hey tomas, you wouldnt happen know how to check to see what brand the headlights are? all i can find is voltage and bulb model information on the headlight. i want to make sure its not a knock off before i make contack about it. thanks...

 

<=== Has no idea where a manufacturer would mark their products.

Sorry!

Tomas

 

So does this mean I can't clear my corner?

 

You can do anything you want. Lots of people break the rules. If everybody obeyed rules we would't need law enforcement. :D

 

Cool, we can now start posting here in my native tongue?

I wonder if "Tomas" is actually "Tomasz"?

 

What if you just stuck a small amber reflector on the side of the front lip? Would that be legal?

 

That would probably meet the requirements as long as they were more than 15 inches from the ground, and at least met the minimum size and reflectivity requirements.

Tomas

 

Pete, Tomasz, Tomacz, Tomas, Thomas or Tomáš (the spelling in the signature below, which includes characters most folks 'puters don't have) are acceptable variations, as is Tomasus.

:D

 

at least met the minimum size and reflectivity requirements.

Tomas[/quote]

Which is?

 

It really depends on the type of reflective material you use.

DOT/SAE approved conspicuity tape has about half the reflectance of the usual plastic reflex reflectors, so they need to be at least twice as large.

The 'ordinary' reflective tape does not even reflect that much light, and most would require four to 6 times the surface area to meet the requirements.

Even if the reflective material you use meets the reflectivity requirements, though, it must also be permanently marked SAE, DOT-C or DOT-D on it's outer surface in characters at least an eighth inch high to be legal.

So, what is the spec, you ask? The reflector must meet NHTSA's minimum 1250 millicandelas per lux reflectance standard. In other words, for each lux of light striking the surface, the reflector must return 1250 millicandelas toward the source. There is even a very exacting and involved required method of measurement, and there are other requirements for reflectance at different incident light angles.

Got all that?

Here's another bit about reflectors from the feds: Guidance: Retroreflective tape conforming to Federal Spec L-S-300, "Sheeting and Tape, Reflective; Nonexposed Lens, Adhesive Backing,"may be used in place of side reflex reflectors if this material as used on the vehicle, meets the performance standards in either Table I or Table IA of Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE-rated) J594f, Reflex Reflectors, January 1977. (In a nutshell it has to say "SAE" on it, but I thought you might like to read through some of the bull I have to read through every time I need an answer.)

Thing is, all this is moot for at least three reasons:

(1) The infamous FMVSS Section 108 clearly states that replacement lamps or reflectors must be of the same type and location as the originals,
(2) Most LEOs don't know the applicable laws any better than my ex-mother-in-law, and
(3) It doesn't matter what the laws say, or what is legal, people will still make the changes then gripe when they get caught and fined for doing something illegal.

So, if I told you that removing the OEM reflectors and either not replacing them or replacing them with inferior reflectors in a poorer position was not only unsafe for you and others, but illegal and subject to fines, would it stop you from doing it?

Didn't think so.

Tomas

P.S. Here are some additional "interpretations" of the federal standards, by the feds, that may be of interest:
(Yes, your state admits in it's laws that the federal law supersedes state laws if the feds are more strict. They supersede fed if local laws are more strict. In other words, read ALL the applicable laws, and the most strict interpretation is the one that counts.)

T

P.P.S. Do I need to include links for the federal standards on my server again? I've put links to Section 108, and some specific tables from it, before on ScionLife. Several times.

T

P.P.P.S. Finally, for the most recent discussion of this in the federal register, see the following 5 page PDF: http://tijil.org/Sec108_fed_reg_2005.pdf

Enjoy!
T

 

Oh. Thanks. I thought it might look cool to have clear Anzo projectors and amber reflectors on the fenders like the Mini Cooper. Just a thought. Something different.