I really like the orange and blue theme of my MINI and am tying to eliminate red on her where possible. I currently have on order the clear LED tailights and the side reflector smoke out kit from Moss Motors. For those that are unaware of these products, the taillights look clear when off and the illuminate the correct colors when engaged. The smoke out kit is a vinyl film, cut to size to go over the (rear only for me) side reflectors (by the rear tires) to tone down the red color there. I have no plans for the third brake light.

A nice plan until I read about a NAM member getting ticketed for having the black out film over the taillights. He was told by the officer that there must be red visible on the taillights both when the brakes are engaged and when they are not engaged. I dont remember what state he was in, just that he wasnt in mine (NY). But it did get me wondering if putting the clear taillights and smoking out the side reflectors will be an issue in NY. Does anyone know or know where I could even start to look for an answer.

I thought that clear LED taillights were a factory option for some cars so I really didnt even think it would be a legality issue when I ordered them. Would leaving off the smoke out kit on the side markers be but installing the LEDs be ok? If it matters any, my MINI is of the cute--not aggressive--variety. And I tend not to speed (I am probably the slowest MINI around ). Along the same line of questioning, if it is ok in NY to have theses things but I travel to a state where it isnt, can I be ticketed/ forced to remove the items? Please NAM buddies, help me out!

 

MINI has a clear taillight sold at dealers (not a factory option). To make them legal, the kit included red reflectors to be mounted on the bumper. Red rear reflectors are probably required in every state. If you want to avoid being stopped, install reflectors somewhere. I've seen some nice discreet installations in the lower black grille area.

See this thread on the topic: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...il-lights.html

 

The factory option is for the rear turn signals.

 

My car had on clear tails for several years and no reflectors. Nobody cared. Even the cops in Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa didn't care (or notice). But here in the land of no vehicle inspections or smog tests, they might be a bit more lenient on the rules. On the coasts it might be different.

Looks are one thing, but if they interfere with safety, you should avoid it. If only the Honda tuners, truck jacker-upers, and box Chevys with 30" rims would understand this...

 

That clear tail light option(dealership option) is cool and all but the bulbs are impossible to find and so far from everyone I have heard that has had them you have to replace the whole thing. As far as the clear if you have red bulbs you should be okay. Do you have a picture of them?

 

I grabbed this photo from the moss mini site. I ordered the clear one (lowest in photo).



There doesnt seem to be any red visible until the light is illuminated. I did think about if this were a safety issue (before it even occurred to me that there may be a legality issue). It seemed to me that going from clear (but reflective) to red when breaking would be at least as, if not more, visible that going from a red (reflective) to a light up red (a typical taillight). I did check on the listing for these and it says DOT Approved. I am hoping when they come (should be tomorrow) that there will some DOT reference number that I can look up and figure out if they are legal here. If that isnt the case, I may take the lights and my MINI on down the the sheriff's station and ask them. Maybe I can get a note or something that the lights are ok


rkw--I looked at the thread you linked me to and was just as confused after. Thanks for pointing it out though. I did try a search but didnt hit on the right words I guess. I am going to the dealership on Saturday for a little party so I will ask them about it if the lights dont come with reflectors or the answer isnt otherwise obvious.

nabeshin--I am glad you were able to have them for awhile and not get hassled. I agree that the mid-west is a lot more lax than around here about so much! Do you mind saying why you removed them? Did you feel that they interfered with your safety. I explained up above why I would believe them to be at least as safe.

Porthos--I put a picture above.

Thanks for all the input so far!

 

Hey, smurfette26. First, I remember seeing your MINI at MOTD.

Having red show up is a reflector requirement set forth by NHTSA. For the instances where a driver is not able to see any red indicators lit up, be it for just illumination or brakes, you have to have some "reflective" material showing. If you look closely at any set of rear taillights, they have some built-in plastic reflection, or there is a built-in reflector somewhere else in the bumper (seems I recall seeing that on certain SUVs). If you decide to black the taillights out, or you go with an aftermarket option, this is the risk you take.

 

Your fine and the reason being and this is what I do just drive with your headlights or parking lights illuminated so that the tail lights light up and they will be red. Alos just go with it, the most that is going to happen is you are going to get a fix it ticket and then you can fix it by putting the reflective tape. Just rmember it is easier to ask for forgivness then it is for permission.

 

Any modification to a DOT approved light is technically illegal and you can be cited. Any light that does not have DOT approval can also result in a citation. Ya pays yer money and takes yer chances.

Frankly, I would never modify or change my lights in any way that might increase the chances of some bozo running into me. That includes tinting front or rear, eliminating color, or even switching over to LED when it's not DOT approved. No thanks. It ain't worth it for a fashion statement.

 

The aftermarket light being discussed is DOT approved and there hasn't been any mention of modifying it. The main discussion is concerning the requirement for red reflectors in addition to the lights.

 

I got the lights on Friday. They actually came with the two (required) reflectors and instructions on why and how to mount the reflectors. My husband put the lights in on Friday night and we have yet to install the reflectors. We will but I just want a dry day (hopefully today, although it isnt looking like it so far) where I can really clean her off and then put the reflectors on. I drove with my lights on yesterday, since it was gloomy and overcast I feel as if the red was illuminated enough so that there wasnt a safety risk.

I am returning the smoke out kit for the side reflectors.

Thanks for all who have responded!

 

If you have any sign shops in your area, see if you can purchase a small swatch of yellow vinyl to put over your red side reflectors.

Red + yellow = orange

Just a thought...it'd be easy to remove if you were to receive a fix-it ticket.

I'm doing the opposite on Schultze...I want to replace the orange reflectors with red, but I haven't found a solution yet.

 

smurfette, can you post pics of your installed lights?

 

I eliminated as much red as possible on El Kabong. I drove with these lights for at least 4 years, no issues. I bought them on ebay and installed them myself.

 

Hello Smufette from Evansville. So ur back in NY.
I was born in NYC. As I told u when u were here we're talking to the
Fall Fest West Side Nut Club about the MINI's driving in the 2011 parade.
If you round about that time you get to ride in one of the Cabrio's if they're going!!!
Lee