citation for that horrible thread title....

[MADSCOTSMAN]

Boy, I sure would hate to drive any Trans Am from the past 20 years in the same state as the OP since that was a long running feature of the taillights on those from the factory.

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[Boozshey]

Ex Post Facto.... Who knows when that law went into affect.

[Derf00]

Originally Posted by up_yours_7

i got a citation after seven months of tint on my lights what the crap??? 41-6a-1618 is the code. Should i fight it they barely have one coat of vht night shades they dont change the brightness or the color at all.

so then why tint them and, if that's the case, then how did the cop notice they were tinted?

[staggolee]

The purpose of the tint isn't to make your lights dimmer, its so that you don't have such a blaring red conflicting with the rest of the car, to match a black decklid panel, or any other black body parts

[99GTvert]

Originally Posted by Legion5

You can get aftermarket smoked lights and several Mercedes Benzes and VW's come stock with smoked lights.

In some states you're not allowed to alter the light, this is a catch all for enforcing laws like 75 ft day 200 ft night.

Politicians are too lazy to make the law smart or reasonable. Mercedes can smoke their lights but you can't for no good reason.

Which models come with 'smoked lights'?

Are smoked lights the same as tinted lights, or no?

[Tylus]

okay, you guys keep referring to certain models of cars that come with "smoked" or "tinted" tails from the factory.

what you are neglecting to mention, or fail to understand is that these lights have been tested specifically and they compy with the applicable light laws for all 50 states. especially the European Imports. Otherwise they don't get the stamp of approval and aren't allowed for import.


Each light puts off a certain amount of Lumens (quantity of measurable light). The tails may be smoked/tinted, but the Lumen amount isn't affected. Now the average Joe Schmoe who tints/nightshades his own lights...he is affecting the Lumen output.


Sorry to burst your bubbles guys. It's all about the letter of the law. Without a Gov't Endorsed test, you are up a certain creek. Keep it stock, or find a company that certifies compliance with the law.

[Boozshey]

Or borrow a set of tails from someone... take a photo and tell the judge your fixed it. pay your little fine and swap them back out.

[staggolee]

ah Tylus and Boozshy, the angel and the devil on the shoulders of MF members everywhere

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by eddypython

Who pissed in your cereal ? Just because you don't like it it's not stupid.
my darkness is perfectly legal in my state, and no one EVER rear ended me. be it because they can see the light perfectly fine or I don't slam on my brakes for no apparent reason.
So let's not resort to " your mod is stupid cuz I don't like it "

The reason that you have lights on your car is to provide various types of illumination PERFORMANCE. Not aesthetics, that's an entirely secondary aspect of vehicle lighting design. Stupid is to place the value of appearance ahead of performance where there is anything safety-related involved at all, not whether you like the mod. I'll make one tiny exception here, that being for always-trailered show cars.

Small-sample statistical arguments such as your individual history to date carry no weight at all (and for the record I hope that you still haven't been hit yet for any reason, not just the two mentioned). DOT/FMVSS regs might have something to say about this subject even if your state's motor vehicle code does not specifically address it.

I'm not against doing intelligent appearance modifications, but the trouble with most mods that concern lighting is that they are not well thought out, nor are they tested and certified to be compliant with anything.

Let me try an analogy - would you intentionally do a mod to the engine knowing that it would make LESS power and torque than stock? I'll give you lots of room here to tell me what you'd be trying so hard to improve that you'd be willing to sacrifice OE performance in order to get more of it. Anything you can think of, no matter how far-fetched it might be.

Your turn.


Norm

[jdmcbride]

Originally Posted by Norm Peterson

Let me try an analogy - would you intentionally do a mod to the engine knowing that it would make LESS power and torque than stock? I'll give you lots of room here to tell me what you'd be trying so hard to improve that you'd be willing to sacrifice OE performance in order to get more of it. Anything you can think of, no matter how far-fetched it might be.

Norm

I agree 100% with you Norm.

But there are many owners who put on heavy 20" wheels on their cars knowing that rwhp will be reduced. Not exactly an engine mod, but many take bling over performance when it comes to wheels!