[dr adequate]

I really like the look of the painted reflectors, but don't the regular reflectors serve a safety purpose?

[goj]

It just helps visibility, I personally think clear reflectors look better than the paint colored ones. Others will disagree with me but it's up to you!

[bimmercar]

also, its govt regulation

[ahero4eternity]

That's what lights are for. The number of accidents due solely to color matched reflectors is probably pretty low. My G35 didn't even have rear reflectors aside from the taillights.

[Project Elite]

Curious as to know if anyone ever painted the reflectors ON the car without taking it off. Attempted to take mine off but it just won't budge. Thinking about masking off the surrounding and covering it with double layered newspaper. Doing this with plastidip.

[ahero4eternity]

Originally Posted by Project Elite

Curious as to know if anyone ever painted the reflectors ON the car without taking it off. Attempted to take mine off but it just won't budge. Thinking about masking off the surrounding and covering it with double layered newspaper. Doing this with plastidip.

No harm in trying with plastidip as long as you mask the car off. Worst case scenario just peel it off.

[CHCCubs]

The reflectors do have a purpose if you park your car on the street at night.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by CHCCubs

The reflectors do have a purpose if you park your car on the street at night.

+1, approaching cars can see your car when your lights aren't on, allowing them to avoid hitting it.

[Adamr916]

Or you could just turn the parking light on for that side. Must US manufactured cars don't have that feature, but the European cars are able to push down on the turn signal stalk after turning the car off and it will turn on the parking light for that side.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by Adamr916

Or you could just turn the parking light on for that side.

And leave it on all night?

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by Adamr916

Or you could just turn the parking light on for that side. Must US manufactured cars don't have that feature, but the European cars are able to push down on the turn signal stalk after turning the car off and it will turn on the parking light for that side.

I do this at my current job site as its a dark narrow street. People come tell me all the time my lights are on. Haha

[Adamr916]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

And leave it on all night?

I'm pretty sure they should turn off after a certain time, but I remember reading that they can be left on overnight and you not have a dead battery as the computer doesn't send full power, just enough for them to be seen.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by Adamr916

I'm pretty sure they should turn off after a certain time, but I remember reading that they can be left on overnight and you not have a dead battery as the computer doesn't send full power, just enough for them to be seen.

I believe you don't understand the point of reflectors. They exist so that when the car is parked and the lights are off the lights of an approaching car will reflect off them, so that the driver of the approaching car will see it, and hopefully won't drive into it. They also serve as an added level of protection for those instances when you're driving at night and your lights that other drivers should see are not functioning. Yes, when that happens you shouldn't be driving, but who's going to pull over and wait until morning if a lamp blows?

I agree that they're not the most attractive items on the car, but they're a lot more attractive than a dented fender.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by ahero4eternity

That's what lights are for. The number of accidents due solely to color matched reflectors is probably pretty low. My G35 didn't even have rear reflectors aside from the taillights.

Some cars have the reflectors in the tail lenses. Every car has rear reflectors.

[ahero4eternity]

Originally Posted by tex2670

Some cars have the reflectors in the tail lenses. Every car has rear reflectors.

That's why I said, "aside from the taillights." I know they were built-in.

[versailles]

Oh....that's why people kept crashing into my car every week!!! Why didn't someone think of reflectors sooner

[chums]

I bought clear reflectors temporarily. I don't like the painted look, I prefered "shaved" look but that would mean painting the entire bumper. Hmmm, maybe if and when I get a front lip.

[Adamr916]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I believe you don't understand the point of reflectors. They exist so that when the car is parked and the lights are off the lights of an approaching car will reflect off them, so that the driver of the approaching car will see it, and hopefully won't drive into it. They also serve as an added level of protection for those instances when you're driving at night and your lights that other drivers should see are not functioning. Yes, when that happens you shouldn't be driving, but who's going to pull over and wait until morning if a lamp blows?

I agree that they're not the most attractive items on the car, but they're a lot more attractive than a dented fender.

Why don't the Euro spec models have them then? Having spent some time in germany, I can tell you first hand that they have roads that are hard to even fit a Honda civic down with cars parked on both sides. Lots of one sided parking lights lit up though!

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by Adamr916

Why don't the Euro spec models have them then?

They're not subject to US DOT regulations. That's why the front side reflectors look like something that was tossed on as an afterthought: because they were.

[rking117]

Originally Posted by ahero4eternity

That's what lights are for. The number of accidents due solely to color matched reflectors is probably pretty low. My G35 didn't even have rear reflectors aside from the taillights.

If the tail lights are viewable from the side of the vehicle then a separate reflector is not required.

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by Adamr916

Why don't the Euro spec models have them then? Having spent some time in germany, I can tell you first hand that they have roads that are hard to even fit a Honda civic down with cars parked on both sides. Lots of one sided parking lights lit up though!

Because drivers in the rest of the world actually pay attention when they're driving?

[ronanz]

Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic

Because drivers in the rest of the world actually pay attention when they're driving?

Maybe some parts of the world. Try driving in Korea or Middle East...I've seen Atheist pray.

.