Post by AlPost by WaynePost by AlI have a 2005 Lexus ES330, and my wife has a 2004 Camry. On both cars,
the turn signals sound is so low that we frequently forget to turn this
off. It's very annoying to us and other drivers. Before buying another
Lexus or other Toyota product, I'll be sure to first check to see if the
turn signal is loud enough. If not, I'll find another brand that doesn't
have that defect.
Al
-
If you are not paying attention to driving the car now, why would a
louder sound change anything....you would ignore it also.
It seems a couple of people participating in this discussion are quick to
criticize but have missed the point (or aren't old enough to know better).
It's not a matter of not being a good enough driver or not paying
sufficient attention. The point is that the auto manufacturers include a
ticking noise with the direction signal for a very good reason - to remind
you that it's on, since a good driver will turn on the turn signal for
more than just 3 to 5 seconds before turning and will then consentrate on
"driving." If the ticking sound of the turn signal isn't loud enough, it
will fail in its purpose. However, such an obvious fact isn't quickly
apparent to some individuals who ironically think they're so bright.
Al
PS - I also notice that on my Lexus you have to turn the wheel just about
to a 90 degree turn for the turn signal to go off. On other cars I've
owned, it takes less of a turn. Since having and using the turn signal is
an important safety feature, the defect I described could result in some
accidents notwithstanding the rationalizations of some people.
The clicking sound from the turn signal was not originally designed in or
included on purpose. The sound is a byproduct of the mechanism used to turn
the electrical current on and off. Inside the turn signal flasher housing
is a bimetallic switch, which is a piece of metal that heats up when current
is flowing through it, and the shape of the metal piece makes it move away
from the contact when it is hot. The metal makes a sound like what you get
when you crumple an aluminum soda can, and the movement away from the
electrical contact interrupts the electrical current. With no current
flowing through the metal, it cools and the metal pops back and touches the
contact again, repeating the process.
Before the widespread use of plastic, the housing around the turn signal
flasher was made of metal, which transmitted the sounds of the popping
bimetallic switch well. The flashers in modern cars have plastic housings,
and a sturdy housing with a thicker plastic casing will muffle the sound
more than a thinner plastic housing so ironically, a cheaper housing will
result in a louder clicking sound than a more expensive housing.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)