Post AcDJpbhF5kPDA9ocC0 by TechConnectify@mas.to
(DIR) More posts by TechConnectify@mas.to
(DIR) Post #AcD0zAVl7drCcGI2BU by piggo@piggo.space
2023-11-26T20:04:40.072458Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@float13 @TechConnectify what's sad is that LED lights were on the market for at least a decade now, there are beamforming solutions that could automatically dim segments of the light to prevent exactly this from happening. but it's sold as an add-on premium feature and consequently, no cars have it
(DIR) Post #AcDJpZSzNloeFN8ChM by TechConnectify@mas.to
2023-11-26T18:06:10Z
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Y'all know I like to dump on US automotive lighting regulations. In general, they're poop.BUT. There's one thing we require which the rest of the world bafflingly doesn't.Side marker lamps!I was shocked to learn that my Figaro is absolutely dark from the sides at night (save for its turn signal repeaters). That would not fly here AT ALL. There needs to be an amber light up front and a red light in back to indicate its position and orientation from the side at night.
(DIR) Post #AcDJpbhF5kPDA9ocC0 by TechConnectify@mas.to
2023-11-26T18:09:18Z
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Every car here since forever ago has these and it's a good idea! It adds conspicuity at night and lets you gauge the size of the vehicle from any angle since you know where the front and rear are.Imported models often didn't think about this requirement so their side-markers are VERY tacked-on.Hyundai didn't exactly forget about it, but I'll nominate the Ioniq 5 as having the tiniest rear side markers of any car because they're adorable.But they're there and they work!
(DIR) Post #AcDJpdrx0u9xtwqCA4 by TechConnectify@mas.to
2023-11-26T19:37:50Z
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Adding to this:It's not just lights, it's reflectors! The car has to be conspicuous at night from the side even if it is parked.(the front reflector is also illuminated when the headlights/parking lights are on)
(DIR) Post #AcDJvITdSiGfIBAEUa by tryst@meow.social
2023-11-26T18:11:34Z
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@TechConnectify I think Volvo introduced these circa 2005 in the uplift to the C/V/S/XC models. My 2002 XC70 doesn't have them, but 2006 XC70s do. It's a common mod on the older cars to swap the rear light clusters for the newer ones with the side markers.
(DIR) Post #AcDJvJUNhQSUQmWLIG by TechConnectify@mas.to
2023-11-26T18:14:31Z
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@tryst This has been a US requirement since 1968 - so it sure took 'em a while!
(DIR) Post #AcDKLklktXDmZIFrQO by caseyliss@mastodon.social
2023-11-26T20:20:39Z
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@TechConnectify I completely agree with you, but in the car nerd circles I travel in, side markers are considered homely and uniquely American.
(DIR) Post #AcDKLlMyf8zmQjfaRU by TechConnectify@mas.to
2023-11-26T20:23:07Z
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@caseyliss A lot of car culture seems uniquely predisposed to hating anything that helps other drivers, especially if it makes the car "less sleek" or whatever.The "if you can't tell the difference between flashing and solid, get off the road!" cadre in my turn signal video was loud and surprisingly large.And this is why my favorite flavor of car culture is weird cars, not fast cars!
(DIR) Post #AcDKSXTYiZohMlym0m by TechConnectify@mas.to
2023-11-26T22:52:57Z
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@ehurtley @breadbin @caseyliss From what I've learned, there are two reasons this might happen:1. Style (which... eff that)2. Our weird size requirements.Basically, not only do signal lights need to be a certain brightness, they need to have a certain area as well. When federalizing an EU-market car for NA, either the turn signals or brake lights might be too small. So they get combined into one.I'm almost certain that's what happened with my car because any other explanation is stupid.