putting on painted reflectors? illegal!!!

5soko · 09-09-2008, 10:27 AM

so not sure how true this is, some guys comes up to me in a 335xi and goes oo i see u got painted reflectors, i go yea. he goes, o well if u get in a car accident the insurance can give u a really hard time because of that or u can get a ticket or something.

is any of that true i was just wondering?-iphone

LI E90 · 09-09-2008, 10:38 AM

of course they are illegal

kyleb350 · 09-09-2008, 10:39 AM

I'm not sure about the insurance part, but technically, yes, side reflectors on U.S. cars are a DOT requirement.

Although I do have the painted reflectors myself. I suppose if someone hit the side of your car at night...

Tondtar · 09-09-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5soko335i

so not sure how true this is, some guys comes up to me in a 335xi and goes oo i see u got painted reflectors, i go yea. he goes, o well if u get in a car accident the insurance can give u a really hard time because of that or u can get a ticket or something.

is any of that true i was just wondering?-iphone

That is correct. All cars in US roads must have a reflector or side lights at the front of the car (both sides). You can notice that on any car - either as stand alone reflectors or part of the front lights.
Putting painted ones do not cut it but replacing with clear or smoked reflectors is an option.

ptx1 · 09-09-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tondtar

That is correct. All cars in US roads must have a reflector or side lights at the front of the car (both sides). You can notice that on any car - either as stand alone reflectors or part of the front lights.
Putting painted ones do not cut it but replacing with clear or smoked reflectors is an option.

I don't think clear or smoked reflectors are legal either; at least not here in CA.
"...color of side marker lights. If present, must be yellow in the front and red in the rear" (25106, 24003 VC).

Here's list of: Illegal equipment most often cited by the CHP.
http://www.btpautoparts.com/californialaws.html

or if you want it straight from the horse's mouth:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vctoc.htm

Tondtar · 09-09-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptx1

I don't think clear or smoked reflectors are legal either; at least not here in CA.
"...color of side marker lights. If present, must be yellow in the front and red in the rear" (25106, 24003 VC).

Here's list of: Illegal equipment most often cited by the CHP.
http://www.btpautoparts.com/californialaws.html

OK ...Then I am screwed also

5soko · 09-09-2008, 01:21 PM

haha alright thanks alot guys...

stickypaws · 09-09-2008, 01:57 PM

If you are in an accident I wouldn't worry about a ticket or your own insurance company, etc.. I'd worry about a lawsuit from the other party or parties involved if they happen to have a super savvy lawyer.

Don't mess with legal and safety stuff. Could come back and bite you one day.

HighVoltage · 09-09-2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptx1

I don't think clear or smoked reflectors are legal either; at least not here in CA.
"...color of side marker lights. If present, must be yellow in the front and red in the rear" (25106, 24003 VC).

Here's list of: Illegal equipment most often cited by the CHP.
http://www.btpautoparts.com/californialaws.html

or if you want it straight from the horse's mouth:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vctoc.htm

25100
"(2) At least one amber side-marker lamp on each side near the front and at least one red side-marker lamp on each side near the rear."

That pertains to the color of the lamp (i.e turn signal), not a reflector. The vehicle code clearly distinguishes between lamps (sources of light) and reflectors. I still havent seen any code that specifically states the color of a reflector for CA.

Neither 25106 or 24003 mention a reflector.

longtran · 09-09-2008, 02:19 PM

you guys are over thinking this. if someone hit you its not becasue they didnt see the lil reflector on your car. they hit you because 1. they were going too fast and cant stop in time. 2. wasnt paying attention to begin with. 3. swerve to miss something. how are you going to miss a 2 ton car on the street. theres no way you can be liable because some jackass was going 1 of the 3 option above. you might get ticketed for painted reflectors but that is because that cop have nothing better to do. its just like tinted windows. you cannot tint your windows, but people do it all the time.

gravediggingaditch · 09-09-2008, 02:25 PM

If you are in an accident, the only way it will come back to bite you is if it is somehow a cause of the accident. . . You were pulling out of a street and somebody didn't see your front end and crashed into you. This is likely ONLY going to happen at dusk when the lighting is dim and you aren't using your headlights (which have daytime running lights that are still visible from a perpendicular view of the car).

