Red triangle on rear, fog light?

[eriktherod]

I've heard the red triangle is a rear fog light for European cars. It's not a brake light for sure, but I don't have fog lights to test!

Anyone have the fog lights and know if it would work on our US cars too? I sure hope it's not just a plastic placeholder!

[WolfsFang]

I dont think its a fog light but in japan it is a standard feature that all cars must have.

[ichitaka05]

Yes, that rear triangle thing is rear fog light.

You gotta buy the kit UK or JP, cuz I highly doubt US gonna get it

[Bristecom]

Yeah, the US models don't have a light inside so it's just an empty reflector. I still think it looks cool though. I would have it flash like a Formula 1 car in the rain/fog. LOL

[FrX]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

I would have it flash like a Formula 1 car in the rain/fog. LOL

I am thinking about modding it to do this for kicks at some point in the future. With the ability to turn it off for normal driving, of course.

[Moto-P]

Originally Posted by FrX

I am thinking about modding it to do this for kicks at some point in the future. With the ability to turn it off for normal driving, of course.

It is a TUV requirement in Germany and other European nations to have red static fog-lamp in the center. This is disabled in the USA and Japan as this is actually not legal to have in the USA, or Japan to have such brightly lit rear lamp under Japan Ministry of Transportation, or the Department of Transportation in the USA.
The FT86 Team designers left it in the external design to mimic the racy feel of F1... I sort of like it and hate it at the same time... Love the passion, but sort of non-functionally gimmicky at the same time. Hehe!

I suppose it can be modified to use smaller bulbs to make a 4th brake light...

I was thinking, since I have a few occasions where my personal cars become Safety Car or Pace Car at local track events, to install a high intensity strobe flasher for track use.
Either that, it use it as a cover for a tow-hitch for when eventually, I'd have to tow something small to ractracks...like cones and supplies? LOL
I wish Five Axis would gimme the mini-soapbox FRS for me to convert into a trailer!! Hahah!

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Moto-P

..This is disabled in the USA and Japan as this is actually not legal to have in the USA, or Japan to have such brightly lit rear lamp under Japan Ministry of Transportation, or the Department of Transportation in the USA....

Hmmm, didn't realize it was illegal in the US, thanks for that tidbit. I was thinking of "activating" it if I ever added the fog lights since the punchout for the light is there in the reflector. Have to research it further...

[nix]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

I would have it flash like a Formula 1 car in the rain/fog. LOL

You could tap into the wiper stem 12v wire to trigger it when you enable that.

[FrX]

I mostly wanted it for track use. Similar to the "safety car" idea of Moto-P's.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by FrX

I mostly wanted it for track use. Similar to the "safety car" idea of Moto-P's.

The reflector has the punch-out for a bulb and wiring. For the purpose you want, I don't see any reason why you couldn't do it.

[blalor]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Hmmm, didn't realize it was illegal in the US, thanks for that tidbit. I was thinking of "activating" it if I ever added the fog lights since the punchout for the light is there in the reflector. Have to research it further...

I question that statement. The rear fog is an option on all MINIs, and I see plenty of tools driving Audis and Volvos with them on all the time.

I'm waiting for one of our European friends to get one so we can figure out how it's activated. I want to retro-fit mine.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by blalor

I question that statement. The rear fog is an option on all MINIs, and I see plenty of tools driving Audis and Volvos with them on all the time.

I'm waiting for one of our European friends to get one so we can figure out how it's activated. I want to retro-fit mine.

Well according to what I could find through a quick search, they aren't illegal, just not required. Here's a Wikipedia reference, but there were others.

[AzFranz]

Originally Posted by Moto-P

It is a TUV requirement in Germany and other European nations to have red static fog-lamp in the center. This is disabled in the USA and Japan as this is actually not legal to have in the USA, or Japan to have such brightly lit rear lamp under Japan Ministry of Transportation, or the Department of Transportation in the USA.
The FT86 Team designers left it in the external design to mimic the racy feel of F1... I sort of like it and hate it at the same time... Love the passion, but sort of non-functionally gimmicky at the same time. Hehe!

I suppose it can be modified to use smaller bulbs to make a 4th brake light...

I was thinking, since I have a few occasions where my personal cars become Safety Car or Pace Car at local track events, to install a high intensity strobe flasher for track use.
Either that, it use it as a cover for a tow-hitch for when eventually, I'd have to tow something small to ractracks...like cones and supplies? LOL
I wish Five Axis would gimme the mini-soapbox FRS for me to convert into a trailer!! Hahah!

Great idea using it for a strobe placement. I use whelen kits and their LED system. This would be perfect. Also, did you notice int he trunk the spare tire kit comes with a tow hook to screw in the front or rear bumper!? I love this car and thought behind it. 11 years living in Japan and I never saw ingenuity like this.

[russv]

I would like to hook it up to brake light system- would certainly get the attention of someone behind you, especially low riders?