Got pulled over for HIDs
- Thread starter jwaldo432
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IDK if its just that im stubborn or what, but my projectors have the same cut off as my sisters 300 with stock HIDs and mine are a little more white in color, no yellow. The glare is the same, ive even aimed my lights up more to try and get the glare to see if that was it and thats the only time there is one. But I wasnt pulled over for HIDs i was pulled over for them being "Blue" and anybody can see that they are not, i will be fighting the ticket so fingers crossed on the outcome! 
Yeah, not much you can add to that other than to say an individual state's laws can differ from Texas laws, where he is from. Some do have stricter light standards than others. Read up on your own. Regardless, I know a LOT of officers and even they are often confused as to how to treat bad HID's. They are obviously a hazard, but it's not always easy to find a law that is applicable to that hazard to cite people on.
Bottom line is do it right with a proper HID projector retrofit and 4300k bulbs, aim them right, and nobody is going to care unless they are really looking for a reason to stop you. And cops can and do do that all the time. It's not profiling or trying to make money, it's their job. I'm not second-guessing the OP's situation, but maybe he swerved a bit or did something mildly illegal; an officer is within his duty to stop you to check for possible impairment or whatever else. It's inconvenient and a hassle, but have a good attitude, say "yes, sir" and "no, sir" and you'll likely get treated well. People often make traffic stops much worse for themselves by acting self-righteous, indignant, and disrespectful....
Bottom line is do it right with a proper HID projector retrofit and 4300k bulbs, aim them right, and nobody is going to care unless they are really looking for a reason to stop you. And cops can and do do that all the time. It's not profiling or trying to make money, it's their job. I'm not second-guessing the OP's situation, but maybe he swerved a bit or did something mildly illegal; an officer is within his duty to stop you to check for possible impairment or whatever else. It's inconvenient and a hassle, but have a good attitude, say "yes, sir" and "no, sir" and you'll likely get treated well. People often make traffic stops much worse for themselves by acting self-righteous, indignant, and disrespectful....
The difference I see with adding the lights vs oem is the auto leveling. OEM HID's should have an auto level function that happens every time the lights are turned on. This is true with the 4 vehicles I have owned that had HID/projector style lights. If you are retro fitting them to a vehicle, are you also adding a leveling set up? If not, and you throw 200 lbs in the back of your truck, where are your lights now aimed? Not an issue on the models that have a leveling suspension that keeps the truck at the same level all the time. Could be an issue for vehicles that don't auto level though.
Just remember, even if you took the time to properly aim the lights, any weight in your vehicle that wasn't there when you aimed them will change where the lights are aimed. Not a big deal on the old halogen low beam, but blinding glare if you have HID's.
Just remember, even if you took the time to properly aim the lights, any weight in your vehicle that wasn't there when you aimed them will change where the lights are aimed. Not a big deal on the old halogen low beam, but blinding glare if you have HID's.
Ghoster, good point.
I actually measured my cutoff height without a load and then later tested it when I had about 800lbs of people and full coolers in the back. It was identical, but I do have the auto-levelling suspension. Without it, I'm sure they would have been pointing significantly higher.
Most retro's don't have any leveling system that I know of. That would be cool, though. And the ones that turn into corners to throw more light the direction you're going to be headed. Hell, if BMW Motorcycles can accomplish this, it should be doable in a retro....lol.
I actually measured my cutoff height without a load and then later tested it when I had about 800lbs of people and full coolers in the back. It was identical, but I do have the auto-levelling suspension. Without it, I'm sure they would have been pointing significantly higher.
Most retro's don't have any leveling system that I know of. That would be cool, though. And the ones that turn into corners to throw more light the direction you're going to be headed. Hell, if BMW Motorcycles can accomplish this, it should be doable in a retro....lol.
That is simply not so, you certainly do not have to have an auto leveling kit on a retrofit if they are aimed properly. I have quads on which begs confusion for highs, I drive in town with over 15 law enforcement agencies around me, and I have yet to be flashed once by oncoming traffic or ever gotten any grief from leo. A couple of hundred pounds in the trunk (how often does that happen at night anyway) is simply not enough to have an affect.
That is not to say that changing the stance of the ride won't affect aiming ... this is precisely why I decided not to add a 2" rear drop. And if someone were to frequently shlep my mother in law in the trunk where she belongs then yes, auto-level away.
---------- Post added at 08:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 PM ----------
Oh and for the record, my Acura TL had Xenon HID projectors from factory and did not have auto-leveling.
That is not to say that changing the stance of the ride won't affect aiming ... this is precisely why I decided not to add a 2" rear drop. And if someone were to frequently shlep my mother in law in the trunk where she belongs then yes, auto-level away.
---------- Post added at 08:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 PM ----------
Oh and for the record, my Acura TL had Xenon HID projectors from factory and did not have auto-leveling.
Not saying its going to affect every vehicle the same, but it can make a difference. I have had HID's on 2 BMW's, a Porsche, Corvette, all had an auto level.
Incidently, the quad lights + the driving lights all on at once can get you pulled here. Not that it would happen, just saying it could.
I can't actually make it work like that ... my drls can't be on when the lights are on, it's either one or the other.
DefendHawaii
Snake Eater
Definitely agree use the right bulbs and temp color. I see idiots out here with 10000k in their silly Hondas with no type of projector lighting and they are ridiculous lights like that do not even help you as a driver. I have H3 lights with projectors conversion and am at 6000k bulbs. I would like to sell my housing and actually go back to a euro clear housnig as to not get hassled even once over something as silly as lights. Aiming definitely is one of the list important things you can do.
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