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So out of curiosity, does anyone know why Porsche has insisted on amber side markers in the US for so long?
Are amber reflectors at the corners a DOT requirement, or perhaps a requirement in a large Porsche sales state like California?
Just curious as I of course had to make the same change to clears on my 2003 Boxster S, and some six years later found myself having to buy clears for my CS.
It is a DOT requirement. They need to be amber reflectors, not just lights. I guess DOT wants your car to be seen from the side even when the lights are not on.
...why Porsche has insisted on amber side markers in the US...
I think that Porsche installs amber side marker assemblies to help satisfy the Federal requirement for reflectors (FMVSS No. 108). The following quote is from the NHTSA legal interpretations database, dated 4/7/2000:
Quote:
Your letter recounts another problem we have encountered with this type of replacement taillamp, i.e., the absence of a red reflex reflector on the lamp, ... If the original lamp incorporated a red reflex reflector(s) and the replacement lamp does not ..., the substitution of the new lamp for the old one will create a noncompliance ... The same would be true for the front, if amber side reflex reflectors were absent.
The amber side markers (987 631 037 / 987 631 038) contain an amber reflex reflector. The clear ones (987 631 033 / 987 631 034) don't. Interesting fact...
I would flip it around and say "Why the fascination with clear side markers"?
It was no different when I frequented the 964 forums. I personally have never found anything particularly ugly about amber side markers, and was never motivated to change them on the 911 or the Croc.
And don't get me started on Red Tail Lights!
Too many other things I would love to do to the car that are way higher on the someday modification list (LSD anyone???).
Brian
LSD - Limited Slip Differential
A limited slip differential (LSD) is a modified or derived type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in rotational velocity of the output shafts, but does not allow the difference in speed to increase beyond a preset amount. In an automobile, such limited slip differentials are sometimes used in place of a standard differential, where they convey certain dynamic advantages, at the expense of greater complexity.
The main advantage of a limited slip differential is found by considering the case of a standard (or "open") differential where one wheel has no contact with the ground at all. In such a case, the contacting wheel will remain stationary, and the non-contacting wheel will rotate freely– the torque transmitted will be equal at both wheels, but will not exceed the threshold of torque needed to move the vehicle, thus the vehicle will remain stationary. In everyday use on typical roads, such a situation is very unlikely, and so a normal differential suffices. For more demanding use however, such as driving off-road, or for high performance vehicles, such a state of affairs is undesirable, and the LSD can be employed to deal with it. By limiting the velocity difference between a pair of driven wheels, useful torque can be transmitted as long as there is some friction available on at least one of the wheels.
To see the installation of a LSD style unit Click Here -> Article Forthcoming Stay Tuned
I would flip it around and say "Why the fascination with clear side markers"?
It was no different when I frequented the 964 forums. I personally have never found anything particularly ugly about amber side markers, and was never motivated to change them on the 911 or the Croc.
And don't get me started on Red Tail Lights!
Too many other things I would love to do to the car that are way higher on the someday modification list (LSD anyone???).
Brian
people do these type of things to be a little different--back in the 70's i changed my usa 914 front and back lens to the european versions--thought it looked cool back then--now i don't care--i do like the all red tail lights but i would not spend money on them--my cs msrp was $75k
LSD - Limited Slip Differential
A limited slip differential (LSD) is a modified or derived type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in rotational velocity of the output shafts, but does not allow the difference in speed to increase beyond a preset amount. In an automobile, such limited slip differentials are sometimes used in place of a standard differential, where they convey certain dynamic advantages, at the expense of greater complexity.
The main advantage of a limited slip differential is found by considering the case of a standard (or "open") differential where one wheel has no contact with the ground at all. In such a case, the contacting wheel will remain stationary, and the non-contacting wheel will rotate freely– the torque transmitted will be equal at both wheels, but will not exceed the threshold of torque needed to move the vehicle, thus the vehicle will remain stationary. In everyday use on typical roads, such a situation is very unlikely, and so a normal differential suffices. For more demanding use however, such as driving off-road, or for high performance vehicles, such a state of affairs is undesirable, and the LSD can be employed to deal with it. By limiting the velocity difference between a pair of driven wheels, useful torque can be transmitted as long as there is some friction available on at least one of the wheels.
To see the installation of a LSD style unit Click Here -> Article Forthcoming Stay Tuned
Ironically, when American cars first had amber front turn signals ('63 model year), Ford started with amber bulbs, but went to clear bulbs and amber lenses for the mid-year "63 1/2" models. Eventually, amber bulbs with clear lenses became the accepted standard. For the 1978 model year, Cadillac put amber lenses on its recently-downsized DeVilles and Fleetwoods, to give the cars "greater road presence." They later followed suit on the Eldorado. Meanwhile, some American automakers wanted a more "European" look, and went with amber rear turn signal lenses. Suddenly, clear lenses became the rage (the Lexus RX 350 has albino-looking rear lights), and any hint of amber is out. Now, Porsche charges more for all-red rear lenses. A little too fadish, if you ask me! 987f
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To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. '07 Cayman, Cobalt Blue Metallic; Natural Brown leather; clear sidemarkers; Boxster S wheels; '06 SLK 350; '04 SL 500; '73 246 GT; '72 246 GT
Always been easier for me to see amber/yellow (turn indicators and side markers) than red or clear. And I've always associated amber turn signals with more modern vehicles. Probably just me, but American and Japanese cars that still use red directionals are a major turn-OFF. Can you tell if the yahoo joker in front of you is signaling a turn, or just has a brake light out and is tapping his/her foot??
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It's kind of funny....Corvette guys like to swap their red taillights for Euro styled ones w/ amber turn signals. A handful of Porsche guys are going the other direction to full red, and Japanese modders like anything clear.
I guess the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence when it comes to lens colors!
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