kixo

My wife drives an 04 Acura RL, which has brakelights the size of J-LOs behind - big and sassy...so the comparison may be off.....

But I was following a TSX today and was surprised at how small the brakelights are. Small circles that get lost in the fascia.

I hope this doesn't result in more rear end collisions for the TSX. The spy photos of the 09 TSX show the brakelights even smaller!

aaronng

When the brake lights come on, you can see them unless you are blinking.

Zyuan10

my mom was complaining about the little brake lights too... they are easy to miss since they're kinda wrapped around the side of the rear.

ILoveMyHonda

You can get the JDM outer tails.

They are a lil' bigger, and seem to reflect brighter to me.

The JDM tails are not as diffused, the OEM ones are, prolly to reduce glare here in the states.

SoCaliTrojan

that's what those two red reflectors are for below the rear bumper...help improve the chances of the TSX being seen ;-)

I, too, had to get used to having less brake lights. Then again, on my accord's spoiler, there's a long strip of LED's that's hard to miss =P

LoveMyTL-S

You also have the brake light in the back window for more visibility...........

wong05tsx

iTrader: (6)

nice comparison


anyone know if theres a way to wire the rear reflectors to light up too O_O

davidspalding

I'm sure you could, but it's that beside the point? In fact, I'd find that disorienting and distracting, if lights level with the exhaust came on.

The center, rear brake lights were mandated partly, IIRC, for visibility reasons. By putting them in the center where following drivers' eyes are more prone to focus, the center brake light is a better warning.

I was following a TSX the other evening ... with his lights off, and my headlights bouncing on his lower bumper reflectors, he was QUITE noticeable. I wouldn't wire them up. They're doing a fine job as reflectors.

Deity711

I kind of wish both the inner and outer round tail light came on when braking.

I noticed the inner lights only come on when your lights are on, the outer ones are the only ones with dual intensities.

davidspalding

(Addendum) That in mind, I hate-hate-hate people who put vanity stickers over their brake lights, particularly over the center brake light. It's a SAFETY DEVICE, people, not a vanity marquee. (end of rant as David increases his meds)

DLTSX6MT

Ha haaa. The funny thing is they think they're being really innovative, or S-M-R-T, or something, getting their sticker to light up when they step on their brakes. They have no idea that the intense red light just floods it and makes it completely illegible, thereby defeating their supposed purpose. Even moreso, the stickers would be more readable even during the day if they had been placed somewhere other than in front of the brakelight assembly.

timd38

The government has regulations for tail lamps and they pass, so they must be ok.

Daffunda

I've swapped out the incandescent OEM center brake light for LED bar, and they work great.

SoCaliTrojan

I think that'd be an easy fix. Just need to swap the sockets, bulbs, and do a little re-wiring.

HONgDA

iTrader: (1)

If the TSX had LED tail lights than the size wouldn't be a problem since LEDs are brighter.

CoquiTSX

What kind of LED bar did you use? I have been thinking of doing this. Have a picture?

jlukja

I've followed my own TSX on occasion when my wife was driving and I don't think they are too small. They are very visible IMHO, unlike some *cough* TL *cough* that are downright blinding at night.

davidspalding

I was behind some POS Infinity last night.... At a light where we were making a left turn. It might've been my fatigue level, but the brake lights were also the turn signal (who thought that up?), so the left brake light was blinking bright-brighter-bright-brighter ad infinitum. It was BLINDING. Please, LEDs' appeal is low power consumption, not better illumination. I equate LED overuse with a naive understanding of lighting considerations. (Confirmed, Houston, David is mega-grumpy.)

Brake lights don't have to be blinding, just effectively visible. Big difference.

Daffunda

link

dom

There are quite a few hit from behind threads around here.

davidspalding

Many reasons for that, my friend. Sharp breaking, people not realizing you're stopping (really, my only rear impact the guy got out and said, I kid you not, "I thought you were going through the red light"), cell phones in use, flying cement mixers, etc.

Maybe the members who slam into someone else's rear don't want to post as much as the, um, recipients of a rear end job.