What's going on with indicators (when people use em!!)

[405dogvan]

I'm pretty sure there used-to-be rules (construction and use?) which said that indicator lights had to be a certain distance from headlights and be useful/visible etc. etc.

When did that rule get thrown-away - because some cars now have indicators which are worse-than-useless.

Prime example: current Qashqai. The indicator is a small light set into the headlight above the DRLs - in normal daylight it's invisible from any distance and it's not exactly prominent when you're - say - a roundabout away from it...

It's far from alone here either, quite a few cars set indicators close to DRLs/inside headlight units where they're easily outshone by lights!?!?

I know most people don't use em - but the few of us who do would like people to be able to see them!?!?!??

[WaferThinHam]

A few DRLs do off when the indicator is flicked (mainly on Audis).

[405dogvan]

WaferThinHam said:

A few DRLs do off when the indicator is flicked (mainly on Audis).

I first noticed that on a Fiat Punto I think - I thought "why is that car's DRL off - oh it's on - eh, it's off" (they were parallel parking) - so I guess that car has it on the steering rather than the indicators even?

It's not really enough tho - I've twice missed indicators on new Nissans - Renaults (same parts?) seem similar - either I'm going blind (and I see older cars just fine) or something is amiss??

Whilst I'm having a senile moan, rear lights on cars are getting too clever-arsed too. I've followed cars which have quite hypnotic patterns, I don't THINK you want to hypnotize the guy behind you???

[Cyder]

Qashqai complies with the regulation in its current state, but I think it's fair to say the problem is understood at Nissan with the current model and I'm pretty certain the indicator visibility will be improved for future models.

[Flooble]

I was under the impression that the legislation for DRLs also specified they had to turn off if they were within a certain distance of the indicator. VW/Audi/Merc definitely turn off the DRL when the indicator [switch] is on.

I would prefer to see indicators back on the corner of the car though - putting them halfway towards the middle of the bonnet seems crazy to me.

[Cyder]

Flooble said:

I was under the impression that the legislation for DRLs also specified they had to turn off if they were within a certain distance of the indicator. VW/Audi/Merc definitely turn off the DRL when the indicator (switch) is on.

This seems to be a very common misunderstanding or myth that's come from somewhere but it's incorrect.

The actual wording of the lighting regulations (ECE Reg 48 if you're bored) is below, the key word is "may". In my opinion may should be replaced with must to force OEM's to dim or turn off the DRL in these instances.

6.19.7.5. If the distance between the front direction-indicator lamp and the daytime running lamp is equal or less than 40 mm, the electrical connections of the daytime running lamp on the relevant side of the vehicle may be such that either:
(a) It is switched OFF; or
(b) Its luminous intensity is reduced during the entire period (both ON and OFF cycle) of activation of a front direction-indicator lamp.