BS: vehicle tail lights - trends

Subject: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Mr Red
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 06:09 AM

I was following a modern Mini and its tail lights, albeit in red, were in the format of the Union Jack**. Or half of one mirror image per side.

The trend with LEDs is for all manner of fancy shapes front and back, but I have long wondered why VW never sought to advertise like they do with badged logos. Maybe there are differing country regulations that make it difficult to square in one design. Maybe what I saw was an after-market fillip.

But it would not be difficult to make the Audio rings, the BMW propeller, and even the Jaguar cat or MG.

Anyone seen other bizzare tail lights?

**yea yea, but it will always be a Jack to me. The British Flag, but the UNION JACK - OK? Gor blimey mate, the US have more than one nickname for the "Stars and Stripes" aka "Old Glory"

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Iains
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 06:23 AM

Mr Red you live dangerously. I like the cut of your jib, or should it be jackstaff before the jackasses awake?

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Jos
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 06:46 AM

Surely there are enough adverts already?
Even the roundabouts (US traffic circles?) are cluttered up with signs and logos saying which companies have sponsored them.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Senoufou
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 07:10 AM

Just googled them. A bit BNP nowadays, and I'd find them distracting. Surprised they're legal to be honest.
Haven't seen any yet in Norfolk, but we are a bit behind the times round here!

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Raggytash
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 07:16 AM

Remind me to never take a mini to Ireland!

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Senoufou
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 07:22 AM

Ha yes Raggytash, they'd be smashed in a couple of seconds!

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 08:49 AM

Some modern tail lights are so "futuristic" that they make me wonder if I'm driving on the roadway, or have been transported to an amusement park ride.

This 2018 Toyota Prius is a prime example. Try driving behind one of those in stop-and-go evening traffic for a few minutes.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Senoufou
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 09:13 AM

But what exactly are the Traffic Regulations? Do these sort of tail lights comply? Surely they're so distracting they represent a danger.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Charmion
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 10:28 AM

I haven't seen anything like that on the highways of Ontario. Yet.

Jos, I absolutely agree with you about the advertising on and around British roundabouts. The roadsides are already so cluttered with buildings and overhanging brush that a foreign driver can't relax for even a split second for fear of missing crucial information. I remember with a shudder a particularly cramped roundabout in Wales that was not only under construction but also so plastered with billboards that I had a hard time finding the correct exit and consequently went around twice while both the satnav and my husband chuntered at me.

Senoufou, if Britain has traffic regulations to reduce distractions, I saw no evidence of them. For this Canadian, used to our literally wide open spaces, driving in England and Wales was one headache after another, all at top speed and often in foul weather.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: leeneia
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 11:19 AM

Yesterday was a day of blowing snow and low visibility, and all I can say is that bigger and brighter taillights are all to the good.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: robomatic
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 04:07 PM

Other than being able to tell left from light, turn indicators and those red brake indicators (and those ridiculous center mounted third brake lights, thank you Elizabeth Dole), tail lights have had a 'creative design' side, which seems to become more noticeable at various times. Most recently the advent of LCDs has stimulated design, since LCDs come as minimal bitty lights which are then mounted to form various rows & columns, or for the whimsically inclined, patterns. I've found the Jeep designs, which are diagonal crosses in circles, most noticeable.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: JHW
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 04:49 PM

As Senoufou I have wondered how regulations accomodate all the shapes and sizes. Those Jeeps have tail lights like the Close white cross on red symbol at the top of my screen here. Just to be individual I guess. You can't click them.
I am irritated by the slowly widening row of orange dot lights as trafficators on Audi's and others. Why should I wait for their gimmick to perform?

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 07:03 PM

Then, on the other end of the car, the vast majority of headlight modules on late model passenger cars look like different takes on birds' wings;

Here's an example: Hyundai Elantra headlight.

Looks just like a bird;s wing, doesn't it? And 90% of recent model year cars on the road have something similar.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 07:50 PM

Screw pretty. If Solid red light bars across the back are good then the light bar plus the large print illumination of the word STOP when the car comes to a full stop is better. As for headlights, goods lights with the addition of lights straight up makes for outstanding visual location on roads with close forests, poles, signs and obstacles.

Picture a subway car that shines a radial light reflecting off tunnel walls as well as the one light straight ahead. That is real illumination.
I had a Bonneville that could do something similar and on a summer night with the sunroof open the forests were beautiful and we were highly visible.

My current headlights turn with the steering wheel but does not give a 360 effect like the Bonneville.
Bring on the light. Why not?

