Sign In Join 



Rear Turn Signal/Indicator Color

20 messages,  Last post on Mar 01, 2009 at 8:00 PM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires

What is this discussion about? Car Safety


Messages Page 2 of 3
1
2
3
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#7 of 20
Re: Rear Turn Signal/Indicator Color [andys120] by bumpy
Jun 20, 2007 (6:50 am)
Reply

Replying to: andys120 (Jun 20, 2007 5:33 am)

Yes, it was that early. Either amber lenses with clear bulbs, or clear lenses with amber bulbs after 1962.
#8 of 20
Re: I've noticed... [andre1969] by mikevegas06
Jun 21, 2007 (2:30 am)
Reply

Replying to: andre1969 (Jun 20, 2007 6:21 am)

Interesting. For me, it's the red the washes out because it blends in with the rest of the taillight lens. Even the red LEDs aren't as noticeable as the amber ones, with the exception being the Cadillacs (as noted by 1racefan). Those things are huge!!
 
"but I won't buy a car with red rear turn signals" (nipponly) --- I feel the same way. I really try and stay away from buying the red ones but Honda and Audi aren't making it easy.
 
Lastly, I've noticed that when the Domestics use the red signals, they often integrate them into the brake light. I think that is poor execution. At least have it as a dedicated unit -- one for the brakes, one for the turn signals. Prime example is the Corvette.
#9 of 20
i've always had cars with amber turn signals by nwng
Jun 22, 2007 (11:05 am)
Reply
here's why: I was driving in 40-50 mph traffic, it was nascar style, raining and at night. People do brake quite frequently due to above mention conditions. I saw a car with red turn signals changing lanes and got slammed in the back, as if the other driver did not see him. It daunted on me that under those conditions I would not be able to tell whether he was braking or trying to signal. Afterall, when you drive, you cannot take your eyes and mind off to figure out whether that flashing red is brake or turn signal.
 
I was a believer of amber turn signals since then.
#10 of 20
Re: Rear Turn Signal/Indicator Color [bumpy] by 210delray
Jun 22, 2007 (5:38 pm)
Reply

Replying to: bumpy (Jun 20, 2007 6:50 am)

I don't think amber front turn signals were required by the feds in the 1963 model year, because this was before federal regulations were implemented. It probably was a Detroit 3 and/or SAE voluntary standard, and all the domestics (which had about 90% of the US market at the time) complied. This would explain why the odd Triumph might not have had amber front signals back then.
#11 of 20
Re: i've always had cars with amber turn signals [nwng] by 210delray
Jun 22, 2007 (5:41 pm)
Reply

Replying to: nwng (Jun 22, 2007 11:05 am)

While I personally believe that rear amber turn signals are superior to red ones, I don't think there are any definitive studies to support this.
 
All of my vehicles have had amber rear turn signals, except my former '77 Impala and '90 Sable.
#12 of 20
Thinking about this... by john_324
Jun 25, 2007 (1:44 pm)
Reply
...now that multicolored lights are technologically possible, will we eventually see a change in taillight colors, maybe in the following format:
 
Green: lights on, car in motion
Red: brakes applied
Yellow: turn signal on
 
Will we ever see green (or perhaps yellow) taillights? Seems it could be a good way to further distinguish between the lights on (red) and brakes activated (brighter red) that we have now, and further reduce accidents...
#13 of 20
Re: Rear Turn Signal/Indicator Color [210delray] by andre1969
Jun 26, 2007 (6:44 am)
Reply

Replying to: 210delray (Jun 22, 2007 5:38 pm)

There are two ways to get an amber turn signal: Either use a clear/white lens with an amber bulb, or an amber lens with a clear bulb. Although I guess an amber lens with an amber bulb would work, too.
 
I think most turn amber turn signals in back actually do use an amber lens, but many front signals use a clear lens, and over time it's quite possible that the amber bulb burns out and a clear one just gets put in its place. That happened with my '85 Silverado at some point in its life. One of the front turn signals/parking lights lights up white, while the other lights up amber.
 
As for why I react quicker to a red turn signal, I think this might explain it. Whenever I see a red light suddenly come on, I go into caution mode, because that means the car is in the process of slowing down or about to make a turn. Whenever I see an amber light on a car go on, it simply doesn't register as quickly with me. And for good reason, I guess, because an amber light coming on is not an indication that the car in front of me is slowing down.
#14 of 20
Re: it's silly I know [nippononly] by sir_timbit
Jul 15, 2007 (7:30 pm)
Reply

Replying to: nippononly (Jun 20, 2007 6:02 am)

I'll add to this one. Not only do I want amber tail lights, but I also really like the side turning indicators mounted in front of the doors, or the LED-based mirror indicators.
 

 
That pretty much leaves me looking at Mazdas, Mitsus, Acuras, Mercedes, VWs, etc. But I don't see any domestic makes that fulfill that requirement, unless you consider Chevy-badged Korean imports like the Aveo.
 
The side or mirror indicators set up is ironic, because it's standard equipment everywhere else in the world, but for North America it's (for the most part) marketed as a 'luxury' item.
#15 of 20
Re: it's silly I know [sir_timbit] by mikevegas06
Jul 16, 2007 (12:31 pm)
Reply

Replying to: sir_timbit (Jul 15, 2007 7:30 pm)

Yeah, you're right. How much could it possibly cost to incorporate the "European" markers on the cars sold here?!
 
And, along with the amber tail lights and European side markers, I want the folding mirrors. It makes it so much easier to fit into those tight parking spaces. Seems like they would reduce insurance claims too.
 
And (this is my last "and"), why does the Mercury Mountaineer have the side turning indicators while the bulk of the Ford/Mercury/Lincoln products don't?
#16 of 20
Re: i've always had cars with amber turn signals [nwng] by robertsmx
Jul 17, 2007 (8:34 am)
Reply

Replying to: nwng (Jun 22, 2007 11:05 am)

I'm sure cars with amber turn lamps have been rear ended as well.
 
That said, it is all in the design and its execution. Some cars do it better than others, be it red or amber. In fact, red is the best color when it comes to warnings under adverse (visibility) conditions, a reason it is used for "stop" (light or sign) or warnings in general. It has the longest wavelength in the visible spectrum and refracts the least.

Messages Page 2 of 3
1
2
3
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement