x LED Projector Headlights for Tesla Model S (2012-2020), these might be an option too. Model S Matrix Headlight Upgrade (For 2012-2021 Model)
I just picked a 2023 Model X yesterday for the wife. I freaking love that damn Matrix headlights, I may have to trade in the 2016 for a new S...
I just picked a 2023 Model X yesterday for the wife. I freaking love that damn Matrix headlights, I may have to trade in the 2016 for a new S...
leecox
Member
Yes, Tesla treats all the cars like iPhones from the factory. If the car doesn’t come with it, or they haven’t developed a retrofit, then it isn’t possible. There are a bunch of threads on here about doing it. I’d point to the Model 3 Matrix headlight thread as an example.
Service Centers can’t even install a part that hasn’t been approved for that model year. You can buy them and install them yourself.
As with any car, it’s parts, wiring and programming. The issue with Tesla’s is the programming part.
leecox
Member
It’s really great that the aftermarket is starting to embrace the Model S. Gives some longevity to the cars.
I got mine for a steal... brand new... I think I paid $550 for them shipped.
I haven't had a chance to work on this project yet but I will soon and will update ASAP.
Thanks
Xenoilphobe
Well-Known Member
I am hesitant to buy either until they post lumen or lux count for both high and low beam and curves like the IIHS testing.
Understanding the ratings: How much better are good headlights?
Vehicles with good-rated headlights have 19% fewer nighttime single-vehicle crashes than vehicles with poor-rated headlights. Acceptable and marginal headlights are associated with reductions of about 15% and 10%. These numbers are based on a 2021 analysis of police-reported crashes.
2016 Tesla Model S 4-door hatchback
2016 Tesla Model S 4-door hatchback - large luxury car
www.iihs.org
Ratings are given for 6 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.
Trim level(s)
- All trims; built after August 2016
| Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination: | |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | MEH |
Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
The low beams never exceeded glare limits.
High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.
Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
- 60 trim equipped with Premium package; built after August 2016
- 60D trim equipped with Premium package; built after August 2016
- 75 trim equipped with Premium package; built after August 2016
- 75D trim equipped with Premium package; built after August 2016
- 90D trim equipped with Premium package; built after August 2016
- P100D trim equipped with Premium package; built after August 2016
| Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination: | |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | Piss Poor |
Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
The low beams never exceeded glare limits.
High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
- 60 trim equipped with Autopilot package; built after August 2016
- 60D trim equipped with Autopilot package; built after August 2016
- 75 trim equipped with Autopilot package; built after August 2016
- 75D trim equipped with Autopilot package; built after August 2016
- 90D trim equipped with Autopilot package; built after August 2016
- P100D trim equipped with Autopilot package; built after August 2016
| Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination: | |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | Piss Poor |
Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
The low beams never exceeded glare limits.
High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.
Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
- 60 trim; built after August 2016
- 60D trim; built after August 2016
- 75 trim; built after August 2016
- 75D trim; built after August 2016
- 90D trim; built after August 2016
- P100D trim; built after August 2016
| Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination: | |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | Piss Poor |
Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
The low beams never exceeded glare limits.
High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
- All trims; built before September 2016
| Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination: | |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | Piss Poor |
Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
The low beams never exceeded glare limits.
High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.
Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
- 60 trim equipped with Premium package; built before September 2016
- 60D trim equipped with Premium package; built before September 2016
- 70 trim equipped with Premium package; built before September 2016
- 70D trim equipped with Premium package; built before September 2016
- 75 trim equipped with Premium package; built before September 2016
- 75D trim equipped with Premium package; built before September 2016
- 85 trim equipped with Premium package; built before September 2016
- 85D trim equipped with Premium package; built before September 2016
- P85D trim equipped with Premium package; built before September 2016
- 90D trim equipped with Premium package; built before September 2016
- P90D trim equipped with Premium package; built before September 2016
| Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination: | |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | Piss Poor |
Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
The low beams never exceeded glare limits.
High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
Technical measurements for this test
How headlights are evaluated
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leecox
Member
I doubt any aftermarket company will do that level of testing on their products. Especially given the variation of governing body requirements globally.
Could you please take a picture how it looks on a car itself? Are mounting points are the same? Or it requires some physical modifications ?
leecox
Member
The “Premium LED” lights have vertical mounting hole in inner corner on both lights. The Matrix lights have a horizontal mount point in the same location. The plastic inner front frame on the 2021 refresh cars can accommodate both using the same bolt. The Matrix lights are physically smaller with a bumper retention clip attached to the bottom. On the older lights, there is a plastic bumper retention bolt on piece that you remove with the light.
Other than these two differences and the wiring/programming change, they are pretty much plug and play.
Other than these two differences and the wiring/programming change, they are pretty much plug and play.
leecox
Member
Currently unknown if the Matrix lights will work on the older pre-refresh cars. Also don’t know if the mounting hole is there either.
ChrisWoodard
Member
ChrisWoodard
Member
What is the difference between those two, except matrix part? Do both have projectors? Or premium is the same reflector type as on legacy S ?
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