Refresh Model S Plaid: Fog light condensation

[electrongofast]

Are condensation expected on the fog lights? Took delivery today, and already set up a service appointment. Anyone had experiences that the replacement fog lights do not cause condensation?

 

[samp987]

my plaid does that as well sometimes, it does go away so im thinking it may be normal same as how the taillights do that sometimes on my old model 3 performance

 

[KalJoMoS]

What was the ambient temp. during that observation? If all this clears up in warmer conditions then you are fine, the lens thickness is thinner on the fog lights compared to head lights, hence the fogginess visible there.

 

[electrongofast]

Temperature: 68F
Dew point: 59F
Humidity: 73%

It did clear up in closed garage

I was assuming the foglight housing uses the same sealant (butyl glue) as the headlight, but was improperly enclosed and causes moisture to flow in. You think the moisture is penetrating the thinner plastic housing of the fog light directly?

 

[pabla]

Welcome to the brand its very common on all Tesla models. Shouldn't be a worry unless you're getting big droplets of water inside the lenses.

 

[KalJoMoS]

You think the moisture is penetrating the thinner plastic housing of the fog light directly?

I would not say say it penetrates, but if temp. is going to fall and the moisture can’t escape quick enough from the lens then all water droplets outside will appear to have moisture evidence inside. If the difference in moisture and temp. will even out, then it should not be visible. It’s not Tesla specific, all cars face this.

 

[Big Earl]

Same thing has happened on Model 3 since its introduction.

This is just condensation/fog on the inside of the lens for that whole fixture. This lens is open to the elements on the back side - not sealed. It’ll clear out quickly once it gets some airflow.

The actual fog light is a sealed projector fixture behind this lens.

 

[electrongofast]

Ah make sense, just an unsealed cover for the actual light housing

 

[WilliamG]

Same thing has happened on Model 3 since its introduction.

This is just condensation/fog on the inside of the lens for that whole fixture. This lens is open to the elements on the back side - not sealed. It’ll clear out quickly once it gets some airflow.

The actual fog light is a sealed projector fixture behind this lens.

Yup, my Model 3 fogs... fogged up a lot, too, - here in Seattle. The tails, too. We'll see how the new S does this season.

 

[pabla]

It’s not Tesla specific, all cars face this.

Never had condensation issues on any of my other cars. Maybe a tiny tiny bit on one but nothing as bad as my past 2 Teslas

 

[electrongofast]

I agree with this. None of my Honda Civics and Accords do this. No shame in admitting manufacturing deficiencies or lower spec relative to other manufacturers

 

[Katic1972]

For the first time I’ve noticed condensation in both my tail lights and my front fogs in my 2021M3LR.

Is this something people are raising with Tesla, do they replace under any circumstances or is this deemed “normal” and “within specifications”?

 

[CaptUAL]

For the first time I’ve noticed condensation in both my tail lights and my front fogs in my 2021M3LR.

Is this something people are raising with Tesla, do they replace under any circumstances or is this deemed “normal” and “within specifications”?

Normal-Heck! Bad and inferior weather seal.

 

[Big Earl]

Normal-Heck! Bad and inferior weather seal.

There is no weather seal. The light itself is sealed but this clear lens/cover is not.

 

[CaptUAL]

There is no weather seal. The light itself is sealed but this clear lens/cover is not.

My mistake. Then the clear/cover needs to be sealed.