Blog Musk Says Cybertruck Will Have Removable Mirrors

They weren’t present on the prototype, but it seems the production version of the Cybertruck will have side mirrors. Chief Executive Elon Musk tweeted Tuesday that the upcoming all-electric Tesla pickup will include mirrors, but they will be removable.

Recently, the Tesla Cybertruck was spotted in the wild featuring side mirrors. After the sighting, Elon Musk noted that Cybertruck owners could remove the mirrors easily if they wanted.

“They’re required by law, but designed to be easy to remove by owners,” Musk said on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1450517602573422605

Instead of conventional rearview mirrors, the prototype teased a camera-based system that will deliver rear views to the truck’s dashboard display. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has been petitioned to consider the use of cameras as replacements for mirrors. The issue is currently under review by the agency.

The Cybertruck was supposed to launch this year, but it has been delayed to late 2022. Perhaps, regulations will change by the time the truck hits the roads.

 

[Hank42]

Good compromise to expedite production and delivery - once less thing (changing the law) to worry about causing a delay. Perhaps a retrofit when the law changes?

Also good for those with long trailers - perhaps we'll see extended side mirrors for that use-case.

 

[T3SLAROD]

Smart move! I like it!

 

[dazedNconfuzed]

Great solution.

Relevant federal law requiring rear visibility is 49 CFR § 571.111 - Standard No. 111; Rear visibility.

This requires the manufacturer to install side mirrors on the vehicle. Notably (correct me if I'm wrong), many/most/all states do not prohibit the owner from removing them.

Of interest, the law goes into great detail about "backup cameras", and as phrased lays out a template which Tesla can lobby to duplicate for augmenting/replacing side mirrors.

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Great solution.

Relevant federal law requiring rear visibility is 49 CFR § 571.111 - Standard No. 111; Rear visibility.

This requires the manufacturer to install side mirrors on the vehicle. Notably (correct me if I'm wrong), many/most/all states do not prohibit the owner from removing them.

Of interest, the law goes into great detail about "backup cameras", and as phrased lays out a template which Tesla can lobby to duplicate for augmenting/replacing side mirrors.

I think if not Federal law, most states most certainly _would_ prohibit removal. Laws require side mirrors (not rear view) and you don't mess with safety systems.

 

[dazedNconfuzed]

Not gonna check every state, but as an example: Georgia only requires side mirrors if "constructed or loaded as to obstruct the driver's view to the rear" (O.C.G.A. 40-8-72 (2010) 40-8-72. Mirrors).

CT will have an always-on rear-view camera. Federal law may require side mirrors during manufacture/sale, but removal is legal in some (at least one) states.

 

[coleAK]

Porsche has been trying to do away with side mirrors for at least 15 years. In 2006 The 997 turbo prototypes all had cameras instead of mirrors, didn’t make it to production for the same reasons.

 

[Aggmeister2010]

My question is more from an INSURANCE standpoint. For example, Under the California Vehicle Code, every vehicle registered in the state (except for motorcycles) is required to have at least two rearview mirrors. One of these mirrors must be on the vehicle's left-hand side (driver's side).

So, if you take them off and get in an accident.......could your coverage be denied? I would think yes.

 

[Atomadam]

with all the purposed updates this truck "may" have...I just want to see the finished product. All these push backs for the production dates are annoying as hell.

 

[Ogre]

Being able to pull them off is a great compromise.

I’ll pull mine off right away. If I get pulled over too much or it sucks driving without them then I’ll put them back on.

 

[Ogre]

One thing this makes me curious about. Does this mean no more remote electric mirrors? Are we going to have to reach out of the windows and adjust the mirrors by hand if we keep them on?

 

[Tha_Ape]

Porsche has been trying to do away with side mirrors for at least 15 years. In 2006 The 997 turbo prototypes all had cameras instead of mirrors, didn’t make it to production for the same reasons.

The Vector W8 tried it too in the late 80s (technically they folded flush against the car.)

Nope! Its a DOT regulation to have mirrors on cars.

 

[dazedNconfuzed]

Car as sold must have side mirrors per 49 CFR § 571.111 - Standard No. 111; Rear visibility. , but no requirement that they be permanently attached nor that the customer keep them attached (your state may vary, mine doesn't require them).

Brilliant move to make them detachable (presumably with camera providing same function).

 

[Ogre]

Found a good replacement for the bulky looking ones on that truck.

 

[Ficheh]

If they are easily removed, does that mean there's no controlling them (up/down/left/right)? That would make the passenger side mirror less useful since you couldn't adjust it for use without stopping.

 

[Unclepaul]

Cameras can have much wider fields of view than a simple flat mirror. They could also be adjustable, just like mirrors.

 

[richtrav]

If they are easily removed, does that mean there's no controlling them (up/down/left/right)? That would make the passenger side mirror less useful since you couldn't adjust it for use without stopping.

Doubt it, I think they’re merely intended as a token gesture that Tesla has to do to make the cars legal to sell, anticipating that 99+% of people will want the superior camera-based substitute instead.

 

[hill]

Good compromise to expedite production and delivery - once less thing (changing the law) to worry about causing a delay. Perhaps a retrofit when the law changes?

Also good for those with long trailers - perhaps we'll see extended side mirrors for that use-case.
View attachment 723577

why not extended side cameras . . . . . true - hauling is a 'drag' (pun intended) but regular &/or extended(able?) side cameras couldn't hoyt.
.

 

[slvervper99]

Would be nice if it can be locked in place like the doors (obviously cannot be opened) when the car is not mobile otherwise, we'll have a lot of stolen Tesla side view mirrors. It'll be such a hassle removing them when the car is park and re-attaching them when driving.

 

[HellsKitchen]

One thing this makes me curious about. Does this mean no more remote electric mirrors? Are we going to have to reach out of the windows and adjust the mirrors by hand if we keep them on?

They could be designed for the electronics to "unplug," doesn't have to be hard-wired.