3000k hid headlights, legal or illegal.

[Danaldson]

okay so i just picked up some 3000k hid's and threw them in my projector's and wow are they ever yellow! as i was driving home some buddies tonight, they swore that they are illegal. at certain angles when your looking at the headlights, they seem to have a greenish tinge to them. I've done a lot of reading and could not really find a straight answer. are they legal or illegal? and is anyone else running them?

they are in my avatar picture to the left <<<<<<<

[CGDoig]

Re: 3000k hid headlights, legal or illegal.

Pretty sure they're illegal. As fogs (what they're meant for) fine, but I believe main driving lights need to be white light.

[MechEngg]

Re: 3000k hid headlights, legal or illegal.

The only legal color temps are between 4000k and 4500k and the bulbs have to be a certified bulb, put in an HID projector which is assembled in a DOT approved housing that has been tested for moisture and vibrations

So your headlights are technically illegal for 2 reasons, first of all you have halogen projectors and second the color temp.

But in all honestly my headlights are technically illegal even though I used all of the correct stuff in my headlights, I just did not get them DOT certified. To get a custom set certified it costs somewhere around a grand. Not worth it IMO.

However you are far more likely to get tagged for headlights strictly because of the color. I would guess that you will get a few tickets a year if you keep them in, then after a few tickets it will change into an order to change them out to something approved.

[Khyron]

Re: 3000k hid headlights, legal or illegal.

Actually it's worse, because when the cop pulls you over (as he will since you're a lot more noticeable than just looking for a DOT stamp) he will impound your car. You don't just get to drive away with illegal lights (assuming it's night).

[btimbit]

Re: 3000k hid headlights, legal or illegal.

Yeah those are going to attract a lot of attention just because of the colour. Yellow can look cool though, especially with the accents your car already has. You should get fogs, white is the best headlight colour imo anyway

My set is DOT certified, but they're absolute crap. Funny how that works.

[Danaldson]

Re: 3000k hid headlights, legal or illegal.

The only legal color temps are between 4000k and 4500k

really? i was told by the dude at mr.detail that the legal temps are between 3000k, and 6000k. and as for the impounding; i do carry an extra set of lights in my car, i could always just swap them out if he threatens to impound it.

what do u guys think? keep them in or swap them out for the 6000k that i have been running for a couple years. i just love that yellow so much haha.

[Slamtastic]

Re: 3000k hid headlights, legal or illegal.

Sean did you ever get in trouble for your blazer fogs? I just did mine yesterday, same setup as yours. Thanks for the diy btw!

[Ur0Drivr]

Re: 3000k hid headlights, legal or illegal.

From the Traffic Safety Act 2009 with amendments in 2012:

(4) The light from a headlamp must be white, and the lens andbulb of the headlamp must be made of clear, untinted glazing.

[popp]

Re: 3000k hid headlights, legal or illegal.

the actual law states:

front - amber, white above bumper and yellow, amber, white bellow bumper.

rear - red, amber, white (reverse only)

No where in the traffic act does it state colour temperature but only "amber, yellow, white" (which would be 3k - 5500k) 6k is so close to 5500k that most cops won't bother. OEM HID's vary from 4000-5500k depending manufacturer. (Audi/Benz/BMW = 5000k, Toyota 5500k, etc)

If you have OEM projectors, you are good to go putting in HID's, but with a non-projo headlight, you may get pulled over. As long as you keep a set of halogen bulbs in your car, and tell the cop that threatens to tow your "illegal" car that you will quickly change them, them your good. (you may get a ticket, but they can't tow you if you can drive away legal).

I've had yellow low beam bulbs in my jetta for 2 summers now and have never been stopped........ HID 3k may be a bit more of a flag for the cops though.

P.S: don't drive to Vegas with yellow headlights HAHA. They don't like us "foreigners" down there.

[Ur0Drivr]

Re: 3000k hid headlights, legal or illegal.

P.S: don't drive to Vegas with yellow headlights HAHA. They don't like us "foreigners" down there.

Especially Mexican ones!

