HID Lights? Legal Or Pull Me Over Now?
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2010
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S500
HID Lights? Legal Or Pull Me Over Now?
Well a friend of mine gave me a set of HID head lamp kits for my car. The light kit is the kind that replaces the stock bulbs with a Xenon arch lamp, ballast and ignitor. The color is 6000k white/blue. The kit was a Xmas present and was purchased from [deleted by moderator], so I do not want to offend my friend by never trying them, but at the same time I do not want to blind others on the road or get a FAT TICKET. What are the penalties if it is not legal? Heck, what is the legality of these light kits? I live in CA if that has any bearing.
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 154
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From: SC
2003 Lincoln LS V8
No, they are not legal. However, the cops won't notice unless you're creating unnecessary glare and blinding other drivers. You may have to put your halogen bulbs back in for state inspections, but they probably won't notice.
You don't have your car's year listed, but I'll assume you have halogen projectors. Although far from perfect, most halogen projectors do a decent job at directing the light from an HID kit. There are, however, some checks you should perform:
You don't have your car's year listed, but I'll assume you have halogen projectors. Although far from perfect, most halogen projectors do a decent job at directing the light from an HID kit. There are, however, some checks you should perform:
- Before installing the HID's, place the HID and halogen bulbs side-by-side (do not touch the glass of either bulb with your bare hands). Ensure that the arc of the HID bulb (small glass globe) is in the same position as the filament of the halogen bulb. Even a small change in position can have a huge effect on the output.
- After installing the HID's, check the headlights' aim. An HID arc has very different characteristics than a filament, and even if the arc is properly positioned the beam pattern may change. Click here for headlight aiming procedure.
- Have someone drive your car towards at night you with the headlights on to check for glare.
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
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2005 CL65 (current), 2001 CL600 (chopped)
Halogen projectors are not meant to handle HID bulbs. HID bulbs are typically longer than halogen bulbs. Putting an HID bulb into a halogen projector may risk damaging other components, melting, etc. The length issue will also affect the brightness since the focal point will be off due to the bulb being in the wrong position (again due to different lengths).
Putting an HID bulb into a reflector housing is even worse -- this will blind other drivers.
Putting an HID bulb into a reflector housing is even worse -- this will blind other drivers.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,375
Likes: 8
From: Seattle, WA
C55
I vote spam
1) He has 1 post
2) I'm pretty sure hids were not an option on the flagship s-class
3) Linked to the website, whereas 99% of us know what an HID kit is.
1) He has 1 post
2) I'm pretty sure hids were not an option on the flagship s-class
3) Linked to the website, whereas 99% of us know what an HID kit is.
Last edited by RLx02; Jan 23, 2010 at 06:28 AM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 141
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2005 CL65 (current), 2001 CL600 (chopped)
Quick google search reveals:
http://chevroletforum.com/forum/member.php?u=35153 his signature here is the HID kit thingy
http://www.6mt.net/forum/members/mrdell12345.html he's been banned from this forum.
http://www.audiforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144595 apparently he also has an audi
http://www.chargerforums.com/forums/member.php?u=37197 he's banned here too
etc.
http://chevroletforum.com/forum/member.php?u=35153 his signature here is the HID kit thingy
http://www.6mt.net/forum/members/mrdell12345.html he's been banned from this forum.
http://www.audiforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144595 apparently he also has an audi
http://www.chargerforums.com/forums/member.php?u=37197 he's banned here too
etc.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,375
Likes: 8
From: Seattle, WA
C55
Quick google search reveals:
http://chevroletforum.com/forum/member.php?u=35153 his signature here is the HID kit thingy
http://www.6mt.net/forum/members/mrdell12345.html he's been banned from this forum.
http://www.audiforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144595 apparently he also has an audi
http://www.chargerforums.com/forums/member.php?u=37197 he's banned here too
etc.
http://chevroletforum.com/forum/member.php?u=35153 his signature here is the HID kit thingy
http://www.6mt.net/forum/members/mrdell12345.html he's been banned from this forum.
http://www.audiforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144595 apparently he also has an audi
http://www.chargerforums.com/forums/member.php?u=37197 he's banned here too
etc.
BRING THE BAN HAMMER!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,717
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From: San Jose, CA
2007 E63 w/P30 and Eurotech CF Diffuser
Given it is a federal law not to put HIDs in a halogen designed fixture...
Well Obomination say the Constitiution is an imperfect document.
Screw it. Put out enough light that it slows you quarter mile.!
And tell the Wisconson unions to STFU. Political statement DONE!
Well Obomination say the Constitiution is an imperfect document.
Screw it. Put out enough light that it slows you quarter mile.!
And tell the Wisconson unions to STFU. Political statement DONE!
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 502
Likes: 1
From: San Mateo, Ca
C230 Coupe Silver
Why is this such a big deal? All tuners get it done like girls with manicures.
I can understand why it's bad not to have a catalytic converter but they are just lights. Granted some people need to aim theirs down a bit or not have them at all.
I can understand why it's bad not to have a catalytic converter but they are just lights. Granted some people need to aim theirs down a bit or not have them at all.
