Yellow tinted Headlights.

[mycargoesvroom]

I've noticed an upcoming trend of people putting yellow tint on their headlights, and I was thinking there must be some sort of science behind it right? Yellow fog lights help improve vision at night, as well as in hazardous driving conditions (ie snow/rain), so this must translate to headlights as well?

From what I've been reading it seems that yellows/greens are the easiest for your eye to see and scatter less when coming from a light source. The French required motorist to use yellow lamps for a long time in the effort to prevent accidents in harsh weather (They've recently removed the requirement to help car manufacturers who import to France but it's still suggested). According to http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech ... color.html (http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/lights/light_color/light_color.html) there is no substantial light loss so I'm wondering if it's worth it.

Before anyone chimes in here, this is not a thread about whether or not you like it, think it looks cool or what ever else. I would like some real, educated conversation about this. I've already done my factory lights and I'll ride around tonight for a little bit and post up what I find.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/IMG_20110726_164923-1.jpg

[bulldozer24]

When i did my fogs it made a huge improvement over stock in fog,snow and rain. I believe i read somewhere that the yellow reflects better off of the precipitation.

[mycargoesvroom]

It actually reflects less then white light, thus giving you more usable light.

[httrdd]

Is this legal? Not sure how your state is.

[TGX4776]

I was pulled over for yellow headlights and told i had to install white ones. She did not say anything about them being hids just that they were yellow

I noticed a huge improved in the usable light i saw, especially in bad weather. I wish i could [ut them back in. I miss them :(

[mycargoesvroom]

Ok so I just got home from about a 30 minute drive and OH EM GEE what a difference. Everything is much clearer and easier to see on the road, as well as being able to see signs much quicker.

I'm not sure what my local laws are, but I did pass 3 cops head on and not one of them even flinched. Since I used a stained glass paint, I think I'm going to rock it till someone says other wise.

[harrymaneuvers]

Well I just read all three statues on the subject for Alabama and didnt see a single thing about color of the headlamp.


http://www.legislature.state.al.us/Code ... -5-242.htm (http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/32-5-242.htm)

Table of contents:

http://www.legislature.state.al.us/Code ... /22786.htm (http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/22786.htm)

I would only be concerned if you have heard of cops that would bust someone for running purple or green headlights...

I would want to know what law they are actually breaking when/if they are convicted.
I know in California... there are laws surrounding the actual color of the light used for headlights...


Just my thoughts...

[mycargoesvroom]

I think even if I did get pulled over I could talk to the cop, or the judge and show hard evidence that it's not only better for the driver, it's easier on the eyes of on coming traffic as well.

Thanks for looking that up for me, I wasn't sure where to look and I'm glad to know it's not there.

[Durania]

I would be insulted if they pulled you over for this and not all the rednecks running 8000k hids in the headlights and fogs.

[TGX4776]

I was ok for a month until i was out at 2:30 am. cop was bored i think. I was going to fight them but is says in the wv code that it can only be white. :(

[mycargoesvroom]

I would be insulted if they pulled you over for this and not all the rednecks running 8000k hids in the headlights and fogs.

Amen brotha. I passed a guy in a lifted Ford tonight with purple HID's in his heads and fogs.

[thegonz]

i did that on my 98 outback sport made a big difference
thinking about doing that on my 96 legacy wagon soon

[smileitspaul]

Very good question, on the legality. I just read through the entire "lighting equipment" section of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code [on the dmv website], because I'm now really interested in doing this on my BD, at least for the fogs. The code said nothing about colour, so I would hope that yellow is fair game for us in PA. Hope maybe that helps someone =]

How did you colour them? Just spray colouring on the outside of the lenses?

In addition, if I may introduce an angled topic, I was wondering if anyone knows anything about mounting fog lights on the front end of a car other than where the factory intended? Anyone know of any legal concerns with that? My BD was missing it's foglights when I bought it, and still is. I plan on finding a good pair and installing them.. but in addition to that, my friend has an extra set of the round Outback fogs that I was thinking of mounting maybe inside the grilled, in front of the radiator.. or possibly under the bumper in the middle? Any input or examples of you guys actually doing this?

Thanks =]

[mycargoesvroom]

Very good question, on the legality. I just read through the entire "lighting equipment" section of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code [on the dmv website], because I'm now really interested in doing this on my BD, at least for the fogs. The code said nothing about colour, so I would hope that yellow is fair game for us in PA. Hope maybe that helps someone =]

How did you colour them? Just spray colouring on the outside of the lenses?

In addition, if I may introduce an angled topic, I was wondering if anyone knows anything about mounting fog lights on the front end of a car other than where the factory intended? Anyone know of any legal concerns with that? My BD was missing it's foglights when I bought it, and still is. I plan on finding a good pair and installing them.. but in addition to that, my friend has an extra set of the round Outback fogs that I was thinking of mounting maybe inside the grilled, in front of the radiator.. or possibly under the bumper in the middle? Any input or examples of you guys actually doing this?

