[Goandiaries]

I own a XUV300. There are reflectors which double up as rear fog lamps (containing 21W halogens) in the top models which can be controlled separately in the event of low visibility instead of using hazard lamps like many do in heavy rains and foggy situations. IMHO, this is the correct way to use these reflectors/fog lamps instead of these lights being continuously on along with the tail lamps. On a clear night, there's no need to turn on these lights, which are actually quite bright. I guess, having a separate controller wouldn't be a straightforward installation unlike just fitting a LED bulb and thats the reason many aftermarket installations are like this.

[saikarthik]

Originally Posted by pradeep_mvpa

Almost every car has reflectors integrated with tail lamp unit. This covers the regulatory requirement aspect.

What we see in the bumper is the additional reflectors that some manufacturers incorporate. Why would it cause a regulatory issue if it is replaced by a LED unit? There are many cars in the market that do not have a reflector in the rear bumper.

Originally Posted by akshay4587

Exactly, Apart from Scorpio and Endeavour, None of my cars have reflectors at the back.

I have worked on the said lamp on Scorpio, and in fact shared data for homologation (@ vehicle level). The pattern on lens that you see on the tail lamp of Scorpio is not a reflex reflector, but a lens for rear position lamp though it looks similar. If you remove the reflex reflectors on bumpers it's straight away illegal on road as per the book. Many other lamps from other OEs are of the same case, except in some cases the tail lamp really has a reflex reflector incorporated.

[Peri_patetic99]

Another noob question here- can we place an led above the reflector and make the bottom tail light a combined unit? Those who want style will get satisfied and the homologation rules also won't be affected.

[ASP_73]

Originally Posted by Goandiaries

I own a XUV300. There are reflectors which double up as rear fog lamps (containing 21W halogens) in the top models which can be controlled separately in the event of low visibility instead of using hazard lamps like many do in heavy rains and foggy situations. IMHO, this is the correct way to use these reflectors/fog lamps instead of these lights being continuously on along with the tail lamps. On a clear night, there's no need to turn on these lights, which are actually quite bright. I guess, having a separate controller wouldn't be a straightforward installation unlike just fitting a LED bulb and thats the reason many aftermarket installations are like this.

In XUV3OO , though fog lamp and reflectors are in one unit , these are two separate elements independent of each others. Please see the picture here.
The important purpose of reflector is also to indicate the presence of vehicle when parked in the dark without needing the electrical power.

Originally Posted by pradeep_mvpa

Agree that rear reflectors are a regulatory requirement. Almost every car has reflectors integrated with tail lamp unit. This covers the regulatory requirement aspect.

What we see in the bumper is the additional reflectors that some manufacturers incorporate. Why would it cause a regulatory issue if it is replaced by a LED unit? There are many cars in the market that do not have a reflector in the rear bumper.

Above opinion is based on my understanding. Happy to be corrected!

Regarding money draining to China, I don't think we have a solution as long as China produces 80% of world's rare earth elements!

On the rear bumper is not the additional reflector , car manufacturer provide reflector on bumper only when it is not incorporated within the tail lamp unit. In my view this unnecessary installation of LED unit by violating the regulation is indeed a drain of our hard earned money to China.

Originally Posted by Peri_patetic99

Another noob question here- can we place an led above the reflector and make the bottom tail light a combined unit? Those who want style will get satisfied and the homologation rules also won't be affected.

I believe the reflector surface should be maintained absolutely clean and clear so as maximum light can be reflected back. Installing something over and above the very surface of reflector unit would defeat the whole important safety purpose of having it.

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by MaheshY1

...

Should the authorities crack down heavily on people replacing reflectors with LED strips? No. There are other things that are more likely to cause a crash.

Don't disagree with the 'there are bigger fish to fry' sentiment of your post, but do consider that a lot of these issues got to where they are now because they weren't dealt with when they started.

Sometime in the future, on a similar thread, this one might make your list of 'bigger fish to fry'.

[Goandiaries]

Originally Posted by ASP_73

In XUV3OO , though fog lamp and reflectors are in one unit , these are two separate elements independent of each others. Please see the picture here.
The important purpose of reflector is also to indicate the presence of vehicle when parked in the dark without needing the electrical power.

Exactly! The entire unit doubles up as a fog lamp or a reflector at relevant scenarios. On a normal clear night, this need not be turned on. Whereas the aftermarket ones are just LED strips which turns on at dusk along with the tail lights - more fancy than functional, annoying to eyes especially in city traffic.

[viXit]

Love how manufacturers make such essential hardware so easy to swap out, but useless equipment impossible to service.


case in point, Honda Horns.

[MaheshY1]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

I don't disagree with the 'there are bigger fish to fry' sentiment of your post, but do consider that a lot of these issues got to where they are now because they weren't dealt with when they started.

Sometime in the future, on a similar thread, this one might make your list of 'bigger fish to fry'.

No matter how I look at it, reflectors would still sit extremely low on my priority list. E.g. if there's continuous bombing on my city and corona is also spreading, the virus would automatically take a lower priority even if it has the potential to do more damage because of 2 reasons:
1. there's a delay in the first-contact-to-hospitalization compared to a bomb
2. the mortality and hospitalization rate for the virus is significantly lower compared to that of a bomb
They're both life-and-death issues but the approach to prioritization of resources will drastically differ when we're handling both of these issues simultaneously.

Similarly, the road safety-related issues I highlighted are also a matter of life and death. Regardless of whether they have grown out of proportion or they're all just budding, the reflector-to-LED issue will not even make it to the top half of the priority list of any govt authority, which is serious about working towards reducing traffic accidents and the resulting injuries and deaths.

The reflectors are there to help us mark a vehicle even if the electricals give up. Otherwise, the light from the LED makes more sense as it has to travel about half the distance than the light from our own headlights.

And before I forget about another important big fish:
- People driving without lights, reflectors and number plates
I have had multiple close calls with motorcycles, Boleros, dump trucks and farm tractors with trailers because of the lack of reflector and functioning taillights.

[akshay4587]

Originally Posted by saikarthik

I have worked on the said lamp on Scorpio, and in fact shared data for homologation (@ vehicle level). The pattern on lens that you see on the tail lamp of Scorpio is not a reflex reflector, but a lens for rear position lamp though it looks similar. If you remove the reflex reflectors on bumpers it's straight away illegal on road as per the book. Many other lamps from other OEs are of the same case, except in some cases the tail lamp really has a reflex reflector incorporated.

I have the older model, and It has reflectors at the bottom too.

[adisan]

Even shoes have reflectors these days!

Reflectors might save you and others from trouble!