Corner Light Reflector Color

[xoth3rm1k]

Hi All,

I hope I am in the right section and can get some proper answers from proper Law Enforcement officials. I have been searching the internet for a while now and noone has been able to clearly answer my question.

I live in Ontario, but I do drive to other provinces and across the border (i.e. most of these places follow FMVV 108, or whatever it's called).

I drive a factory-stock 2000 Corolla, and would like to make just one change to it:

Get corner lights that have a white reflector rather than the stock orange reflector. I am not planning on making it clear, but rather just swapping the ORANGE to WHITE, i.e. go from this:

images[dot]gtcarlot[dot]com/pictures/18801135[dot]jpg

to this:

carphotos[dot]cardomain[dot]com/ride_images/1/853/4481/2132240007_large[dot]jpg

carphotos[dot]cardomain[dot]com/ride_images/1/2766/2241/6913620001_large[dot]jpg

(none of these pictures or cars are mine, I just grabbed them off a simple Google Search)

I don't plan on doing anything stupid about changing the bulbs, I am keeping the Orange turn-signal/parking/DRL corner bulbs.

I just want to know if the reflector is a problem. And if so, would I be able to complement it by placing a strip of (DOT Approved, if need be) orange reflective tape on the bumper, as they do in the E46 BMW 3-Series'?

velocitymotoring[dot]com/links/images/VMR_Wheels_BMW_3-Series_Blue_VB3_19_Super-Silver_215[dot]jpg

If anyone can help out without simply referring to the OHTA, or FMVV 108 (the wording there is a little convoluted and vague, as it is), I'd be very grateful.

Thanks al

[Joeyd6]

I am not going to ask why you want to change it.....I assume for mere appearance.

But don't you think that ALL of the automakers in EVERY country make that corner reflector orange for a certain reason? Wouldn't it be easier for them to spend no money on clear than dying the platic orange? I wonder what the reason is....hmmm......

[xoth3rm1k]

I am not going to ask why you want to change it.....I assume for mere appearance.

But don't you think that ALL of the automakers in EVERY country make that corner reflector orange for a certain reason? Wouldn't it be easier for them to spend no money on clear than dying the platic orange? I wonder what the reason is....hmmm......

Hi Joeyd,

Thank you for replying.

1) Yes, I want to make the change just for appearance's sake because:
2) This is NOT a global phenomena. It is actually just a North American thing. Hence the terminology of Euro-style lights (originally clear with NO side reflectors whatsoever). And the same goes for Africa and Asia, they don't have the orange reflectors in them, but may have white.

On that note, though - you DO raise a good thinking point, if they could originally get away with plain white (which reflects brighter than orange anyways), then they would probably do that... And seeing as no manufacturer has dared to do that in their N.A. productions, then it's probably the law that it has to be orange...

However, I'd still like it if someone might be able to say for sure? And if the orange reflector strip on the bumper would work?

Thanks, again.

[CPL1897]

Im not big on nit-picking minor violations, however some LEO's are and some states have strict guidelines. It Honestly will depend on where you will be driving and how the statutes read and how the LEO's enforce
minor issues such as the color of a corner reflector...Now if it were Blue, emitted light/blinked,strobed etc. then I would hammer someone but not simply for changing amber to clear unless it distracts other drivers or is a safety issue..

[xoth3rm1k]

Thanks CPL1897!

That does sound very reasonable. I feel like Toronto Police are more worried about spending their time on more worthwhile endeavours to protect public safety than what colour the reflectors are. After all, the bulbs will still be orange, so as far as distracting other drivers, I'd say it isn't a biggie.

Based what Joeyd6 got me thinking about, I am starting to lean towards erring on the side of caution.

This seems to be a grey topic on whether or not white reflectors are legal instead of stock orange.. which is my point. Noone seems to be able to concretely speak to the legality, and more about what you can get away with.

[CPL1897]

Im sorry, I can only tell you what its like on the EASTCOAST, too cold for me up there... Its alsways better to use caution, then you wont have to worry about it at all.. Sorry I couldnt be
more help..

[Joeyd6]

I would take a look at the Motor vehcile law in your area. In NY, the law tells you exactly what you can and can't have! In NY....down to colors of the light bulbs in some instances. Not fun reading but it may answer your question.