mrtech

Isn't there a hole cover for the front license plate screw holes? I got my Acura with the front plate holder installed. When I removed it, it looks like the screw hole used to have a cover for it. My dealer says otherwise.

adam209

there should. i found mine in the glove box

99WDP

You're dealers feeding you a line. I removed my front plate and went back to my dealers parts dept. and asked if they had any of the covers. He asked what color, went out to the service area and came back with the covers. Talk to someone else at your dealership, all of the cars have the cars have the hole covers when they receive them.

Modeler

Yep, there are round covers. I did not allow my dealer to put the front plate bracket on at all. My TL's front is still virgin (and hopefully will remain that way).

meathead

f'in car salesmen. i swear to god. yeah, the dealer has the tabs from the factory. insist they install them.

Z Factor

It is really incredible that the dealer told you that:banghead:

As others have said, there are color coded inserts that should have come with your car, so go back and get a set. You might also want to speak to the manager of the place to let him know that someone in the dealership is misinforming customers.

automophile

YES - they all come with the covers! Jeez - what a line! The ONLY reason to tell you that is sheer laziness!

mrtech

Spoke with Oakland Acura again today, the service manager will "try to look for a set." I have an appt with them this Friday. Hopefully they will have my rear license plate clip (nut) and a replacement battery cover. I'll have them check the seat memory and the slight vib when cold. I did experience the no start on first try again this afternoon. It did start on the 2nd, although, longer turn and a slight press on the gas. This is getting to be a once every 2 week thing.

I also check with Concord Acura about the covers. They don't install the front plate so they don't have spares (at least they say). They could order me at $2.68 each. I'll bug Oakland Acura just for the principle.

¿GotJazz?

They should be able to give you a set from some other TL sitting on the lot, as long as they haven't put plates on those, too. You'd better not pay for these - your dealer's an idjit, IMHO.

youngmic

Well, I never thought about it until I saw this thread. My TL has the front license plate mount installed and all those great shots from Acura are without one. I can't believe I missed that!

3 questions:

1. Are we required to have a front license plate in CA (LA)?

2. Do the screw covers fit in tight? In other words, do they have the potential of popping out once removed?

3. Has the license plate mount left marks on anyones car?

NOX 3.2

One of the main reasons to remove the front bracket is to be able to see the ACURA letters on the bumper. I like them, even though some people don't.

By the way, while working on the carpet and moldings in my TL I noticed some clips were bent from the factory, so I purchased new clips.
the clips are $3.39 ea at ACURA, and $2.25 at any HONDA dealer.

The part from ACURA says Honda on the bag anyway. It's the same thing! Why should ACURA charge us more for the same piece of ~@&# plastic ?

mrtech

Yes, you are suppose to have front license plates in CA. I took mine off and did not see any marks.

rets

U mean you don't see this...? I thought everyone has it...

mrtech

Oakland Acura pre-installs the front license plates and they did not save the screw hole covers.

Teh Jatt

Before my car reached the dealer, I told him not to put front license plate frame, so my car's bumper got no holes.... except like those in that pic.... is that for license plate?

haggis3401

I live in CA as well, and dealer did not put the frame on the front. Can I remove the screw caps myself, or do I need to take it to a dealer to have this done? Couldn't find anything in the manual or in the forums about removing these myself.

mrtech

You can pop it off yourself or the dealer should be able to do it for you for free. Make sure you ask for the covers and keep them. In my case, they installed it as part of their dealer prep.

Lore

I have a license plate holder on the front of mine too, but I'm just keeping it there for now. My friend's Prelude doesn't have front plates and he's received 3 tickets over the life of his car. Not worth it to me!

mrtech

is the ticket a fix it with no fine? Or is there a fine?

haggis3401

any advice on popping them out? I felt behind the bumper, and it feels almost like there is a rounded nut. Do you unsrew this? Do you push them out from the back? Has anyone done this?

Thanks

Modeler

I believe that in any state that requires a plate on the front you will just get a "ticket to fix" the first time you get stopped without one. I'm willing to run this risk!

I drove my 2003 TL-S without one in VA for a year: no problems! You can always say "my plate braket broke and I'm waiting for one".

Lore

Well, I had a different friend who thought all first time tickets would be a fix-it ticket, but in this case, the 3 officers all gave tickets with fines of $100+ (My Prelude friend's most recent was in SF where he said he got a $150 ticket).

My roommate also walked into his parking lot where an officer was writing him a ticket for the plate violation, but he had the plate with him in the trunk so the officer told him that if he put it on his dash he wouldn't get a ticket.

mrtech

I see cars with license plates on the dash. A bit tacky looking. I might keep it off until my plates arrive. With my luck, I'll get the fine on the first citation.

Lore

Mine came with it pre-installed so I didn't bother... it doesn't bother me that much.

mrtech

Oak Acura pre-installs all the front plates.

blaketag

I drove my 330i for 3 years without the front plate and didn't get a ticket (knock on wood). I thought I heard it was a $25 "fix it ticket" for not having a front plate in CA. Based on Lore's post, however, it sounds as if that amount may have gone up. My car came with the front plate bracket installed, and I had the dealer remove it at the time of delivery. I bought it from Concord but they traded for it with Marin. As such, they didn't have the front plate buttons when I had them remove it. They're supposed to get me a set for when I bring it back on 1/15 to have some other due bill items installed. I much prefer the look without the front plate, and based on my experience with the BMW will continue running without one (at least until I get a ticket). However, that's a great idea to keep the front plate in the trunk!

Tom

Lore

My friend with his plate in the trunk had a valid reason though -- something or someone hit the bracket for his front license plate area so he can't physically mount it there anymore, and so he had to keep it in the trunk... it definitely wasn't for aesthetics (he had a Ford Explorer!)

VTEC=happiness

In CA I believe it is a fix it ticket...In Los Angeles,they are cracking down HARD on people who are sans the front plate. This crack down has been pushed by the city since they began putting red light cameras at intersections...for the red light tickets to be held as valid, they are supposed to have pics of both the front and rear plates of the offender. In fact, while out on ride-alongs with friends w/ the LAPD and SMPD, we have spent lots of time handing those tickets out.

Xzinkz

found mine in the glove box as well.

dtchung

I really hate having front plates on the car. I think it looks odd, something that doesn't belong there. I been driving without it for 17 years nows. I haven't gotten a ticket yet (knock on wood).

If we had European style plates (long rectangular shape) here in the states, I don't think I would mind putting front plates

BTW, before my car was delivered, I begged my dealer not to put on the front plate. They tried to stop, but they couldn't stop them (them being people who prep the cars for dealer delivery). Fortunately my salesperson were able to find extra caps they had. It has very tiny nicks where brackets have been, but unless you're really looking for it, you can't see it.

danno

In CT, NO FRONT PLATES REQUIRED!!

Z Factor

Nor in Florida

mrtech

I had to go back to my dealership and have them pull a set of screw covers from another car. Oakland Acura pre-installs the front plate holders as part of the prep.

dtchung

I think that goes with any state that requires front license plate. That's what happened to me. Fortuantely, they still have the caps.