The answer is yes....and no.
The "Signal Block" Challenge
Because the metallic coating acts as a Faraday cage, it will disrupt radio waves and block signals. This commonly affects:
- Toll Transponders: Devices like EZ Pass or SunPass will not consistently register.
- Radar Detectors: Line-of-sight and RF performance can be severely degraded.
- Garage Door Openers: Standard portable remotes struggle to transmit through the glass.
Why the coating matters
Tesla’s heat-rejecting windshields contain a metallic film that acts as a barrier to radio frequencies (radar).
- Radar (X, K, Ka bands): Severely blocked (up to 90% of signals) by the coated glass.
- Laser: Passes through the coated glass on some cars without a problem. Please check with the manufacturer.
- GPS signals: These are also blocked, impacting the detector's ability store location based information used by location based marking features.
Where to mount it
To get full radar detection, you must place your detector where the metallic film has been omitted.
- The "Dot Matrix" Area: Position your detector behind the textured black dots to the right or top of the rearview mirror. This section is designed specifically for toll passes and electronic devices to receive signals through the glass.
- Avoid the Coated Areas: If you mount it on the main coated section of the windshield, your detector will be practically blind to front-facing police radar.
Better alternatives
If you don't want a detector blocking your view or cluttering the dot matrix, consider these setups:
- Custom Mounts: Use a mirror-tap power cable and a dedicated mount (like a BlendMount) that locks tightly under the rearview mirror and keeps the unit tucked neatly in the clear reception zone (only applicable if the reception zone is underneath the mirror, or the mount allows adjustment to either side to line it up with the reception zone.)
- Installed Systems: Install a custom-integrated radar system. Our current model Redline Ci 360c includes weatherproof sensors mounted in your front bumper (with optional rear sensors) and a hidden display inside the cabin. These systems also include Laser Shifters to scramble or "jam" Laser (aka LIDAR) detection, if legal in your state.
- We partner with a number of dealers who are capable of installation. Find a dealer local to your area here for pricing and information.
**Some Teslas (notably older Model S vehicles and certain newer editions) feature a metallic/solar-coated windshield to block UV rays and heat. While excellent for cabin temperature control, this metallic layer blocks radio frequencies (RF), meaning specialized placement and care are required.
You can bypass this by mounting the detector in the "cutout" section. Please refer to the Model S owners manual for more specific information, or consult the manual of your other model Tesla to learn more.