The third brake light looks like a car! - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Longhorn248 · 06-06-2012, 10:18 AM

So I've put about 170 miles on the car since yesterday and the one thing that I've noticed the most is the rear brake light mounted in the back of the car. It's different from anything else I've driven because it's slightly raised up and you can see road from both above and below it. When I'm casually glancing in the rear view or checking my blind spot I always see this in the corner of my eye and think it's someone tailgating me!

I'm sure I'll eventually get used to it being there after enough driving, but I'm just wondering why they wouldn't have made it flush with that flat surface behind the rear seats instead of sticking it up on stilts.

Jayde · 06-06-2012, 10:20 AM

It reminds me of my Integra's third brake light, so I'm quite use to it. Although I see what you're talking about.

Lighting Red · 06-06-2012, 10:23 AM

That's not the Center High Mount Stop Light, they're coming for you Longhorn! Drive faster!

Longhorn248 · 06-06-2012, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lighting Red

That's not the Center High Mount Stop Light, they're coming for you Longhorn! Drive faster!

Maybe I do need to drive faster... For some reason people were speeding up and passing me rather quickly when I was out last night, then they would slow down a couple hundred yards in front when I didn't switch lanes and follow them

Draco-REX · 06-06-2012, 10:31 AM

I keep doing that too. When I glance to the right to check my blind spot I see it out of the corner of my eye and wonder where that car came from.

I think it's raised to clear the TRD duckbill. Otherwise I have no idea. The Miata's "high mount" is much lower, so I don't think it was a regulated height.

Longhorn248 · 06-06-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

I keep doing that too. When I glance to the right to check my blind spot I see it out of the corner of my eye and wonder where that car came from.

I think it's raised to clear the TRD duckbill. Otherwise I have no idea. The Miata's "high mount" is much lower, so I don't think it was a regulated height.

Okay, glad I'm not the only one. I don't think there's any requirement on placement for third brakes lights, I just know that they're mandatory on any car produced after some specific year.

Draco-REX · 06-06-2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn248

Okay, glad I'm not the only one. I don't think there's any requirement on placement for third brakes lights, I just know that they're mandatory on any car produced after some specific year.

Mandatory after September of 1985 I believe. As for location, they have to be centered on the car and above the taillights. I'm not sure what the specific height difference needs to be however.

Partial Stall · 06-06-2012, 11:56 AM

You guys sure they are mandatory?

Snoopyalien24 · 06-06-2012, 12:01 PM

Simple fix.. Buy GTR spoiler and install rear brake light on spoiler

MmmHamSandwich · 06-06-2012, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Partial Stall

You guys sure they are mandatory?

*Sigh*

Yes, they are mandatory. There are important safety reasons for the third brake light, visibility, distinguishment from someone turning on the running lights versus braking, and distinguishing from turn signals if one brake light burns out, ect. Don't remove it.

As far as the brake light being on stilts, I noticed that early on and it definitely seems kind of obnoxious, but oh well. It took me a while to get used to looking back and seeing the spoiler on my current car.

I'd imagine it was made that way to maintain visibility requirements on cars with spoilers, as opposed to either having to make two different brake lights, or integrate a brake light into the spoiler which would complicate adding one as an accessory. My Si is that way. All Si's have spoilers, so they just put the brake light in the spoiler. All other Civic models just have a standard light in the rear deck. People who remove the stock spoiler probably aren't putting the brake light from the other trims on their rear deck but they should.

DrDuquette · 06-06-2012, 12:10 PM

Put a piece of dark tint below the light on the glass. Or just tint the whole window. I agree, they are after you. DRIVE FASTER!!!

industrial · 06-06-2012, 05:55 PM

Do you guys think some vendor will come up with a thin row of LEDs or something to replace the 3rd brake light? That thing is pretty obstructive.

Jayde · 06-06-2012, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by industrial

Do you guys think some vendor will come up with a thin row of LEDs or something to replace the 3rd brake light? That thing is pretty obstructive.

I'm sure someone will come out with something, or there will be DIYs of making your own.

TBH, it doesn't really interfere with my driving. Maybe it's cause I sit a little higher in the car.

06-06-2012, 10:20 AM	#2
Jayde Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: 2013 Satin White Pearl BRZ Limited Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Posts: 2,310 Thanks: 751 Thanked 696 Times in 464 Posts Mentioned: 47 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	It reminds me of my Integra's third brake light, so I'm quite use to it. Although I see what you're talking about. __________________ ◄Tri-State Owners Club, Facebook Group► *BRZerhood*

06-06-2012, 10:23 AM	#3
Lighting Red Habitual Line Crosser. Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: ^ Two of my favorite things. Location: Woodbridge, VA Posts: 327 Thanks: 115 Thanked 166 Times in 55 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	That's not the Center High Mount Stop Light, they're coming for you Longhorn! Drive faster! __________________ But, but, but... It's only 200 hp?!

06-06-2012, 12:01 PM	#9
Snoopyalien24 Mr. Sarcasm Join Date: Sep 2011 Drives: 2016 VW Jetta TSI Sport 5-Speed Location: South Florida Posts: 3,729 Thanks: 1,275 Thanked 753 Times in 491 Posts Mentioned: 34 Post(s) Tagged: 4 Thread(s)	Simple fix.. Buy GTR spoiler and install rear brake light on spoiler __________________ Get your very own FT86CLUB T-shirts/keychains/goodies! CLICK HERE ]

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06-06-2012, 10:31 AM	#5
Draco-REX Corner Junkie Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 13 BRZ, 11 STI, 99 RS Location: Ohio Posts: 2,908 Thanks: 129 Thanked 1,520 Times in 702 Posts Mentioned: 11 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I keep doing that too. When I glance to the right to check my blind spot I see it out of the corner of my eye and wonder where that car came from. I think it's raised to clear the TRD duckbill. Otherwise I have no idea. The Miata's "high mount" is much lower, so I don't think it was a regulated height.

06-06-2012, 11:56 AM	#8
Partial Stall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: '13 WRB BRZ Location: Maine Posts: 101 Thanks: 19 Thanked 15 Times in 11 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You guys sure they are mandatory?

06-06-2012, 05:55 PM	#12
industrial Add lightness! Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: 17' WRX Location: Boston Posts: 1,253 Thanks: 380 Thanked 888 Times in 411 Posts Mentioned: 20 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Do you guys think some vendor will come up with a thin row of LEDs or something to replace the 3rd brake light? That thing is pretty obstructive.

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