Hi there,

My 2007 RDX Tech is being shipped from US to Europe and I am told I face a significant legal issue with its registration and inspection there.

It turns out that according to the European automotive regulation, all cars ought to have an amber/orange rear turn light blinker - RDX's outer tail lights are all red!!!

I have been searching the net left and right, up and down and unable to find any replacement light that will be in line with these regulations...and RDX is not made for European markets at all I am told.

This is really bad news for me....

Can anyone suggest what to do...?

Is there anything else besides the tail lights that need to be adjsuted on the car to make it compliant with local european regulations?

 

Only thing that I can tell you is that there are a few RDXs over there already and none of them have the modifications that you mention are required!
Heres one;

https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rdx-performance-parts-modifications-162/acura-rdx-types-w-pics-762475/

 

I am thinking it is because your are in a country that is not part of European Union yet? I am told the orange blinkers and asymmetric headlights are part of EU regulation...maybe I am wrong....I hope I am...

I have a 2007 RDX and my tail lights a solid red...I noticed you have a white rectangular strip on yours....what is that for?

I wonder based on your mods - did you replace the turn signal bulbs to orange for your outer tail lights? If so, can you send a pic of them working?


Cheers.

 

Well first of all its not my car, its Azzie's.
He lives in the Ukrain... Kiev, UA! Not sure if they are part of the EU.
All RDX tail lens are solid red and have the 'white retangular strip' that you refer to; its for the reverse light!
In the pics I think that he actually darkened his tail lenses and didnt change any bulb colors.

 

Well, thanks for the fantastic advice. I shipped the car to EU member country and now cannot pass the homologation test because of the red side blinker and lack of the tail fog light.

Now you have at least one that was required to have the changes done!!

It's the EU law!!!!!!


Would anyone know if there is an orange bulb for the tail side blinker that I could replace the current one with?


Any suggestions about the tail fog light?


Cheers!

 

I would think that there would be an "advance autoparts" like store over there where you can get aftermarket stuff, not RDX specific though.
In this case it would be difficult, but not impossible I think.
You can find a clear taillight and put the yellow bulb in it? off course that taillight would have to meet Euro spec too........
As for the foglight, you only need ONE red light


perhaps you can embed something in the bumper or trunk lid....I am not suggesting it will look pretty, but it will work I think

EDIT: it doesn't mean that two is wrong

 

I would check on that again....I saw something on TV today, it was in Europe and the car had RED taillights, but when the blinker was on it was yellow light....so you may not need to change the covers after all, maybe a bulb alone will do it.

 

Where are you Germany, France, poland, Austria, UK, APO AE?

Also
Have you looked into peel and stick Amber LED strips for the Amber portion of your problem, paste it to the outmost portion of the tail light. Now as for the curb light I remember from my excursions was red, you say its white now, wow things are different now. Well, US cars that are visiting there, I had no poblems 3 yrs ago. Huh! I can look into the economy there and tell you where to start looking but if you're APO AE then I have different suggestion. Let me know where your at. My German is rusty.

 

I live in a country that is member of the European Union and own an RDX for 2 years. I have no modification on the car exterior and of course is registered here, in Ro. I cannot help with what to do to get it registered, because the company that brought me the car also got this settled, but I know for sure is possible.

Acura is not popular at all here (I see one every 2 months if lucky), but we have lots of Infinity's and Dodge's; all with red rear turn lights.

The red fog light is the most stupid thing ever invented!! It drives me crazy when they turn it on during night, even if there isn't any fog (just to be better seen by cars coming from behind).

 

I am in Poland.

I paid a $400 bribe and got the initial homologation test done because I am stranded. That however does not mean it's all well. The problem is that unlike in the old times (many moons ago) the state is now cracking down on cars driving on streets of Poland that are blatantly not compliant. They are also cracking down on shops with pattern issuing fake homologation certificates on cars imported from outside of EU....

