If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Is the use of "Nite Shades" on taillights legal?
Is it legal to use the "Nite Shades" on taillight lens? This product
darkens the lens. It seems to me this must have an impact on the amount of light emitted through the lens. Are there rules/regulations/laws that are in conflict with this product? Examples of its appliation can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/7h83x Product information is at http://www.stevensautoglaze.com/nati...o/niteshds.htm I noticed that the product disclaimer says - "This product is for off-road use only and can only be shipped to the continental US." This implies to me it is technically illegal, but does its use actually cause problems with law enforcement / vehicle inspection? Ed |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Is the use of "Nite Shades" on taillights legal?
Will fail NYS inspection.
"Ed White" > wrote in message oups.com... > Is it legal to use the "Nite Shades" on taillight lens? This product > darkens the lens. It seems to me this must have an impact on the amount > of light emitted through the lens. Are there rules/regulations/laws > that are in conflict with this product? > > Examples of its appliation can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/7h83x > Product information is at > http://www.stevensautoglaze.com/nati...o/niteshds.htm > > I noticed that the product disclaimer says - "This product is for > off-road use only and can only be shipped to the continental US." This > implies to me it is technically illegal, but does its use actually > cause problems with law enforcement / vehicle inspection? > > Ed > ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---- |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Is the use of "Nite Shades" on taillights legal?
Ed White wrote: > Is it legal to use the "Nite Shades" on taillight lens? This product > darkens the lens. It seems to me this must have an impact on the amount > of light emitted through the lens. Are there rules/regulations/laws > that are in conflict with this product? > > Examples of its appliation can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/7h83x > Product information is at > http://www.stevensautoglaze.com/nati...o/niteshds.htm > > I noticed that the product disclaimer says - "This product is for > off-road use only and can only be shipped to the continental US." This > implies to me it is technically illegal, but does its use actually > cause problems with law enforcement / vehicle inspection? > > Ed Probably not. It really depends on the discretion of the police officer, but the taillights are guaranteed by the mfgr. to be legal only with a stock, unmodified lens. Now you may be able to use such a product and still have legal light output, but there's too many variables to give a blanket answer and I'm sure that a police officer still might recognize them as being modified and issue a ticket anyway. Short answer, I wouldn't take the risk. nate |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Is the use of "Nite Shades" on taillights legal?
Ed White wrote: > Is it legal to use the "Nite Shades" on taillight lens? This product > darkens the lens. It seems to me this must have an impact on the amount > of light emitted through the lens. Are there rules/regulations/laws > that are in conflict with this product? > > Examples of its appliation can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/7h83x > Product information is at > http://www.stevensautoglaze.com/nati...o/niteshds.htm > > I noticed that the product disclaimer says - "This product is for > off-road use only and can only be shipped to the continental US." This > implies to me it is technically illegal, but does its use actually > cause problems with law enforcement / vehicle inspection? > > Ed If it is legal only for off road use then by inference it is illegal for onroad use according to the maker. Why anyone (other than military or a drug runner) would want to darken a taillight on any car is beyond me. Maybe this is the latest in "cool" lighting along with faux HID lights and lighted wheel wells. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Is the use of "Nite Shades" on taillights legal?
John S. wrote: > Ed White wrote: > > Is it legal to use the "Nite Shades" on taillight lens? This product > > darkens the lens. It seems to me this must have an impact on the amount > > of light emitted through the lens. Are there rules/regulations/laws > > that are in conflict with this product? > > > > Examples of its appliation can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/7h83x > > Product information is at > > http://www.stevensautoglaze.com/nati...o/niteshds.htm > > > > I noticed that the product disclaimer says - "This product is for > > off-road use only and can only be shipped to the continental US." This > > implies to me it is technically illegal, but does its use actually > > cause problems with law enforcement / vehicle inspection? > > > > Ed > > If it is legal only for off road use then by inference it is illegal > for onroad use according to the maker. Why anyone (other than military > or a drug runner) would want to darken a taillight on any car is beyond > me. Maybe this is the latest in "cool" lighting along with faux HID > lights and lighted wheel wells. Well, it does look good on a black or dark colored car. But the safety implications would keep me from using it - I'm always trying to make my lights work as well as possible, not hinder their output. nate |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Is the use of "Nite Shades" on taillights legal?
On Wed, 4 Jan 2006, Ed White wrote:
> Is it legal to use the "Nite Shades" on taillight lens? This product > darkens the lens. Application of a tinted coating or any kind of covering, even a clear one, over a lighting device is prohibited by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 (Lamps and Reflective Devices). Therefore, in every state it is Federally illegal for any party except the vehicle owner to apply such a covering or coating. In a state with a vehicle code that incorporates FMVSS 108 requirements, either by incorporation or by reference, application of a lens-darkening coating by any party including the vehicle owner would be illegal. Even in states that do not incorporate or reference FMVSS 108 requirements in their vehicle codes, it is very likely that application of any tinted coating or covering would render the vehicle noncompliant with state requirements for lighting device visibility and/or performance. And, finally, even if you live in a state with a vehicle code that is completely silent on the matter, application of any tinted or opaque coating or covering to any vehicle lighting or reflective device is a collossally stupid idea. Not only does it sharply reduce the performance of these safety devices, increasing the likelihood you'll be hit, but it also is an open invitation for cops to pay special attention to you. Ever drive out of state, or even to the next town? Just because local cops don't care doesn't mean other cops will likewise disregard the modification. And, in the event of a collision, it would be a rather easy case to make in court that the coating or covering on a vehicle's lamps reduced their performance to such a degree that they were a causal factor in the crash. DS |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Is the use of "Nite Shades" on taillights legal?