The other side will have to prove that had you not removed it, the accident wouldn't have happened - they would have been able to see you and get out of the way. Obviously if you hit them, it doesn't matter whether you had the reflector or not. . . cause its your fault.

You can get a ticket for it. Now if you get a ticket for it and/or the other attorney finds out you did that and can get a picture of your car with the mod, then that can be used as evidence against you . . . to sort of slide the scales that you may have been negligent and/or at fault.

I thought about this before doing it - and did it.

Most cops aren't looking to make sure you have your side reflectors - I'd be slightly astonished if somebody got a ticket. It would have to be somebody who knows about this mod (ie a BMW driver) or sees two of them next to each other (probably a cop busting up a meet). Otherwise, even if a cop looked at the front, the yellow turn signal lights / daytime running lights would probably throw him off.

gravediggingaditch · 09-09-2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longtran

you guys are over thinking this. if someone hit you its not becasue they didnt see the lil reflector on your car. they hit you because 1. they were going too fast and cant stop in time. 2. wasnt paying attention to begin with. 3. swerve to miss something. how are you going to miss a 2 ton car on the street. theres no way you can be liable because some jackass was going 1 of the 3 option above. you might get ticketed for painted reflectors but that is because that cop have nothing better to do. its just like tinted windows. you cannot tint your windows, but people do it all the time.

yep

pdjafari · 09-09-2008, 02:27 PM

you guys are all gay for worrying about a reflector

ptx1 · 09-09-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighVoltage

25100
"(2) At least one amber side-marker lamp on each side near the front and at least one red side-marker lamp on each side near the rear."

That pertains to the color of the lamp (i.e turn signal), not a reflector. The vehicle code clearly distinguishes between lamps (sources of light) and reflectors. I still havent seen any code that specifically states the color of a reflector for CA.

Neither 25106 or 24003 mention a reflector.

Hey, you're right. Even if you get painted side reflectors you would only have to worry about them at night or any other time you have to turn on your headlights...

"25100. (a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (d), every vehicle 80 inches or more in overall width shall be equipped during darkness as follows: " http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc25100.htm

Sure would be nice to have a an officer tell us how they interpret this law.

iatacs19 · 09-09-2008, 02:30 PM

Yeah, not only will your insurance not cover it. State Farm and Nationwide are aware of this and will contact BMWNA to have part of your warranty voided.

ptx1 · 09-09-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdjafari

you guys are all gay for worrying about a reflector

Are you even old enough to drive?

yoyeewee · 09-09-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdjafari

you guys are all gay for worrying about a reflector

LOL...but you live in VA. We live in CA. There's a lot more money-hungry savvy lawyers out here.

XYR03 · 09-09-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdjafari

you guys are all gay for worrying about a reflector

gravediggingaditch · 09-09-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptx1

Are you even old enough to drive?

simp0man · 09-10-2008, 07:23 PM

Well said. I am always for it against the man and stupid things they make illegal here in US that is not elsewhere in the world.

EZ_TUR90 · 09-10-2008, 07:33 PM

if you have an e92 dont paint the reflectors and get color matching vinyl overlay, and when you get hit pull it off! Same for e90s that have the amber overlay!!!

Mr.335iCoupe · 09-10-2008, 10:24 PM

does this only apply to cars that come with amber reflectors stock? My highlander does not have reflectors, at least not that I know of..

