Tesla Aero Dynamics

[Gadget-X]

Just got our Model S Performance. My "Tesla Delivery Specialist" told me (in an email) that "It is illegal for us to uninstall the front license plate holder on the Model S prior to delivery" when I told him my state does not require a front license plate. When I asked why he said "t has to do with the aero dynamics". Well I removed the UGLY plate holder. When I removed the 2 weird 5 lobe E10 bolts the thing just fell off. They put 2 sided tape to hold to the bumper and it was never stuck on well. Luckily there were no marks left by the loose plate holder.

My question is have any members dug into the facts about the plate holder removal? I replaced the 2 bolts under bumper. I can not see any way it would help with the aero Dynamics. I also see no way it could help structurally.

Thank you

M

 

[dark cloud]

It is illegal due to aerodynamics? You have aerodynamic laws in your state? Clearly not.

Some working at Tesla have good information, some do not, but I think we can assume they are not engineers who work with fluid dynamics. Of course that doesn't mean they have not been instructed or simply read the reasons why certain decisions have been made. I find it unlikely that the car was designed with a license plate installed or tested in the wind tunnel with one. Common sense would imply a license plate holder may contribute to less than 1 kWh in energy usage one way or the other. So on a list of factors which increase energy usage it may the 20th one on that list.

I think many who work with the public have developed certain responses to common questions which may not be the most accurate, but ones which resolve the question quickly, and thus perceived to be accurate.

 

[GregKo]

I was told that the holder is required to stay on by law as it is part of the front crash mitigation design of the car. Tesla cannot remove it. You can, if you wish once the car is in your possession.

 

[Gadget-X]

I was told that the holder is required to stay on by law as it is part of the front crash mitigation design of the car. Tesla cannot remove it. You can, if you wish once the car is in your possession.

Hehe. I guarantee that the piece of plastic two side taped to front bumper can not possibly help in a crash !!

M

 

[sdmack]

95% of statements made either by sales/delivery specialists, or by contributors on the internet, and not substantiated by verifiable facts, are made up. ;-)

 

[BigNick]

I was told that the holder is required to stay on by law as it is part of the front crash mitigation design of the car. Tesla cannot remove it. You can, if you wish once the car is in your possession.

This is at least as much bovine excrement as the aero excuse.
That piece of plastic provides as much passenger safety as the gum the driver is chewing when the airbag deploys.
They just don't want to give away the labor cost of removing two bolts for free - or more likely have people complaining their used Tesla came without the bracket when it was delivered from a one-plate state like PA.
My current used Tesla came from TX and the nosecone was unmolested, no holes or bracket.

 

[Uncle Paul]

It may be more that government regulations require the car to be delivered in the configuration it was when going through crash testing.

 

[Altair7]

It may be more that government regulations require the car to be delivered in the configuration it was when going through crash testing.

Probably, because Government is Government. Your tax dollars at work.

I fly for a living and even something as simple as installing a mounting post for flight deck iPads on out 737's requires FAA testing and placarding to make it legal. And the placard even states the tested weight limit of six pounds! Of course Apple does not make a 6 pound iPad, and the airframe itself is only certified to 2.5 g ...