Higher Standard for Vehicle Light Mainenance needed?

[Brian556]

This is a spin-off of the inspections topic.

Problem #1. Brake Lights too dim. Common problem with old vehicles. usually due to deterioration, but sometimes due to or exacerbated by other issues, for example, this problem is for some reason most common on Chevy work vans. See Pic below. The bad thing about this is if someone were to rear-end him, it would be "their fault", even though it's really his fault for not maintaining his vehicle. It pisses me off that the cops don't pull these fools over for defective equipment.

Problem #2. Deteriorated headlights. It's crazy how people can be allowed to drive with severely deteriorated headlights. Is there no standard for this on inspections? I use restoration products on mine, and these products work quite well.

[1995hoo]

What do you use on your headlights? I need to clear up the lights on Ms1995hoo's 2003 RSX, but I'm wary of using a drill with a sanding disc lest I mar the paint.

[Brian556]

The first time, I had to use the drill and sanding disk with polishing agent, because they were too far gone to just use the polish. There are two or three sanding disks, with different grit levels. This method leaves behind tiny sanding scratches in the lights, but it is well worth it.

You can use blue making tape to protect he paint.

Every time after the first time, I've been able to just use Meguiar's PlastX Clear Palstic Cleaner & Polish. I use it regularly.

[SteveG1988]

I have used toothpaste to get minor yellowing off, anything slightly abrasive will work.

[realjd]

One note: your photo is from Florida. We don't have vehicle inspections here.

[SteveG1988]

There once was a guy who would come around to where i worked, 50 bucks to refurbish your headlights to brand new, and i do mean brand new...i had it done on my 2003 sable, the headlights were massively improved afterwards, they were crystal clear. I do not have an after image, but i do have a before one. I worked at night, so having proper illumination on the road I took to work was important to me, i was debating going with aftermarket clones of the original lenses, but this guy did a great job on them.





Also, with NJ ditching safety inspections i have noticed more and more cars out and about with cord showing on their tires, that would have been caught even with a bi yearly inspection. One car had good tread until the inner rib of the tread, then it went to hell.

[Duke87]

Cops can certainly stop you for having a light that's out, although I don't know that there are any rules about how dim it has to get before it is legally considered "out".

As for standards on inspections, quite a few states have deemed vehicle safety inspections to not be a worthy use of taxpayer money. I have to say I agree with that sentiment, it's a bunch of expense and headache for little gain.

Although it's not as bad as emissions inspections, which force people to spend money on fixing things that have no implication for the safe and effective operation of the vehicle.

[SteveG1988]

Cops can certainly stop you for having a light that's out, although I don't know that there are any rules about how dim it has to get before it is legally considered "out".

As for standards on inspections, quite a few states have deemed vehicle safety inspections to not be a worthy use of taxpayer money. I have to say I agree with that sentiment, it's a bunch of expense and headache for little gain.

Although it's not as bad as emissions inspections, which force people to spend money on fixing things that have no implication for the safe and effective operation of the vehicle.

It does have an impact on the air around said vehicle. Also effective operation may not be as easily done with the emissions equipment in bypass mode, oxygen sensors that are burnt out will make the ECU run the vehicle too rich or too lean, getting weird mpg readings. I had a car with a burnt out EGR sensor, it passed emissions testing (tailpipe only) but got only 12mpg highway.

[jeffandnicole]

Cops can certainly stop you for having a light that's out, although I don't know that there are any rules about how dim it has to get before it is legally considered "out".

There are visability standards.  This is from the NJ State Statutes, but is probably fairly standard: "The light from every required exterior lamp on a vehicle shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet in the directions set forth therefor..."

[Duke87]

effective operation may not be as easily done with the emissions equipment in bypass mode, oxygen sensors that are burnt out will make the ECU run the vehicle too rich or too lean, getting weird mpg readings. I had a car with a burnt out EGR sensor, it passed emissions testing (tailpipe only) but got only 12mpg highway.

Fair point. But not all emissions issues have such an impact. My car has a fuel system pressure issue which is making the check engine light go on. The car runs fine and is not taking any fuel economy hits from this. But it won't pass inspection if I don't spend hundreds of dollars having the "problem" pinpointed and fixed. There is no practical reason why I need to have this work done for my sake or for society's sake, but bureaucracy demands it because oh no I might be emitting some trivial amount of gasoline vapor. The horror. The horror, I tell you.

There are visability standards.  This is from the NJ State Statutes, but is probably fairly standard: "The light from every required exterior lamp on a vehicle shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet in the directions set forth therefor..."

Visible to whom? That is arbitrary. The law is poorly written. Can't they define a standard in lumens?

[SteveG1988]

effective operation may not be as easily done with the emissions equipment in bypass mode, oxygen sensors that are burnt out will make the ECU run the vehicle too rich or too lean, getting weird mpg readings. I had a car with a burnt out EGR sensor, it passed emissions testing (tailpipe only) but got only 12mpg highway.

Fair point. But not all emissions issues have such an impact. My car has a fuel system pressure issue which is making the check engine light go on. The car runs fine and is not taking any fuel economy hits from this. But it won't pass inspection if I don't spend hundreds of dollars having the "problem" pinpointed and fixed. There is no practical reason why I need to have this work done for my sake or for society's sake, but bureaucracy demands it because oh no I might be emitting some trivial amount of gasoline vapor. The horror. The horror, I tell you.

There are visability standards.  This is from the NJ State Statutes, but is probably fairly standard: "The light from every required exterior lamp on a vehicle shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet in the directions set forth therefor..."

Visible to whom? That is arbitrary. The law is poorly written. Can't they define a standard in lumens?

Most of the time the Fuel issue you described is the gas cap