Reason for small lights in rear bumper?

[mazda3hatch]

Hi guys I hope someone can answer this for me. What is the reason for the small wedge shaped lights in the rear bumper? Do they serve any purpose? Thanks.
Thinking of plasti dip for the rear valence and may spray theses as well. Please respond.

 

[fam]

They are reflectors...so when light shines on them when the car is off its easier for someone to see there's a car there from a distance (imagine having your car parked on a dark street with a drunk driver hauling ass...if he sees your car lit up because of those reflectors a lot farther away than if he sees the color of your car from being close...its going to give your 3 a better chance of survival.

I too am plastidipping the back of my 3 (my 08 3 I had professionally painted black after an accident)...but its easy to peel it off the reflectors.

I know legally mazda had to put them on in the USA...but I think you can cover those if you really want to (people used to take the reflectors out of the mustang headlights back in the day and no one got in trouble)....though...I dont recommend it.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

Same idea I plan on doing for mine. I'm pretty sure the reflectors pop off easily. My plan is to get the corksport led lighted ones eventually.

 

[fam]

I believe somewhere else I read the reflectors require the rear bumper to be removed, not an easy pop off....easy would be taping them, plastidipping and immediately pulling off tape or....razor blade around the edges after youve plastidipped.

 

[mazda3hatch]

Ok guys. Thanks for all the replies. I will plasti dip it all then might just peel off the dip from reflectors.
We will see, I will keep you all posted. Still kind of cold here in NY so may have to wait to paint.

 

[fam]

yup...plastidip was in the garage and sputtered like diarreah in this cold...im going to wait until its spring as well ;-)

 

[mazda3hatch]

LOL..... I was almost going to do it today after I took off the sky activ badge. But too cold and a bit windy here. I will try and do it next weekend.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

lol. i better wait as well then.

 

[CTt3P5]

Same idea I plan on doing for mine. I'm pretty sure the reflectors pop off easily. My plan is to get the corksport led lighted ones eventually.

I believe somewhere else I read the reflectors require the rear bumper to be removed, not an easy pop off....easy would be taping them, plastidipping and immediately pulling off tape or....razor blade around the edges after youve plastidipped.

Yeah, I thought the same...figured they'd just pop right out with some pushing but lo and behold they are held on with one screw that is only accessible with the bumper removed. Really wasn't that hard to do...my biggest fear was breaking a clip and trying to explain to the wife why the bumper was sagging. lol But none were broken in the process. Got some before/during/after pics posted in my thread along with pics of the CS LED third brake light. http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123766757-Wife-s-new-baby