Rear bumper reflectors

[NYC-SE]

Has anyone else noticed that the reflectors in the rear bumper of the 3rd gen cars don't do much reflecting? I happened to be following a 3rd gen LE last night and there was basically no reflection coming from the "reflectors". I so rarely run into other 3rd gen Yarii (and especially at night) but when I do it is the same, very little or no reflection. SE, LE, or L same results.

Standing behind my SE while parked at night I can see some (but not much) reflection depending on how I position myself.

Every other car out there with rear bumper reflectors seems to reflect much more brightly, even other Toyotas. Wonder why the Yaris is so weak.

[justanotherdrunk]

mine has no rear bumper reflectors

[NYC-SE]

My bad. I should have been more specific. I am referring to the 2012 - 2014 models.

[fatpanda]

NYC-SE I noticed that as well. These so called "Reflectors" don't reflect much. Not sure why Toyota decided to call these reflectors.

I wonder if non-OEM replacement reflectors would reflect better.

[NYC-SE]

Originally Posted by fatpanda

I wonder if non-OEM replacement reflectors would reflect better.

I don't know of any aftermarket reflectors. I would be willing to give them a try if I could find some that actually work.

[BLKHILLSGUY]

What is the reason for reflectors? Safety?

[NYC-SE]

Originally Posted by BLKHILLSGUY

What is the reason for reflectors? Safety?

Yes. I believe it is a federal requirement that there must be reflectors at the rear and sides of all cars. On most autos this requirement is met by including the reflectors in the taillights. In fact I can see the reflectors in the Yaris taillights much better than the ones in the bumper. Perhaps that is why Toyota toned down the bumper ones. I don't know but if that is the case I wonder why they just didn't eliminate them entirely.

For the record I like the look of bumper reflectors. To me it makes a car look more European, or more accurately, less American. My only beef with the Yaris is that they do a poor job of reflecting.

[Kalispel]

Originally Posted by NYC-SE

Yes. I believe it is a federal requirement that there must be reflectors at the rear and sides of all cars. On most autos this requirement is met by including the reflectors in the taillights. In fact I can see the reflectors in the Yaris taillights much better than the ones in the bumper. Perhaps that is why Toyota toned down the bumper ones. I don't know but if that is the case I wonder why they just didn't eliminate them entirely.

For the record I like the look of bumper reflectors. To me it makes a car look more European, or more accurately, less American. My only beef with the Yaris is that they do a poor job of reflecting.

I really wish Toyota would have brought the 2015/2016 Yaris rear-end straight from Europe, instead of redesigning it a bit with the rear reverse lights in the lower bumper trim piece and the reflectors down there removed - or at least left the reflectors down there on either end of the reverse light piece.



Overall, I prefer the rear bumper design of the USA 2012-2014 SE versus the 2015/2016 version (though NOT the taillights, or the chrome piece).

I've thought about picking up some aftermarket reflectors here (link below), but haven't yet. Good reflectors really do help others see you at night.

http://bumperreflector.com/index.html

[kimona]

^^^ You can buy those adhesive reflectors at Home Depot. (They are in the section where you buy mailboxes and house numbers). I bought a package and then cut them to fit nicely on my 2010 Camry bumper. They look great and reflect exceptionally well! BTW, I wash my car regularly and the reflective decals are solidly in place.

[enviri]

my 2nd gen reflects do a fine job reflecting lol..maybe they cheaped out