BLACKED OUT TAIL LIGHTS IN CA - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Mayhem Matt · 01-24-2010, 05:52 PM

I want to black out my rear tail lights either with a tint overlay or with GTS's blackout covers. The reason for this thread is because Ive been pulled over NUMEROUS times in the past with other vehicles I've had with blacked out tail lights so I'm wondering who has done this in the SoCal area to their 2010 and if you have been hassled yet from our locals finest (Meaning our lovely Police Officers)??

I know Guillermo, "Tribone" has his all set up with everything blacked out and I don't think he has been hassled yet. One reason why I'm thinking is because his car is black and mine is yellow which means more attention to me and his blends in more! Someone shed some light on this please! Should I just leave the rear alone so I don't get pulled over? or is it legal to have the covers just not spray painted?

*Mindz* · 01-24-2010, 07:10 PM

I believe it's perfectly legal as long as when you step on the brakes, they light up red. I had smoked tails on my eclipse but red bulbs and the brakes weren't dimmed by a tint or spraypaint. I was never hassled, but the tails had a DOT sticker on them. Do GTS claim to be street legal? I would contact them to ask if they have DOT certification.

STRUT1 · 01-24-2010, 07:19 PM

It's illegal bro. I had a murdered out flat black H2 and a blacked out tahoe, both with smoked rear lights, and I got pulled over ALL the time. However, I love how it looks and refuse to learn the hard way. I say do it but don't be surprised when you get lit up!

supercwf · 01-24-2010, 07:22 PM

I'm 90% sure its illegal. Most local PD's wont hassle you. But the CHIPYS sure will .

d69chris · 01-24-2010, 08:14 PM

I have vinyl on mine. If I get hassled, I pull it off. No problems for 3 months.

Crap.....now I'll have problems because I said no problems!

CAM MAN · 01-24-2010, 08:17 PM

Tell me about it.

SamSS · 01-24-2010, 09:24 PM

Got mine done a couple weeks ago and they are almost blacked out. No problems with the cops yet. I have a black SS.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59384

You could just turn them on when there's a cop around.

D1BADZ · 01-24-2010, 10:11 PM

I have had those blkouts for over 6 months now, and no prob in San Jose where the cops are strict. and im IOM so huge contrast.

If u get a ticket then pull of, have a cop sign then, place back as there out in with a clear velcro pay 15$ and repeat if wanted.

MightyT · 01-24-2010, 11:47 PM

My son did this to his car and did get pulled over several times. However they were smoked plexiglass that was velcro'ed on so, it was a fix it ticket. But, he lsked them so much, he'd only put them right back on again.

Z71456 · 01-25-2010, 12:37 AM

I think if they're too dark then you'll definitely get pulled over. I've held off on doing this for that very reason. I have seen some tails darked out to the point you can barely see the light come through, but others are mildly done which I think wouldn't draw as much police attention. My friend's wife had a mercedes with tinted tails and she got pulled over several times and issued a ticket each time. I say do it, but know the chance to get pulled over for it is going to be there.

The Dark Knight · 01-25-2010, 10:36 AM

I would blackout the chrome things around the taillights. That usually gives the effect of darker taillights. The RS tails are darker than the regular lights anyways.

SSPROJECT · 01-25-2010, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Dark Knight

I would blackout the chrome things around the taillights. That usually gives the effect of darker taillights. The RS tails are darker than the regular lights anyways.

100% right. thats what i did . if you paint the chrome bezels around the lights and if its a RS pkg. it will look darker.

2010SSRSM6 · 01-25-2010, 12:45 PM

Most of the time, minor vehicle infractions are used to pull someone over to see if they are doing something more serious i.e. drinking and driving etc.

Fix-it tickets are $25 in most areas now. If you're willing to fork out the $$ for the covers and possibly the fix-it ticket then go for it.

I've had 2 VERY close calls where people almost rearended my car and don't want to detract from the brightness of the rear lights. If you have them on and are rearended, it could be ruled your fault for having illegal covers "consealing" your lights. Just food for thought.

01-24-2010, 05:52 PM	#1
Mayhem Matt Drives: 10' 2SS/RS M6 SUPERCHRGED BUMBLEBEE Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Orange CA Posts: 607 View My Garage	BLACKED OUT TAIL LIGHTS IN CA I want to black out my rear tail lights either with a tint overlay or with GTS's blackout covers. The reason for this thread is because Ive been pulled over NUMEROUS times in the past with other vehicles I've had with blacked out tail lights so I'm wondering who has done this in the SoCal area to their 2010 and if you have been hassled yet from our locals finest (Meaning our lovely Police Officers)?? I know Guillermo, "Tribone" has his all set up with everything blacked out and I don't think he has been hassled yet. One reason why I'm thinking is because his car is black and mine is yellow which means more attention to me and his blends in more! Someone shed some light on this please! Should I just leave the rear alone so I don't get pulled over? or is it legal to have the covers just not spray painted? __________________ Ordered Bumblebee 10/15/2008Part of the Family 6/11/2009 #11423 My Bumblebee to Superbee build story...http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105163 Superbee's 536hp Dyno Run...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE7wePluPAc

