FAQ: Puddle LightsUpdated 4 hours ago
Q: Are they safe to use in my Tesla?
A: Yes. We've been making and selling light upgrades for Tesla since 2014. Most of our lights are CE and RoHS certified; this means we adhere to strict design standards for manufacturing and component quality.
Q: I've read that replacing the puddle lights can cause issues with the windows?
A: This has been an issue with some of the cheaper lights available on Amazon, AliExpress, Temu, etc. Here’s why: the ground connection for the door windows runs through the puddle light, so if the light fails, it can cause the window to stop functioning. If the window was fully raised when this happens, it will not lower slightly when closing, which might cause it to strike the trim. Our lights have a remarkably low failure rate, but even then, they’re explicitly designed to fail open; this means the ground circuit is not interrupted if the light fails, so the windows will have no issues.
Q: Why does the window raise when I remove the factory light?
A: For the same reason, the window “thinks” the door is closed, so it raises the window. Once you plug another bulb in, normal function is restored. For this reason, we always recommend fully lowering the window before starting, as it ensures you don’t get distracted and inadvertently close the door with a light not installed.
Q: Does using these invalidate the vehicle warranty?
A: Absolutely not. In the US, the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act is on your side. You can read the details here, but TL;DR:
No Automatic Void for Third-Party Accessories: The Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for manufacturers or dealers to void a warranty or deny coverage simply because an aftermarket or recycled part was used, or because routine maintenance or repairs were performed by someone other than the manufacturer or its authorized dealer.
Burden of Proof: If a manufacturer claims that a third-party accessory or service caused damage, they must prove that the aftermarket part or service actually caused the problem before denying warranty coverage for that specific issue.
Q: The lights seem to get really hot when in use. Is this normal?
A: Yes. One of the design priorities—and challenges—is adequate thermal management for the lights. Puddle lights, in particular, generate a lot of heat as they rely on a single light source (SMD – Surface-Mounted Diode). These get hot, and it’s important to channel that heat away from the SMD and other internal assemblies. Depending on the type of puddle light, this is often done with an external heatsink, usually an aluminum housing. So yes, if the outer surfaces of the light housing are getting hot, it’s working as designed. 🙂
Q: Why do the lights go out after a while?
A: As part of the thermal management, the light will go out after about 120 seconds (this can vary slightly depending on the model). They’ll immediately come back on if you close and re-open the door, but this is an intentional design to help prolong the life of the bulb.