Altezza Lights Illegal?
06-08-2011, 06:16 AM
#1
Altezza Lights Illegal?
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?
06-08-2011, 06:36 AM
#3
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.
06-08-2011, 06:46 AM
#4
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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?
EDIT - Its actually a federal law.
06-08-2011, 08:00 AM
#6
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Good idea. With the clears, you could be pulled over anywhere: PA, NJ, DE.......
06-08-2011, 10:00 AM
#10
06-08-2011, 10:10 AM
#11
06-08-2011, 10:16 AM
#12
to do at least a little research.
06-08-2011, 10:34 AM
#14
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06-08-2011, 11:03 AM
#15
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.
06-08-2011, 11:17 AM
#17
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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.
06-08-2011, 11:18 AM
#18
06-08-2011, 11:24 AM
#20
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.
06-08-2011, 11:37 AM
#21
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?
06-08-2011, 07:29 PM
#23
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.
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.
06-08-2011, 07:32 PM
#24
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.
Altezza lights:
Those POS aftermarket lights they call "Altezza" are illegal in most cases due to improper color dispersement or lack of brightness.
06-09-2011, 06:22 AM
#27
, 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.
06-09-2011, 06:39 AM
#28
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.
Last edited by Rochester; 06-09-2011 at 06:42 AM.
06-09-2011, 09:01 AM
#29
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
image uploader
06-09-2011, 09:40 AM
#31
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.
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.
06-09-2011, 11:08 AM
#32
PS: Scottygil's Max looks hot with those tails!
06-09-2011, 11:24 AM
#33
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.
06-09-2011, 03:17 PM
#34
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!
PS: Scottygil's Max looks hot with those tails!
, No, but for real, I have Red on top of Red and its nice, dark and bright.
06-09-2011, 07:05 PM
#35
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.
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.
06-09-2011, 07:09 PM
#36
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.
06-09-2011, 07:40 PM
#37
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.
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