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Gurney
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 09:54 PM

I remember from 50 years ago, when I was one of the team who fitted lamps (lights are windows, lamps produce light. Jaguar used coachbuilding terms), to Jaguar cars, there were countries which had specific lamps fitted.
Taillamps were red, trafficators/turn signals were orange, France insisted on yellow bulbs in the headlamps, one of the Scandinavian countries insisted that the MkII park-lamps were too small and had an approved one incorporated in the turn-signal, as well as headlamps which came on with the ignition, and USA headlamps were sealed-beam and noticeably dimmer than anyone else, having a specific maximum wattage.

My personal opinion is that modern brakelamps are much too bright and destroy your night-vision, (Those prats who sit at the lights with their brakes on!) LED front turn-signals are too focussed forward and can be difficult to see sometimes when they are used too close to the turn. And on subject; no, I do NOT like 'stylish' modern trends in lighting. I want to see the vehicle, and be able to judge its distance. I don't need to know what brand it is.

There. Now I feel so much better.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Senoufou
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 04:05 AM

I think there are two angles to this: the driver uses his/her lights (lamps) to illuminate the route ahead, and to indicate intention to stop or turn.
But other road users should be considered. One's lights(lamps) should never put other drivers at risk of reduced visual capacity by being blindingly bright or of too distracting a design (ie the Union Jack things)
Driving at night along our pitch black Norfolk roads, one sometimes meets a twit approaching with full beams, of that intensely bright bluish sort, and it does leave an after-effect for quite a time on the retina.
Use the dip switch please!
A vehicle isn't a bling-bling toy to jazz up like a Christmas tree.
I agree with you Gurney, and there should be tighter regulations about these things.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Mr Red
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 04:59 AM

On the subject of indicators.
Vauxall (& Opel) had one model that the designer decoded it was pretty to put the indicator near the top/point of an elongated peardrop shaped headlamp cluster.

One bright sunny Sunday 11am in September I had one turn across me at a mini roundabout, and had to brake sharply.

As he turned the indicator became obvious. And as I fumed on my way I reasoned that the angle of the sun and the "form over function" conceit had channeled the sunlight into the cluster and as we know, mid-day sun is pretty dominant.

Give me things that work, before prettiness. Every time.

Lesson learned - IF "car approaching is Vauxall" THEN "apply brakes" ELSE "different hazzard"

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 06:36 AM

Aces Red. Japaneses rear lights are too bright.
whats a Vauxall?

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 06:51 AM

The one and only time I met Raggytash, someone who didn't own up drove into my parked car and busted my rear reverse light cluster. B*ast*ard. Cost me 36 quid, that did.

All of a sudden I now have to drive on dark country roads in order to visit my mum in her new care home. I'm cool with night driving and with country lanes, but I've noticed that a huge number of cars have defective headlights or missing brake lights. One problem on hilly lanes is that a car approaching you from the opposite direction as they get to the the brow of a hill will dazzle you even though the lights are dipped.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Senoufou
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 06:54 AM

What is a 'hill' Steve? :)

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Jos
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 06:58 AM

Oh Eliza, anyone would think you had never been to Scotland.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 06:58 AM

A Vauxhall is a car bought by someone who never reads car reviews. Likewise, Audis and beamers are cars bought only by people who can't drive. Toyota Yarises and Honda Jazzes are cars designed for exceptionally elderly couples to drive at no faster than 25mph. In front of me.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Jos
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 07:01 AM

Talking of hills, I once met someone from Ayr who told me he liked 'climbing the hulls' and I genuinely thought he meant he had been down on the shore, climbing on the upturned boats.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 07:07 AM

And what about those confounded knobheads who drive around in clear conditions with their rear fogs on. It's illegal, actually. You can hardly not notice that you've got them on as your dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree. Eejits.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Raggytash
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 07:20 AM

Eh hang about Steve ......... I've owned 4 Vauxhalls. Two Cavaliers, 1 Vectra and 1 Astra (which I still drive)

They have all been very reliable, relatively cheap to repair when they do go wrong and three of them did well in excess of 100,000 miles.

The Astra, so far, has done 95,000 miles and in the 6 years that I've had it has only let me down once.

Still I prefer a Saab or a Volvo. I've had 2 Saabs and 3 Volvos and my next car will probably be a Volvo.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 07:46 AM

I confess to having owned a Cavalier estate and a Nova in my time, and I passed my test in 1968 in my dad's boxy little Viva saloon. Unloveable friends I suppose. At least when my cam belt broke on the Nova it transpired that the car had a "safe engine" which saved me a quid or hundred.

Now what was that old joke...

What's the difference between a hedgehog and a Volvo estate?

