sequential turn signals
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: 714/949, SoCal
sequential turn signals
from what i can remember, sequential turn signals are nothing new, going back to the ford thunderbird of the mid 60s that utilized a "cap/rotor" or "cam" design to make the lights sequence to the left of right accordingly. fast forward to advances in electrical tech to ford putting them on their late model mustangs. of course audi does this very well nowadays adding more animation than just function, and recently i've seen toyota adopt it as well (avalon and tacoma to name a few). mazda has a cool way of doing it as seen on their new mazda 3s, where the LEDs acts almost like an incandescent fading away.
what are your thoughts on these flashy (pun intended) lights? trendy or gimmicky? the aftermarket of course has placed these everywhere too!
t-bird
audi
tacoma
avalon
what are your thoughts on these flashy (pun intended) lights? trendy or gimmicky? the aftermarket of course has placed these everywhere too!
t-bird
audi
tacoma
avalon
Last edited by bitkahuna; Aug 24, 2020 at 12:09 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,574
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
My Dad had a '65 T-Bird with those sequential-flashers. I considered them a gimmick back then, and still do today. Besides the T-Bird and Mustang, they were also used on some First-Generation Mercury Cougars in the late 60s.
I didn't realize the dimming signals were on the Mazda3, I thought it was something that debuted on the CX-30. I liked it a lot when I first saw it - I thought it was a nice little premium-style touch.
WRT sequential LED signals, I think they're trendy, and I like them. They look great on the Audi and the T-bird. With that said, sometimes they are not executed well (IMO). For example, on the Accord shown above, the turn signal in the headlight appears to be out of time with the turn signal in the side mirror. I'm also not a fan of the way they were done on the Avalon.
I have installed aftermarket sequential LED turn signals in the side mirrors of my Mazda CX-9, which previously had the standard LED lighting, and I think it turned out ok (skip towards the end of the video):
I have another video on my channel but it's a little shakey. I just wanted to do something to create a little more individuality.
WRT sequential LED signals, I think they're trendy, and I like them. They look great on the Audi and the T-bird. With that said, sometimes they are not executed well (IMO). For example, on the Accord shown above, the turn signal in the headlight appears to be out of time with the turn signal in the side mirror. I'm also not a fan of the way they were done on the Avalon.
I have installed aftermarket sequential LED turn signals in the side mirrors of my Mazda CX-9, which previously had the standard LED lighting, and I think it turned out ok (skip towards the end of the video):
I have another video on my channel but it's a little shakey. I just wanted to do something to create a little more individuality.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: California
They mostly look good, but some are not executed too well. The Avalon's rear lights blink in a direction that doesn't really point in the direction of the turn. And Audi ruins their taillights by adding in a non-sequential light at the same time the sequential one flashes. This defeats the purpose, adds too much light "mass," and takes away the sequential effect.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 26,091
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From: Alberta
Simple is best. You see blinking amber you instinctually know it's a turn signal. Sequential catches your eye but it's also a distraction you focus on it instead of seeing it as part of everything else. Red turn signals are in the same realm, your brain doesn't think turn when it sees red it thinks stop. Auto makers are packing more and more airbags, collision avoidance systems, better crumple zones etc. and then go partially negate them with stupid things like this.
I have installed aftermarket sequential LED turn signals in the side mirrors of my Mazda CX-9, which previously had the standard LED lighting, and I think it turned out ok (skip towards the end of the video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmrZRfYsfNk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmrZRfYsfNk
Simple is best. You see blinking amber you instinctually know it's a turn signal. Sequential catches your eye but it's also a distraction you focus on it instead of seeing it as part of everything else. Red turn signals are in the same realm, your brain doesn't think turn when it sees red it thinks stop. Auto makers are packing more and more airbags, collision avoidance systems, better crumple zones etc. and then go partially negate them with stupid things like this.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,574
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Simple is best. You see blinking amber you instinctually know it's a turn signal. Sequential catches your eye but it's also a distraction you focus on it instead of seeing it as part of everything else. Red turn signals are in the same realm, your brain doesn't think turn when it sees red it thinks stop.