wondering about difficulty,,looks gnarly to me.

 

I was wondering the same.

 

the 3rd ite is up on the roof under the trim and im sure its not easy to get to...most cars its right there in the trunk area..the fact that no ones tried it probably says it all.

 

A switch for the 3rd brake light?

 

Flashing third tail is not legal in most states.

 

One (maybe both) of the local Indiana Toyota dealers likes to pack their vehicles with grossly overpriced mandatory dealer-installed "protection options." They currently charge $1995 for a package with the top brake light flasher ("Safety Brake" brand), nitrogen in the tires and something they spray on the seats. I have always managed to buy my new cars without any of that nonsense. About ten years ago they used to break out the brake flasher charge and I think it was $800 then. I thought the flasher was not a bad idea, having seen it in use on other cars in my area. I looked on eBay and saw the little black box only cost $18, so I bought one to put in my 2013 Camry. It was difficult for me to find the wiring location, but I did figure out how to slide the light housing sideways while lifting it and gain access to the wiring. That year had an incandescent upper brake bulb, so there had to be a way to replace the bulb. It was tucked into the far rear of the tight place between the rear window and the back shelf. It was a pain to reach. I had to cut and strip one rather thin wire and solder and tape the new connections to the flasher. The Toyota wire was too thin to use my solderless connectors. I think a fair labor charge for an experienced Toyota mechanic to install the flasher in that car would be about $50. The flasher worked fine as long as I owned the car.

The cars I have since owned had even less room to access that upper brake light, so I have not tried to install a flasher since the 2013 Camry. Maybe LED brake lights are designed without means of easy access.

The dealer from whom I bought my new 2024 ES350 did not even try to add on any extra stuff, so I do not know what they would charge for a flasher.

 

Lou

 

I interestingly was behind a vehicle the other day with the third brake light flashing, caught me off guard since I'm used to only seeing this on emergency vehicles. At first I thought they were trying to signal me or something, then I thought they had a short, but the interval was too even. It's against the law here in Michigan.

 

I’d imagine that they’re illegal everywhere, under some DOT/NHTSA/whatever regulation. Some locales, and some officers, enforce it, some don’t.

 

Out of curiosity, why would someone want a flashing light there?

 

They make just the middle brake light flash rapidly four times when the foot brake is applied. Then the light stays on as normal, so maybe that makes them legal for Federal requirements. As I said, the local Indiana Toyota dealer still puts them on the cars they sell.

As for why, they are marketed as additional protection against rear end collisions. They may improve the chances of getting the attention of the driver behind you when you are about to slow or stop.

 

gets my attention.

 

Legal if the brake lights flash for only a few seconds then goes steady.

 

I've seen a 4th flashing brake light added with the NIA diffuser, down low in between the exhaust tips. I like that look, but wouldn't want it happening with my existing 3rd light off the roof.