With a hedgehog, the pricks are on the outside...

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Raggytash
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 07:51 AM

The last Volvo we had was a C70 convertible.

You know the joke about Volvo drivers selecting their gear for the day ...... well one day for devilment I set of in 3rd gear and was still in 3rd gear when I hit 80mph *


*obviously on a foreign road, your Honour!

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Senoufou
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 08:57 AM

We loved my husband's ancient Vauxhall Meriva, but it started playing up and each MOT brought something new to fix. Eventually we sold it (for only £100!) and now we make do with my trusty (so far!) old Ford Fiesta.

I don't have to worry about driving up and down hills in our beloved Norfolk.
There's a village near us called 'Moreton-on-the-Hill' which makes my sister giggle. She calls it 'Moreton-on-the-Very-Slight-Incline'.

She loves all the mountains/hills where she lives up in Perthshire.
I find mountains a bit sinister, looming up on the horizon.
Although many years ago, I enjoyed horse-riding in the Pentlands when I was a student.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Senoufou
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 12:01 PM

By the way, doesn't the Vauxhall Zafira have a tendency to burst into flames?

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: DMcG
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 01:34 PM

Don't forget the Mark 1 Cortina from the mid 60's with the rear lights arranged in two circles as if they were some sort of jet engine.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: EBarnacle
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 02:21 PM

I have been enjoying distinctive tail light designs for a couple of years. BMWs tend to look like wings. Many Mercedes look like feathers. VWs look like tiered Ls on their backs with the long arms toward the center [or centre if you are a Brit]. Audis have a little arm to the "out" side. The list goes on. I especially enjoy directional that have a repeater on the side mirrors.
By the way, I agree that there are too many idiots out there who keep their brights on in traffic. Headlight design may be "improving" to give better vision to the drivers but is often blinding to oncoming drivers as well as making it hard to tell whether the brights are on or not.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Senoufou
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 02:53 PM

We crept into a Land Rover dealership last week, as my husband is obsessed with the Evoque, especially one with a 'marchepied' (running board). They had several different models, all brand new and ranging from £30,000 to over £40,000.

We saw a taupe-coloured one and drooled over it, until a very nice lady approached and asked us if she could help? We had to tell her we were 'just looking'.

We often say if we won the Lottery, we'd get one of those plus a Mini Countryman (also in taupe).
Trouble is, we don't actually do the Lottery.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Jos
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 03:03 PM

Are running boards back in fashion then (for the footmen to stand on)?
Next they'll be bringing back those little oblong direction indicators that flipped out of the side of the car near the top of the doors like erratic orange sycamore seeds.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Senoufou
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 03:26 PM

Hahahaha Jos, I remember when all cars had those direction indicators that flipped out! And one family in our street (in the late fifties) had a black Ford Popular with running boards.

I've no idea why he dreams about running boards. They make me think of the Mafia, clinging on to the side of a car with a pistol in one hand...

The showroom didn't have any Evoques with them attached, but one can order them specially.

I'd rather like a footman or two. Could they wear special livery?

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 05:28 PM

A Mercedes MGL has yellow orange illuminated running boards .
A very well lit vehicle imho but it looks like a pretentious limo in black.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 06:07 PM

As Les Barker said, (approximately), 'If you don't do the Lottery, you've got no chance of winning. If you do, your chances are much the same.'

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Senoufou
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 06:29 PM

Exactly Rusty. That's why we don't do it.
My sister calls the National Lottery 'taxing the stupid'.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: BobL
Date: 28 Nov 18 - 04:42 AM

"National Lottery" is an anagram of "Totally Inane Rot".

I once calculated that buying a ticket was only worthwhile if you valued the excitement at 25p or more.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Senoufou
Date: 28 Nov 18 - 05:56 AM

That's so funny Bob! I'd never have made that anagram!

There are adverts on TV ("Someone's knocking at the door...") for the Postcode Lottery, where they're presenting winners with cheques for £150,000. I believe it's about £10 per month to 'play'. That's £120 a year chucked away. Nah.

I reckon we must be the most boring couple in Britain. We don't drink, smoke, gamble, do risky sports, eat dodgy foods, go out at night...
Still, we are quite old.
And we definitely wouldn't say no to an Evoque with running board, and/or a Mini Countryman. (Both with normal tail lights of course!)

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: robomatic
Date: 28 Nov 18 - 06:09 PM

ALSO:

New cars have a light setting you are supposed to leave on, usually one detent from full 'off'. This 'Automatic' setting decides for you when to have parking lights on, or headlights. There are two problems with this.

