Dangerous rear lens,

snowman707 · 30-07-2009 9:19am #1

Was in a double lane of traffic yesterday approaching a busy roundabout, when I nearly got clipped by (or nearly clipped, thankfully it didn't happen) a red VW Passat, who was changing lanes.

It was one of the rare occasions that the sun was shining brightly directly on the rear lens of the VW, with the brake light on I almost missed seeing the flashing indicator which is in the middle of the brake light.

Do I need to go to Spec savers? or has anyone else noticed it is difficult to see enclosed amber indicator in certain circumstances?

Alun · 30-07-2009 9:25am

No, I find the indicators on the new Passat to be a PITA as well.

Cookie_Monster · 30-07-2009 9:27am

+1 they're terrible and very difficult to see at times.

netwhizkid · 30-07-2009 10:39am

The are white with Orange LEDs isn't there a mandatory regulation station the lens cover should be Orange?

Cookie_Monster · 30-07-2009 2:08pm

No.

Loads of cars have clear indicator lens, the bulbs/LEDs are simply orange.

either the bulb or cover can be coloured. (or both presumably)

Atomic Pineapple · 30-07-2009 2:53pm

I've noticed on a few of the newer cars the rear clusters can be very hard to make out the lights in bright sunlight, all most as bad as aftermarket lexus lights

tossy · 30-07-2009 4:43pm

I mentioned them on hear before - terrible set up,another one is the reversing light on the newer ford focus its practically at ground level!

denat · 30-07-2009 7:09pm

In response to a similar complaint about Passat brake-lights a while ago, I said that the problem was even worse if the driver (I think I used the term moron) braked before indicating - the circle of brake-light LEDs around the indicator make the latter almost invisible. I got lambasted for that comment.

AFAIK you're supposed to indicate before executing a manoeuvre. In my book, if you brake prior to turning it is the first part of the turn manoeuvre, hence you should indicate before braking if you're approaching a junction and turning left or right.

I'm not going to argue about this - if someone disagrees, please check with someone who's done the advanced driver's course/test - I haven't done it.

And yes, the Passat rear-light cluster is unsafe crap!

_Kaiser_ · 30-07-2009 7:45pm

Having owned both the current B6 Passat (at the moment) and the previous B5.5, I'd agree that the light cluster on the older model is better.

My B6 is black though which helps a bit - I'd agree the red (especially with brake lights on) can be very hard to make out.

+1 on the stupidity of a ground-level reverse light on Fords too. Though i do miss the symmetry of 2 reverse lights in the current Passat, but that's just me

mone · 30-07-2009 8:49pm

snowman707 wrote: »

Do I need to go to Spec savers? or has anyone else noticed it is difficult to see enclosed amber indicator in certain circumstances?

As soon as I read the thread title I expected I was going to read about a VW Passat so I'd say say you needn't bother with that trip to SpecSavers....unless you are almost bumping into other things as well

Esel · 31-07-2009 1:44am

There was another thread on this issue recently. Consensus (afair) was that the design is bad, and dangerous.

Run_to_da_hills · 31-07-2009 8:24am

They should reintroduce semaphores. Phased out in the late 50ies they were a lot more visible than whats used today and at least they could be seen if there was a glare on them.

patrickc · 31-07-2009 8:37am

the passat and avensis can be hard to see when indicating (if used of course)

Cookie_Monster · 31-07-2009 8:44am

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

They should reintroduce semaphores. Phased out in the late 50ies they were a lot more visible than whats used today and at least they could be seen if there was a glare on them.

:rolleyes:

How about the red flag man too?

snowman707 · 31-07-2009 8:45am

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

- I'd agree the red (especially with brake lights on) can be very hard to make out.

Thanks for all comments,

I was driving a commercial so was looking down at an angle & with the 'watery' sun coupled with brake light & red paint the flashing indicator was unnoticeable

Run_to_da_hills · 31-07-2009 9:06am

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

:rolleyes:

How about the red flag man too?

Definitely a great idea with some of the crazy driving that we see around the city. :P

Dangerous rear lens,

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