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Congratulations, Mini, you made the stupidest turn signals ever

jalopnik.com

271–280 of 448 posts

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

#271
To whomever is saying that "only position of the light matter" I invite you to try playing a car simulation game where all the arrows are inverted.

Arrows are so well used (especially in the driving context) that the way we react to them is down to subconscious reflex. Imagine that the light is replaced by and neon written ("RIGHT" on the left side, and "LEFT" on the right side)

This is stupid and just plain dangerous.

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

#273
post #181

Mini’s statement only highlights the absurdity (emphasis mine): >With regard to the turn indicator light pattern, there should be no trouble at all for a driver to understand, when seeing the full rear of the car , which direction is being indicated So what about when you can only see half of the car? Like when it’s changing lanes or pulling out of a parking spot? You know, like those times when a signal is MOST usef…

This is what I _hate_ about the Audi striping indicators. Yes, they are actually useful when you see them when they are indicating. However, when they have the hazard lights on, they still stripe. So if it's still and you can't see the left indicator, it feels like a very strong statement that they are trying to move out.

Do you mean this indicator? https://youtu.be/r9Fin7pyzDc

Honestly, seems pretty good to me compared to the Mini one (which for some reason is RED instead of amber?! Plus an arrow in the opposite direction!)

Is there no law which makes amber coloured turn lights mandatory on cars (in the US)?

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

#274
post #181

Mini’s statement only highlights the absurdity (emphasis mine): >With regard to the turn indicator light pattern, there should be no trouble at all for a driver to understand, when seeing the full rear of the car , which direction is being indicated So what about when you can only see half of the car? Like when it’s changing lanes or pulling out of a parking spot? You know, like those times when a signal is MOST usef…

This is what I _hate_ about the Audi striping indicators. Yes, they are actually useful when you see them when they are indicating. However, when they have the hazard lights on, they still stripe. So if it's still and you can't see the left indicator, it feels like a very strong statement that they are trying to move out.

Of course you are absolutely right, as is the author of the column.

These unfortunate design decisions violate the most basic principles of design and safety, 'common sense' and 'function over form'.

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

#275

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is what I _hate_ about the Audi striping indicators. Yes, they are actually useful when you see them when they are indicating. However, when they have the hazard lights on, they still stripe. So if it's still and you can't see the left indicator, it feels like a very strong statement that they are trying to move out.

I'm still confused how they made it through regulation. Image you're a security-engineer and read "On average the indicator light runs at only 50% because we think it looks cool."

Besides the fact that they're blinking lights so only on 50% of the time by design, consider the fact that regulations specify the minimum luminous output which these cars obviously pass. Add to that the fact that you're using modern high power LED lights and that the human eye perceives light in a logarithmic manner, it wouldn't surprise me if these indicators will be more noticeable on their "minimum" output than their old incandescent bulb counterparts.

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

#276

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is what I _hate_ about the Audi striping indicators. Yes, they are actually useful when you see them when they are indicating. However, when they have the hazard lights on, they still stripe. So if it's still and you can't see the left indicator, it feels like a very strong statement that they are trying to move out.

I'm still confused how they made it through regulation. Image you're a security-engineer and read "On average the indicator light runs at only 50% because we think it looks cool."

The average regular indicator is also only on for 50% of the time. You know the joke: works, doesn't work, works, doesn't work

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

#277

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is what I _hate_ about the Audi striping indicators. Yes, they are actually useful when you see them when they are indicating. However, when they have the hazard lights on, they still stripe. So if it's still and you can't see the left indicator, it feels like a very strong statement that they are trying to move out.

Do you mean this indicator? https://youtu.be/r9Fin7pyzDc Honestly, seems pretty good to me compared to the Mini one (which for some reason is RED instead of amber?! Plus an arrow in the opposite direction!) Is there no law which makes amber coloured turn lights mandatory on cars (in the US)?

These types of laws aren't set at a Federal level in the US, but rather, state-by-state. As far as I know, they all allow red or amber. Most US cars have red turn signals.

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

#279
post #100
post #79

Is there a design advantage to flashing a single brake light as a turn signal? Conforming to the international norm of amber turn signals would seem to be an obvious win?

Flashing the brake light saves a wire or two, reduces the bulb count by two, and avoids another bulb housing. Plus it's allowed in the spec and makes your car look older and more dignified. (Remember when we had to blink our brakelights because times were tough? We're still tough!) Some pickup trucks are wired for either, and you can swap out the lenses and add a bulb to get separate signals.

> Flashing the brake light saves a wire or two, reduces the bulb count by two, and avoids another bulb housing.

So? 20 cents?

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

#280
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> they cannot see their own turn signal lights while driving. You are supposed to inspect your car at least from time to time. This includes walking over to see your turn signals work correctly.

Needlessly pedantic point... no one doubts that they have seen the back of their car before

I think there is a misunderstanding.

I doubt they have seen the back of their own car while they are driving said car.

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