FYI: Tesla is set to release a much-anticipated roof-mounted lightbar for its Cybertruck, but owners will need to handle the final connections themselves due to legal constraints.
### Tesla Cybertruck Lightbar: An Off-Road Accessory with a Twist
The Tesla Cybertruck may not yet be the ultimate off-road vehicle, but Tesla is making steady progress in that direction with new accessories like a roof-mounted lightbar designed exclusively for off-road use.
This accessory, eagerly awaited by many Cybertruck owners, will not be ready to use immediately upon receipt. Tesla’s service technicians will install the physical lightbar but will leave the final steps, particularly the electrical connection, up to the owners.
### The Quirky Policies of Tesla
Tesla has a reputation for navigating the fine line of what’s legally permissible on the roads. The company has a history of offering easily removable side mirrors and compliance-focused vehicles with limited range. This lightbar follows in the same vein—technically legal but with specific constraints.
### Retrofit Notice and Installation Manual Updates
Cybertruck owners received an email late last month, informing them that their vehicles were queued for the lightbar installation. Earlier this year, Tesla updated its Cybertruck Service Manual to detail the installation process that its technicians would follow, including what they will and will not do.
### A DIY Connection
While service techs will mount the lightbar, they will not connect it to the vehicle’s accessory harness, as explained in the Tesla Service Manual:
> “The Tesla Lightbar for Cybertruck is designed only for off-road use. Tesla by law cannot install the lightbar electronics and configure the vehicle for lightbar control… Tesla employees are not permitted to connect or assist with the connection of the Cybertruck off-road lightbar harness to the roof accessory jumper harness. You are responsible for using these instructions to complete the lightbar harness connection yourself.”
Thanks to Tesla’s engineering, the harness connection seems relatively straightforward, even if attaching it to the roof with urethane could be challenging.
### Ensuring Compliance with Regulations
To comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, the lightbar comes with a blackout film to ensure it remains non-functional on public roads:
> “If not already installed, remove the protective cover from the provided blackout film tape and then install the blackout film tape on the lightbar. The blackout film tape must be installed on the lightbar prior to delivering the vehicle to the customer. Only the customer or a third-party entity is permitted to remove the blackout film tape.”
### Legal Nuances and State Regulations
Federal standards dictate specific requirements for light mounting, brightness, and angle for public road use. Dealerships must ensure vehicles adhere to these regulations, failing which they could face recalls. Notably, certain states also mandate that off-road lights be covered when a vehicle is driven on public roads.
### Excitement and Responsibility
While this new accessory generates excitement among Cybertruck owners, it’s essential they use it responsibly according to regulatory guidelines. This lightbar, though primarily an off-road enhancement, embodies Tesla’s commitment to innovative yet compliant vehicle modifications.
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— William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
