NISMOPower

iTrader: (2)

Is having clear tail lights in california illegal or legal? I will have the orange bulbs to replace the old ones....

Chris

Llfe

iTrader: (5)

it's legal as long u have the red reflector for brake lights and amber bulbs for turn signals

gabuchu

Yes it is illegal. If you modify the taillights on your car, it has to be DOT approved. I have the outer clears on mines for over a year. Since I put it on, I have been ticketed twice. First time it was by a chp and he wrote me up for modified taillights and speeding. Second time was by the police for not stopping completey before turning at a red light. He didn't mention anything about the lights though.

NISMOPower

iTrader: (2)

So even though i have an amber light inside the clear...that is still illegal???

Matrix

Yeah, you NEED the amber reflector. The bulbs need to reflect amber light. Meaning the light from the tails and from a cars headlights behind you. It is the DOT regulation unfortunately.

Which is why on the altezzas, you see a small amber reflector emedded into it. Same with new Civis and Accords, they have small amber pieces in their otherwise clear signal and headlight housings.

gabuchu

Yes, it is illegal. But if you are just clearing out the amber, you shouldn't worry about it. Cops or chp will not hassle you about it.

supertool

Like american cars, etc that have red blinkers? Don't they have to abide by same laws.

BobMax

I've thought of the same thing. It used to be that you could tell the difference between and American car and a foriegn car by the rear lights. Over the last few years, things have changed. However, there are still a lot of recent cars that have fully red rear lights, no amber. Perhaps the rules changed in the last year, but not all cars have amber in the rear. Clear, however, probably is not allowed by the regs.

Bob

metallic97gxe

iTrader: (3)

Legal
Front Turn Signals-Amber/orange only
Rear Turn Signals-Amber or Red(bulb or lense only
Rear Brake Lights-RED(lense)only

Illegal-All clear rear-turns and brake and it just is smart not to have "all" clear rears if someone rear ends you then what will the cop say...you lose...


just get clear front bumper lenses put in amber bulbs


then if you have a 95/96 buy all clear outers and paint the bottom red and put a amber or red bulb in for turns

if you have 97-99 do the red/clear mod and
and put a amber or red bulb in for turns

if you want to abide by the law....I do as much as possoble to keep em' off you.....
-EUROLITE L.E.D. Bulbs #1156(Rear Turn Signals,Third Brake Light)=$7.50 each-AIE Online.
-EUROLITE L.E.D. Bulbs #1157(Park, Brake Lights,4)=$7.50 each-AIE Online.

http://www.aieonline.com/

NISMOPower

iTrader: (2)

So what do I need to do to the tail lights to make them legal in CA?

metallic97gxe

iTrader: (3)

give us some more to work with man what year Max do you have????? 89,95,96,99,00,01????????????????

cbock

Looks like he's got a 97 GLE according to the profile.

I have 97 GXE, live in San Diego and I'm going to do the mod. I'm not expecting any problems for it. I would only expect to get a ticket for that if I was pulled over for an infraction such as speeding like gabuchu said.

Just my 2cents.

metallic97gxe

iTrader: (3)

like you said since he has a 97' he should do the red/cler mod and put a amber or red bulb in for turns


yes that is a hairdryer...I felt safer then with a heat gun...it can be done...

cbock

metallic97gxe, how did the hair dryer work? I'm thinking about going the same route

metallic97gxe

iTrader: (3)

pick a hot day about 85-100 degrees outside.... it takes a little longer but it WILL get hot enough and get the job done....and you won't risk melting your lenses with a heat gun..... new lenses are $85.00 each....

chris j vurnis

I have clear corners in the front with amber bulbs --

And actually, I can see traces of amber/orange through the clear translucent lens even with the lights off -- So I am sure that light from other cars gets reflected with a fair dose of amber color -- and of course at night, there is a nice strong orange glow through the clear corners when the lights/signals are on --

I've been pulled over twice -- cops never said anything about the clear corners --