[Squire]

Re: 3000k hid headlights, legal or illegal.

okay so i just picked up some 3000k hid's and threw them in my projector's and wow are they ever yellow! as i was driving home some buddies tonight, they swore that they are illegal. at certain angles when your looking at the headlights, they seem to have a greenish tinge to them. I've done a lot of reading and could not really find a straight answer. are they legal or illegal? and is anyone else running them?

they are in my avatar picture to the left <<<<<<<

i know everyone on vortex hates my lights and im sure you guys do to but i have 12000 k HID in a projector housing with a led strip on the bottom, the
cops have pulled me over and asked me about them but never once got a ticket because when they drove the opposite way they said it didnt blind them or anything, never had an issue with 15 percent tint either but buddys dad whos a cop said no cop will ever pull you over for lights and tint, only if your speeding and they are grumpy will then make you peel tint and change your lights

hope that helps as we live in the same area

mac

[MechEngg]

Re: 3000k hid headlights, legal or illegal.

Sean did you ever get in trouble for your blazer fogs? I just did mine yesterday, same setup as yours. Thanks for the diy btw!

Nope there should be zero trouble as long as they are properly aimed. Fogs are allowed to be yellow in color, just not headlights. Welcome for the DIY.

the actual law states:

front - amber, white above bumper and yellow, amber, white bellow bumper.

rear - red, amber, white (reverse only)

No where in the traffic act does it state colour temperature but only "amber, yellow, white" (which would be 3k - 5500k) 6k is so close to 5500k that most cops won't bother. OEM HID's vary from 4000-5500k depending manufacturer. (Audi/Benz/BMW = 5000k, Toyota 5500k, etc)

In the JDM market they have a 5400k bulb available, didn't know that OEM toyota came with 5500k in NA.
But just use something below 6000K and you will be good usually unless a cop is cracking down hard.

i know everyone on vortex hates my lights and im sure you guys do to but i have 12000 k HID in a projector housing with a led strip on the bottom, the
cops have pulled me over and asked me about them but never once got a ticket because when they drove the opposite way they said it didnt blind them or anything, never had an issue with 15 percent tint either but buddys dad whos a cop said no cop will ever pull you over for lights and tint, only if your speeding and they are grumpy will then make you peel tint and change your lights

hope that helps as we live in the same area

mac

Sorry Mac but 12000k is absolutely ridiculous. It puts a ridiculous amount of strain on your eyes if you are driving for longer than like 10 minutes at night and have a horrendous output and far too much contrast with the road. The extreme contrast will be horrible for long distance vision for highway driving. 12000K IMO is very unsafe for you the driver.

[btimbit]

Re: 3000k hid headlights, legal or illegal.

In my opinion the best looking headlights are the ones that also work the best. 4000k-6000k in a good projector, good output and just clean, smooth and crisp.

[Geobmx4life]

Re: 3000k hid headlights, legal or illegal.

the actual law states:

front - amber, white above bumper and yellow, amber, white bellow bumper.

rear - red, amber, white (reverse only)

No where in the traffic act does it state colour temperature but only "amber, yellow, white" (which would be 3k - 5500k) 6k is so close to 5500k that most cops won't bother. OEM HID's vary from 4000-5500k depending manufacturer. (Audi/Benz/BMW = 5000k, Toyota 5500k, etc)

If you have OEM projectors, you are good to go putting in HID's, but with a non-projo headlight, you may get pulled over. As long as you keep a set of halogen bulbs in your car, and tell the cop that threatens to tow your "illegal" car that you will quickly change them, them your good. (you may get a ticket, but they can't tow you if you can drive away legal).

I've had yellow low beam bulbs in my jetta for 2 summers now and have never been stopped........ HID 3k may be a bit more of a flag for the cops though.

P.S: don't drive to Vegas with yellow headlights HAHA. They don't like us "foreigners" down there.

Popp just gave you ALL you need to know and prepare for!

[P Arkus]

Re: 3000k hid headlights, legal or illegal.

buddys dad whos a cop said no cop will ever pull you over for lights and tint, only if your speeding and they are grumpy

I call absolute BS on that one. Buddy's dad is just trying to make a name for cops as good cops all around, but I know of a few people who have gotten tickets for tint even though they were driving safely and legally and have always had a clean driving record....