I love the ****** look of nightshades, but according to the CHP, "Tail lights other than red" are illegal. Technically nightshades still shine red... although they are black. You guys still think that the color of the light refers to the color it shines or the color of the lens?... so would you consider this illegal and if it is should i even risk doing it. I'm worried about gettin pulled over and gettin a fix-it ticket for them, and then having to buy 4 new tail lights. Anyone have personal experience w/ cops and nightshades, or just any general input?

 

just ask a cop, they arent going to arrest you for asking. contrary to popular belief, they are there to help you. I wonder if the altezzas that come standard on maximas are considered "other than red" ?

 

there is a lexus SUV w/ clear tails and when you brake they light up w/ red LEDS

so i dont care what a cop says


here is pic:

 

yea its definitely the color of the light when it shines, like homefresh said up there, the rx330 is all clear. smoked taillights shouldnt be illegal, thats assuming you can still see them well though.

 

Yea thats what i thought too, i just dont wanna end up having to purchase new tail lights

 

The following is a copy/paste directly from the California State DMV Vehicle Statute. You can reference it at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24600.htm if you'd like.

Taillamps

24600. During darkness every motor vehicle which is not in combination with any other vehicle and every vehicle at the end of a combination of vehicles shall be equipped with lighted taillamps mounted on the rear as follows:

(a) Every vehicle shall be equipped with one or more taillamps.

(b) Every vehicle, other than a motorcycle, manufactured and first registered on or after January 1, 1958, shall be equipped with not less than two taillamps, except that trailers and semitrailers manufactured after July 23, 1973, which are less than 30 inches wide, may be equipped with one taillamp which shall be mounted at or near the vertical centerline of the vehicles. If a vehicle is equipped with two taillamps, they shall be mounted as specified in subdivision (d).

(c) Every vehicle or vehicle at the end of a combination of vehicles, subject to subdivision (a) of Section 22406 shall be equipped with not less than two taillamps.

(d) When two taillamps are required, at least one shall be mounted at the left and one at the right side respectively at the same level.

(e) Taillamps shall be red in color and shall be plainly visible from all distances within 500 feet to the rear except that taillamps on vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1969, shall be plainly visible from all distances within 1,000 feet to the rear.

(f) Taillamps on vehicles manufactured on or after January 1, 1969, shall be mounted not lower than 15 inches nor higher than 72 inches, except that a tow truck, in addition to being equipped with the required taillamps, may also be equipped with two taillamps which may be mounted not lower than 15 inches nor higher than the maximum allowable vehicle height and as far forward as the rearmost portion of the driver's seat in the rearmost position. The additional taillamps on a tow truck shall be lighted whenever the headlamps are lighted.

Amended Ch. 924, Stats. 1988. Effective January 1, 1989.

--The only way the cop can get you on this is if your car can't produce lights visibly at 1,000 feet, which I don't think is the case. Other than that, I would say you're pretty much scott free.

 

Lmao nice. Gonna print that and stick it in my glove box

 

The 80's called, they want their nightshades back...

 

god you're a troll, do ever have anything usefull to say?

 

he always has useful information.. But he is old, so he remembers the 80's unlike most of us. Let him be for now.

 

Unfortunately I remember the 80's too...

In FL tail lights only have to be visible out to 300ft.

God I miss that state.

 

The 80's called, they want your bad jokes back...


Well, good find on that article dude, and from what it says it looks like you shouldn't really havea a problem

 

I cannot even begin to tell you how many cars with nightshades I've almost rear ended. One of the dumbest "mods" out there, IMO. The "smoked" look just looks tacky but at least you can see the lights, but when people do it so dark they black out the taillights they deserve what's coming to them.

 

i like smoked headlights, but i agree that some are way too dark...

 

They have to be as bright as stock lights. Dont forget to ask the cop "Is it ok if their darker?" Besides I don't think they look good. Jus my .02$

 

my tails on my sedan are tinted. not all black jsut a shade of it. still is red without ligths jsut dark red. but when the sun hits it dosent even look tinted...

 

I actually did a test on this two years ago with my old cougar. The reflectors in the taillamps lit up from any distance away I was. I took pictures, I will try to look for them.

The taillamps lighting aren't affected unless you put more than one coat of niteshades on them. Thats when things get dangerous.

 

Basically my point...

They have to be the most dangerous thing I have seen during the day.

 

Brian is a sexy dinosaur!

 

See the little red reflectors on the bottom of the bumpers.......gotta have a certain amount of reflective red even during the day if they wanna be picky

 

Well, those also aren't American plates on the back of that lexus either....best bet is to find a local cop and show him a pic of something similar to what your wanting...if he would pull you over, 99% chance every other cop would also

 

The lights must "appear red" on or off as well as have red reflectors. If the lights are blacked out, they are illegal and you face a hefty fine. The Altezza lights are red and have visible red reflectors, so they are legal.

 

So i understand the issue is safety... but, there is still a 3rd brake light... also, if i replaced the existing bulbs with High Intensity LED Signal bulbs (such as these http://www.eautoworks.com/html/produ...ce=SubProduct), i dont think visibility would be too much of a problem. I just want a black shading not a complete blackout.

 

Yeah, tell that to the Poe-Poe that pulls you over as he gives you a $100.00 ticket..

 

Nightshades=Ticket. End of discussion.

Brian, these people think you're a troll, but they have no idea sometimes. I wonder if they're on a Cardomain advertisement like you? Nice sandals by the way!