Headlight mod laws in PA?

[atruhondagrl]

Is anyone familiar with PA laws? I'm curious as to what laws there are regarding the following light modifications:

1) Smoking lights (such as vinyl overlays or plastic covers)
2) HID/ Xenon applications on vehicles not originally manufactured with them
3) Projector modifications on vehicles not originally manufactured with them
4) Led lights (tail/brake/turn signal/reverse/license plate)
5) Exterior and interior accent lighting and proper usage (ie. only at a stop with parking brake engaged etc.)

I'm not impressed with the halogen lights that our cars come with. I think projectors would have been a more suitable choice from the get-go. Now that I've seen successful projector and HID retro fits, I'd really like to do it to the car and I won't do anything illegal to it since I enjoy low insurance. And if it is legal, I'd like to find out where to get a copy of the statute so that should I get pulled over, I have something in my defense proving my vehicle is legal.

I know I could have posted this in the lighting forums, but since I'm being state specific I felt it was better placed here.

[skittleslegend]

I've talked to cops in different states, including PA, NJ, MD, and VT and they all said the same thing:

If you do it right, they won't notice. Most cops won't pull you over JUST because you have HID's. The reason putting HID's on a non-HID-equipped vehicle is because most places don't sell projectors with the kits. Without the projector, you're putting a xenon bulb in a housing designed for a halogen light. This = blinding of oncoming cars and it's really obnoxious. I dunno if you've seen Tim's retrofit, but it's the closest to a factory setup I've ever seen. Customlightz.com did them and they're a bit on the expensive side, but I'd say they're worth it. Find yourself some TSX projectors on ebay.

As far as the tinting and city lights go, definitely check the statutes. Most states that I know of are parking only with the city lights, but check the statutes just the same.

[atruhondagrl]

Thanks, skittles. The projectors are what I was planning on installing on the car and Tim's do look great. I'm going to contact customlightz about doing mine soon. My taillights are smoked so I was concerned and I took my headlight smoke vinyls off yesterday.

I hate it when people drive with their leds or neons (ick) on but I wanted some LEDs just for when I'm doing car shows and the like.

[O6 Si]

my fathers an officerr and like skittles said u shouldnt b pulled over only for the lights now lets say your speeding and ur stopped u may get a ticket for every little infraction

[atruhondagrl]

Thanks. I asked the cops in my reserve unit and they all had a different opinion or interpretation of the law. I'm not comfortable treading into those waters but anything has to be better than what is currently on my car.

[Izzy]

They'll have to know that the car came without the HID projectors in the first place, and with a good install, it will not look out of place. Look at mine! Nobody noticed until somebody SAID something!

Yeah, it might be illegal... but again, you have to get caught first.

[RedSIinPA]

I too am really unimpressed with the view at night, especially when it's rainy. I was thinking about trying silverstars for the first time with this car because I really don't want to shell out the money for an HID upgrade. I do miss that little purply flicker when my S2K's lights popped on.

when I first got the car and showed my parents (amercian car minimalists), I was like "hold on mom, check this out...BAM!" "oooh those are pretty."

lol.

[atruhondagrl]

I have Silverstars. I think they are dimmer than stock. Foot the bill for HIDs or projectors. Now that I'm gonna be gone, a lot will be getting done to the car in my absense including projectors.

[RedSIinPA]

Originally Posted by atruhondagrl

I have Silverstars. I think they are dimmer than stock. Foot the bill for HIDs or projectors. Now that I'm gonna be gone, a lot will be getting done to the car in my absense including projectors.

sorry for the offtopic, but did you get called up?

thanks for the info by the way. I'm sure I would've felt ripped for the cost of a pair of silverstars.

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by RedSIinPA

sorry for the offtopic, but did you get called up?

thanks for the info by the way. I'm sure I would've felt ripped for the cost of a pair of silverstars.

Yep. Total suprise. Just before lunch they got orders for me to go to Kuwait. I was like WTF!? Well, at least I'll be able to pay off the car and get some more mods now.

[RedSIinPA]

Originally Posted by atruhondagrl

Yep. Total suprise. Just before lunch they got orders for me to go to Kuwait. I was like WTF!? Well, at least I'll be able to pay off the car and get some more mods now.

ugh that sucks. but maybe it's meant to be. you were lookin' for a job, right? i guess you got one now. my bro-in-law is set to leave for navy bootcamp in March so his FBP Si will be put into storage by then. when you leaving?

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by RedSIinPA

ugh that sucks. but maybe it's meant to be. you were lookin' for a job, right? i guess you got one now. my bro-in-law is set to leave for navy bootcamp in March so his FBP Si will be put into storage by then. when you leaving?

I leave for training in November and I don't actually leave for Kuwait until Jan. You're right about the job thing. I was laughing about the irony of it all.

[J-Ro]

I might as well throw my two cents in :)
I'm pretty sure DOT states that any non-OEM xenon is illegal, but as skittles said, cops are a lot less likely to get pissy about it if they look like they were meant to be that way (which is the way I approach every mod anyway )
I'm not sure if the same goes in Canada, but I have followed OPP (Ontario Provincial Police, or more commonly, OP-Pigs ) cars on several occasions after my projectors retrofit--coincidentally, not on purpose--and there have never been any issues.
I think projectors should always accompany every upgrade to xenon, not only to appease the cops, but also out of courtesy to other drivers--and let's not forget looks, too :)

J