Their has been a real "surge" in the popularity
of custom taillamps in recent years. Manufacturers,
(defined to include importers in Federal law), have been
quickly developing many various styles of taillamps trying to
capture a portion of this seemingly lucrative market.
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In recent times, most of the custom taillamps have been
loosely based on the Toyota Altezza, which is known in the
U.S. as the Lexus IS300. These types of custom taillamps
have become known as "Altezza" style taillamps.
There is no reason to believe that the Lexus IS300 taillamps
are not compliant with FMVSS No. 108.
(Please note the side marker lamp and side reflex reflector
are located in a separate, bumper mounted device).
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what's the problem with the aftermarket taillamps? |
One major issue is that most of the Altezza style taillamps
are missing functionality which existed in the OEM taillamp.
Functionality which was required for certification with the
standard.
In addition, many of these types of taillamps may have
sealing problems (just check any message board).
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| Example
1: Chevy S10 Taillamp |
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OEM 2000 Chevy S10*
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Chevy S10 Altezza
style*
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*
Both photos taken with a flash to show existence of a side
(red) reflex reflector. Note that the Altezza style lamp
is missing this function.
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If you compare the photos of a stock 2000 Chevy S10 taillamp
and an Altezza style taillamp for the same model, you notice
that the Altezza style lamp is missing the side (red) reflex
reflector which existed in the OEM lamp. This particular
Altezza style lamp may also be missing proper side marker
functionality as well.
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Example 2: Dodge
Neon Taillamp |
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OEM 1999 Dodge Neon*
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Dodge Neon Altezza
style*
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*
Both photos taken with a flash to show existence of a side (red)
reflex reflector. Note that the Altezza style lamp is
missing this function.
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So are these
Dodge Neon Altezza style taillamps compliant?
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If you look at the photos above it is quite obvious that the
Altezza style taillamp is missing the side reflex reflector
functionality that exists on the OEM taillamp.
Even though a picture is worth a thousand words, lets dig a
little deeper. Currently, there are no lens marking
requirements (S5.8.10) for
a taillamp assembly under federal law, however, many of the state
laws do require the SAE markings. If the markings exist
on the lens, then they are an indication of the functions the
manufacturer certified as conforming to the SAE standards for the
taillamp assembly.
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SAE
Lens Markings |
| Stock
Dodge Neon taillamp |
SAE AAIP2RST 94 |
| Altezza
Style Dodge Neon Taillamp |
SAE AIRST 94 |
The SAE symbol and year indicate that the manufacturers have
certified that the taillamps conform to the indicated SAE
standards of the indicated year.
The rest of the markings are the SAE lighting identification
code symbols. The table below shows what each symbol means
and the related SAE standard which the taillamp is designed to
conform to.
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SAE Marking |
Function |
Related
SAE Standard |
| A |
Reflex reflector |
SAE J594f |
| I |
Turn signal lamp |
SAE J588 |
| R |
Backup lamp |
SAE J593c |
| S |
Stoplamp |
SAE J586 |
| T |
Taillamp |
SAE J585e |
| P2 |
Side marker lamp |
SAE J592e |
Comparing the lens markings, you may notice that the OEM
taillamp has two reflex reflectors (AA),
whereas the Altezza style taillamp only has one (A).
As shown in the photo above, the Altezza style taillamp does
appear to be missing this function.
Also, the OEM taillamp has a side marker lamp (P2),
whereas the Altezza style taillamp is missing this function.
These are two problems that could be determined visually by a
field officer without the use of any special equipment.
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| This page modified on June 04, 2001 |
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