Tesla Upgrades Headlight Safety With Model 3 Reflectors

The high-end electric car makers at Tesla want to help drivers better see what’s on the road ahead. A recent headlight upgrade has also helped the company get better reviews from safety experts.

Tesla last year began equipping all Model 3 vehicles that roll off the factory floor with new LED reflector headlights. The change boosted the car’s headlight rating from “acceptable” to “good,” according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The nonprofit safety advocacy group had dinged prior versions of the vehicle for what IIHS said were glaring problems associated with the headlights’ low beams.

The upgrade has been hailed by Tesla fans as the latest example of the company’s knack for addressing issues immediately instead of waiting to tinker with new models. It’s also an example of how much safety groups value headlights in assessing a car’s overall fitness for the road.

“Headlights shouldn’t just be about what looks cool,” IIHS senior vice president told Russ Rader CNET. “They’re important safety equipment. When they perform well, they can help drivers spot trouble sooner and avoid a crash.”

IIHS tests low beams in five different ways, including straightaways, curves, and sharp turns. The Tesla upgrade came after previous versions showed significant glare during straightaway tests.

The Model 3 has also been cited for its performance in crash tests. The IIHS gave the vehicle a “superior” front crash prevention rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the car a five-start safety rating.

How California’s Lemon Law Protects Car Buyers

All of the safety upgrades in the world aren’t much help if they don’t work properly. Unfortunately, many cars leave the assembly line with significant defects that create serious hazards for anyone on the road. The good news is that car buyers often have some legal protections.

The California lemon law is generally designed to force a manufacturer to repair the vehicle or take it back. Car makers are required to make certain attempts to fix defects while a vehicle is under warranty. If those efforts aren’t successful, the manufacturer has to either replace the car or reimburse the buyer. That includes covering the down payment and/or purchase prices and financing charges, as well as other expenses like car rentals, towing and repair costs. California’s lemon law also puts the car maker on the hook for related attorney fees and legal costs.

The law applies to both new and used cars, if repair attempts happen during the vehicle’s warranty period. The number of repair attempts required for the law to kick in depends on the situation.

Talk With an Experienced Orange County Lemon Law Attorney

If you’re a California car owner with a lemon, it’s important that you consult an experienced lawyer to consider your rights and options. The Orange County lemon law attorneys at the Bickel Law Firm have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases across the state. We understand the significant stress that can come with haggling with car dealers and manufacturers. Our lawyers work aggressively to resolve these cases for the people that we represent.

Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with an attorney.