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Congratulations, Mini, you made the stupidest turn signals ever

jalopnik.com

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Re: Congratulations, Mini, you made the stupidest turn signals ever

#61

Post by fredoralive »

knolan wrote: post #8

Flashing the red brake light is a North American thing. Over in Europe you would have a dedicated amber light and I expect there is a different light than the Union Jack which would be reserved for combined rear and brake lights only. I’ve seen a mini with these lights recently here in Ireland and I’d expect the driver may find their car burnt out sooner rather than later.

European Minis have those stupid looking Union Jack light clusters, but IIRC it’s just the horizontal bar that flashes yellow on those, not the extra diagonal bits that make them into reverse arrows.

Re: Congratulations, Mini, you made the stupidest turn signals ever

#63

Post by vesrah »

pc86 wrote: post #46
sircastor wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I got really frustrated when I started to see 3 rapid flashes when a Toyota or Kia driver put on the brakes on the Highway. What had been a common signal for “you’re a little too close” was now shown every time the driver pressed the brake pedal. I guess I could’ve complained to one of the manufacturers, but what do they care? I’m not buying their cars.

This isn't the manufacturer, they're aftermarket. It started (sensibly) with some emergency vehicles having it to make sure to get the attention of the driver[s] behind them. At some point people in high-traffic areas started thinking their 18 year old Corolla was worthy of the same treatment.

Meanwhile, this is standard on some European market cars under heavy braking.

Re: Congratulations, Mini, you made the stupidest turn signals ever

#66

Post by atty »

chrisseaton wrote: post #17
malyk wrote: post #11

So the left turn signal is an arrow pointing to the right? And the right turn signal is an arrow pointing to the left? How does that pass, well, anything at all without someone saying “that might not be the best idea”!

How could anyone be confused? They’re on the side the car is turning - like every other turn signal you’ve seen in your entire life.

If I were behind that I would not be perpetually confused. But I’d sure as hell have a split second of confusion, and generally we try to avoid those sorts of situations when driving.

Re: Congratulations, Mini, you made the stupidest turn signals ever

#67

Post by kalleboo »

sircastor wrote: post #30
MerelyMortal wrote: post #6

> Mini has not heard any concerns from customers regarding the rear turn indicators I wouldn't expect them to: they cannot see their own turn signal lights while driving. If they happen to be behind another Mini, they already know about it and it may not throw them off-guard like others who aren't familiar with it.

I got really frustrated when I started to see 3 rapid flashes when a Toyota or Kia driver put on the brakes on the Highway. What had been a common signal for “you’re a little too close” was now shown every time the driver pressed the brake pedal. I guess I could’ve complained to one of the manufacturers, but what do they care? I’m not buying their cars.

> What had been a common signal for “you’re a little too close”

I've never seen or heard of this.

But seeing cars that flash their brake light under heavy/emergency braking is common (typically high-end European brands)

Re: Congratulations, Mini, you made the stupidest turn signals ever

#68

Post by chriswait »

chrisseaton wrote: post #17
malyk wrote: post #11

So the left turn signal is an arrow pointing to the right? And the right turn signal is an arrow pointing to the left? How does that pass, well, anything at all without someone saying “that might not be the best idea”!

How could anyone be confused? They’re on the side the car is turning - like every other turn signal you’ve seen in your entire life.

The article talks about this: "Now, I think the vast majority of drivers will understand what’s going on and treat them as normal blinking turn indicators, but these indicators hurt your brain, at least a little bit"

I think you are interpreting "confused" as "I can't tell which way the car is turning", while everyone else is talking about "This UX forces me to use my brain when I shouldn't have to".

Re: Congratulations, Mini, you made the stupidest turn signals ever

#69

Post by codeduck »

hardlianotion wrote: post #60
codeduck wrote: post #35

How hard is it to go: oh, the left hand side indicator is blinking. It's possible they might turn left. It's common bloody sense. This is honestly manufactured outrage.

What if one tail light is slightly defective and you're in the dark. Driving is done with the subconscious and this potentially lethal in the wrong circumstance.

If it is so dark that your headlights are not able to illuminate the car ahead's reflectors and numberplate adequately for you to see them, even if it has defective lights, and react in time, then you are traveling too fast for the conditions.

The correct response to something weird or potentially hazardous ahead is to slow down and try to determine what is going on.

Re: Congratulations, Mini, you made the stupidest turn signals ever

#70

Post by codeduck »

loloquwowndueo wrote: post #55
shotta wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What if it’s dark outside. Is that a motorcycle? I can’t tell. I guess that motorcycle is turning left.

If it’s dark, both rear red lights will be on. It could be motorcycles, if they are really close together but that sounds unlikely.

Even in the event of failed lights, the clusters have reflective sections that will illuminate in response to your own lights.
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