Indicators on cars

Jul 18, 2017
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It seems that on many newer cars, the indicator light is getting smaller and at times difficult to see especially if the sun is on the rear of the car. Is it just me or has anyone else noticed this trend?
 
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Nov 11, 2009
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It seems that on many newer cars, the indicator light is getting smaller and at times difficult to see especially if the sun is on the rear of the car. Is it just me or has anyone else noticed this trend?
It’s not just you it’s a trend. Amongst the first that I noticed were Passat where the rear lights were a round cluster and when in bright sunlight or if braking lights came on the indicator got less visible. Since the other makes have got even worse. Form over function
 
Jan 20, 2023
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It seems that on many newer cars, the indicator light is getting smaller and at times difficult to see especially if the sun is on the rear of the car. Is it just me or has anyone else noticed this trend?
Yes, one particular car (could be a Vauxhall) has the rear indicator so close to the (very bright) brake light that you can hardly see it if the car is braking and indicating at the same time.
 
Nov 30, 2022
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New Ford Puma's are terrible for it! Usually when tge brake light is illuminated.
But so are many others, and like otherclive says, the VW Passat with round lights is a serious offender!
 
Jan 20, 2023
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One of my older cars is American and the indicators are the same as they used to be here many moons ago, clear at the front and red at the rear. The rear ones are actually the brake lights that flash on/off depending which side is used but at the front the sidelight flashes, not easy to see especially when negotiating a roundabout. I've swapped them to switchback LED's so they now flash orange when indicating. I've had more than one person pull up next to me to tell me that my rear indicators are faulty!
 
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Nov 16, 2015
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When driving behind a nice old car, I always look out for the old indicator arm. Flipping out to indicate a turn might be coming up soon.
 
Jul 18, 2017
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When driving behind a nice old car, I always look out for the old indicator arm. Flipping out to indicate a turn might be coming up soon.
I remember them on the Morris Minors that our grand father used to drive and also the Jeep Station Wagon(estate)
 

JTQ

May 7, 2005
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When driving behind a nice old car, I always look out for the old indicator arm. Flipping out to indicate a turn might be coming up soon.
I remember them well and without much love, having to bang the inside body, either your side or your passengers to get them to go out; some things have improved.

The indicators on our much loved older Defenders and earlier Land Rovers, could not have got much smaller and still have housed the bulbs of the day!
 
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Sam Vimes

Moderator
Sep 7, 2020
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I recall Mel writing some time ago that many drivers don't top up their indicator fluid.

I'm pretty sure that about the time I took my test, and the guy with the red flag walking in front had become redundant, I still had to use hand signals..... not gestures that isπŸ‘ˆπŸ‘‰πŸ‘ŽπŸ‘
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Might I suggest that as there is a fairly strong response to this topic that as well as commenting here you actually write to the car manufacture to alert them to these issues.
 
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Jun 16, 2020
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I recall Mel writing some time ago that many drivers don't top up their indicator fluid.

I'm pretty sure that about the time I took my test, and the guy with the red flag walking in front had become redundant, I still had to use hand signals..... not gestures that isπŸ‘ˆπŸ‘‰πŸ‘ŽπŸ‘
I was also required to do hand signals on my test. Not nice as it was during a heavy hail storm.

I took it in my dad’s Corsair mk1. One of the first cars with eyeball vents. They were adjusted to blow warm air. With hail bouncing off my face, I turned to see the examiner warming his hands next to the vent.

But nevermind, I passed.


John
 
Nov 16, 2015
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I recall Mel writing some time ago that many drivers don't top up their indicator fluid.

I'm pretty sure that about the time I took my test, and the guy with the red flag walking in front had become redundant, I still had to use hand signals..... not gestures that isπŸ‘ˆπŸ‘‰πŸ‘ŽπŸ‘
Hand signal, inside, the car to indicate left to a Policeman, or the rotating arm outside to indicate left.
 
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Sep 23, 2023
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Trafficators I think was the name used for the amber light that flicked out,what's next,paraffin sump heater and paraffin lamps on the radiator to stop it freezing πŸ˜„
 

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