Is it possible to replace the rear light cover to have a yellow blinker?

[Bremer Speck]

I was in Paris these past couple of days and saw many Smart Cars. It reminded me, that I do not like the combined rear red brake and signal lights on the US Smarts. Is it possible to replace the cover? The yellow signal light sure is a hell of a lot better than red.

[Bremer Speck]

While in Germany the other day (I am doing Europe in 5 days), I picked-up a cargo cover. The rollershade type kind, which you pull out to cover-up whatever you have got in the trunk. What I liked about it is that it also has a very long flap which attached to the carpet in the "trunk" area by means of a long Velcro strip, so as to keep items from sliding around and falling behind the seats. The cost for the cover was 98 Euros.

[stevenvillatoro]

That would be nice! Will have to visit a Euro smart site and have a look at some pics. Thanks for the idea ...!

[stevenvillatoro]

Same cargo cover that you can get in the US for about $149. It's nice, and installs in seconds.

[Gortok]

Originally Posted by Bremer Speck

Is it possible to replace the cover? The yellow signal light sure is a hell of a lot better than red.

Brake light and turn signal uses the same circuit.
No. It's not likely you can do that mod.

[SmartAzz]

Originally Posted by Bremer Speck

I was in Paris these past couple of days and saw many Smart Cars. It reminded me, that I do not like the combined rear red brake and signal lights on the US Smarts. Is it possible to replace the cover? The yellow signal light sure is a hell of a lot better than red.

I agree whole heartedly - wish I could simply get the Euro lights as I did with the Mini. I hate that they make the turn signals red for the US cars and it really stinks that it appears that it is not wired the same way on the Smarts since the whole lamp, brake light included, blinks

[HGB]

It's unfortunate that you can't put on the yellow lenses because then your brakes will be yellow too. That's not acceptable. smart has saved money by not running extra wires needed for separate lamps. This how most American cars are wired. I discovered this when I tried to install the Kahtec.com flashing brake module.
I had to remove it, and installed instead the flashing 3rd brake light.
When you have a small car you are especially concerned about getting rear ended. The flasher makes it possible that when the brakes are steadily applied, the 3rd brake light will flash rapidly several times until it turns steady. That unit is the only one I can recommend for the smart.

[Lgaruti]

HGB, thanks for the info on Kahtec.com. I just ordered a module. Is there anything trick I should know about the installation? Ie. mounting location etc.

[smartky]

I got to thinking about this and I seem to recall (very faintly) that there is a minimum size requirement for the "major" lights on cars sold in the US. If the taillight were halved, like the European cars, each light would probably below the minimum size requirement. In an attempt to minimize retooling, they probably just went with a more American style of taillight. The reason this comes to mind is that I remember VW increasing the size of it's cars taillights in the early '70s (pre Rabbit) and it had something to do with safety requirements.

[JPaul]

You just got it: the move from three (450) to two slightly larger (451) tail lights was made in order to homologate the car in the US.
(I read this somewhere)