Warning triangle

[savaho]

Do the warning triangles only come with the non-US spec cars?

[Lups]

Originally Posted by savaho

Do the warning triangles only come with the non-US spec cars?

I haven't seen anyone using one here, and it's a shame. Back home we walk for hundreds of meters to get them in position where people actually still have time to be warned. At least here the hazards are used for everything, and that sucks.

[JL M3]

They come with US spec cars. Attached to inside of trunk lid. We were instructed to carry it home at the end of our ED trip so it's sitting next to me right now.

[savaho]

I looked everywhere for it and can't find it. It's supposed to be attached to the boot lid no?

[JL M3]

Originally Posted by savaho

I looked everywhere for it and can't find it. It's supposed to be attached to the boot lid no?

Yes it's a big red stick that's right there when you open the trunk. Hmmm, now I'm wondering if it's only on us-spec cars that do ED. Can't be right?

[GBPackerfan1963]

Originally Posted by JL M3

Yes it's a big red stick that's right there when you open the trunk. Hmmm, now I'm wondering if it's only on us-spec cars that do ED. Can't be right?

Correct. Winner, winer Chicken Dinner. They only come on ED cars. That is the reason they tell you to take them with you, because if you leave them in the vehicle, they will not be there upon re-delivery.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by GBPackerfan1963

Correct. Winner, winer Chicken Dinner. They only come on ED cars. That is the reason they tell you to take them with you, because if you leave them in the vehicle, they will not be there upon re-delivery.

Correct, US laws make them not supply the triangles with US cars in the US.

Maybe I should start a export business with all Euro BMW parts easily available here that arnt found in the US

[TT1351]

It's required in the EU to have these triangles, that's why ED cars have them and US delivered cars do not is my understanding. Taking them with you ensures it's not pilfered on the trip back home. I purchased one some years ago for my 135i from a dealer who supports this forum.

[NewNole2001]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Correct, US laws make them not supply the triangles with US cars in the US.

Maybe I should start a export business with all Euro BMW parts easily available here that arnt found in the US

Can someone explain this to me? I was told to remove the warning triangle and the first aid kit before I dropped off my car. What laws do we have that disallow importation of cars with this stuff? I realize a lot of our laws are ass-backwards, but I cannot fathom why the US would forbid importation of cars with a first aid kit or a reflective piece of plastic inside the trunk.

[GBPackerfan1963]

Originally Posted by NewNole2001

Can someone explain this to me? I was told to remove the warning triangle and the first aid kit before I dropped off my car. What laws do we have that disallow importation of cars with this stuff? I realize a lot of our laws are ass-backwards, but I cannot fathom why the US would forbid importation of cars with a first aid kit or a reflective piece of plastic inside the trunk.

It's some Federal DOT law. Obscure, but this is the United States of America.

[NewNole2001]

Originally Posted by GBPackerfan1963

It's some Federal DOT law. Obscure, but this is the United States of America.

That much I've gathered, but what part of the DOT laws/regulations say "Thou shalt not have a shiny plastic triangle in cars imported to/sold in the US." I've seen the regs that disallow fancy pants Euro headlights, but not the stuff about warning triangles and first aid kits. Is it considered an accessory or something?

[M4TW]

The cars have to be exactly as speced for the US market (or Canada) when they are shipped. The triangle and first aid kit are not included in cars sold in NA because they don't have to be (to save costs). As such they are non-factory items when shipped and the cars can only be shipped as bone factory cars. For similar reasons, you can't leave any luggage in the car either but you can leave the owner's manual in the glovebox.

BMW is cheap when it comes to certain items and will only include what they have to for certain markets. If they can save a few bucks on not having to equip vehicles with a triangle and first aid kit, they will.

Similarly, and more egregiously, US bound cars have individual tire pressure monitoring (required by DOT) but Canadian cars still only get flat tire monitoring (it will tell you you have a flat tire but won't say which one or display tire pressures).

That said, I packed the triangle and first aid kit in my luggage to put back in the car because these are useful items. I'll even throw in the BMW roadside vest I bought at the BMW Welt store (also mandatory in Europe).

[NewNole2001]

See, that's what I figured. And, like you, I brought my warning triangle, first aid kit, and gas station warning vest back with me.

I did accidentally leave a cigarette lighter USB phone charger plugged in and a USB cable attached to it. I'm not expecting that to be there when the car arrives at my dealer.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by NewNole2001

Can someone explain this to me? I was told to remove the warning triangle and the first aid kit before I dropped off my car. What laws do we have that disallow importation of cars with this stuff? I realize a lot of our laws are ass-backwards, but I cannot fathom why the US would forbid importation of cars with a first aid kit or a reflective piece of plastic inside the trunk.

For the warning triangles I have heard its because US DOT laws say they have to pass a 40mph wind test. This requires a large heavy base, so would not fit in the spaces provided for Euro spec ones.

So BMW leaves it out because its not required by law like most of the rest of the world.


As for the First aid kits, again US health and safety laws say specific items included in the euro kits are not allowed (heard metal scissors is one)
Apparently this is also different in different states, so difficult to comply with.

So again BMW leaves it out as a standard item

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by NewNole2001

and gas station warning vest back with me.

Gas station warning vest ?

You mean the yellow reflective vests ?
Those are not for gas stations but for if you are stuck on the side of the road so you can be seen by passing traffic.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by M4TW

Similarly, and more egregiously, US bound cars have individual tire pressure monitoring (required by DOT) but Canadian cars still only get flat tire monitoring (it will tell you you have a flat tire but won't say which one or display tire pressures).

Most of the world only gets the flat tire monitor, even on the larger models
Only lately have they offered TPMS as a option, but its still not standard in most places other than the USA.

Costs a extra $320 here on a 3 Series

[GregW / Oregon]

I purchased the Euro triangle for my E92. Need to find the trunk holder to mount it in my F82. LeatherZ used to carry them, but I don't see them on their website now.

[NewNole2001]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Gas station warning vest ?

You mean the yellow reflective vests ?
Those are not for gas stations but for if you are stuck on the side of the road so you can be seen by passing traffic.

I mentioned gas station as in I bought mine at a Gas Station and not at the Welt. I read that it was much cheaper to pick up a vest at a Gas Station rather than at the Welt.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

I purchased the Euro triangle for my E92. Need to find the trunk holder to mount it in my F82. LeatherZ used to carry them, but I don't see them on their website now.

The trunk mount for the F82 will need the newer smaller red warning triangle, not the old large blue pre-LCI E92 one.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by NewNole2001

I mentioned gas station as in I bought mine at a Gas Station and not at the Welt. I read that it was much cheaper to pick up a vest at a Gas Station rather than at the Welt.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

The trunk mount for the F82 will need the newer smaller red warning triangle, not the old large blue pre-LCI E92 one.

Good to know - thanks. Yeah, that trunk is so light it probably wouldn't open with the older one. I wonder if the will be in the US parts/accessories availability?

[M4TW]

Originally Posted by NewNole2001

I mentioned gas station as in I bought mine at a Gas Station and not at the Welt. I read that it was much cheaper to pick up a vest at a Gas Station rather than at the Welt.

They were only €3,50 each and have a BNW logo on them. So they have a swag factor. This is to help passing motorists know when to laugh at you when you have a break-down.