tbone Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Well these Mercedes were most definitely driving with the emblem illuminated, so perhaps they found a way to overide the off condition. I have seen at least three this way. It is very suttle though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 The Mercedes logos are indeed lit while driving. I see them all the time. I think they may get around regulations because the logo itself is not illuminated. They instead place LEDs on the sides of the logo (that don't point/light forward) that sort of outline the start by light, rather than the star itself being illuminated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 What's wrong with an illuminated logo? The Raptor has 3 LEDs across the front grille. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 What's wrong with an illuminated logo? The Raptor has 3 LEDs across the front grille. DOT is very strict on front lights - no more than 4 on at the same time. That's why fog lights go off when you hit the brights on cars that use dual bulbs for high beams. It's very archaic and doesn't always make sense but those are the laws right now and it's easy to see why a lighted logo or other lights *might* technically be a violation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 DOT is very strict on front lights - no more than 4 on at the same time. That's why fog lights go off when you hit the brights on cars that use dual bulbs for high beams. It's very archaic and doesn't always make sense but those are the laws right now and it's easy to see why a lighted logo or other lights *might* technically be a violation. Yeah, I get all that, that's why I mentioned the Raptor's lights. They are in the front grille. I guess DOT (or any other government entity) was never known for being sensible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Yeah, I get all that, that's why I mentioned the Raptor's lights. They are in the front grille. I guess DOT (or any other government entity) was never known for being sensible. Seems more like laziness - not wanting to update the current requirements that I think are basically unchanged for at least 30 years. Audi is pushing hard for changes though and I think I heard that they are looking at modifications in light of new technologies (pun intended). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnostic Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 (edited) Yeah, I get all that, that's why I mentioned the Raptor's lights. They are in the front grille. I guess DOT (or any other government entity) was never known for being sensible. I think those three lights are required for vehicles over a certain GVW. usually they are on the top of the cab. Ford found a loop hole and put them in the grill because they did not want their fancy truck to look commercial. Edited October 12, 2016 by Gnostic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Seems more like laziness - not wanting to update the current requirements that I think are basically unchanged for at least 30 years. Audi is pushing hard for changes though and I think I heard that they are looking at modifications in light of new technologies (pun intended). Agreed. Good to hear changes may be in the works. It would be cool to have some of the adaptive light technologies that are available overseas. I think those three lights are required for vehicles over a certain GVW. usually they are on the top of the cab. Ford found a loop hole and put them in the grill because they did not want their fancy truck to look commercial. It's actually width, not GVW. But, the point is, if it's required for vehicles over a certain width, why is it not OK for other vehicles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 What's wrong with an illuminated logo? The Raptor has 3 LEDs across the front grille. Also, the illuminated stars aren't as bright as the picture I posted, at least the ones I've seen. Agreed. Good to hear changes may be in the works. It would be cool to have some of the adaptive light technologies that are available overseas. It's actually width, not GVW. But, the point is, if it's required for vehicles over a certain width, why is it not OK for other vehicles? Yeah, I was going to say it's width not weight. I think those lights are ok because they don't actually provide light.....and by that I mean, they're not projecting light in front of you that could blind other drivers, they're just there as indicators. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Also, the illuminated stars aren't as bright as the picture I posted, at least the ones I've seen. Yeah, I was going to say it's width not weight. I think those lights are ok because they don't actually provide light.....and by that I mean, they're not projecting light in front of you that could blind other drivers, they're just there as indicators. I would say the same for an illuminated logo. But, we don't make the rules, we just analyze how ridiculous they may be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 I would say the same for an illuminated logo. But, we don't make the rules, we just analyze how ridiculous they may be. Oh, I agree with you for sure.....I'm just (perhaps stupidly) trying to apply logic to the rule. That does make me wonder....if there's the "4 lights" rule, how to the running lights/DRLs that stay on with the headlights at night (though dimmed from the daytime mode) get around that? Like if the vehicle has fog lights as well, should the running lights technically turn off too? Or are they just considered part of the headlights? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Oh, I agree with you for sure.....I'm just (perhaps stupidly) trying to apply logic to the rule. That does make me wonder....if there's the "4 lights" rule, how to the running lights/DRLs that stay on with the headlights at night (though dimmed from the daytime mode) get around that? Like if the vehicle has fog lights as well, should the running lights technically turn off too? Or are they just considered part of the headlights? From my understanding, it can be only 4 bulbs, so I'm guessing that there is never more than 4 on at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 From my understanding, it can be only 4 bulbs, so I'm guessing that there is never more than 4 on at once. Right. But in many vehicles you have the headlights (2), foglights (2), and then DRLs (in dimmer night mode), which often themselves technically consist of dozens of bulbs...well, LEDs.....I guess they're just not considered a light? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Right. But in many vehicles you have the headlights (2), foglights (2), and then DRLs (in dimmer night mode), which often themselves technically consist of dozens of bulbs...well, LEDs.....I guess they're just not considered a light? But are they all on at the same time? I don't know that I've seen them all on at once. I'm not sure how the dozen or so LEDs get past the laws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 The regs address multiple bulb filaments. I'm guessing but I believe most vehicles with the led drls/running lights only have one headlamp bulb and no added fog lights, so keeping them on at night is not a violation. Or they turn off at night like true DRLs. I'll have to test that on the MKX. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 But are they all on at the same time? I don't know that I've seen them all on at once. I'm not sure how the dozen or so LEDs get past the laws. Yup, most cars have all the lights on. here's an example: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 The regs address multiple bulb filaments. I'm guessing but I believe most vehicles with the led drls/running lights only have one headlamp bulb and no added fog lights, so keeping them on at night is not a violation. Or they turn off at night like true DRLs. I'll have to test that on the MKX. Nope. Saw an MKX just last night (and the MKC I had for Date Night) that had the full headlights, running lights, and the lower accent lights (MKX doesn't have true fogs) all on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 OK, then I'm saying the reason the logo isn't lit has nothing to do with regulations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 I think it may be ok because the led lights are part of the headlamp assembly so it doesn't count as an additional light. Not sure about the rest. The regs are so complicated I gave up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 The LED lights in the lower bumper of the MKX aren't as bright as the DRLs in the headlights. This was likely done to meet regulations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Illuminated emblem reminds me of the opera lights on "brougham" cars. I wonder if we are going to illuminate the emblem, will the gold package come back? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucelinc Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 It hadn't occurred to me that such a silly little thing would cause so much discussion! Maybe the 2018s will have a light bar like the original Sable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 It hadn't occurred to me that such a silly little thing would cause so much discussion! Maybe the 2018s will have a light bar like the original Sable. Slow news day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKX1960 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 I have seen Mercedes with lit emblems in the grill. Are those OEM or aftermarket? Didn't Mercury have a lighted logo or center section of the grill in the 90'0? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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