How do I tell if a taillight is DOT approved?

WWONG · 08-18-2010, 01:15 AM

I just bought a set of Euro LCI E92 tails from ECS Tuning and one of them had a chip in the plastic. As I examined further, I noticed it had DOT SAE followed by a bunch of random numbers imprinted on the housing. How do I tell whether it's the Euro or US version short of powering it up?

EHDEN · 08-18-2010, 03:03 AM

plug it in. if nothing happens than your safe...if you hear a KA-BOOM sound... RUN!

Dackelone · 08-18-2010, 04:05 AM

IF it is DOT approved it should have a stamp on the outside of the lens somewhere.

IF it is a EU light it should have an EU stamp on it. I think EU-4.

I should look (closely)at some cars over here.

WWONG · 08-18-2010, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

IF it is DOT approved it should have a stamp on the outside of the lens somewhere.

IF it is a EU light it should have an EU stamp on it. I think EU-4.

I should look (closely)at some cars over here.

I just examined my stock 2010 tails (which are definitely DOT approved) very closely with a white LED flashlight. No DOT stamp. No DOT or EU-4 stamp with the new tails either. Same with my '01 E39.

PJPHughes · 08-18-2010, 10:51 AM

I put European tail light outer lenses on my E90 335d because I hate the red turn signal in the rear (and I don't understand why BMW makes two parts for the car). You can tell the difference as the plastic around the turn signal LEDs is less red...more pinkish close up, but from a distance, it's hard to tell. They have an EU stamp on the plastic, not the SAE DOT one.

Are the Euro lights for the E92 any different than the US Spec ones? (two rear foglights?)? They have amber turn signals in the rear in the US for '10 (updated bodystyles in '11 gets red LEDs...GRRR!), right?

bsamoul · 08-18-2010, 12:55 PM

Screw the DOT lol

cb1111 · 08-18-2010, 03:51 PM

DOT does not approve anything. The presence of DOT marking on a lighting assembly indicate that the manufacturer has certified that the lighting units meet the requirements set forth in FMVSS 108.

cb1111 · 08-18-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJPHughes

I put European tail light outer lenses on my E90 335d because I hate the red turn signal in the rear (and I don't understand why BMW makes two parts for the car). You can tell the difference as the plastic around the turn signal LEDs is less red...more pinkish close up, but from a distance, it's hard to tell. They have an EU stamp on the plastic, not the SAE DOT one.

Are the Euro lights for the E92 any different than the US Spec ones? (two rear foglights?)? They have amber turn signals in the rear in the US for '10 (updated bodystyles in '11 gets red LEDs...GRRR!), right?

Euro spec lighting units generally lack the required reflectors and sidemarkers.

Dackelone · 08-19-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWONG

I just examined my stock 2010 tails (which are definitely DOT approved) very closely with a white LED flashlight. No DOT stamp. No DOT or EU-4 stamp with the new tails either. Same with my '01 E39.

LOOK again. You missed it!

I looked at my US spec 135i today... I too did not find any markings... that IS not until I opened my TRUNK!!!

DOT marking in on the inside edge... EU marking E1

Note the DOT mark on the last line/bottom.

faz · 08-19-2010, 08:22 PM

I just got BMW blacklines and installed them, and didn't see a DOT on them, even though BMW's publications suggest these are DOT approved.

I will have to look closer again. Does anyone know where DOT marking would be on BMW orig blacklines?

adikoni · 08-19-2010, 09:35 PM

yep. screw DOT. not like you're gonna get pulled over and examined for DOT imprints.

OlivaresAnthony · 08-20-2010, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adikoni

yep. screw DOT. not like you're gonna get pulled over and examined for DOT imprints.

+1

WWONG · 08-20-2010, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adikoni

yep. screw DOT. not like you're gonna get pulled over and examined for DOT imprints.

I'm not trying to avoid the cops. I'm trying to figure out whether I got the EU version as I ordered since I cannot power up the lights and physically see the amber or red until November.

08-18-2010, 01:15 AM	#1
WWONG Banned 109 Rep 1,830 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35d Join Date: May 2010 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (14)	How do I tell if a taillight is DOT approved? I just bought a set of Euro LCI E92 tails from ECS Tuning and one of them had a chip in the plastic. As I examined further, I noticed it had DOT SAE followed by a bunch of random numbers imprinted on the housing. How do I tell whether it's the Euro or US version short of powering it up?
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08-18-2010, 03:03 AM	#2
EHDEN Brigadier General 396 Rep 3,893 Posts Drives: 435i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 435i [7.00]	plug it in. if nothing happens than your safe...if you hear a KA-BOOM sound... RUN! __________________
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08-18-2010, 04:05 AM	#3
Dackelone European Editor 10596 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	IF it is DOT approved it should have a stamp on the outside of the lens somewhere. IF it is a EU light it should have an EU stamp on it. I think EU-4. I should look (closely)at some cars over here.
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08-18-2010, 10:51 AM	#5
PJPHughes Private First Class 34 Rep 173 Posts Drives: '10 335d Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	I put European tail light outer lenses on my E90 335d because I hate the red turn signal in the rear (and I don't understand why BMW makes two parts for the car). You can tell the difference as the plastic around the turn signal LEDs is less red...more pinkish close up, but from a distance, it's hard to tell. They have an EU stamp on the plastic, not the SAE DOT one. Are the Euro lights for the E92 any different than the US Spec ones? (two rear foglights?)? They have amber turn signals in the rear in the US for '10 (updated bodystyles in '11 gets red LEDs...GRRR!), right?
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08-18-2010, 12:55 PM	#6
bsamoul Major General 167 Rep 7,433 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Walnut Creek, California iTrader: (2)	Screw the DOT lol __________________ -Brian 2X 2006 BMW 325i [Electric Red & Mystic Blue] \| ZPP \| V1 \| Rear Fogs \| M3 Lip Spoiler \| EAS RemoteKey \| BMS Powerbox \| Projector90 Headlights w/ LED AE \| LED plate lights \| OEM Blacklines http://www.tech-shine.com
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08-18-2010, 03:51 PM	#7
cb1111 I ask the questions you're afraid to ask. 44 Rep 2,489 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DC iTrader: (2)	DOT does not approve anything. The presence of DOT marking on a lighting assembly indicate that the manufacturer has certified that the lighting units meet the requirements set forth in FMVSS 108.
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08-19-2010, 08:22 PM	#10
faz Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 287 Posts Drives: 2023 X5 x40i, 2018 330i F30 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay area, CA iTrader: (0)	I just got BMW blacklines and installed them, and didn't see a DOT on them, even though BMW's publications suggest these are DOT approved. I will have to look closer again. Does anyone know where DOT marking would be on BMW orig blacklines?
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08-19-2010, 09:35 PM	#11
adikoni New Member 1 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 328i, volvo s40 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Calgary AB iTrader: (1)	yep. screw DOT. not like you're gonna get pulled over and examined for DOT imprints.
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