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Automotive News & Views 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
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Replying to: andre1969 (Jun 20, 2007 6:21 am) "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. |
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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.
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Replying to: bumpy (Jun 20, 2007 6:50 am)
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Replying to: nwng (Jun 22, 2007 11:05 am) All of my vehicles have had amber rear turn signals, except my former '77 Impala and '90 Sable.
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...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... 
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Replying to: 210delray (Jun 22, 2007 5:38 pm) 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. |
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Replying to: nippononly (Jun 20, 2007 6:02 am)  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.
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Replying to: sir_timbit (Jul 15, 2007 7:30 pm) 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? |
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Replying to: nwng (Jun 22, 2007 11:05 am)  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. |
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Replying to: 210delray (Jun 22, 2007 5:41 pm) If you don't drive in crowded urban areas, it probably doesn't matter too much. I know of at least one scientific study that clearly indicates yellow/amber turn signals are superior to red ones especially in terms of other-driver response time -- http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a713807880~db=all I'm pretty sure car manufacturers are aware of studies like the one I mention above. If I can find that on the web, so can they. I currently drive a Volvo XC90 which has amber turn signals. I looked at replacing it with an MDX, but chose NOT to purchase the MDX *only* because of the red signals. I love the MDX for what it is - cheaper, better, as safe, more fun to drive and probably more reliable. But I'm not going to spend $45K on a car that ignores what I consider a fairly basic safety issue. The few times I've been to Europe, I've never seen a car with rear red turn signals. Might have regulations there concerning the rear turn signals in addition to the front unlike the US (where I believe only the fronts are regulated) Regards, PM
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