1)You might disagree with what the automatic decider does. But how do you know what the automatic decider does?

2)You may have work done on your car, and the workers may return the car with the switch full off. Then you start driving around with no lights and you may not know.

Which I've seen many cars driving around in the subarctic dark completely dark.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 29 Nov 18 - 12:02 PM

I haven't yet worked out how to make my lights stay on for more than a few seconds, when double-parked for off-loading my piano at band practice venue (there's never a proper parking space nearby and the piano is too heavy to carry more than a few yards!) So I just leave the hazard flashers on until mission is accomplished.

Three pet hates re night driving: the people who wait until they can see your retinal reflex before dipping their lights, even though you saw THEIR headlights approaching and dipped yours ages before you came face-to-face.

Speed bumps: also cause that temporary "main beam" effect, even though lights are dipped, as the oncoming car goes over the bump.

People who leave headlights on while parked on your nearside facing you: don't they know that the angulation of the beam is right in your eyes?

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Senoufou
Date: 29 Nov 18 - 01:06 PM

I think what it is Tattie is that some people are very inconsiderate.
Also, some folk don't have good night vision and have full beams on constantly simply because they can't see too well. (dangerous!)
Luckily, I see very well in the dark.

I love watching the TV programme 'Wheeler Dealers', and just at this moment they're working on a Ford Popular!! But it hasn't got a running board :(
That chap Edd China is a brilliant mechanic, and explains everything so well. I reckon after watching him for many weeks, I could now set up a garage and do people's MOTs for a few quid!

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: EBarnacle
Date: 29 Nov 18 - 09:21 PM

On our way into The City yesterday, I looked at Mini Countryman lights and saw no Union Jacks. Perhaps it is/was just a temporary aberration.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Donuel
Date: 29 Nov 18 - 11:06 PM

We like Ed China and never cared for his lazy exploitative partner.

If I watch vintage Wheeler Dealer shows in the mirror all the British cars become American drive.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Senoufou
Date: 30 Nov 18 - 03:38 AM

I didn't used to like Mike Brewer either Donuel. But over the months I've grown quite fond of him. He's a 'type' - a London wheeler dealer as the title of the programme maintains. He seems friendly and congenial. He also loves his father dearly, which is a good trait.

EBarnacle, if all Mini Countryman cars had those bling-bling rear lights, my husband wouldn't be allowed one, Lottery win or not!

Edd China fitted LED rear lights to the revamped Ford Popular. But he was trying to tart it up to sell to someone who might be attracted to that sort of thing.
By the way, why does he always spell his first name with two 'd's?

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Nov 18 - 05:31 AM

A bit off topic but as someone mentioned the pop out indicators...

My brothers first car was an Austin A40. Didn't have pop out indicators but it did have a clockwork indicator control on the dashboard! You turned it in the direction you wanted to indicate and it clicked down physically for a few seconds and then stopped. I dunno if that was fitted as standard or if it was a custom 'improvement' :-)

It also has the number plate 'SAK 20' which I reckon would be worth a fortune nowadays.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Senoufou
Date: 30 Nov 18 - 05:58 AM

Gah! I've just asked husband what he thinks of fancy tail lights and he's thrilled at the idea. He says he'd especially adore the Union Jack ones, and could they perhaps be fitted to our ancient Fiesta?
(Over my dead body mate!)

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Mr Red
Date: 30 Nov 18 - 04:27 PM

whats a Vauxall?

European GM.

Toyota Yarises Beware - Mr Red is thinking of holidaying in Cornawall, and red Yarises can drive even slower. To invoke the snail, just tailgate and honk!

if you valued the excitement at 25p or more.

so if you buy a lottery ticket and keep it for 8 weeks without checking the numbers - would that qualify? I usually buy one at a Folk Festival, because if I won the excitement would not be on my doorstep.

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 03 Dec 18 - 03:31 PM

Apparently the Union Jack lights were fitted from Jan 2018
but you can buy retrofit
https://www.bmwblog.com/2018/07/21/union-jack-taillights-available-as-retrofit-option-on-pre-facelift-mini-models/

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 04 Dec 18 - 08:06 PM

Not for me, Freddy!

Subject: RE: BS: vehicle tail lights - trends
From: EBarnacle
Date: 07 Dec 18 - 11:46 AM

I see vertical arrays of tail lights more and more of late. The first I noticed, though, were on the D type Citroen wagons, which had all of the rear lights on the side pillars around the rear gates. Quite visible as well as being distinctive.
If I could resurrect any design genus, it would be the D types. I owned three of then after I went from considering them just another ugly car to understanding their greatness.