That means that cops are frequently pulling over cars with red rear turn signal (which is by far the most obvious to notice), confiscate your registration until you can produce another proof of completed homologation test. Since it is getting more and more difficult (and expensive) to bribe them I can't afford to go through this very often....

I can't replace the whole light cover - it is solid red and it houses all bulbs in one unit...

I tried installing a green light bulb I imported from Japan but that did not help much.


Acura is not being marketed or sold in Poland at all. Acura RDX is not being marketed or sold in Europe at all and I have not found any after market parts for tail lights (I searched everywhere, literally everywhere on internet)


If you or anyone else can point me to how to install the Amber LED strips I would really really appreciate it....life saver.


My next big headache is the NAV (and the DVD player's region setting) in RDX, GPS receiver settings - any advice ??


If I knew I would have some many problems I would never ship this car to Europe...


I am very very frustrated and sad .... and would appreciate any help at all.



Thanks in advance....CHEERS!

 

...and I forgot to mention that there is no problem driving american cars (even those that are non compliant) but they have to be on american plates i.e. visiting...but I heard indirectly that you can do only do it for a few months...

Also a local "magician" suggested to cut out portion of the red tail light cover on top of the blinker bulb replacing it with amber plastic..... you can only image how this project would look like completed understanding the soft angles and lack of edges on the RDS tail light cover... so I decided against it not willing to ruin the tail light...

 

hi hi


Thanks for these ideas...the more the merrier...at least something to evaluate and consider ... the thought of installing something in the bumper has crossed my mind as well. This would not be as bad as the cutting and replacing a splay fragment of the red tail light cover with amber...

 

I agree with you about the red rear fog light - useless . Had is on my Audi but never used it...bothers my eyes when I see it on the road...


I am guessing that Romanian gov not interested in chasing after american cars just yet...

See my other post where I describe getting the car registered here (in PL) is only half of the ball game.....it used to be that nobody paid attention to this once on the streets , not even police just like you're stating it is in Ro ... all that mattered was securing the initial certificate...... but unfortunately those times are long gone or so it seems ...


Many thanks for replying though...benefits everyone to know..

Cheers.

 

Do it!!! the worst that can happen is that you will need to buy another cover.....but you have to anyways, so why not take the chance. You are only there for an assignment, you are not planning to stay there permanently, so why not....

I just though about another suggestion and that's to SELL the car. If you find the "right" buyer you may even make some money. The RDX is not sold in Europe, so someone that wants to have a unique car may go for it.

Don't be afraid of chopping, cutting or painting, all of that can be fixed once you get back (if you want to keep the car)

 

hmmm..i came across a thread with yours and his posting....

https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rdx-performance-parts-modifications-162/headlamp-led-upgrade-need-advice-719561/


Quoting Azzie:

"RaffN, dammit. It's TURN SIGNALS! They just MUST blink, you know... And turn signals have to be YELLOW here in Europe if you want to know, course"



Anyway - I am inclined to look into LED tail turn signal bulbs based on the above thread...

Do you recommend replacing flasher relay switch (if it can be found somewhere on RDX) or using resistors from V-LED???

Cheers...

 

^ There is no relay to change... you gotta use the resisters.

 

Another option... stick these (in warm white colour) along the upper edge of the outer red tail light lens and hook them up to the turn signal bulb wires.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...wfls_specs.htm

 

Another nice option ... stick like two of these each end (4 in all) on the lower side of the rear spoiler ( the spoiler that sits above the rear window with the one red light in the centre) and hook them to the turn signal bulb wires.... I like this one

http://www.chromeglow.com/catalog.asp?prodid=634712

 

When I was assigned to Germany, they were making Americans remove the OEM High Mounted Stop Light and replace it with a cheap aftermarket rig consisting of big round lights mounted in the rear window with black braces. It identified you as a foreigner from 2 clicks away -- not necessarily a good thing.

It also blocked the rear view, but the OEM, American HMSL did not meet TUV regs and the aftermarket contraption did. After that they went after rear fogs, then side mounted turn signals, etc. We researched it and sold the American spec cars before leaving -- bought a German spec car over there -- blended right in.

