Last Call- Trip The License Light Fantastic Edition

Robert Emslie

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Audi Lights

The other night I was heading down the 5 freeway – because that’s just how I roll – when I came upon something that I’ve never seen before. The Audi A6 ahead of me – this one powered by the 2.0T – had these odd reflections on its bumper. At first I thought they were from my headlights and that some kind soul had generously fitted my car with Xenon HIDs, but then I saw my own beams weakly reflected in the bumper cap.

It was then that I realized what I was seeing was the Audi’s LED license plate lights, their remarkably blue-white light shining down on the bumper in such a way that made them glaringly noticeable. I’ve never seen license plate lights reflect like that, and doing so made me wonder if this is some aftermarket lighting kit, or if Audi’s designers and engineers just don’t work nights.

Image: ©2013 Robert Emslie, Al Rights Reserved.

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Robert Emslie

Robert Emslie

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19 responses to “Last Call- Trip The License Light Fantastic Edition”

  1. OA5599 Avatar
    OA5599

    How bright do they need to be in order to confuse the traffic cameras?
    Speaking of license plates, I saw my first Tesla Model S on the road yesterday. No visible license plate anywhere in sight, but the plate frame held a sign identifying the car as a zero emissions vehicle.

    Reply
    1. BobWellington Avatar
      BobWellington

      I saw my first Model S as well a few weeks ago. Made my day. It looks quite good from the rear, but I'm not a huge fan of the grille area in the front.

      Reply
  2. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    Most definitely aftermarket. FMVSS108 regs specifically prohibit license lights from reflecting to the rear like that.

    Reply
    1. mr. mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
      mr. mzs zsm msz esq

      Hi T, I got the the art work! It's WAY bigger than I expected and awesome, thanks. It will b going-up in my youngest's room temporarily. Then when my wife is out of the country I plan on replacing some art she got in Wisconsin that is across from the fireplace, hee hee hee.

      Reply
      1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
        Peter Tanshanomi

        My wife nixed putting it in the hallway outside the bedrooms, even though it's the only place in the house big enough for it.

        Reply
        1. mr. mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
          mr. mzs zsm msz esq

          You could tack it up above the bed like some teenagers do. But I'm really thinking that once our wives see how it improves the look of the space, they will reconsider. Plus if it's framed…

          Reply
  3. JayP2112 Avatar
    JayP2112

    OT for Monday:
    Spent the weekend at COTA with my local HPDE but because of the quick announcement, my car wasn't anywhere near ready. I wasn't either.
    But this place is fantastic. It was like walking into a video game. Nothing was out of place. When was the last time you ever saw each garage area with 8 car bays and a bathroom? I thought so…
    A few weeks ago COTA cancelled all HPDEs for 2013. There was some outrage on teh nets, Facebook was a twitter.
    Rick and his team were able to make a case to run the track, allowing civilians to run where both the facility and the HPDE were satisfied. From the comments made at the track and on teh webs it was a great success. I hope the local Porsche and BMW guys have as much fun at the track and that COTA appreciates the local interest.
    Link: http://www.kxan.com//dpp/news/local/austin/kxan-a…

    Reply
  4. lilpoindexter Avatar
    lilpoindexter

    The 5 near Griffith park?

    Reply
  5. RichardKopf Avatar
    RichardKopf

    Oh, I bought this:
    <img src="http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/hoopd87/GM5_zpsbca42f61.jpg&quot; width=500>

    Reply
    1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      Very nice! The Town Cow approves.

      Reply
  6. HSA Avatar
    HSA

    Don't know about reflections, but has anyone else noticed the license plate lights blinking in some Audi A4s? Sometimes driving behind an A4, I've noticed it's license plate lights doing a very short blip about once per second, at a very steady rate.

    Reply
    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      That's due to the frequency of some LED lights. I see it in my in car mirror a lot – those fog light placed LED lights seem to "vibrate" a lot.

      Reply
      1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
        Peter Tanshanomi

        Also, many LED taillights are voltage regulated at a fairly low frequency and seem to "strobe" or stutter when you move your gaze past them quickly. Caddies seem to be the biggest offenders. Rather annoying, and unnecessary.

        Reply
        1. rennsport964 Avatar
          rennsport964

          Cadillacs are the worst by far. They appear to have the lowest refresh frequency of any car out there. Second worst are the white front markers of current Mercedes models, which appear to bounce around in the rearview mirror.
          Side note: in Seattle, both I-5 and SR-520 have variable speed limit signs overhead. They're color displays, but due to the strobe effect, I get streaks of red, green, and blue in my vision every time I sweep my eyes across the highway. It's extremely distracting.

          Reply
        2. Matt Avatar
          Matt

          I've actually found that the 1st gen Fusion/Milan twins to be the worst, with a close second prize going to Any Volvo wagon with LED taillights…

          Reply
  7. danleym Avatar
    danleym

    Not sure if this was the inspiration for your title, but I'd like to share my all time favorite drag race car from the late 60s- SS/AMX #26, for a time known as "Trippin the Lights Fantastic"
    <img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa255/tmbenvie/ss%20amx/l_3f84a17bdfa34020bcfd9bc179a34575.jpg&quot; width=500>
    This next one is the best color picture I could find:
    <img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa255/tmbenvie/ss%20amx/ssamxj.jpg&quot; width=500>
    The car is still around, but is currently painted as one of it's other owners raced it, the "Sheriff of Nottingham"
    <img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa255/tmbenvie/DSC02580.jpg&quot; width=500>

    Reply
    1. topdeadcentre Avatar
      topdeadcentre

      Oooo! Looks like fun!

      Reply
  8. c0de Avatar
    c0de

    It's an aftermarket mod, and the most popular mod probably on audizine..
    (one of the reasons why i stopped going there)

    Reply
  9. Norma K. Staton Avatar
    Norma K. Staton

    I think they call this as Brizzle. Fiber glass cases with small led lights that alternate in flashing. It is very distracting though.

    Reply