Tesla HW3 Side Camera Covers: Fit & Installation Guide
Short answer: Tesla HW3 side camera covers fit only Model 3 and Model Y vehicles with matching Hardware 3.0 side repeater housings. The Tesheer Glossy Carbon Fiber-Style HW3 Side Camera Covers are a two-piece ABS set for the left and right front-fender housings. They install with double-sided adhesive, but buyers should compare their camera opening and outer housing shape with the live product photos before ordering. This version does not fit HW4 side cameras.
What are Tesla HW3 side camera covers?
These covers are molded exterior trim pieces that fit around the side repeater camera assemblies on the front fenders. One piece is made for the driver side and the other for the passenger side. They do not replace the factory cameras, require wiring changes, or cover the camera lens.
Tesheer’s version uses molded ABS with a glossy black-and-gray woven pattern created by water-transfer printing. The finish gives the appearance of carbon fiber, but the product is not made from genuine carbon fiber. That distinction matters for buyers comparing materials as well as appearance.
HW3 compatibility matters more than model year
The primary fit requirement is the shape of the Hardware 3.0 side repeater housing. A vehicle’s model name or year alone is not enough to confirm compatibility, especially around production transitions. Model 3 and Model Y vehicles can have different camera hardware and housing designs.
Before purchasing, inspect both front-fender camera assemblies and compare them with the detailed product images. Check all three areas:
- The outline and overall length of the factory side repeater housing
- The location and shape of the camera opening
- The turn-signal surface and surrounding panel gaps
If any of those details differ, do not assume the adhesive will compensate for the mismatch. A cover molded for HW3 will not seat correctly on an HW4 housing. The product should follow the existing trim closely without touching the lens, signal surface, or painted fender.
Tesheer HW3 side camera cover specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Compatible vehicles | Tesla Model 3 and Model Y with matching HW3 side repeater housings |
| Camera hardware | Hardware 3.0 |
| Installation location | Left and right front-fender camera housings |
| Material | Molded ABS plastic |
| Finish | Glossy carbon fiber-style water-transfer pattern |
| Installation | Double-sided adhesive; no drilling |
| Package quantity | Two side-specific covers |
HW3 cover vs. HW4 cover
HW3 and HW4 covers solve the same styling problem, but they are not interchangeable. Each version is molded around a different factory housing. The correct choice is determined by the hardware installed on the vehicle, not by which finish looks closest in a small search-result image.
| Check | HW3-specific cover | If your vehicle has HW4 |
|---|---|---|
| Housing shape | Must match the HW3 product photos | Choose a cover molded for HW4 |
| Camera opening | Opening aligns without overlap | An HW3 opening may not align |
| Adhesive contact | Molded edges sit evenly on the matching trim | Do not force an HW3 cover to stick |
If you cannot confidently identify the housing, use close, well-lit photos of both sides and compare them with the product gallery before ordering. Tesheer also organizes compatible accessories in the Model 3 exterior accessories and Model Y exterior accessories collections.
What does the glossy carbon fiber-style finish look like?
The surface uses a repeating woven visual pattern under a glossy finish. On darker vehicles, it creates a subtle texture change around the side repeater. On lighter or brightly colored paint, the black-and-gray pattern produces more contrast.
Because the pattern is applied to ABS, it should be considered decorative trim rather than a structural carbon-fiber component. Buyers who want the look of a woven pattern without replacing the factory camera assembly are the most natural audience for this style.
How to install adhesive side camera covers
Installation does not require drilling or removing the original side repeater assemblies. Follow the included directions and complete the work while the vehicle is parked.
- Confirm HW3 fit first. Hold each cover near its corresponding housing without removing the adhesive liner. Make sure the molded edges follow the factory trim.
- Identify left and right pieces. The two covers are side-specific. Do not rotate or force one piece onto the opposite housing.
- Clean the surface. Remove dust, wax, road film, and moisture from the housing, then allow it to dry completely.
- Plan the alignment. Locate the camera lens, turn-signal surface, and panel gaps before exposing the adhesive.
- Apply the cover carefully. Seat it evenly around the housing without stretching the part or letting an edge cross the camera opening.
- Press the adhesive areas. Use even pressure according to the supplied instructions so the tape contacts the clean housing surface.
- Check both camera views. After installing both pieces, verify that the side-camera images appear unchanged. Remove and inspect a cover if visibility is affected.
The included double-sided adhesive is designed for installation. The product information also notes that a compatible automotive exterior adhesion promoter may be used sparingly for edge retention. Keep any promoter away from the lens, signal surface, and painted areas, and follow the promoter manufacturer’s directions.
Care and inspection
Wash the covers with the rest of the exterior using non-abrasive tools. Avoid prying at the tapered edges or directing aggressive cleaning tools into the seam. Periodically check that each edge remains seated and that dirt has not collected around the camera opening.
If a cover becomes loose, remove it rather than allowing it to hang from a small section of tape. Clean the housing before reinstalling with suitable exterior-grade adhesive. Never add tape where it could overlap the camera lens or signal surface.
Frequently asked questions
Do these Tesla side camera covers fit HW4?
No. This Tesheer set is molded for compatible Hardware 3.0 side repeater housings. Choose a separate HW4-specific product if your vehicle has the newer housing design.
Are the covers made from genuine carbon fiber?
No. They are molded from ABS plastic and finished with a glossy carbon fiber-style water-transfer pattern. “Carbon fiber-style” describes the appearance, not the structural material.
Can I confirm fit from the model year alone?
No. Production hardware can vary, so compare the actual side repeater housing, camera opening, and surrounding trim with the product photos before ordering.
Will a correctly installed cover block the camera?
No part of the cover should overlap or touch the camera lens or turn-signal surface. Check both side-camera views after installation and remove the cover if the image changes.
Does the package cover both sides of the car?
Yes. The package includes two side-specific covers: one for the left front-fender housing and one for the right.
Choose by hardware first, finish second
The glossy woven finish may be the first detail you notice, but correct HW3 housing fit is the deciding factor. Compare the live images, test-fit both side-specific pieces, and keep every edge clear of the lens and turn signal. If your vehicle has matching Hardware 3.0 side repeaters, view the Tesheer Glossy Carbon Fiber-Style HW3 Side Camera Cover Set.