I just installed some Altezza tail lights for my 02 Max......my coworker said that alot of his friends around my area have been pulled over for those because they are clear....but the bulb is red and at night looks like a regular light....anyone ever have any problems with police over these lights?? Are they illegal?

 

I wouldn't say those are "Altezza" I'd say those are clear tailights.

Depends on your local laws and how strictly they're enforced.

 

It's the same law nationwide. Soonerfan did teach us this over and over again... You must have red reflectors visible from the rear end of the car. Before you argue factory cars with clear taillights, cars like the Lexus RX have red reflectors outside of the taillights facing the rear. But regardless, those taillights should be illegal to buy cause they look pretty bad, especially when idiots put LED bulbs in them.

 

It's illegal in PA. You need red reflectors on the rear of the car.

EDIT - Its actually a federal law.

 

Thanks for the info and your opinion on how they look. I think they look good, but thats your opinion. I'm just going to order the 01 max rear tail lights and call it a day.....don't want any problems.

 

Good idea. With the clears, you could be pulled over anywhere: PA, NJ, DE.......

 

They need to be DOT approved.

 

Or you could just buy red overlays and cover the clear part.

BTW, is anything Id consider the stock 02-03 tail lights more of an "altezza style" than those.

 

Where you get red overlays from?? That could be a solution!

 

There's an orger that makes them. HIs/her handle is bluebatmobile or something like that...I am sure if you search on here you'll find him.

 

That was pretty vague. Here, this might help:

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...tailights.html

 

It conditions/seasons the to do at least a little research.

 

"It rubs the lotion on its skin..."

 

Not sure if it will still be legal since the overlay isn't reflective, but will lessen the chance of being pulled over.

 

I have a pearl white max and its all clear (tailights, sidemarkers) except my spoiler light........ it is factory. I haven't been pulled over yet and I travel approx 45miles per day. I see cops everyday. They don't inforce it here unless I am sliding by because of my spoiler. I have not seen another max locally with clear lights around.

 

My point exactly.

 

It's not factory. No car manufacture was allowed to sell a car without red reflectors on the rear of the car.

 

Pretty sure he meant the spoiler was factory and that was the only reason it was the remaining piece with red on it. ...maybe.

 

Or you can just leave your stocks in...

 

Yeah, not sure how that could have been read differently.

I'll be honest, I think it would look interesting having fully cleared tails on my sheer silver car. But that isn't going to happen.

 

Yours are. IIRC the DOT requirement is for a minimum of 3 square inches of red reflective element in order to be legal.

 

red bulbs to the top and amber to the bottom and white reverse what's so hard

 

To get really technical, any modification from OE is illegal.

But as answered more specifically, I concur, you must have red reflectors facing the rear. The clear ebay lights you have are not legal.

To keep things on the cheap, I also suggest installing the vinyl if you have the ability to do it, or know someone who can.

 

Just to be clear. Altezza lights are NOT illegal.

Altezza lights:


Those POS aftermarket lights they call "Altezza" are illegal in most cases due to improper color dispersement or lack of brightness.

 

Everybody already explained everything, but yes they are illegal in all 50 states, I have the ticket somewhere to prove it.

 

I already ordered the 2000 - 2001 tail lights WITH THE HARNESS! So in about 2 weeks I'll be back to legal. Just did not like the stock 02 tails. OK...then while we at it are the CLEAR side markers illegal too???

 

Yes , basically modding anything that is not factory is illegal, but you can get away with it most of the time, an officer would probably hate writing a ticket for a side marker that is clear or smoked.

 

Since 99% of cars today integrate their side-lights with their headlight and taillight designs, I'd be shocked if anyone (cops included) would notice a smoked side-marker, particularly if the look integrated with the color scheme.

But never at night, as long as the bulbs are the right color.

For example... smoked markers on sheer silver looks about as right as right can be.

 

I also recognize the illegality, however I have been driving for a few years with the clear tails and clear brake light that emit the appropriate colors, and clear side markers with white LEDS. I have never been pulled for the lights, nor has an officer mentioned them when I have been pulled over for a traffic violation. Bottom line is that it is a gamble...



image uploader

 

The red may be a little faint in the daylight, but the LEDS put out a crimson red that no stock tail light can touch

 

Thanks ROC.......im going to order some of those!

 

I was thinking that as well..they are a little faint at daytime.....but I heard they make special red LED's for brakelights that are way brighter than the stock bulbs for that purpose.....But I was told only "IDIOTS" put LED's in the clear tails....and I don't want to be an idiot.

PS: Scottygil's Max looks hot with those tails!

 

Thanks for the compliment.

If you have clear tails, the LEDS are essential as tinted glass bulbs fade.
Go your own route on what you think looks good. You cant rely solely on the opinions of the people who are most opinionated, are most brash or who have the highest post count. Do what works for you, your style, and your max.

 

I guess a lot of us are idiots , No, but for real, I have Red on top of Red and its nice, dark and bright.

 

Yes, clear, or tinted side markers are illegal, for the same reason, you must have a red reflector visible from the side at the rear, and an amber/yellow reflector visible from the side at the front. If you tint them lightly, you can get away with it, but cleared out is definitely illegal. It's not something you're very likely to get hit with though. Not as much as the tailights.

High quality LED's look great, the shytty LED's that those lights listed use look like crap, very dim, and not even a true red, they are more pink. OEM lights that use LED's use high quality, heat-sinked, high wattage LED's, it's a WHOLE different game. All LED's are NOT the same, not even close.

 

Really? Because my Nissan Dealership gave me a NYS inspection a few months ago, and this was after I installed smoked side-markers in the front and back.

 

It is indeed illegal but if you ask me it's one of those things that aren't really paid attention to. When I went for my inspection the technician honked the horn, plugged the machine into the car...done in less than five minutes.

 

I'm so glad I don't have inspections.

 

good grief.......when I push the brake in with a stick held by the seat I went to the back of the car to see and i didn't notice the red side marker lights coming on.....unless the bulb doesn't work.

 

rear side markers are hooked up to the running lights... not brake lights and not turn signals up front either