Where is the front radar on Model 3?

[smorgasbord]

I just installed a vinyl license "plate" on my Model 3 and now the front radar is apparently not working ("limited visibility") message on the screen. Could it be that I'm somehow blocking the radar sensor, or is this just co-incidence? The vinyl is centered left/right and isn't covering any kind of opening or plug.

 

[dswansonsb]

Did you figure out if the vinyl plate was the problem?
Where did you get the vinyl plate from. I've been thinking of ordering one from Custom License Plates - Adhesive license plate replica

 

[smorgasbord]

Did you figure out if the vinyl plate was the problem?

Yes, it was the problem according to Tesla. I won’t have the details until I get the car back later this week. Apparently the sticker has metal foil as part of it.

 

[voip-ninja]

Yes, it was the problem according to Tesla. I won’t have the details until I get the car back later this week. Apparently the sticker has metal foil as part of it.

Whoops.

 

[nitzmahone]

Curious if they give you any more detail- seems like you'd have similar problems with a metal license plate near the same location (which most of us will likely have at some point). My Sto-n-Sho removable front plate bracket should be here in the next few days- I'm assuming they've tested with EAP, but I guess I'll find out.

 

[smorgasbord]

The service person didn't have the specifics which I was seeking, but from what I can tell, I stuck the sticker a couple/few inches higher than the Tesla mounting bracket locates the plate. I therefore conclude that the radar is located above the stock license plate location.

So, the Sto-N-Sho bracket may not interfere with the radar since it's even lower, but it does block some of the already small front grille area. If you live in a hot climate, it would be worth trying to find out if cooling would become an issue.

 

[dswansonsb]

Hmm... page 59 of the owners manual shows the radar not in the middle, but towards the right side of the bumper.

I think I'll get one and stick it to PPF so that I can easily remove it if need be.

 

[smorgasbord]

Hmm... page 59 of the owners manual shows the radar not in the middle, but towards the right side of the bumper.

Yeah, that's what it shows in the manual, but somehow my horizontally centered sticker placed just a couple/few inches higher than the Tesla license plate bracket locates it interfered with radar function.

 

[bstr]

Yes, it was the problem according to Tesla. I won’t have the details until I get the car back later this week. Apparently the sticker has metal foil as part of it.

Did you get your plate decal from customlicenseplates.us?

 

[NathanielHrnblwr]

I'm curious why anyone is bothering with a fake license plate sticker? The penalty for no front plate is a fix it ticket in CA. The penalty for a counterfeit license plate is a misdemeanor or felony depending on cop/judge/DA/whatever. The best case scenario is they ignore the sticker and cite you for no front plate. Worst case is you get a citation for forgery of a license plate.

You're better off contouring the plate to your bumper without flattening the raised letters and using adhesive to hold it on. You'll at least have a real plate on the car.

CA Vehicle Code 4463 VC: Forgery or Falsification of Car Registration

Having a sticker of your plate on the car isn't going to eliminate the meter maid for citing 'No front plate" tickets. You're better off leaving the new car registration paper in the lower corner of the window.

 

[smatthew]

I'm curious why anyone is bothering with a fake license plate sticker? The penalty for no front plate is a fix it ticket in CA. The penalty for a counterfeit license plate is a misdemeanor or felony depending on cop/judge/DA/whatever. The best case scenario is they ignore the sticker and cite you for no front plate. Worst case is you get a citation for forgery of a license plate.

You're better off contouring the plate to your bumper without flattening the raised letters and using adhesive to hold it on. You'll at least have a real plate on the car.

CA Vehicle Code 4463 VC: Forgery or Falsification of Car Registration

Having a sticker of your plate on the car isn't going to eliminate the meter maid for citing 'No front plate" tickets. You're better off leaving the new car registration paper in the lower corner of the window.

I disagree. You'll never get prosecuted for forgery if the sticker displays the assigned license plate number.

“Fraud” is generally defined as a deliberate deception in order to secure an unfair or unlawful gain.

Can you detail what unfair or unlawful gain could occur from using a license plate sticker that displays the assigned license plate number?

 

[smorgasbord]

Did you get your plate decal from customlicenseplates.us?

Yes. If you print one at home without any metal in it, it should be OK, but it may not look as realistic.

I'm curious why anyone is bothering with a fake license plate sticker?

There's look and removability. Assuming the cop isn't looking closely, I thought I'd get by. People at work walking by my car didn't realize it was a sticker until I told them the story. And being the first Model 3 they'd seen in person they probably gave it a look or two.

As for placement, my sticker was placed lower than the bracket position.

 

[hightechcop]

I'm curious why anyone is bothering with a fake license plate sticker? The penalty for no front plate is a fix it ticket in CA. The penalty for a counterfeit license plate is a misdemeanor or felony depending on cop/judge/DA/whatever. The best case scenario is they ignore the sticker and cite you for no front plate. Worst case is you get a citation for forgery of a license plate.

You're better off contouring the plate to your bumper without flattening the raised letters and using adhesive to hold it on. You'll at least have a real plate on the car.

CA Vehicle Code 4463 VC: Forgery or Falsification of Car Registration

Having a sticker of your plate on the car isn't going to eliminate the meter maid for citing 'No front plate" tickets. You're better off leaving the new car registration paper in the lower corner of the window.

 

[hightechcop]

License plate wraps are legal in California. check this link: www.licenseplatewrap.com. Ths issue I am having is I mounted mine too high and it interferes with EAP. Bummer that I have to pull it off and try mounting it lower

 

[mcdubjr]

View attachment 391798 License plate wraps are legal in California. check this link: www.licenseplatewrap.com. Ths issue I am having is I mounted mine too high and it interferes with EAP. Bummer that I have to pull it off and try mounting it lower
View attachment 391796 View attachment 391796 View attachment 391797

I'm thinking about trying it too. Please share if you get your autopilot issue resolved by lowering it.

 

[hightechcop]

I'm thinking about trying it too. Please share if you get your autopilot issue resolved by lowering it.

I lowered the wrap to 3/4 inches from the bottom lip. Works fine now..... Contacted the vendor and received a $10 discount for a new wrap. This is because of the "bubbles" that appeared when peeling it off the 1st installation.
Hope this helps

 

[NathanielHrnblwr]

Thanks for posting a follow up. This seems to confirm that generic plate stickers are not legal as license plate wrap had to jump through a lot of hoops to sell their product.

To be clear, this isn’t like those window static things, this is a sticker that can’t be removed and put back on as desired (I.e. remove for a photoshoot or something) but a one time semi permanent sticker, right? Does it only come in white for CA?

 

[Ash23T]

Why not get the bandit and stick it to that? I have one and it doesn't interfere with autopilot or sensors. https://www.1975creations.com/product-page/tesla-model-3-front-license-plate-bracket

 

[mcdubjr]

Why not get the bandit and stick it to that? I have one and it doesn't interfere with autopilot or sensors. https://www.1975creations.com/product-page/tesla-model-3-front-license-plate-bracket

I have concerns with the bandit being attached to the vents. People have reported cracking their vents using this type of attachment and it was very expensive to fix. If legit licenseplatewrap.com is only $50 and also retains the shape of the car.

 

[Alameda T3]

Thank you for this post. Had same issue, installed plate wrap too high, had exact same issue with radar. Ordered new one to reinstall lower as I destroyed it on removal.

“This seems to confirm that generic plate stickers are not legal as license plate wrap had to jump through a lot of hoops to sell their product.”

Not sure of this logic and conclusion.

In CA, there is a pilot program and it is allowed. I received approval letter also from CA DMV. License Plate Wrap site has the relevant legislation...trust, but do your own verification.