Thanks =]

I don't see why it would be illegal anywhere to tint the fogs, they aren't a main source of driving light and don't fall under the same laws. From what I've read, headlights aren't illegal in AL but I'm sure if I came across a bored/tight a$$ cop I could catch some flack for it.

I used a stained glass paint I picked up from Michael's and sprayed thin coats on the outside of the lens. The lighter you spray the better, thick coats of this stuff orange peal instantly and you don't want that.

As far as the alternative fog locations, I've seen plenty of people here and on the road with aftermarket fogs in their bumpers and I see no reason why it would be illegal. I'm not sure about in the grill, but if they're aim properly and not blinding traffic I don't see an issue.

[smileitspaul]

Makes sense.. thank you!

[Baddog]

This is my current setup. Hella 500's in the OB bumper.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/YellowFogs-1.jpg

[smileitspaul]

baddog..
that's exactly what i was thinking of doing with my BD! did you have a hard time mounting them in there? any mods, or did you just find something to bolt them onto? i was thinking of just drilling into that hard plastic bumper core that runs horizontally, or to the radiator support.
looks really good =]

[Baddog]

Yep just drill it into the plastic part on the beam. Easy as that. The hardest part for me was all the wiring.

[smileitspaul]

do you think it's a good [or not so good] idea to splice into the pre-existing wiring for the factory fog lights and just run it to my custom fogs? that way.. one switch will activate all of them and i don't have to worry about additional wiring? or do you not think the current wiring/fuse could handle it?

[StatGSR]

I had yellow headlight bulbs in my integra for 2 years before getting pulled over and told to replace them. Not sure if i was technically illegal or not but i changed em anyway.

for the most part i liked them, but wasn't horribly impressed with the light output in my situation, but that probably has more to do with the headlamp not the bulb color

but anyway the cop was came up to the window and was like,
cop - why don't you have your headlights on
me - them they are on
cop - no they are not
me - um, yes they are
cop - but they are yellow
me - yes i noticed that they seemed to be fairly yellow, i have some replacements I'm thinking i might put in
cop - where are they?
me - here in my center console (showed him the old bulbs in the "JDM" Yellow light case)
cop - well you better go put those in!

i later found out that he was a douche that pulled over everybody on the backroads just north of town for just about anything...

I still think i might cover the highbeams on my integra and put some city lights in the housings. but that will pretty much be for aesthetic purposes only.

[smileitspaul]

there's always a horse's a** of a cop who likes to rain on a subaru parade. i can see how some cops might get cranky if your headlights, your primary driving light, is yellow; many say that it actually helps visibility at night, but i don't think it's widely documented and understood. they need to meet their quote somehow :P

i think you should be able to yellow your fog lights and not have a problem. like another member said, they're not a primary source of driving light. i think i'll keep my headlights stock white, but i might want to yellow a set of fogs someday. the PA vehicle code says nothing about it.

[peter]

A friend of mine wants to put yellow high beams in his civic. He's just for looks but it would help visibility. I think just doing the high beams is a good idea cause it gives you the added visibility and if you turn them off with other cars around cops wont know and you shouldn't get any trouble for it

[TGX4776]

they will find a way!

[Baddog]

Says here in Oregon the light has to be yellow or white.

[Lsnaple]

Here in GA I had yellow headlights in my civic and yellow fogs in my bugeye and never had any problems. Only time anything was said was when I got pulled over for one of the low beams blew in the civic and I told him I had to order a new one because they were yellow and that it improves visability. He said that's fine but try to get one soon so I don't keep getting pulled over for one being out.

If it was red or green I could see that being a problem but I've seen pretty much everything else here.

[Quest]

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/lights/light_color/light_color.html

This link will answer all of your questions about your yellow headlights

[Perdue]

I know state code here says white light only, but I have run yellow fogs and passed inspection. I don't think any of us have even considered stopping anyone for yellow bulbs. It doesn't bother me and I feel like it is win-win for both the driver and traffic.

[amgarrety]

I read the PA laws inside and out before installing my Hellas on the front, and I have it practically memorized.

In PA, there are no laws regarding the color of your headlamps. The only requirements state that low beams can not be lower than 7,500 candlepower, high beams can not be lower than 10,000 candlepower, and total candlepower may not exceed 150,000 candlepower when used with auxiliary lights. All colors are fair game, and can *probably* be backed up by presenting Subchapter E of PennDOT's "Vehicle Equipment & Inspection Regulations" which provides the regulations for passenger cars and light trucks. I only say probably, because im not a cop, or a lawyer, or anything credible. It is law though, so I am pretty confident that i'll be fine if I need proof.

Be careful when you pass into other states though, as they can still pull you over if you don't abide by their rules, regardless of which state you're from.

I personally would love to tint my headlamps yellow, because im big on visibility, but I can't bring myself to do it to my car. It just won't look right on a silver BE. However, I plan on putting yellow H3s in my projector fogs as soon as my whites burn out. I'm already getting pretty good light output, but might as well maximize it if I know I can.