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Travelling north on the M42 yesterday at about 12pm I have decided these high mounted lights may have a dangerous achilles heal. The high sun (yes there was some!) was shining on to the rear of the said vehcile (in this case a c-max). The rear light cluster is the modern opaque type with a relective foil background for the coloured bulbs. The sun was shining off the foil straight in to my eyes and more importantly the indicator bulb could not be seen. It was only when the guy started changing lanes that I realised he was actually indicating. The lights may be useful as they are high up, but if it's sunny watch out.
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A triumph of style over function.
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I was following a new style Vauxhall Astra in which had the sun shining on its back and the indicators, which are behind a white frosted lens, were almost invisible when flashing. Together with the LED indicators that don't show up when the brake lights are on (VW Golf Mk 5, new Range Rover) this shows that the testing of new component designs is somewhat lacking.
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Yep - I'd noticed this when out and about on the bike where a missed indication is the difference between enjoying a ride and not.
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As far as cars are concerned surely most design elements in modern cars represent style rather than function. Why do cars have shiny expensive to repair metallic painted finishes? Why do they have alloy rather than steel wheels. Why are headlamps bulbs so difficult to replace? The placing of a rear light seems a minor element to complain about. The plain fact is that most car buyers want style and are not overly concerend about function so tht is what they get from car companies . What does Jeremy Clarkson rave about , a well designed easily maintained vehicle that is fit for its purpose i.e driving at reasonable speeds in comfort and carrying a reasonable load or some preposterous so called super car?
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'The placing of a rear light seems a minor element to complain about.'
Not if it results in you being side swiped at 70mph, which I nearly was!
Manufacturers are spending millions to make cars safer - it's one reason why new Pugs are so ugly! What can seem a minor problem could have dramatic consequences.
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Surely there will be a certain combination of the position of the sun, the relative position of two vehicles, the angle of incline etc where this will happen whatever vehicles are involved. The sun can reflect off a rear window and rear number plate, even a boot badge as well as the rear lights.
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Another dangerous one is at the other end of the car: who thought that it was a good idea to put indicators in with the headlights. Really visible when the lights are on...
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'The placing of a rear light seems a minor element to complain about.'
Go ride a motor-cycle on any average UK roas=d for a couple of days'and then review your comment !
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I think you miss my point, I was trying to point out that so may things related to cars are "triumphs of style over function" and that it not to be unexpected that the siting of brake lights might come into this category. It is not function that is the prime mover in selling cars, it is style, Just look at any car advert. It's what the majority of car buyers want and it's therfore what we get.
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It is not function that is the prime mover in selling cars, it is style,
Not when I buy one.
I'm not the least bit interested in the looks. My choice is based on performance (in all respects) and equipment ~ within my price bracket of course. I buy a car to drive, not to look at. I make one concession to looks, but even that is safety (not style) oriented. I choose a colour which I think stands out well and will be highly visible to other drivers. I shun metallics because I can't justify the extra cost and because I consider them to be more difficult to match if they get damaged. I've been told by a bodyshop technician that the most difficult colour of any to match is metallic gold.
--
L\'escargot.
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