Question on turn signals

Is there a standard for color on rear turn signals? Most I see are
amber, presumably to distinguish them from brake lights (as when a
driver is pumping his brakes). But I've noticed that some are also red.
Just tonight, on a Z, I saw the rear turn signal was white. Is this an
after-market change?

Also, in what year did most US automakers change over to amber front
turn signals? 63? 64?

wrote:

> Is there a standard for color on rear turn signals? Most I see are
> amber, presumably to distinguish them from brake lights (as when a
> driver is pumping his brakes). But I've noticed that some are also red.

FMVSS 108 specifies red or amber color turn signals. The corresponding
Canadian standard also allows the same colors. The ECE standard, which
is used in most other countries, only allows amber turn signals.

> Just tonight, on a Z, I saw the rear turn signal was white. Is this an
> after-market change?

That is an aftermarket change, and is most likely illegal.

Sounds like someone put in aftermarket clear lenses - but those lenses
should be used with colored bulbs so they still light up the correct
color. Or often there will be a colored diffuser built into the lens
inside where you can't see it so the lens looks white/clear when the
bulb is not on, but is the correct color when used. If it's lighting
up clear, you're asking for trouble from the police, depending on what
state/city you are in. About the only cars you can get away with having
clear T/S lenses and bulbs are the FRONT ones on 50s/60's vehicles that
were equipped that way new.

Arif Khokar wrote:
> wrote:
>
> > Is there a standard for color on rear turn signals? Most I see are
> > amber, presumably to distinguish them from brake lights (as when a
> > driver is pumping his brakes). But I've noticed that some are also red.
>
> FMVSS 108 specifies red or amber color turn signals. The corresponding
> Canadian standard also allows the same colors. The ECE standard, which
> is used in most other countries, only allows amber turn signals.
>
> > Just tonight, on a Z, I saw the rear turn signal was white. Is this an
> > after-market change?
>
> That is an aftermarket change, and is most likely illegal.

Oops, forgot to add, not sure about US cars, but the VW's I'm familiar
with switched those front bulbs from clear to amber early in the 1964
model year. (around Oct 1963)

Arif Khokar wrote:
> wrote:
>
>> Is there a standard for color on rear turn signals? Most I see are
>> amber, presumably to distinguish them from brake lights (as when a
>> driver is pumping his brakes). But I've noticed that some are also red.
>
>
> FMVSS 108 specifies red or amber color turn signals. The corresponding
> Canadian standard also allows the same colors. The ECE standard, which
> is used in most other countries, only allows amber turn signals.

As far as I can tell red vs. amber is a styling thing. I have a '99
Taurus which has red turn signals. The very similar '98 model has amber
turn signals.

John Mara