JDM Rain Light TOO BRIGHT
 

Anybody know what wattage is being used in the JDM setup... i'd like to tone it down as other drivers have pointed out that it is WAY distracting. And i don't like visits from po-po either.

Suggestions, thoughts?

Thanks all

You mean the rear fog? Do you have the OEM installed or a different aftermarket model? I've seen it in person and don't feel it's any brighter than the rear tail lights. Due to its low location on the car I wouldn't be too concerned. I've been behind SUV's with blaring rear fog lights... Now that's blinding...

I have the OEM fog light. It is bright, but that's the whole point. I have driven in caravans in the fog, where the driver behind me has pointed out that it was all they could see of my car.

I turn it on every time I have my headlights on, and I have never been pulled over for it. I was pulled over for speeding in pitch darkness, and the officer made no mention of that light.

Mine runs off my DRL's too. No issues here. It is bright as hell though. I luuv it. I get double takes everywhere. Though some Jeeps and a couple of pickups have this light. No sports cars on the road have it and it makes our cars unique.

OP if it running constantly is an issue? Why not just set it up as a brake light??

watza rainlight?

Its suppose to be bright compared to the normal tail lights, and its not illegal at all.

Saying "it is not illegal at all" is pretty misleading.


It does not comply with MIR rules for use in clear weather (federal law) if wired as a running light, rear position light, or switched and used in situations where it is not warranted (and this is officer's discretion, but guidelines are generally scripted around extremely heavy fog and torrential rain)


It is legal (at least federally, may vary by state), if wired as a brake light.



http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_20...cfr571.108.pdf


Of course your chances of actually getting busted are low, but that is another topic.

Really? :shakes head: Its not illegal at all if used properly. Cars have high beam lights but if there not used correctly there illegal. So yes I stand by my previous statement that the rear foglight is not illegal at all.

Can you be pulled over for it? Sure. Would I want to be without it in heavy rain/fog? Heck no.

In that, you'd be correct but irrelevant to the thread.


The OP wants to tone down the light because he is using it as a running light, which is illegal unless he tones it down....

Right, but OP sounds like it is wired as a running light, hence the thread. Debating the merits of the fog light is a separate topic.

When does he say he is using it as a running light? All he says is that other people find is distracting. I have had friends tell me the same thing when I use it at night and ya know what I tell them? "its suppose to be bright"

Regardless, the light is meant to be bright for its functional purpose.

I do not know if it can be toned down. Perhaps there is a solution with replacing the bulbs? I'm not aware if there is or is not.

It's also illegal to use in the context you are using it...

I guarantee you that no one finds a fog light distracting in the proper context....they find it to be a godsend so they don't hit you.

If you have a running light on your car, it is basically constrained to being no brighter than the factory running lights. Legally, you are considered to be using it as a running light any time it is active in anything but extreme conditions with limited visibility.


Of course, from a guy with a $25,000 fine opportunity on his car, a $100 illegal fog light operation ticket is chump change.

Regardless of the legality of it, we're not helping the OP out with the issue at hand. The OP asked what they can do to "tone it down". My solution would be to apply a layer of tint to the lens in whatever shade (darkness) that will give you the desired results you're going after.