I noticed these physical headlight covers in a 2011 accessory catalog from Russia. I haven't thought about those accessories in a long time.

PN: PZ451-J8990-ZA

 

So a cheap headlight cover might be good but I have to wonder how well it fits over OEM with moisture? I have seen some faded headlights here and I did have mine coated so I am good.

 

Perhaps a better option for impact protection than anything else. Even XPEL headlight protection was never enough to protect the glass fog lights on my '02 Maxima years back. They would always get shattered by rocks. May be a moot point with headlight housings that aren't glass though.

 

The use of headlight covers in the US is a violation of FMVSS 108 which states:

S6.2.3 Headlamp obstructions.

S6.2.3.1 When activated in the steady burning state, headlamps (excluding headlamps mounted on motorcycles) must not have any styling ornament or other feature, such as a translucent cover or grill, in front of the lens.

The same regulation exists in Canada.

 

Do you know when these regulations came into play?

I remember back in 1987 or so my parents had a new Mazda 626 and my father had purchased these types of covers as an OEM accessory from the dealer.

 

I'm not sure. There was a revision in '68 and another in '92, '71 and 2004 with minor changes in between.

If you remind me next week, then I'll look up when that was added. Aside from that though, dealers often sell add-on crap that doesn't meet the regulations.

technically, PPF on headlights is a violation, but if you swap it out when it starts looking worn, then nobody will know it is there. The reason for the regulation is that most covers are either tinted, wear quickly or trap dirt and moisture between the cover and the lens and degrade visibility.

I use PPF on my head and taillights that keeps them looking new basically forever, but I'd never use these.