BlueFrenzy

So I recently installed clear corners and I know that here in Canada they are "frowned upon". I think that our laws dictate that corners should be amber and nothing else.

I know that other areas they are legal (ie California?) as long as they emit amber light.

My question to you guys is: Has anyone actually been busted for clear corners?
To tell the truth I never paid any attention to the amber corners on other cars (even when i had a Corolla, I barely noticed).

Paul_in_DC

You might try to find Canadian and/or Alberta traffic laws on the Web. I found them for Virginia, and the clear corners aren't an issue here.

f1michel

sorry for asking but what are clear corners? Or amber corners for that matter...

markd

Haha :D These are clear corners. For some reason, they're a really big deal among most here; I personally don't see what the commotion is about and don't think they're worth the $60+ you have to pay to get them.

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

I dont think any cop would SPECIFICALLY pull you over for clear corners. Besides the fact that it's probably the last thing cops know to look for to bust on (headlights or tailights and missing licence plates stand out more), most people don't realize that they actually have been changed, especially if you put yellow bulb in the clear lens. There are some cars that come that way stock here in the USA.

khtm

because they look soooooooo sexy and chicks dig them :D

I wonder why they even need to be amber though, as it's not like they flash when you use the turn signal...so what's the big deal?

I've seen lots of cars that have NO lights on the side whatsoever...so why can't we have clear/white lights on the side?

Nigandahu

Clear corners make this car look a TON better. It's not just me who thinks that, I get comments on how good they look all the time.

markd

They look fine. I personally don't think they enhance the car's look tenfold by any means. On some colors, they're more needing, like with yellow or black. With mine, ti grey, it's just another light signal. They're noticeable, yes, but I've never seen anyone go up to anyone and say, "Whoa, I didn't notice your car until I saw those clear corners! Way to enhance the color scheme!"

Part kidding aside, I'd get them if they weren't so expensive. You have to admit, Nigandahu, they are overpriced for what they really are. At most, I'd pay maybe $10 for them. They're two pieces of plastic, for pete's sake! These companies know how to price gouge up the wazoo, n'est-ce pas?

Tigster

I ordered a pair for mine and I put in amber bulbs so they emit an amber light at night. I have the velocity red and the orange did not look that great and I like the looks of the clear much better.

As for being legal I think it is just a reason for a cop to pull you over and give you a fix it ticket. Just keep the amber ones around just in case if you want.

It is all just for looks, but they do add like 18 HP to the wheels...

DreRX8

I need to look up the Texas law--because the light is not a turn signal so I don't if its illegal to stick with the clear bulb. Either-way I've been right in front of several cops at speed traps and they never give me a second glance--except for when they here the engine rev--then they point the radar gun at me after I pass.

Riggs

I don't think they are against the law in the US.
They come standard on some cars, like the BMW's with Sport package.

IMHO, I think any car looks better with clear as opposed to amber.

It's a real small thing but it is something that bugs me silly. Maybe it's just me.

markd

Sorry, I forgot to add red to the list of those needing clear corners. You're right--the orange and red just don't mesh well together.

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

Just an amber bulb will make it look OK, but TECHNICALLY, the Alberta rules call for an amber reflector, like stock. Bulbs and clear corners won't meet the law.

....but who cares? :D

S

Go48

It's my understanding that there is no federal standard/law that governs the specifications for the side marker lights on automobiles. The laws/standards on this item then would be with the states. Whether they choose to address this item or not is up to them. So, anyone concerned about the legality of these things should read their state vehicle code.

Here in PA the state law basically says that the car must be equipped with side markers that illuminate in the amber color. It says nothing about a requirement to reflect light in an amber color. I'm hoping that the tech interprets the law in that manner when I get my car inspected later this year.

As an aside, I doubt if a cop would stop a car just for having non-standard side markers. In fact, I doubt if he/she would even be aware of the vehicle code for them, much less giving a hoot about such a piddling thing.

Fanman

Talked to my brother, he is in the CHP (California Highway Patrol) and he said as long as they are amber or white they are OK for California.

Tigster

When I put mine in I used the amber bulbs as I said earlier, after looking at the clear corners I have decided to order krypton bulbs for the corners as well as the turn signals. The corners have a small amber reflection on them from the bulbs. I may be picky, but they seem to be pretty cheap.

ezrider55

The Texas law says amber or white. My clear corners are white.

BlueFrenzy

Well, I'm not concerned about laws. I KNOW that they are not legal in Alberta (like khtm said). I spoke with a police officer and he said exactly that. He said if they were picky they would bust you on it but he said he personally doesn't even notice (unless it's blatantly obvious like neon green).

But my original question was ... "Has anybody ACTUALLY gotten written up for it?"

Socr8tes

All cars made after 1967 and sold in the U.S. are mandated to have at least side-mounted markers. If you think you don't see them, the car probably has wrap-around lights on the corners.

LiveBlues

I must be in the minority. I think that the Velocity Red RX-8 looks better with the amber side markers.

SpinninAgain!

I prefer the amber on my Lightning Yellow too. If they came clear I'd have to buy aftermarket amber ones! :D

YMMV of course, but $60 buys a lot of [your favorite vice here].

Red Devil

I've got a black 8, clear corners were installed the next weekend after purchase. I think they make the lines on the car much more seamless.

MEGAREDS

Uhm... no. It will buy, however, about 30 gallons of gas for those lucky enough to live in the U.S., and maybe 10x that much if you happen to be unlucky enough to be living in Iraq.

I actually went to the books to try to figure it out for my car. As far as I can tell, the only requirement here in Illinois is that the car have "side marker lamps." There is no color issue -- they just have to light up. In any case, I installed amber (i.e., brownish yellow) bulbs -- the car's appearance is greatly improved in the daytime since amber doesn't go with any other color on the car, but the car has no "color" in the dark, so I figure the light coming from the corners might as well be amber, since some States have apparently concluded that orange is more visible, and since other drivers on the road will find it easier to identify the car and its direction of travel if the colors are "standard."

As for the idea that orange is more visible, I think the States that require amber did so with some thought. Consider the fact that that all lifeboats used on international passenger ships must be the same amber-ish color. The only exception appears to be the Disney cruise ships. Disney requested and received permission to use "Mickey Mouse Yellow" on their boats, in order to tie in the colors to Mickey's red/black/yellow scheme.

Would a cop ever pull you over for white side markers? Sure... if you live in a state that requires amber lights or markers, he noticed the defect and he wanted to pull you over. Once he has probable cause to stop you for a violation, any violation, I believe the officer can ask you to get out of the car and pat you down, look in all the open areas like the area under the seat, and even bring in dogs to sniff the outside of the car for drugs. I also don't know that he has to let you drive away after giving you a ticket, since the car doesn't comply with the Code. In practice, of course, if the cop finds nothing worth further investigating, you'd likely get either a fix-it ticket or a warning.

truemagellen

the clear corners are standard in Europe, Japan, well most of the world...some fuddy duddy in Mazda NA thought they were covering our collective asses when really he was being an overzealous ******** for essentially charging us a $60 "Mazda NA is a bunch of idiots" tax

Vertigo-1

iTrader: (3)

I'd agree that it looks better on certain colors than others. Personally, I rather like the stock orange corners on my Sunlight Silver. Putting clear corners on would make it look a little too plain in the front IMO.