N8N wrote: > John S. wrote: > > Ed White wrote: > > > Is it legal to use the "Nite Shades" on taillight lens? This product > > > darkens the lens. It seems to me this must have an impact on the amount > > > of light emitted through the lens. Are there rules/regulations/laws > > > that are in conflict with this product? > > > > > > Examples of its appliation can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/7h83x > > > Product information is at > > > http://www.stevensautoglaze.com/nati...o/niteshds.htm > > > > > > I noticed that the product disclaimer says - "This product is for > > > off-road use only and can only be shipped to the continental US." This > > > implies to me it is technically illegal, but does its use actually > > > cause problems with law enforcement / vehicle inspection? > > > > > > Ed > > > > If it is legal only for off road use then by inference it is illegal > > for onroad use according to the maker. Why anyone (other than military > > or a drug runner) would want to darken a taillight on any car is beyond > > me. Maybe this is the latest in "cool" lighting along with faux HID > > lights and lighted wheel wells. > > Well, it does look good on a black or dark colored car. But the safety > implications would keep me from using it - I'm always trying to make my > lights work as well as possible, not hinder their output. > > nate I think Dan Stern said it a lot better than I. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Is the use of "Nite Shades" on taillights legal?
In article .com>,
"Ed White" > wrote: > Is it legal to use the "Nite Shades" on taillight lens? This product > darkens the lens. It seems to me this must have an impact on the amount > of light emitted through the lens. Are there rules/regulations/laws > that are in conflict with this product? > > Examples of its appliation can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/7h83x > Product information is at > http://www.stevensautoglaze.com/nati...o/niteshds.htm > > I noticed that the product disclaimer says - "This product is for > off-road use only and can only be shipped to the continental US." This > implies to me it is technically illegal, #include <IAmNotALawyer.h> Well, for starters, that doesn't just "imply". It tells you specifically that it isn't street-legal. > but does its use actually cause problems with law enforcement / Maybe. Probably depends on how observant/active the cops are in your neck of the woods. The level of funds in local coffers might have an impact, too, depending on how your cops/sheriff get their operating money. > vehicle inspection? I'd expect it to get you a big fat FAIL stamp if it isn't street-legal, which the disclaimer makes clearly known is the case. YMMV by inspector, I'd imagine. My *OPINION*, offered with the full knowledge that it may be worth exactly what you paid me for it, is that (A) This stuff is illegal on a street vehicle (B) Because of this, you're likely to find yourself getting more police attention than you like, should you apply it, and (C) I wonder how well it comes off when you get the fix-it ticket? Or will you have to go out and buy yourself some new lenses at some ungodly price? Local anecdote - northern California: You've seen those "mask" widgets that get put on taillights, right? I'm sure you know the ones I'm talking about... A Dodge Ram pickup with a chrome cutout of a ram wrapped around each taillight, and similar? Not really all that different from this stuff you're asking about. The ones sold around here carried the same "off road use only" disclaimer. And they caught on - for a short time - I think it was about a month or so of seeing them "here and there" in increasing numbers, then all of a sudden, for about 3 weeks they were *REAL* popular - everybody and his dog seemed to have some variation of the theme,hung on everything tricked out Rams to ragged out beaters. At $30+ a pop, they couldn't keep 'em on the shelf, according to the counterman I talked to at the local "Real" (As opposed to Autozone, etc) auto parts place. About that time, the cops started noticing them and enforcing a long-standing bit of local legalese that boils down to "any aftermarket gear that isn't certified to (one of several major automotive standards I've forgotten and am too lazy to look up for this post) is a defective equipment (fix it or fork over $250 and expect to get pulled over again) ticket on the first offense, and a $500 fine on the second and subsequent offenses." Found that out when I asked the same counterman why they suddenly got so scarce almost overnight - In the course of about 10 days, it went from "they're everywhere" to only seeing a small handful a day, and then finally not seeing them at all. As he put it, within a week of the crackdown, you couldn't get anybody to buy those things if they were marked down to 5 sets for a buck, 'cause the cops were smelling easy money. (That's also when I found out that around here, a %-age of whatever gets collected from last year's traffic fines automatically gets dumped into the "general purpose" section of this year's PD/Sheriff budgets on top of whatever else gets allocated by "city hall") -- Don Bruder - - If your "From:" address isn't on my whitelist, or the subject of the message doesn't contain the exact text "PopperAndShadow" somewhere, any message sent to this address will go in the garbage without my ever knowing it arrived. Sorry... <http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd> for more info |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Is the use of "Nite Shades" on taillights legal?
>This product darkens the lens.
That would seem a legally and pragmatically questionable thing to do to a part whose whole reason for existence is to emit a certain amount and quality of light, don't you think? Cheers, --Joe |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Is the use of "Nite Shades" on taillights legal?
"Daniel J. Stern" > wrote in message > Application of a tinted coating or any kind of covering, even a clear one, > over a lighting device is prohibited by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety > Standard 108 (Lamps and Reflective Devices). My wife's son has a Jaguar that has now lost the two RHS lenses over the right headlights (Not a sealed beam application). The lights work, but he cannot find these lenses in the junkyards, and the new price looks frighteningly like a couple hundred bucks each. We used to install plastic rock guards over the headlights of our company cars to stop the almost continuous replacement of the sealed beams. Do you interpret this legislation (And I cannot see any reason why it wouldn't) to prevent such protective covers? |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|