Interpretation ID: aiam3704
Manager
Mazda (North America) Inc.
23777 Greenfield Road - Suite 462
Southfield
MI 48075;
Dear Mr. Nakaya: This is in reply to your letter of May 24, 1983, asking whether th headlamp bezel is considered a 'styling ornament or other feature' for purposes of paragraph 5.2 of SAE J580 *Sealed Beam Headlamp Assembly*, Aug 79 incorporated by reference in Standard No. 108.; The referenced SAE paragraph prohibits styling ornaments or othe features in front of the lens when the headlamp is in use. The intent of this paragraph is to guarantee optimum light output from the headlamp by insuring that no part of the vehicle interferes with the light pattern. If a headlamp bezel is so large that it could interfere with the design light patterns of the lamp, we would consider it a 'styling ornament or other feature' within the meaning of paragraph 5.2.; An oversize bezel interfering with light output would also b prohibited by paragraph S4.1.3 of Standard No. 108 which prohibits installation of motor vehicle equipment that impairs the effectiveness of lighting equipment which the standard requires.; I hope that this answers your question. Sincerely, Frank Berndt, Chief Counsel