NHTSA is banning ALL HID "kits"

[old_s13]

http://hidforum.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=613

Its about time, NHTSA finally decided to step in and mandate ALL companies stop selling illegal HID "kits" which are falsely advertised as legal conversions (or even offroad use only), selling re-based HID bulbs for use in halogen headlight assemblies.

Regardless of how they are marketed (offroad or not), a light must comply with FMVSS108 if its to be SOLD for automotive use. This should definately reduce the amount of illegal "kits" being sold.. and also cut down on the amount of glare being put out on the road.

The good news is, PROPER HID replacements such as the Sylvania XenArc and Hella 90mm HID components will still be legal for sale in the US since they have been tested and are DOT-compliant. This should be good news for S13 owners, the XenArc is an excellent product for people who want stock appearance but better quality lighting. Our low-profile HID kit will also be legal, since its all DOT-compliant. This will only effect people using H4 assemblies illuminated by re-based HID bulbs. As for S14 owners, 95-96 240's will be in the red should they have an HID setup on their car. As for the 97-98, if its using a "kit" then its illegal.. but if you want PROPER HID, we can still dis-assemble the headlamp assembly and convert it with a DOT-spec projector assembly, quite trick.

- Mike / ClearCorners.Com

[old_s13]

Regarding the filament issue, the reason the HID "kit" will be illegal is not because it doesnt have a filament.. that is illogical. Its because you are taking a headlamp designed for a filament bulb and expecting a re-based bulb with (or without) a shield to emit an acceptable lighting pattern.

[AKADriver]

I was waiting for this myself. Normally I hate the government stepping in on things like this, and I'm still a bit guarded about their agenda. When people are selling safety devices (headlights) that aren't safe, though, even if they're labeled "just for show" it doesn't make any sense.

The only thing I fear is that this might cause a further increase in thefts of factory HID units.. It's a common sight in some areas to come out and find your Acura, BMW, etc. missing its headlights.

[old_s13]

OEM components will NOT be effected by this new law, so I dont think it will INCREASE the theft of OEM lamps as OEM components will still be easily available. The only thing this should effect is HID KITS, acquiring such products will be MUCH harder. Its about time companies started realizing and understanding just how dangerous and wrong it is to sell kits like this, the NHTSA had to step in. Like I said, it was always illegal.. the NHTSA just recently decided to enforce the law, considering how popular and poorly advertised these "kits" are. People were actually starting to think its OKAY to retrofit and that the sub-par lighting pattern produced by these kits is "acceptable."

- Mike