HID law

[Pineapples]

**Sorry if this is the wrong forum, I couldn't find a place for this..

Okay, one of my HID bulbs burned out. Since it's still under warranty, I thought I would just go back to where I got them and have them replace it. Now they are telling me that HID kit is illegal now. What's the story on that?

 

[NOFX]

Apparently at least in some areas HIDs are illegal on your car unless they're factory on them.

If you want to deal with a warranty claim (on bulbs, not on your car I mean) then contact the company that makes the bulbs.

PS - If you can't find a place that a topic fits, then post it in the Lounge.

 

[$lick Rick]

HID kits have always been illegal.. if it's not original oem from the factory

sounds like they're just trying to get our of honoring the warranty
even if they were illegal, they'd still have to honor the warranty

 

[whtcivic93]

HID kits have always been illegal.. if it's not original oem from the factory

sounds like they're just trying to get our of honoring the warranty
even if they were illegal, they'd still have to honor the warranty

, ask them why they installed the HID kit on your car in the first place if they are illegal. If they try to make s**t up, tell them youll report them for installing illegal products on your car, without informing you of the legal penalties you may be subject to.... ... for having them on your car..... basically if they try to give you s**t, throw it right back in their face.

 

[eg6_310]

Aftermarket HID systems were deemed illegal by the DOT after numerous complaints of glare from consumers. Factory installed HID system are legal. There are still lots of aftermarket HID companies out there illegally making and distributing crappy HID kits. Your buld shouldn't have burnt out. It's filled with argon gas. There is no filament per se to burn out. As unfortunate as it may be, they may be in the right to deny your warranty because they legally cannot provide an illegal replacement part. I do, however, recall reading somewhere that manufacturers were required to provide refunds of some sort or another. You may want to google that and find out what the DOT mandate was.

 

[EG_CaSe]

well just goto the store and tell them your cars for off raod, they sold them to u and theres no reason they cant replace it if they gave u a warrenty... out here in NJ they were always illegal.. i have aftermarket HID's and they also pop my hood to check them,

 

[krayziejcs]

HID kits have always been illegal.. if it's not original oem from the factory

sounds like they're just trying to get our of honoring the warranty
even if they were illegal, they'd still have to honor the warranty

 

[j_fukin_t]

if they told yo that then ask them why they didn't make you sign a waiver for them to install them, and if they fight it turn em in for installing illegal components on your car

 

[NOFX]

I'm under the impression that HID kits have not always been illegal though. From what I understand this was just brought into law within the past two or three years.

All visible lamps are required to be SAE certified by federal law - so if it does not have SAE stamped on the lens, it is most likely non-compliant with the standards, and thus federal law.

First off, lots of people use "Rebased HID" which is where you use real HID bulbs (sometimes in really bad colors, but that's a different story) in standard reflectors. The problem here is the reflector is not set up for HID and allows light to go everywhere. This is bad. And illegal.

Secondly, to people who say you don't need HID, you're right. Just like you don't need an SUV or a car with 300 HP or spinners on your wheels. Unlike some of those things, driving with HID makes a HUGE difference - once you see it once, you'll be loath to go back to halogen. So white - so easy to see. I don't have them on my car but I wish I did. I might do a retrofit or something since my car doesn't have the option to get HID, but if I do, it will be done right so other people aren't affected.

 

[r0yal]

weird... HID's illegal... america sucks I guess. haha just playin, guys

 

[Tom]

against the law or not, i'm getting them, also if you need replacement bulbs you can get them off of ebay for pretty cheap.

 

[NOFX]

Hey, we're all just ignorant though.... Oh, those aren't factory? That's how they've been since we bought the cars, right? I didn't even know they weren't stock.

 

[Pineapples]

You guys misunderstood me, sorry, I should be more clear on this. I bought the VisionX HID kit from Car Toys and they installed it for me back in Feb. Then Washington State made it illegal in May, so I got them before they became illegal. Car Toys said their corp won't allow them to get the replacement bulbs for me, but I can contact VisionX myself since it's still under warranty. I did, and VisionX told me to send the bulbs to them and they'll test them out. This is where I've gone so far. I just want to learn a little more about the law on HID light, that's all. 'Cause I didn't even know they were illegal till a week ago when they told me.

 

[r0yal]

ya, I guess you will have to send them to VisionX... hopefully you didnt touch the bulb itself, or else no warranty for you.. *I think, not too sure on how bulb warranty works*

 

[EG_CaSe]

you can call you local state police and they can give u more info for ur area.. i mean in NJ they were pretty much illegal since they came out becuz all these damn people stealing them.. i got pulled over so manytime and they just asked if they were stock or not.

 

[eg6_310]

I'm under the impression that HID kits have not always been illegal though. From what I understand this was just brought into law within the past two or three years.

All visible lamps are required to be SAE certified by federal law - so if it does not have SAE stamped on the lens, it is most likely non-compliant with the standards, and thus federal law.

Actually, it doesn't matter if it's SAE certified or not. I got a LONG explanation on how SAE certification works and why aftermarket tail lights and HIDs aren't legal from CATZ / FET USA (which is out of business now) during my visit there a couple of years ago. Here's how it works. It is only truly SAE / DOT IF it leaves the production floor with it and it is only SAE / DOT if you replace the broken factory part with a factory part. Even if you replace the part with a "SAE" aftermarket part, it's still not illegal. I know that makes little sense but I contacted the DOT regarding this a while back for an article and they provided the same information, albeit in a long winded letter. This is a part of the reason why you don't see SAE / DOT "approved" messaging in ads anymore. APC got in trouble a few years back because they claimed their taillights were "legal" even though they weren't.

By the way, when the mandate went into effect banning aftermarket HIDs, manyfacturers were required to have all of their dealers and distributors pull their HID kits off the shelves. CATZ / FET USA actually collected everything and sent the units back to Japan. That's what broke em.

During a photoshoot I was doing near the docks in San Pedro, a CHP car rolled up asking me what I was doing. I explained, showed him my credentials, etc. Then I had a conversation with him about aftermarket lighting. This dude was the sergeant at the Torrance CHP division (the HNIC). He said that he advised his guys that if they see a headlight with a blue tint to the bulbs , even if it's during daylight, to take a look and issue a citation if deemed illegal. DOH... We actually took a look at the McCulloch HID that was on the feature car and he was pointing out all sorts of s**t he could for which he could cite the vehicle. He was real cool about it, pointed out some stuff I didn't know about regarding the CVC, then gave me his card in case I had some future questions - his card got me out of two tickets!

Personally, it's the POS HIDs that caused problems in the first place. It's a real shame that a company like CATZ / FET USA had to shut its doors because they truly do make quality products. Hell, they're OE to several Japanese auto makers. Oh well... s**t happens.