Can I use brighter bulbs with blacked tails?

Is it possible to use higher wattage bulbs in my blacked out taillights, so they will be brighter and easier to see? I'm thinking of blacking out my taillights soon, but I am worried about possible cop attention if they are too dark and the brake lights can't be seen. Is this possible, or will the bulbs be too hot and melt the housings? Thanks.

it's probably gonna get too hot. but even if the cop sees your lights turn off, they will still give you trouble for having them fully blacked out.

Originally Posted by sillieidiot

it's probably gonna get too hot. but even if the cop sees your lights turn off, they will still give you trouble for having them fully blacked out.

Well I'm not thinking of going totally black; just very smoked. I've seen smoked taillights on many cars such as the Chevy Trailblazer that come standard, so I figure it won't be too bad. Do they have superbright LEDs instead of brighter halogen bulbs to counter the heat?

Originally Posted by misdirekted

Well I'm not thinking of going totally black; just very smoked. I've seen smoked taillights on many cars such as the Chevy Trailblazer that come standard, so I figure it won't be too bad. Do they have superbright LEDs instead of brighter halogen bulbs to counter the heat?

they do, but you'll just have heat somewhere else (ie resistor).