License Plate Placement with the ACC Sensor

I've seen many other cars (especially Masseratis due to their front end design, which is pretty similar to the Model S) mount the license plate to the lower left (as seen facing the car) rather than in the middle. I've even considered doing this on my car but opted for the standard lower middle. I use the Torklift central "the Law" mount and I think it would work well in an alternate mount site.

SteveW25561 said:

I've seen many other cars (especially Masseratis due to their front end design, which is pretty similar to the Model S) mount the license plate to the lower left (as seen facing the car) rather than in the middle. I've even considered doing this on my car but opted for the standard lower middle. I use the Torklift central "the Law" mount and I think it would work well in an alternate mount site.

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That's probably going to be your only option. Many sports cars, especially those which are turbocharged, mount the license plate off to the side to allow full airflow through the front radiator/intake. We'll probably have to do the same.

Todd Burch said:

Nobody's tried mounting the plate off-center yet? Anyone have pics?

I'm currently planning on doing this, but with the curvature of the nose (viewed from above) I'm having trouble envisioning whether it will look strange.

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I don't have the ACC sensor but I do have "The Law" which I'd be happy to mount with an old plate (don't have my plates yet) on the front of my car off center temporarily to show what it'd be like if it'd be helpful to you?

An example of mounting to the side

I used the 4" J-hooks from Lowe's that many have used (the J just fits through the grill to hook it from the back), just on the side. Cut a few notches in the license plate frame (soft rubber) to make it fit better. Filed down the plate screws just a bit so they can't hit the bumper if pressed. I used an extra nut on the back side of the J-hook so I could lock the two nuts against each other and not have to pull as tightly against the grill. I also cut the J-hook down to fit - after setting up the plate, I marked the hook and then cut off what turned out to be about an inch with a hacksaw- they are easy to cut. The 4 inch hooks are a good thickness, so I didn't use smaller ones (which probably still would have had to be cut to get them to the exact size)

I looked at the sensor enclosure sides and this looks like it won't interfere with the signal.



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I understand the need to mount the front plate off center, but it does look odd...

I simply stuck my front plate on the nose cone with three small pieces of 3M automotive double stick tape (the red backing kind). Same stuff that holds the emblems and the rear spoiler on the car.

Been fine for nearly two years. Ain't coming off unless I want it off, which is pretty easy to do. No drilling, no holes, no brackets. Super simple. Took less than 5 minutes. Highly recommended.

I'll be doing the same when I get my P85D.

Ecarfan - I agree that it looks .....off-center....actually, if you google "front license plate images", you'll see that a selection of performance cars have them exactly where mine is - they have scoops in the middle that they don't want to block....or they use the tow-hook mounting to avoid drilling...(or maybe it is just a thing performance car owners do)...

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I'm glad I live in Arizona. Not found of any of these solutions..

Question: Can you simply affix the numbers/letters directly to the front skirt of the car (and omit the plate)?

A retired cop told me to forget the front plate.

Then there is also this solution: http://www.magneplate.com
new version coming for Model S with autopilot.

Can you post a photo?

Todd Burch said:

After exploring options when I picked up my car today, I had them install the front plate. Off-center just looked "unbalanced", and placing the plate immediately above the radar wasn't too different from just putting it in the factory location.

I'd like to forget the front plate, but when I took delivery of VIN1653 in Dec of 2012 I was stopped by a state trooper within 3 days...because I didn't have a front plate.

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The missing front plate was probably the excuse, but I'll bet he just wanted a closer look at your car!

Todd Burch said:

Photo of? My car looks just like every other Model S with the license plate mounted on the nose.

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Oh, I thought it was some thing special.

Boy, that looks crappy.

gzerninplatz said:

I used the 4" J-hooks from Lowe's that many have used (the J just fits through the grill to hook it from the back), just on the side. Cut a few notches in the license plate frame (soft rubber) to make it fit better. Filed down the plate screws just a bit so they can't hit the bumper if pressed. I used an extra nut on the back side of the J-hook so I could lock the two nuts against each other and not have to pull as tightly against the grill. I also cut the J-hook down to fit - after setting up the plate, I marked the hook and then cut off what turned out to be about an inch with a hacksaw- they are easy to cut. The 4 inch hooks are a good thickness, so I didn't use smaller ones (which probably still would have had to be cut to get them to the exact size)

I looked at the sensor enclosure sides and this looks like it won't interfere with the signal.

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