I've noticed that when it rains, the rear camera gets wet, and the rear camera vision (while backing up) gets clouded, and hard to see with. Can be dangerous. Is there any fix for that. (2021 Model 3)
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Wet rear camera
- Thread starter maiki
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- camera issues
ScoobyDoo82
Member
In the menu.. under “safety” there is an option to turn on the heated rear camera. This should “melt” away the condensation on the rear camera lens..
No, but in all seriousness.. wtf kind of question is this? Grab a towel and wipe your rear camera dry bro
Or you can try this:
abstractocean.com
Superhydrophobic Camera Cover for Model 3 & Y
Superhydro-what-now? Fed up with your rear camera immediately becoming useless when it's raining? And then needing to be cleaned once all the crud has dried onto it? Well, finally there's a solution. This patented camera cover for the rear camera of your Model 3 or Y encloses your camera, and...
abstractocean.com
UncertainTimes
Active Member
Oh I dunno something along the lines of using ultrasonic sensors instead of relying on the camera like the rest of the modern car world.
ScoobyDoo82
Member
Reply that to the OP.. lol not me
But yea.. Same here in Los Angeles.. the last few weeks combined with this recent storm(s) have been equal to the last 20 years spread out.
Haha oops. Ya I agree rain has been crazy here for us in socal. So weird to have a month of rain.
I looked under Safety, and could not find the option you mentioned. Might it be somewhere else?
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
He was being sarcastic. His actual suggestion is to wipe it.
The only permanent way to solve it is to make a cover. Some people have done it DIY. Someone up thread linked a commercial solution, although it appears out of stock.
There's also this one from South Korea that just looks 3D printed (probably evolved from a DIY rain shield).
For Tesla Model 3 Rain Shield - Rear Car Camera Camcorder Lens Hood Cover Guard | eBay
From the other thread however, others say they had success with ceramic coating.
Superhydrophobic Camera Cover for Model 3 & Y
I see people mention Rain-X, but have not seen an example of someone claiming they have actually tried it working. Note there are two types also (one for plastic, one for glass). I remember reading however in the past that Rain-X doesn't work (edit, found thread discussing it in Model S):
Rear Camera, Can it be kept clean?
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Thanks for the info. Regarding the "sarcasm" of "scoobydoo", totally inappropriate. Not appreciated. My question was serious. And I spent time looking for the option he mentioned. (Which would not be a bad idea- some kind of defrost function to clean condensation from the camera lens.) The solution is to wipe the lens, while it is raining? It will just get wet again,
Thank you for your info, stopcrazypp, and others as well.
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
Wiping works for low speeds, a lot of the time it's the rain that have gathered while the car has been in the rain a while, so wiping will keep it clear for quite some time, while you use the camera.
In our part of the world cameras, especially the rear ones are covered with ice, salt, water, and who knows what from about November to April, rendering them effectively useless. Learn to use your mirrors, they are much more reliable. Wiping cameras off at this time of year is a cure for maybe 10 minutes. I'd rather not be jumping out of the car every time I need to see what's behind me. (This is not a Tesla-specific problem. it is, however, one of the things that makes me laugh at the idea of a vision only FSD system.)
"Wiping works at low speeds." Yeah, like under five miles an hour so your passenger can jump out and run around back of the car and wipe. WTF kind of solution is "wipe" when it's raining and you're on the freeway? Tesla should not install a rear-facing camera that becomes part of the driving experience but goes totally useless in the rain, or even after it rains and cars are kicking up water There has to be a way to keep it out of the airflow that drives water straight into it. I've had a '16S and a '19S and no effort seems to have been made to address this.
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
If you are talking about my comment, I'm referring to wiping it as you walk past it to get into your car. That works for a lot of people for the low speed portion. It does make a difference vs never cleaning the camera.
On the freeway, a cover of some sort probably is the only solution. I do find that when the car gets back down to lower speeds however, it does tend to clear itself out (enough to see for parking).
A good question from a relatively new member.
Wiping the lens works until you start driving again. It is far from a long term solution and the suggestion could barely be called helpful.
bro
