Yellow Xenon Bulbs Illegal?

3002 tii · 02-19-2012, 01:09 PM

I know messing with any factory lights (ie non DOT compliant hardware) is ticket worthy, but will I have issues if I replace my factory xenon bulbs to a 3000k (yellow) output? Or is it state specific... ?

Kgolf31 · 02-19-2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

I know messing with any factory lights (ie non DOT compliant hardware) is ticket worthy, but will I have issues if I replace my factory xenon bulbs to a 3000k (yellow) output? Or is it state specific... ?

Why would you?

You're going to loose light output over roads. Yes, you'll be "okay" at fog levels, but because 3000k doesn't reflect at all, you're going to have alot more trouble seeing on normal roads.

Pheonix · 02-19-2012, 03:27 PM

WHS +1. Also, i dont know about DOT regulations but i would hate to be the in the car in front of you

dubsesd · 02-19-2012, 04:50 PM

3000k and 4300k actually both produce 3200 lumens. 4300k is considered slightly brighter depending on bulb type ie. d2s or d2r. Yellow headlights are illegal in most cases. What are you looking to achieve with yellow bulbs?

3002 tii · 02-19-2012, 05:27 PM

Truth be told didn't think I was losing output. Thought the higher you go, the less output you get (ie 7-9000k blue/purple thus never being practical). In terms of the driver in front, didn't think that would be issue neither as long as the beam is properly aimed. What was I trying to achieve? I guess going back to my first point / assumption, higher output with a different look?

dubsesd · 02-19-2012, 06:57 PM

4300k is the highest lumens an hid bulb can produce. 3000k is close but it decrease after 4000k.

Pheonix · 02-19-2012, 07:01 PM

Doesnt matter how well the lights was "aimed". The front driver will get annoy at certain distance from your car. I am not sure why you need higher output. Maybe you should get your eyes check or get a different car

Jk

Kgolf31 · 02-19-2012, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pheonix

Doesnt matter how well the lights was "aimed". The front driver will get annoy at certain distance from your car. I am not sure why you need higher output. Maybe you should get your eyes check or get a different car

Jk

+1

But seriously, if you take your car, park it and walk at different angles and paths of the car...it will come to a point where you get to the cut-off point of the projector (where you see all of the trippy colors all at once).

3000k is good for cutting through fog and rain, because it doesn't reflect very well (There is something to the effect with the yellow lightwaves going through water molecules better than white and blue)

3002 tii · 02-19-2012, 08:45 PM

Thanks for the tips everyone... I'll stick to oe bulbs.

esqu1re · 02-20-2012, 12:07 PM

I think the old Lexus LS400 had yellow bulbs in the headlight housing--they were probably fog lights though. I kind of think yellowish HIDs would look cool (if done right)...very GT3 lemans car-ish. Might look better than purple or blue HIDs, which is highly annoying.

Trev · 02-20-2012, 03:23 PM

Can't speak to legaility in your area, thatd be a question youd ned to research with your dmv.

However instead of changing bulbs try http://www.lamin-x.com/Default.asp
It takes patience to install but works well, looks good and protects.

gferil · 02-21-2012, 09:44 AM

For what it's worth, I believe that here in CA yellow bulbs are not illegal. To each their own, I've seen a few around here with yellow headlights and it was kinda cool, definitely caught my eye.

ANUSTART · 02-23-2012, 09:55 AM

I had 3000k in a sport bike I used to have. Looks great, didn't notice any drawbacks in night driving. Got a flashed high beam once in a while. On the bike I was glad to be noticed once in a while. I, personally, wouldn't do it in a car for my headlights, but to each their own. I do have yellow in my fogs.