09-09-2008, 10:27 AM	#1
5soko Brigadier General 333 Rep 4,632 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (4)	putting on painted reflectors? illegal!!! so not sure how true this is, some guys comes up to me in a 335xi and goes oo i see u got painted reflectors, i go yea. he goes, o well if u get in a car accident the insurance can give u a really hard time because of that or u can get a ticket or something. is any of that true i was just wondering?-iphone
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09-09-2008, 10:38 AM	#2
LI E90 Colonel 131 Rep 2,086 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island iTrader: (2)	of course they are illegal __________________ 2013 MB C300 4matic 2014 Ford Explorer Ltd 1973 Jeep Commando
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09-09-2008, 10:39 AM	#3
kyleb350 Brigadier General 424 Rep 4,709 Posts Drives: '21 X3MC Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee iTrader: (6)	I'm not sure about the insurance part, but technically, yes, side reflectors on U.S. cars are a DOT requirement. Although I do have the painted reflectors myself. I suppose if someone hit the side of your car at night...
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09-09-2008, 01:21 PM	#7
5soko Brigadier General 333 Rep 4,632 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (4)	haha alright thanks alot guys...
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09-09-2008, 01:57 PM	#8
stickypaws Dictator 55 Rep 1,811 Posts Drives: people crazy Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: where you want to be iTrader: (0)	If you are in an accident I wouldn't worry about a ticket or your own insurance company, etc.. I'd worry about a lawsuit from the other party or parties involved if they happen to have a super savvy lawyer. Don't mess with legal and safety stuff. Could come back and bite you one day.
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09-09-2008, 02:19 PM	#10
longtran Lieutenant General 1433 Rep 16,628 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CA iTrader: (105) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	you guys are over thinking this. if someone hit you its not becasue they didnt see the lil reflector on your car. they hit you because 1. they were going too fast and cant stop in time. 2. wasnt paying attention to begin with. 3. swerve to miss something. how are you going to miss a 2 ton car on the street. theres no way you can be liable because some jackass was going 1 of the 3 option above. you might get ticketed for painted reflectors but that is because that cop have nothing better to do. its just like tinted windows. you cannot tint your windows, but people do it all the time.
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09-09-2008, 02:25 PM	#11
gravediggingaditch Lieutenant 21 Rep 425 Posts Drives: '08 e92 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	If you are in an accident, the only way it will come back to bite you is if it is somehow a cause of the accident. . . You were pulling out of a street and somebody didn't see your front end and crashed into you. This is likely ONLY going to happen at dusk when the lighting is dim and you aren't using your headlights (which have daytime running lights that are still visible from a perpendicular view of the car). The other side will have to prove that had you not removed it, the accident wouldn't have happened - they would have been able to see you and get out of the way. Obviously if you hit them, it doesn't matter whether you had the reflector or not. . . cause its your fault. You can get a ticket for it. Now if you get a ticket for it and/or the other attorney finds out you did that and can get a picture of your car with the mod, then that can be used as evidence against you . . . to sort of slide the scales that you may have been negligent and/or at fault. I thought about this before doing it - and did it. Most cops aren't looking to make sure you have your side reflectors - I'd be slightly astonished if somebody got a ticket. It would have to be somebody who knows about this mod (ie a BMW driver) or sees two of them next to each other (probably a cop busting up a meet). Otherwise, even if a cop looked at the front, the yellow turn signal lights / daytime running lights would probably throw him off. __________________ BMW 335i - e92 Ordered: 4.23.08 Picked Up: 6.19.08 Blk Saph, Black Lthr, Alum, 230s, Man, Prem Pkg, Sprt Pkg, Navi, Prk Dst, CA, iPod, Cstm Pedals, Pntd Reflctrs, GP Thundrs, 30% Huper Optik Tints / 60% Wndshld, Euro Fogs
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09-09-2008, 02:27 PM	#13
pdjafari Colonel 152 Rep 2,463 Posts Drives: G80 M3C Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Earth iTrader: (5)	you guys are all gay for worrying about a reflector
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09-09-2008, 02:30 PM	#15
iatacs19 Major General 459 Rep 5,319 Posts Drives: 2016 SO M4 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (8)	Yeah, not only will your insurance not cover it. State Farm and Nationwide are aware of this and will contact BMWNA to have part of your warranty voided. __________________ If only BMWCCA Referral: 385628
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09-10-2008, 07:23 PM	#20
simp0man Not looking 2 SPEED, just looking GOOD 45 Rep 2,516 Posts Drives: 07 328i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stockton, Ca iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 328i [0.00]	Well said. I am always for it against the man and stupid things they make illegal here in US that is not elsewhere in the world. __________________
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09-10-2008, 07:33 PM	#21
EZ_TUR90 Ez tur90 189 Rep 3,191 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (11)	if you have an e92 dont paint the reflectors and get color matching vinyl overlay, and when you get hit pull it off! Same for e90s that have the amber overlay!!! __________________
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09-10-2008, 10:24 PM	#22
Mr.335iCoupe Q(0_0Q) 65 Rep 581 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (5)	does this only apply to cars that come with amber reflectors stock? My highlander does not have reflectors, at least not that I know of..
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