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light color laws...help please

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Old Jun 6, 2007 | 02:43 PM
  #1  
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light color laws...help please

I have searched and searched, and read my state's laws word for word, but it is so impossible to decipher the lawyer bullshat.

My question is as follows:

I will be doing my Kouki front end conversion in the next few days, and I have JDM clear turn signals

I want to run clear/white headlights (obvious)

Can I run clear/white corners?
Can I run clear/white turn signals?

Do I HAVE to have bulbs in on the outside of the turn signals (basically side markers) and if so, do they HAVE to be amber?

Thanks
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 03:12 PM
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You can run the clear lenses as long as the bulbs indicate the correct color.
BMW and Mercedes lenses are all clear lenses they just use the correct color bulbs.
Although it may not be spec'ed for USDM DOT, I highly doubt an officer would ever give you any problems.
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 03:15 PM
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Thanks for the input....I know what you mean about lenses...

I am specifically asking about the bulbs however

Do front turn signals HAVE to be amber/yellow (whether it be clear lens/yellow bulb or a amber lens)?

Also, do side markers HAVE to be amber (whether it be clear lens/amber bulb or amber lens/clear bulb)>

Can I use clear/white bulbs in clear lenses on the corner lights?

thanks
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 03:19 PM
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Originally Posted by jspaeth
Thanks for the input....I know what you mean about lenses...

I am specifically asking about the bulbs however

Do front turn signals HAVE to be amber/yellow (whether it be clear lens/yellow bulb or a amber lens)?

Also, do side markers HAVE to be amber (whether it be clear lens/amber bulb or amber lens/clear bulb)>

Can I use clear/white bulbs in clear lenses on the corner lights?

thanks
NO, you have to use the correct amber color for turn signals.
Side marker lenses can be clear the bulb has to be AMBER.
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 03:26 PM
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or move to florida no emmission and cops either A. dont give a **** or B. some cops know about cars and likes yours. either way no one cares in florida lol
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 03:34 PM
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Ok this is what I figured, thanks guys

So it's:

clear corner lights = legal

turn signals and sidemarkers MUST emit amber/yellow light, whether it be from clear lense/amber bulb or amber lens/clear bulb

Thanks again, appreciate it
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by battosaii930
or move to florida no emmission and cops either A. dont give a **** or B. some cops know about cars and likes yours. either way no one cares in florida lol
no...seriously.....move to florida.....ive never heard of the cops bothering people for those things....its fun.....lol
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 08:37 PM
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i had clear corners on my maxima with no problems. i had actual DOT compliant lenses, and checked the CA laws, and as long as the corner is lit if there is a factory spot, or as long as it is amber or white (clear). As for turn signals, the rear have to be red or amber (not white like some punk 4x4 *******) and front have to be white or amber, not blue (like civic ricers). haha. this is for CA, last checked at the end of '06
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 10:10 PM
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^Same here in Indiana. It's probably a federal law. Its not even like amber bulbs look bad, in fact I think clear corners look better with amber bulbs.

EDIT although I thought all front corner lights had to be amber. My friend's lancer has white side markers that light up amber.
Old Jun 7, 2007 | 11:26 AM
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Not sure about your state, but its written in the CA penal code as folls, but not word for word:

Corner lenses can use eithe an amber color or white.
Turning signals are to be amber in color
Side markers can be of amber or white color.

My S14 has the PIAA white LED bulbs. matches the PIAA white headlight bulbs, Oh and your headlights can be of either the factory yellow (or amber) color or white. Any other color is not acceptable in CA. HIDs at an angle produce blue or purple colors, but once when you look directly at them, its white. So if anyone ever plans to buy HIDs, make sure the final product turns white. Still dont think the S14 Kouki HIDs should cost $2500.

Oh and another thing about HIDs, make sure you get them adjusted (like any other headlight bulb) otherwise you will get a ticket for having disruptive lighting.

Off topic, Vinnie, you think I should do a post of general CA automotive laws on whats legal and not? I've been thinking about doing that for a long time.
Old Jun 7, 2007 | 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by NiSmO Knight

Off topic, Vinnie, you think I should do a post of general CA automotive laws on whats legal and not? I've been thinking about doing that for a long time.
Sure sounds like a good idea to keep people out of trouble.
Old Jun 7, 2007 | 05:05 PM
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I'll pick up the penal code book from DMV next week. Where should I post it? General section?
Old Jun 7, 2007 | 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by NiSmO Knight
I'll pick up the penal code book from DMV next week. Where should I post it? General section?
If you post it in the general section I'll sticky it.
Old Jun 7, 2007 | 07:26 PM
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Done deal, I'll take a day off or something to go get the book. Its 4"x7" and about 4 - 4.5" thick...

Oh and did you know the lowering the car has two different ways to cite you?
Old Jun 7, 2007 | 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by NiSmO Knight
Done deal, I'll take a day off or something to go get the book. Its 4"x7" and about 4 - 4.5" thick...

Oh and did you know the lowering the car has two different ways to cite you?
Yeah anything other than OEM clearance, or any lower than 3" I believe. This means people are screwed either way.



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