02-19-2012, 01:09 PM	#1
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2288 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	Yellow Xenon Bulbs Illegal? I know messing with any factory lights (ie non DOT compliant hardware) is ticket worthy, but will I have issues if I replace my factory xenon bulbs to a 3000k (yellow) output? Or is it state specific... ? __________________ Follow for latest mods
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02-19-2012, 03:27 PM	#3
Pheonix Major 379 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe 2012 e93 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2007 BMW/Z4MC [0.00]	WHS +1. Also, i dont know about DOT regulations but i would hate to be the in the car in front of you
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02-19-2012, 04:50 PM	#4
dubsesd #dubspec 6337 Rep 5,201 Posts Drives: G05 X5/ 2016 F80 M3 INDVL Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (2)	3000k and 4300k actually both produce 3200 lumens. 4300k is considered slightly brighter depending on bulb type ie. d2s or d2r. Yellow headlights are illegal in most cases. What are you looking to achieve with yellow bulbs? __________________ LCI ///F80 M3 Individual Atlantis Metallic / Black Full / Carbon Cermics / 6MT MPE / M Performance & Carbon package / KW v3 / 20" HRE R101LW / 20" HRE 527s / Michelin PSS / 20% tint / 3d Design / Streckenn splitters / OEM GTS hood / EAS Carbon seatbacks / Carbon RKP sideskirt / Bootmod3 / M Performance Tri color alcantara / AWE S Flow instagram: @ dubsesd
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02-19-2012, 05:27 PM	#5
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2288 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	Truth be told didn't think I was losing output. Thought the higher you go, the less output you get (ie 7-9000k blue/purple thus never being practical). In terms of the driver in front, didn't think that would be issue neither as long as the beam is properly aimed. What was I trying to achieve? I guess going back to my first point / assumption, higher output with a different look? __________________ Follow for latest mods
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02-19-2012, 06:57 PM	#6
dubsesd #dubspec 6337 Rep 5,201 Posts Drives: G05 X5/ 2016 F80 M3 INDVL Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (2)	4300k is the highest lumens an hid bulb can produce. 3000k is close but it decrease after 4000k. __________________ LCI ///F80 M3 Individual Atlantis Metallic / Black Full / Carbon Cermics / 6MT MPE / M Performance & Carbon package / KW v3 / 20" HRE R101LW / 20" HRE 527s / Michelin PSS / 20% tint / 3d Design / Streckenn splitters / OEM GTS hood / EAS Carbon seatbacks / Carbon RKP sideskirt / Bootmod3 / M Performance Tri color alcantara / AWE S Flow instagram: @ dubsesd
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02-19-2012, 07:01 PM	#7
Pheonix Major 379 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe 2012 e93 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2007 BMW/Z4MC [0.00]	Doesnt matter how well the lights was "aimed". The front driver will get annoy at certain distance from your car. I am not sure why you need higher output. Maybe you should get your eyes check or get a different carJk
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02-19-2012, 08:45 PM	#9
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2288 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	Thanks for the tips everyone... I'll stick to oe bulbs. __________________ Follow for latest mods
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02-20-2012, 12:07 PM	#10
esqu1re Lieutenant Colonel 44 Rep 1,855 Posts Drives: M Coupe Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	I think the old Lexus LS400 had yellow bulbs in the headlight housing--they were probably fog lights though. I kind of think yellowish HIDs would look cool (if done right)...very GT3 lemans car-ish. Might look better than purple or blue HIDs, which is highly annoying. __________________ ///M Coupe: RPI Scoop, OE Strut, CDV, Volk RE30, SS Brake Lines, Stromung Exhaust
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02-20-2012, 03:23 PM	#11
Trev Private First Class 5 Rep 108 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland Oregon iTrader: (0)	Can't speak to legaility in your area, thatd be a question youd ned to research with your dmv. However instead of changing bulbs try http://www.lamin-x.com/Default.asp It takes patience to install but works well, looks good and protects.
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02-21-2012, 09:44 AM	#12
gferil Captain 30 Rep 740 Posts Drives: 06 Z4MC Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (6)	For what it's worth, I believe that here in CA yellow bulbs are not illegal. To each their own, I've seen a few around here with yellow headlights and it was kinda cool, definitely caught my eye.
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02-23-2012, 09:55 AM	#13
ANUSTART Captain 35 Rep 956 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: IL iTrader: (0)	I had 3000k in a sport bike I used to have. Looks great, didn't notice any drawbacks in night driving. Got a flashed high beam once in a while. On the bike I was glad to be noticed once in a while. I, personally, wouldn't do it in a car for my headlights, but to each their own. I do have yellow in my fogs.
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