California Brake Lights? | FerrariChat
Buy

California Brake Lights?

Discussion in 'California(Portofino)/Roma(Amalfi)' started by ddemuro, May 23, 2009.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. ddemuro

    ddemuro Formula 3

    Nov 16, 2006
    2,129
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Doug
    #1 ddemuro, May 23, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I got the opportunity to see a California on the move this week (albeit on a dealer lot) and realized something that I'm surprised hasn't been made a larger issue here and elsewhere. The rear of the car, which of course is the most-scorned bit, incorporates two sets of lights: two circular lights at the top, and another set in the off-color area near the license plate. The odd thing is that it appears that the circular lights contain neither the brake lights nor the reverse lights, as the California I saw had both of those lights in the smaller cluster next to the license plate. Does anyone know what the function of the circular lights is? Turn signals? Tail lights? Just for show?

    I have to say that with the brake lights being mounted on the lower end, the car looks rather odd from behind when stopping, not unlike the first-generation Land Rover Freelander, which had its brake lights in the rear bumper despite having unused reflectors where brake lights should have been just below the back window.

    See very quickly-done attached MS Paint drawing. Can anyone shed some light :)D) on this?
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. #Lennard

    #Lennard Formula 3

    Aug 26, 2006
    1,073
    Zeewolde/Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Lennard
    #2 #Lennard, May 23, 2009
    Last edited: May 23, 2009
    What a coincidence. I was just looking at some Cali pictures and noticed that too.

    I'll see if i can find them again.
     
  3. #Lennard

    #Lennard Formula 3

    Aug 26, 2006
    1,073
    Zeewolde/Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Lennard
    #3 #Lennard, May 23, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  4. #Lennard

    #Lennard Formula 3

    Aug 26, 2006
    1,073
    Zeewolde/Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Lennard
    #4 #Lennard, May 23, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  5. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

    Dec 7, 2003
    16,489
    Winston Salem, NC
    #5 Ricambi America, May 23, 2009
    Last edited: May 23, 2009
    I believe it is a legal requirement in most countries that brake lights cannot be mounted on a movable piece of bodywork. Because the entire rear deck opens for the hardtop, it is considered movable bodywork.

    But then again... Ford GT, IIRK, has lights on the deck. And so did the Boxer. Maybe I'm nuts....
     
  6. $$$=SPEED

    $$$=SPEED F1 Veteran

    Aug 18, 2004
    5,330
    Portland, Or. USA
    Full Name:
    Depends who's asking
    #6 $$$=SPEED, May 23, 2009
    Correct. The top lights are merely running lights as the truck lid lifts up for the top. Per Federal regs they cannot be movable trun signals or brake lights hence the lower position
     
  7. ddemuro

    ddemuro Formula 3

    Nov 16, 2006
    2,129
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Doug
    #7 ddemuro, May 23, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Don't forget...
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  8. erdero

    erdero Karting

    May 3, 2005
    234
    Full Name:
    Eric
    #8 erdero, May 23, 2009
    The "top" rear lights aren't on when the headlights aren't on, but at night, they're running lights and glow, while the "lower" rear lights remain the brake lights. Kind of took me by surprise when I learned about it, too.
     
  9. RWP137

    RWP137 Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2013
    1,621
    AZ
    Full Name:
    Rick
    #9 RWP137, Oct 30, 2025 at 9:07 PM
    Stopped by the dealer today to get a rear turn signal bulb replaced. They told me the brake lights were out too and that they’d need more time to diagnose the issue.
    Here’s my diagnosis after finding this thread. The Ferrari dealer techs don’t know where the brake lights are on a California. Mine are working just fine.
    Part of me wants to make an appointment and see where this goes.
     
    Randy R likes this.

Share This Page