01-24-2010, 07:10 PM	#2
Mindz E.B.A.H. Drives: you wild... Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: In the happy padded room wearing a jacket that makes me hug myself... Posts: 18,421	I believe it's perfectly legal as long as when you step on the brakes, they light up red. I had smoked tails on my eclipse but red bulbs and the brakes weren't dimmed by a tint or spraypaint. I was never hassled, but the tails had a DOT sticker on them. Do GTS claim to be street legal? I would contact them to ask if they have DOT certification. __________________ Blue Rush, 2010 SS [Car of the Week 3/22/2010] Traded in on...ZLZBUBB, 2013 ZL1

01-24-2010, 07:19 PM	#3
STRUT1 Drives: '10 STRUT Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 112	It's illegal bro. I had a murdered out flat black H2 and a blacked out tahoe, both with smoked rear lights, and I got pulled over ALL the time. However, I love how it looks and refuse to learn the hard way. I say do it but don't be surprised when you get lit up! __________________

01-24-2010, 07:22 PM	#4
supercwf Drives: 2010 Camaro ss Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 120	I'm 90% sure its illegal. Most local PD's wont hassle you. But the CHIPYS sure will . __________________

01-24-2010, 08:14 PM	#5
d69chris Florida C5 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Vortech L99 IOM Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tequesta, FL Posts: 2,610 View My Garage	I have vinyl on mine. If I get hassled, I pull it off. No problems for 3 months. Crap.....now I'll have problems because I said no problems! Attached Images __________________ Ordered 11/08/08....Del. 08/05/2009 Loving every minute of it! Don't hate me because i'm Pretty....

01-24-2010, 08:17 PM	#6
CAM MAN Drives: ALL 5 GEN CAMAROS Join Date: May 2009 Location: SanAntonio Texas Posts: 750 View My Garage	Tell me about it. Attached Images

01-24-2010, 09:24 PM	#7
SamSS Drives: '10 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CA Posts: 773	Got mine done a couple weeks ago and they are almost blacked out. No problems with the cops yet. I have a black SS. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59384 You could just turn them on when there's a cop around. __________________ 2010 Camaro SS A6, Rotofab intake, Flowmaster American Thunder exhaust, JBA off-road pipes, PFADT sway bars and lowering springs, Dyno tuned by CMS

01-24-2010, 10:11 PM	#8
D1BADZ hmmmmm Drives: 2010 IOM in-n-out 2SS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 1,325 View My Garage	I have had those blkouts for over 6 months now, and no prob in San Jose where the cops are strict. and im IOM so huge contrast. If u get a ticket then pull of, have a cop sign then, place back as there out in with a clear velcro pay 15$ and repeat if wanted. __________________ "Responsibility is a Heavy Responsibilty" (Cheech)

01-24-2010, 11:47 PM	#9
MightyT Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT RS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Posts: 539	My son did this to his car and did get pulled over several times. However they were smoked plexiglass that was velcro'ed on so, it was a fix it ticket. But, he lsked them so much, he'd only put them right back on again. __________________ 2010 Camaro 2LT RS - Rally Yellow Ordered from Tom Bell 1100 Prelim. Order - (09-18-09) 2000 GM Accepted - (09-22-09) Order NPJWCM. 3000 Prod Control Accepted - (10-14-09) *TPW 11/02/09. 3300 Scheduled - (10-26-09)* 3400 Broadcast - (10-31-09) 3800 Produced - (11-06-09) VIN 2G1FC1EV6A9165272 4200 Shipped - (11-09-09) Rail ETTX701486 5000 Deliver dealer - (11-27-09) 6000 Deliver customer - (11-27-09)

01-25-2010, 12:37 AM	#10
Z71456 Drives: Camaro Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 152 View My Garage	I think if they're too dark then you'll definitely get pulled over. I've held off on doing this for that very reason. I have seen some tails darked out to the point you can barely see the light come through, but others are mildly done which I think wouldn't draw as much police attention. My friend's wife had a mercedes with tinted tails and she got pulled over several times and issued a ticket each time. I say do it, but know the chance to get pulled over for it is going to be there.

01-25-2010, 10:36 AM	#11
The Dark Knight Batmobile in Disguise Drives: 2009 Pontiac G8 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Upland, Ca Posts: 2,080	I would blackout the chrome things around the taillights. That usually gives the effect of darker taillights. The RS tails are darker than the regular lights anyways. __________________

01-25-2010, 12:45 PM	#13
2010SSRSM6 Drives: My wife crazy with my C5 usage. Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 6,558 View My Garage	Most of the time, minor vehicle infractions are used to pull someone over to see if they are doing something more serious i.e. drinking and driving etc. Fix-it tickets are $25 in most areas now. If you're willing to fork out the $$ for the covers and possibly the fix-it ticket then go for it. I've had 2 VERY close calls where people almost rearended my car and don't want to detract from the brightness of the rear lights. If you have them on and are rearended, it could be ruled your fault for having illegal covers "consealing" your lights. Just food for thought. __________________ UNDER CONSTRUCTION......again......

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