Quick question about indicators

[onedsla]

Hi - long story but an indicator on my Lotus elise is inclined to fall off.

A new indicator unit is required (it can't be fixed) which involves getting back to the dealer (about an hour's drive) who will replace the unit under warranty.

Is it legal to drive my car without an indicator?
It's the driver's side front, if that makes any difference.

Thanks,
DA

PS - running out of blue tac to keep it on so please answer quickly!!!!

[Alan420]

Driving with a light out usually results ina caution and a warning to get it fixed ASAP. If you're on your way to an appointment at the dealers the wouldn't do anything.


Unless he had a target to meet!

[77-84]

If you do drive it without an indicator remember to use the relevant hand signals!

[soulpatch]

Dont think there will be a problem. BMW drivers have been getting away with it for years.....

[onedsla]

Think I'll ask them to come out to fix car anyway - in the mean time I'll only turn right when nobody's looking - it seems that the one at the back goes double speed when I unplug the front one which is quite embarrassing. British / Malaysian technology....

[fish]

They do double speed for a reason, it tells you when a bulb is out or an indicator isn't working.

[Captain Muppet]

onedsla said: Think I'll ask them to come out to fix car anyway - in the mean time I'll only turn right when nobody's looking - it seems that the one at the back goes double speed when I unplug the front one which is quite embarrassing. British / Malaysian technology....

All cars have double speed indicators when one of the bulbs is out, it's not just Lotus.

[lucozade]

Could be wrong but I think the double speed has something do with how they are connected, i.e. serial or parallel. Someone who remembers a bit of high school Physics might answer that one.

[Captain Muppet]

The bulbs are connected in parallel (or else they'd both stop if one was out) so the resistance is doubled if one of them blows. I've no idea how the timing circuits go together (it's been 16 years since I last did any electronics) but I'd assume that doubling the resistance in one half of the circuit would make the frequency change by the same factor, in this case doubling the speed at which they flash.

[onedsla]

Interesting about the electronics (guess it makes sense). I've called the dealers who want me to go there to get it fixed.

I'll use hand signals where I can (I'd forgotten they existed to be honest!) but I find the most dangerous place to have the front right indicator out is when going right at roundabouts, where I'd prefer to have both hands on the wheel rather than one stuck out of the window.

Having said that, enough people pull out on you regardless of indicators working so it shouldn't make too much difference

[plotloss]

There is no legal requirement to use indicators be it light or dark, with traffic behind or in front or on an empty road. Its more a best practice thing.

If the indicator is falling off then there may be a case of some sort of defective vehicle charge (one must have them but not neccesarily use them - odd!)

Matt.