 

Perhaps you should consider parking the RDX and getting an EU spec car. Would your company ship the RDX back?

 

Also you can try checking if there is any local shop that can custom change your taillights turn signal section to clear or orange. (Than you can get a purchase an amber bulb)

Afterward you can either use your stock ones or purchase another set.

 

I really love the car - that's why I brought it with me...don't want to part ways with it just yet...

I am researching the effect of very bright amber LED bulbs encased in a red housing like mine...I am told the amber of LED takes over the red...ray of light ???? I will keep you posted...


Today I found out that the my Nav's DVD ROM reader in the car will not accept the EURO Map DVD even though it is made by the same vendor - NavTeq...go figure

I am so tired hearing the pre-canned bullshit answer with (1) Acura Dealers in the states (2) Acura Cust Service (3) Alpine customer service "That the system is made for north america only"...wtf ?! .. what does it really mean?

"Tell me what makes it incompatible, is there a region on the device" I ask them...."geez I only know it is not going to work oversees" they answer ... wtf again ?!

When will the the American manufacturers finally learn about benefits of open standards, globalisation and versatility......guess the experience of NTSC, Beta Max and 110V is not worth much....omg...but wait this is not an american manufacturer, its japanese... sony beta max anyone



Auch....I guess so much for having a Technology package on my RDX....



Sooooooo frustrating....

 

Sorry to ask this, but did you inquire about what you needed to do to the car before shipping it?
I am wondering if there is such information available BEFORE you ship the car. We could be assigned overseas too, in my case I would probably get a car wherever that is and try to bring it back, or take with me something that's not available there and considered "exotic"

 

This is what you need for navigation over there!!

https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rdx-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-159/replace-navigation-system-785322/

 

yes, was just browsing pm from the vendor...pricey.....over $1100 ...but if all else will fail me then.....

any idea what kind of pc is in the glove comp on the pic there?

 

I asked on this forum...see my initial post and responses...

Dealer has no clue Navi does not work outside of US. The standard dumb ass answer you get from them is "I don't see any reason why it shouldn't" ...

The heard about the blinkers but someone said that green bulbs will solve the issue....I trusted when I shouldn't again

Anyway, cars are very expensive here. I would have to take a hit of sale in the US and pay more here so double whammy....


The best resource is to speak to local mechanics ahead of time if you can....they wont be able to tell you about Navi DVD compatibility but at least should something about the light requirements.

I know for a fact the headlights in EU must be asymmetric....US headlights are symmetric...and XEON's are almost impossible to adjust.....the good news is once you bribe your way through initial certificate cops can't pull you over for having symmetric lights - impossible to spot without sophisticated metering equipment......not so much luck with going unnoticed with rear red turn signal vs. amber.....

The amount of attention you get on these things varies from country to country in EU...even region to region...sometimes it is one bribe and you are set...other times it is more of a ongoing issue even after the initial spend...

 

I thought there was a thread where someone put working lights in the space in the rear bumper where the reflectors are located? Maybe that would solve the rear fog light problem.

 

Definitely!!! How do I locate this thread...?

 

Well ......... my experiment worked!

I replaced the original 7440 turn signal bulbs with the 36 LED 7443 bulb and the amber is getting through the red plastic cover very nicely I tested in daylight and it looks good so I assume it will only get better at night.

Now I have hyperflashing but the fix for this is coming in the form of resistors.

Total cost $22.00 with shipping. Amazing.....


Now if I could only fix my NAV to work in Europe without spending a fortune....

 

Congrats...Now just buy an external GPS unit and problem solved...

 

internal GPS unit is actually working....I checked the diagnostics screen and coords were correct and updating in real-time. It is the DVD player for the maps that is the problem , an expensive one I may add

 

So your GPS is NOT working, regardless of the culprit....just buy the external unit until you can fix it....

 

Our friends from Russia have the same problem.
You can see the result here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkg0o9Ubtmc
and here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fChL2...eature=related