3 Blink Turn Signal
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
Likes: 221
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Yes I have....a number of times, especially in test-drives of newer M-B and BMW products. I personally don't care for it as much as the conventional finger-push-delay flashers on the stalk where you, as the driver, determine how long they stay on.
Some cops are also very strict about this, and will stop you if they think you didn't use the blinkers long enough before a turn or lane-change.
Agreed...it's a minor issue at best. A more serious complaint, IMO, that I have about M-B stalks (as a M-B owner, you may or may not agree) is the way they are mounted on the left side of the steering-column in a way that can be confusing with the cruise-control stalk. If you aren't careful (or until you get used to it) you can end up making speed-changes or turning the system on and off by accidentally hitting the wrong lever. I've never liked the way M-B does that.
(Consumer Reports, BTW, has also complained about this design, but not in a serious manner).
Some cops are also very strict about this, and will stop you if they think you didn't use the blinkers long enough before a turn or lane-change.
IMO (having used it in several Benzes both owned and driven), it's not that big of a deal in terms of added value.
(Consumer Reports, BTW, has also complained about this design, but not in a serious manner).
Yes I have....a number of times, especially in test-drives of newer M-B and BMW products. I personally don't care for it as much as the conventional finger-push-delay flashers on the stalk where you, as the driver, determine how long they stay on.
Some cops are also very strict about this, and will stop you if they think you didn't use the blinkers long enough before a turn or lane-change.
Agreed...it's a minor issue at best. A more serious complaint, IMO, that I have about M-B stalks (as a M-B owner, you may or may not agree) is the way they are mounted on the left side of the steering-column in a way that can be confusing with the cruise-control stalk. If you aren't careful (or until you get used to it) you can end up making speed-changes or turning the system on and off by accidentally hitting the wrong lever. I've never liked the way M-B does that.
(Consumer Reports, BTW, has also complained about this design, but not in a serious manner).
Some cops are also very strict about this, and will stop you if they think you didn't use the blinkers long enough before a turn or lane-change.
Agreed...it's a minor issue at best. A more serious complaint, IMO, that I have about M-B stalks (as a M-B owner, you may or may not agree) is the way they are mounted on the left side of the steering-column in a way that can be confusing with the cruise-control stalk. If you aren't careful (or until you get used to it) you can end up making speed-changes or turning the system on and off by accidentally hitting the wrong lever. I've never liked the way M-B does that.
(Consumer Reports, BTW, has also complained about this design, but not in a serious manner).
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
Likes: 221
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Is 3 blinks, though, really long enough to get other driver's attention? I see people driving down the road, all the time, with their heads in the clouds, straight as an arrow, with blinkers signalling a turn or lane change that is never made (at the risk of a stereotype, this is common with elderly drivers). Of course, that also, I admit, supports your arguement, to some extent, that if they only blink 3 times, they can't stay on inadvertantly.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
Likes: 221
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Maybe so. For me, it's a minor issue at best. I know I've made it sound more significant, in my posts here, that it probably really is. A more annoying matter, IMO, is the way M-B mounts the stalks to start with, for reasons I explained above.
and you would think the driver would recognize it or hear it by then???
It's really only good for highway lane change use.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
Likes: 221
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 1
From: tech capital
Is 3 blinks, though, really long enough to get other driver's attention? I see people driving down the road, all the time, with their heads in the clouds, straight as an arrow, with blinkers signalling a turn or lane change that is never made (at the risk of a stereotype, this is common with elderly drivers). Of course, that also, I admit, supports your arguement, to some extent, that if they only blink 3 times, they can't stay on inadvertantly.
Of course in American with many less than skilled drivers..........
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,481
Likes: 198
From: San Francisco, CA
Funny I was just thinking to myself the other day in my C that three blinks isnt enough. I know it is not meant to really tell anyone you are changing lanes but is more of a formality, but it should really be 4 blinks.
By the time I click for three blinks, I am barely into half of the other lane when the blinks stop.
And what is also really annoying is if I use the three blinkers, and then the person behind me cuts first, and then it has to finish keep blinking, I cant just snap it out of the blinking mode like with a hard push
. This will often confuse that driver and so he wont move past fast enough for me to cut through
By the time I click for three blinks, I am barely into half of the other lane when the blinks stop.
And what is also really annoying is if I use the three blinkers, and then the person behind me cuts first, and then it has to finish keep blinking, I cant just snap it out of the blinking mode like with a hard push
. This will often confuse that driver and so he wont move past fast enough for me to cut through
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 656
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
What's the difference? 
Almost all new vehicles, today, have the "Lane-Change" feature on the stalk that flashes the turn-signal when you press lightly on the stalk, without clicking the stalk in place. The moment you let up on the light finger-pressure, the stalk automatically springs back to the center-position and the blinking stops. So what does it matter if it flashes only 3 times or until you let up on the stalk with the finger-pressure?
In fact, I'd rather have it that way...determing for myself how long the flashers stay on while changing lanes, rather than only 3 flashes at a time.
Almost all new vehicles, today, have the "Lane-Change" feature on the stalk that flashes the turn-signal when you press lightly on the stalk, without clicking the stalk in place. The moment you let up on the light finger-pressure, the stalk automatically springs back to the center-position and the blinking stops. So what does it matter if it flashes only 3 times or until you let up on the stalk with the finger-pressure?In fact, I'd rather have it that way...determing for myself how long the flashers stay on while changing lanes, rather than only 3 flashes at a time.
Funny I was just thinking to myself the other day in my C that three blinks isnt enough. I know it is not meant to really tell anyone you are changing lanes but is more of a formality, but it should really be 4 blinks.
By the time I click for three blinks, I am barely into half of the other lane when the blinks stop.
And what is also really annoying is if I use the three blinkers, and then the person behind me cuts first, and then it has to finish keep blinking, I cant just snap it out of the blinking mode like with a hard push . This will often confuse that driver and so he wont move past fast enough for me to cut through
By the time I click for three blinks, I am barely into half of the other lane when the blinks stop.
And what is also really annoying is if I use the three blinkers, and then the person behind me cuts first, and then it has to finish keep blinking, I cant just snap it out of the blinking mode like with a hard push
. This will often confuse that driver and so he wont move past fast enough for me to cut throughyou can use the "lane change feature" in exactly the same manner as the old style blinker. if you hold it down it will keep blinking. its just an added feature, not replacing one. much the same as one touch up/down power windows. or do you prefer the "control" of raising the windows with the switch?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 1
From: tech capital
(Just kidding)
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 1
From: tech capital
And what is also really annoying is if I use the three blinkers, and then the person behind me cuts first, and then it has to finish keep blinking, I cant just snap it out of the blinking mode like with a hard push . This will often confuse that driver and so he wont move past fast enough for me to cut through
. This will often confuse that driver and so he wont move past fast enough for me to cut throughAs I said earlier, I'm not sure this feature adds a lot of value, at least for me that is.