Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car
Car device

Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car

The turn signal, technically known as a "turn signal", is an important part of a vehicle's signaling system. Its use is mandatory, and non-compliance incurs a fine.

Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car

His tasks are quite clear . It indicates the direction in which the driver intends to point his vehicle in the next few seconds. It is also used in as a warning device . Its use is not good will » driver, which they politely want to inform other road users. Moreover , in the event of an accident, the driver may be held liable for not using the turn signal.

The history of the turn signal

Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car

The car is almost 120 years old . What started as an exotic vehicle and soon became the new luxury item for the super-rich has evolved into an affordable car for the masses with advent of the Ford Model T.

As the number of cars increases there was a need to regulate traffic and establish common standards for vehicles and driving. However, a way to inform other road users of your intentions to turn was a fairly late component of vehicle development.

It wasn't until the 1950s that a turn signal became mandatory on new cars.
Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car

originally very clumsy-looking modules have been developed for this purpose: "Winker", attached to the central spar, was a turn signal on a folding rod . In the event of a turn, the bar unfolded, and the central light informed the vehicles in front, behind and to the side of the intention to turn.

However, these indicator lights were not only very bulky in terms of design and expensive. . They also posed a significant risk of injury to cyclists and pedestrians. Therefore, the indicator solution was quickly replaced by stationary indicators along the sides of the vehicle.

Legal and technical regulations on turn signals on vehicles

Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car

Passenger cars and small trucks must be equipped with front and rear turn signals . Turn signals should be located on the outer edges, front and rear.

Interestingly that side turn signals are only mandatory for vehicles over 6 meters in length. However, most vehicle manufacturers equip all of their vehicles with side turn signals.

Generally speaking, turn signals should be yellow. Other colors are rarely allowed to be safely distinguished from other signal lights.
The turn signals should flash at a frequency of 1,5 Hz +/- 0,5 Hz or approx. 30 flashes per minute. Simultaneous flashing of the indicator on the dashboard is also mandatory.

A characteristic click, i.e. on the other hand, an audible signal that the indicator is on is optional.

Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car

Lamp failure warning device not required, but allowed. Many car manufacturers equip their indicators so that the blinking frequency on the side doubles if the indicator bulb burns out. In this way, the driver knows from which side to look and change the light bulb. Automatic reset of the indicator when straightening the steering wheel after turning is not technically provided . However, for reasons of convenience, it is now standard on all car manufacturers.

Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car

Motorcycle turn signals are still a problem . Not only are they annoying and inconvenient to use. Beginning riders often forget to return the indicator after completing a turn. Then they can drive several miles with the indicator on and confuse other road users.

Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car

Built-in horns, which were often used for this purpose in the 1980s, are hardly used today. Here, manufacturers of motorcycle helmets have entered into several joint ventures in which wireless hands-free devices as well as acoustic turn signals are integrated into safety modules.

Alarm required!

« Minimum flashing » before the intended change of direction – 3 times . Therefore, before changing lanes or turning, signal lights must visually and audibly light up at least three times. . The law goes on to inform other road users " in advance ».
If you are caught by the police when you have not indicated , you will be fined, and a point will be added to your driving experience. If the accident is caused by a lack of signal, the penalties are much stricter.

Turn signals on a car

Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car
  • The turn signals are usually located at the front behind a separate lens or integrated into the headlight battery with an amber bulb.
Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car
  • Side indicators are usually located above the front wheel in the mudguard .
Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car
  • However, the integration of the indicator into the side mirror is especially chic. . This design may be an impromptu replacement for a failed front turn signal. However, defective indicator bulbs should always be replaced immediately.
Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car
  • Rear-view mirrors with integrated turn indicators can be installed on most vehicles.

As mentioned above , the installation of a side turn signal is not mandatory for cars under six meters in length, which probably only applies to limousines. In the meantime, however, they have become the design standard for all car manufacturers. .

Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car
  • In the case of tail lights, the indicator is usually located in the signal battery . In many cars, it is designed in such a way that it radiates both from the rear and from the side. This gives a particularly good all-round effect.
  • In the case of front and side turn signals, the housing usually needs to be unscrewed outside to access the lamp.
Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car
  • In the case of turn signals at the rear of the vehicle, the turn signal bulb is accessible through the trunk .

On most vehicles the battery is mounted on a common circuit board. It snaps onto the body with a simple snap-on mechanism. .

No tools are required to remove it . It's only important so that the light battery is pulled straight out of the case . Otherwise, other bulbs may break.

We strongly recommend replacing faulty turn signals with LED bulbs.

They have a number of significant advantages:
– Significantly longer service life
– Higher signal strength
– Faster response
Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car

Replacement LED bulbs available today are nowhere near as expensive as they were a few years ago. Even though obsolete incandescent bulbs are now sold for pennies, you should still avoid using them. .

If you need to replace the indicator and buy a new light bulb , you can also take the opportunity to upgrade the entire signal battery with LED lights. In this way, you will create the best option for the rest of the life of the car, which will protect against failures or poor performance.

New trend

Useful, safe and indispensable: a turn signal on a car

The latest trend in turn signal technology initiated by AUDI is the replacement of the on-off-on-off signal with a continuous tracing signal. ... it законно and already used by modernizers . How reasonable or beautiful it is, in the eye of the beholder. The only important thing is that when installing this trick, take care that a certificate was available for her .

Especially unlike the usual flashing light bulb signaling effect is present in any case . However, once this technology is adopted by other automakers, there will not be much visibility of running lights. But the auto industry will definitely come up with something new for this case, as it has always done before.

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