3rd brake light?

[GregNco]

do you legally need a 3rd brake light ? i wanna swap trunk lids if possible

[shglbmx]

Originally Posted by GregNco

do you legally need a 3rd brake light ? i wanna swap trunk lids if possible

depending on what state you're in, yes, you would need a third brake light.

[xtant21]

Federal mandate since 1984...some states still take local control of the issue but it was one of those "recommended" laws by the NTSB...meaning...do this or you don't get as much federal funding for your highways. Most states towed the line and still do. Few don't.


Long story short...you need the third brake light.

[superclarkmode]

This makes no sense. Aren't there more cars without it than with it? And if it was mandated, then you would need the third break light on all the Civics, which is not the case at all. The Si indeed has it, but the EX does not. I would think Honda would comply with such a law. Don't tell me this is model specific? My roommate says this is BS. This would make any car with an aftermarket spoiler illegal.

[06NaviEX]

My EX has a 3rd brake light inside the car on the rear deck.

The only cars I've seen around here that don't have 3rd brake lights are old beaters?

[AbsoluteGG]

Originally Posted by superclarkmode

This makes no sense. Aren't there more cars without it than with it? And if it was mandated, then you would need the third break light on all the Civics, which is not the case at all. The Si indeed has it, but the EX does not. I would think Honda would comply with such a law. Don't tell me this is model specific? My roommate says this is BS. This would make any car with an aftermarket spoiler illegal.

the si has the 3rd brake light on the spoiler while the dx/lx/ex have it on their rear window

[xtant21]

Originally Posted by superclarkmode

This makes no sense. Aren't there more cars without it than with it? And if it was mandated, then you would need the third break light on all the Civics, which is not the case at all. The Si indeed has it, but the EX does not. I would think Honda would comply with such a law. Don't tell me this is model specific? My roommate says this is BS. This would make any car with an aftermarket spoiler illegal.

By LAW the automaker has to put a third brake light on every car they manufacture...trust me. People may not be changing the bulbs and stuff but every car leaves the factory with the third brake light. If someone removes it (i.e. Si has it built into the wing...if you remove the wing....well....) then that is not the manufacturers fault.

Every car starting with model year 1984 has to have this from the manufacturer. It started with passenger cars and then moved up...I don't have the specifics of trucks and RVs and stuff...but every passenger car has needed this since '84.

[fraga]

Yeah it's required for all NEW cars...but if you have an old car...before a certain date...its' okay...otherwise...you're gonna get it...

Signed - "The Man"

[Xenin]

all you need to do is get the decklid 3rd brake light from honda. you can see on the Si where they took it out and replaced it with a cover where the sub is.

[xtant21]

Ok...I was off by a bit...it wasn't 1984 it was 1986...sorry 'bout that.

Here is the info:

In 1986, the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Transport Canada mandated that all new passenger cars have a CHMSL (Center High Mount Stop Lamp; i.e. third brake light) installed. Because Elizabeth Dole was Secretary of Transportation at the time, these lights were occasionally referred to as "Dole lights". A CHMSL was required on all new light trucks and vans starting in 1994. CHMSLs are so inexpensive to incorporate into a vehicle that even if the lamps prevent only a few percent of rear end collisions they remain a cost-effective safety feature.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_b...mp_.28CHMSL.29