So I saw a current-generation Camry shift from Drive into Park. And the reverse light did that momentary blink that economy cars tend to do as the shift lever passes reverse. I thought to myself, Gee I hope our ESes don't do that.

So I just set up my cell phone at the back of the car filming the tail lights and recorded a video shifting from Park to Drive and Drive to Park at a leisurely slow pace. The reverse light doesn't blink or flash. So there's a built in delay in the ES that the Camry doesn't get. the delay allows the shifter to pass the reverse detent before activating the reverse light momentarily. What you'd expect a premium car to do. So yep this is a cool find for me!

Now I am wondering if you cancel the blinker signals mid-flash, will it do a partial blink or will the car complete a full blink to give a classy appearance? I know on BMWs, it completes a full blink and never cancels mid-flash. e.g., partial flash. and before you go look at the gauge cluster, i am not 100% sure if the gauge cluster represents what's actually taking place at the lights outside.

 

Interesting find.

Now get back out there and figure out the turn signal lol

 

I had an e39 and it had that delay also.

 

I kind of like the "blink". If someone's behind you it gives them a clue to get off their phone, somethings happening.

 

I hope you're not parking in the middle of the road lol

 

Hope this isn't too much of a hijack, but this reminds me of some GM trucks whose backup lights stay on for long periods when the vehicle is parked. They tout it as some sort of convenience feature, but I find it exasperating because I don't feel I can safely drive past the damn thing lest it turn out that the truck is actually about to back out.

 

I wonder why they didn’t fix it on the inside. Every time I move from drive to park (and park to drive), the multimedia screen flickers for a brief second as it goes through reverse (back up camera)

 

I haven't really paid attention to the infotainment screen as i'm shifting. i will see how the screen/reverse camera behaves as i shift past the "R" detent. i'll try to go slow too.

 

I had an E39 too. a 97. great car.

 

Cool to know, thanks E46CT!

I never noticed this as well, I think it does flash real quick, but will see later on today and update here...

 

I tried it again - It’s not noticeable when I shift it fast. But if I slow down shifting just a little (the way I normally do it), there is a very brief flash as it goes through R. It’s not annoying / about as fast as a blink, but I still notice.

 

I can also see the annoyance of shifting into reverse to reverse, and the reverse camera display not showing up fast enough..

 

Nice car to drive with poor reliability.

 

Interesting I had the opposite experience. I had nearly 300,000 trouble free miles on mine. Zero breakdowns. Started up every time.

There's several of those bruisers on the forum with 400-600k miles. I'd argue it's actually one of the most reliable cars on planet earth. You just have to do good maintenance as anything else.

Also had a 97 M3 (essentially the same car) with 236,000 rock solid miles. Had no concerns taking it on a multi state road trip. an absolute rock reliability wise.

 

Thread hijack, it would be nice if the back up camera stayed on a bit longer when committing a 3 point turn.
Some Hondas and no doubt others keep the back up display live for a couple of seconds which helps out.
You don't need the Navigation Screen or radio or phone to be displayed while backing, right?