Does anyone know a good solution?
I've heard of ones where the holes are drilled under the bumper. Not quite what you're looking for, but similar effect.
Why don't you just purchase a new nosecone? I hear so many people worried about this?? Makes no sense to me
Mark ZZZZ: Did you hear of this front tag mounting technique?
I found it on another forum posting.
http://www.skenedesign.com/FPBracket/index.shtml
During the delivery survey it asked if you would like a front plate holder installed. Then below on that page it had a note that if you select no and change your mind later a service center can install one for you. So I figured I would take a chance and see how long I can go without the front plate and if I get a ticket then ill go get it put on.
TMC thread for that mount is here:
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/11956-Call-for-non-destruc...
The Skene bracket looks like a good solution but I wonder if mounting it on the grill will cut off air flow and cause problems with the battery system. I think I may call Tesla to see what they say.
I am think on trying either carpet grade double stick tape or some industrial Velcro I've used at work. Our state (MO) is close (I think) to getting rid of the front plate law. If not for that I would just bolt the thing on. I think it will be possible to clean the glue residue off from the tape or Velcro. If the plate falls off I'll just have to go back and get it and come up with plan B :-)
If you did not have plate holder attached at Factory, TM said you can have it placed anytime at TM service center.I had mine attached for delivery but I was clearly given the option to have it done later at the service center.
In Illinois you WILL get a ticket without the front plate, in no time.
Our BMW 5 which was a European delivery had the German plate on the front (which is still there after 3 years). It was mounted using double sided tape (must be an industrial grade) and the plate curves with the bumper.
Not sure if that solution will work with the Tesla.
I called Tesla Service in Chicago and they said that there is a heat exchanger behind that grill and that it probably was not a good idea to block it. They also said that you still needed to drill holes in the bumper and replacing the bumper was a lot more expensive than replacing the nose cone if you moved to a state that didn't require a front plate. I think I will go with the one they provided.
After much thought, I have found the best solution:
I asked Tesla not to install the front license plate license plate holder at the factory/delivery. At delivery time, they handed the license front plate holder to me. Now this part is key, so pay close attention. What I did next is I opened the trunk. In the trunk, there is a sort of pocket near the driver side rear wheel. There isn't one on the passenger side. It's only on the driver's side. That's a key detail right there. Unless they gave it to you in your hand, then there the storage case for the charging cable and adapters is probably in there. Now, this is the most key detail, HEAVY emphasis on the key. What I did is I took the license plate holder and placed it between the charging cable storage bag and the wall of the trunk. Then, I never thought about it ever again. I am probably going to make a detailed step-by-step video guide which I'll post to YouTube as I know it will help out many others.
@olanmills - haha you must have spied on my last week when my plates (finally) arrived! You have now told the whole world of my secret hiding spot :)
I keep my extra plate in that location but NOT the holder. Need some plausible deniability for why it's not pinned to the front bumper.
A friend also with a Model S is installing and removing his front plate alternate days. He claims that he has averaged a loss of 5-7 miles on his 100 mile (round trip) daily commute with the license plate on. Of course, he seldom drives under 70MPH, and 80MPH for him is very likely. He has been documenting his range loss for three weeks now. Would be nice if Tesla would run a test and shake the results on front of the DOT.
Ironically, I asked for the plate holder to be attached, and when my car was delivered - No plate holder installed. I would pull the OlanMills solution, except that I use the front plate mounted EZ-pass so I don't have to have crap stuck to my windshield. It would have been nice if the car was prepped per request.
Spoke to a state trooper today. She said if you don't have a front license plate you will get a ticket. I would advise the above posters to avoid her.
Why not petition state legislature to eliminate the front plate? Think of the savings only having to manufacture one.
if you live in a front plate state suck it up and go w/the installed one at delivery_doesn"t diminish the "cool factor"!
Here is my simple front license plate mounting solution:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TicFZtQCNeI&feature=youtu.be
1- Drill 2 sets of holes on the upper corners of the plastic license plate holder for the zip ties to go through; one set of holes on each upper corner.
2- Zip tie the plastic plate to the front grill, one on each upper corner
3- Put a couple of layers of packing tape or foam tape on the aluminum trim that the plastic plate is resting on to protect it from getting scratched
I mounted the plastic plate upside down compared to the factory way of mounting it.
You can easily & quickly install or remove the plate this way.
NOTE: I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL INTERFERE WITH THE HEAT EXCHANGER BEHIND GRILL. MAY BE SOMEBODY FROM TESLA CAN COMMENT ON THIS.
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I was at a Tesla Service Center the other day and asked the friendly folks there what the most common repair issue was that they were seeing on the Model S...