[R129 SL] Headlight for 1991 500SL

[Mike Preiss]

Your comment made me curious, as I too live in California. So I checked the
California Motor Vehicle Code. To be honest, regulations are inconsistent.
Paragraph 24403 defines fog lamps and the proper adjustment thereof. If they
are properly adjusted, they may be used with headlamps without regard to
weather conditions. Auxiliary driving lamps are defined in paragraph 24402,
and these may not be used with the low beam headlamps, which is a bit
strange. Running lamps are defined in Paragraph 25109 and these may not be
used at night except if the vehicle is parked! Now here's the real kicker -
the definitions of all three types of lights overlap. The lower lights on
the front of an R129 would seem to fit all the descriptions - so you may
either use them at night, use them but not with your low beams, or only use
them when parked or during the daytime. Jeesh!
However, if you are right, that the R129 lower lamps are "really and truely
fog lights" as you say, then the vehicle code allows them to be used, day or
night, foggy or not.

Mike
'91 500SL

----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Devenis" <thumper@anantelecom.net>
To: <r129list@mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2002 3:58 PM
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] Headlight for 1991 500SL


> Excuse me but here in California it is a violation to use "driving lights"
when
> there is no adverse weather situation. These are really and truely fog
lights.
> And the additional glare is not a minor issue as you would know if you
ever had
> anyone with such lights sit on your ass on a dark road for any amount of
time.
>
> Mike Preiss wrote:
>
> > I don't mean this to sound flippant - Have you tried turning on the
driving
> > lights? Here in the US, most people think of them as "fog" lights, but
in
> > reality they are intended for night driving in all conditions. They
light up
> > an awful lot of pavement.  And because they are mounted so low, they
don't
> > create exceptional glare for opposing drivers.
> >
> > Mike
> > '91 500SL
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Arthur Rieders" <art@havencraft.com>
> > To: <r129list@mbcoupes.com>
> > Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2002 6:17 PM
> > Subject: [R129 SL] Headlight for 1991 500SL
> >
> > > I have the stock bulbs (replaced a couple of years ago).  But compared
to
> > > my newer vehicles, the light output is anemic. Are there any after
market
> > > replacements that would help to increase the brightness.  I am using
9004
> > > bulbs which claim to be 100 Watts.
> > >
> > >
> > > The MB Coupes Website!
> > > R129 SL Mailing List
> > >
> >
> > The MB Coupes Website!
> > R129 SL Mailing List
>
>
> The MB Coupes Website!
> R129 SL Mailing List
>