Third brake light necessary?
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 61
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From: az
Third brake light necessary?
I recently removed my stock rear spoiler and was looking at the veilside executive rear spoiler which doesnt have a break light on it. Am i still legal driving around without that third break light?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: ~626~ S.G.V
I don't know about Arizona, but I BELIEVE (correct me if I'm wrong) you have to have a third brake light. I remeber I got a ticket in my civic hatchback when I put removed the spoiler with the brake light.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 555
Likes: 12
From: East Bay, CA
I removed mine (did a trunk swap) and dont have one. I think in Cali, the cops are strict if your car "looks" modded. Mine is pretty stock and havent had any probs but its only been a month. The guy I swapped trunks with is willing to swap decklids too so it might be remedied that way. You can probably buy a universal 3rd brake light from ebay or something and hook it up to the socket in the back for the stock third light. (IIRC all of our cars have them even w/o the factory third light).
It is illegal not to have a 3rd brake light in most, if not all, states. You will certainly fail inspection for it. As far as getting a ticket for it, you probably will not, as it's something a cop will oversee.
The point of the 3rd brake light is just so to make it obvious to people behind you that you are braking. It's a light dedicated alone to come on when you brake. The other "brake" lights merely light up more when you brake, on some cars you can barely tell the difference (when the accessory lights are on at night).
The point of the 3rd brake light is just so to make it obvious to people behind you that you are braking. It's a light dedicated alone to come on when you brake. The other "brake" lights merely light up more when you brake, on some cars you can barely tell the difference (when the accessory lights are on at night).
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And there was a study I read years ago that the third brake light helped rear end accidents dramatically....
it does look goofy, but I have mine tinted over it so its hardly visible.
it does look goofy, but I have mine tinted over it so its hardly visible.
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Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: az
Would this work? Is it plug and play? Would it connect to the same wire that was used for the brake light for the stock rear spoiler? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LED-R...em150145605664
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 14
From: Cali
Not having a third brake light might or might not warrant the
attention of the po-po, but I didn't want to take the chance.
All 1986 model and newer cars are to have third brake lights by law.
California is a very litigious place; I didn't want someone to rear-end
me and then sue ME because my car didn't have a third brake light.
It sounds ridiculous, but I'm sure it could happen these days.
When I changed to the Junction Produce spoiler, I ditched the stock
trunk spoiler which had the LED brake light in it. We flush-mounted
a forth-gen Supra LED brake light in my trunk lid.
I like the peace of mind in knowing it's there.... and it looks pretty cool.
attention of the po-po, but I didn't want to take the chance.
All 1986 model and newer cars are to have third brake lights by law.
California is a very litigious place; I didn't want someone to rear-end
me and then sue ME because my car didn't have a third brake light.
It sounds ridiculous, but I'm sure it could happen these days.
When I changed to the Junction Produce spoiler, I ditched the stock
trunk spoiler which had the LED brake light in it. We flush-mounted
a forth-gen Supra LED brake light in my trunk lid.
I like the peace of mind in knowing it's there.... and it looks pretty cool.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 0
From: ~626~ S.G.V
Not having a third brake light might or might not warrant the
attention of the po-po, but I didn't want to take the chance.
All 1986 model and newer cars are to have third brake lights by law.
California is a very litigious place; I didn't want someone to rear-end
me and then sue ME because my car didn't have a third brake light.
It sounds ridiculous, but I'm sure it could happen these days.
When I changed to the Junction Produce spoiler, I ditched the stock
trunk spoiler which had the LED brake light in it. We flush-mounted
a forth-gen Supra LED brake light in my trunk lid.
I like the peace of mind in knowing it's there.... and it looks pretty cool.
attention of the po-po, but I didn't want to take the chance.
All 1986 model and newer cars are to have third brake lights by law.
California is a very litigious place; I didn't want someone to rear-end
me and then sue ME because my car didn't have a third brake light.
It sounds ridiculous, but I'm sure it could happen these days.
When I changed to the Junction Produce spoiler, I ditched the stock
trunk spoiler which had the LED brake light in it. We flush-mounted
a forth-gen Supra LED brake light in my trunk lid.
I like the peace of mind in knowing it's there.... and it looks pretty cool.
That's a good idea. Im planning on getting JP Spoiler too. Can I see some pix if it's possible? Thanks!
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 14
From: Cali
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,857
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From: ~626~ S.G.V
WOW!!!! I love the color of your car and that looks really nice. I hope you don't mind if I did that too...=) Where did you get the supra light. Dealer? junk yard? Man,....i cant stop looking at your car. haha
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 14
From: Cali
I tried a few Toyota yards with no luck.
Bought a new brake light from a local dealer for around $150.
The curvature matches the GS trunk lid perfectly... like it was made for it.
Just order the brake light assembly for a 96 Supra.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 0
From: ~626~ S.G.V
Thanks man... the car is actually three different shades of blue!
I tried a few Toyota yards with no luck.
Bought a new brake light from a local dealer for around $150.
The curvature matches the GS trunk lid perfectly... like it was made for it.
Just order the brake light assembly for a 96 Supra.
I tried a few Toyota yards with no luck.
Bought a new brake light from a local dealer for around $150.
The curvature matches the GS trunk lid perfectly... like it was made for it.
Just order the brake light assembly for a 96 Supra.