Hey, your brake light is out

"DynamicWeight" (dynamicweight) 11/14/2016 at 12:01 • Filed to: None

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Hey Oppo, this morning I did something I do fairly often, I let someone know their brake light was out at a stop light. Three times this year I have gotten someones attention since all three of their brake lights were out ! I even followed someone home once since their wheel was visibly wobbling all over the place. Do you guys do this?

mazda616 > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 12:08

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I pulled in behind some guy with a wobbly wheel on his Grand Am that was about to follow off and he looked at me like I had three heads when I told him about the wheel.

It amazes me how oblivious people are to their vehicles.

Quadradeuce > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 12:12

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I flagged down a large box truck on the freeway because it had its door wide open. Everyone else on the freeway was content to just pass him.

TheHondaBro > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 12:12

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One time I noticed a car with all three brake lights constantly on. I couldn’t say anything because they were also going way too fast.

DynamicWeight > mazda616 11/14/2016 at 12:14

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My guy was very grateful. I find most people are. Though, I do remember, one time on the freeway like ten years ago, I was trying to get this persons attention since their tire was flat and I guess they thought I was mad at them or something because the passenger threw her arms up like “Okay already”. I’m hoping they saw the flat when they parked and realized that’s what I was trying to tell them about.

Noah - Now with more boost. > mazda616 11/14/2016 at 12:14

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the horrific sounds that some people will ignore blow my mind. one of my colleagues was driving around with brake pads that were worn down to the metal for weeks and sounded like a squealing pig

DynamicWeight > TheHondaBro 11/14/2016 at 12:15

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Maybe they thought they were doing a sick burnout?

TheHondaBro > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 12:16

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It was a Hyundai something. Not a Genesis.

Arrivederci > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 12:20

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If I did that for brake lights, I’d pretty much be constantly doing that. So many cars around here have one or more brake lights out.

DynamicWeight > Arrivederci 11/14/2016 at 12:21

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Damn, where do you live? I think I end up doing this maybe once and month? Sometimes though I go months without seeing one.

Honeybunchesofgoats > TheHondaBro 11/14/2016 at 12:22

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One time I was behind a Hyundai that had all three brake lights constantly on EXCEPT when they pressed the brake. It was tremendously difficult to adjust to.

Arrivederci > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 12:24

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North Carolina - it’s insane. And it’s usually minivans - both incandescent lights are often burnt out and the only one working is the LED CHMSL.

facw > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 12:35

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Super common here in Texas, even though we have inspections. I’ll see a car with one out pretty much any time I’m driving more than 10 minutes. I mention burnt out lamps to people we’re going to the same place, but otherwise I’ll let them be. And I’ve definitely had some people act like I’m an asshole for suggesting they maintain their car.

facw > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 12:39

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I’m definitely not following anyone with a wobbly wheel. I do not want to be around that when it falls apart. I wish there was a way to report safety issues with vehicles that would then text the owner or something (I don’t even think a fine is strictly necessary, though I’d hope people who had been warned and ignore the issue should be help to be more negligent in any legal fallout). If we can report litterers , we should be able to report deathtraps on the road. 

Kanaric > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 12:39

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I’ve seen some cars so fucked, especially when I lived in Chicago, that it made me wish we had inspections in this country. However aside that I typically am the guy who runs “illegal” mods on my car like open downpipe so i’m also glad we don’t.

Kanaric > TheHondaBro 11/14/2016 at 12:40

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Makes sense, my friends who have owned hyundais had various electrical issues. One guy had his amp and power seats fixed multiple times. It was in fact continuous until he traded in for a, ironically, GTI which has been reliable.

SWEENEE > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 12:44

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Could be someone in the trunk...loosening the bulbs...#JerseyStrong

The Dummy Gummy > facw 11/14/2016 at 12:44

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Wow I love the report litterers app. I wish my state had that.

McMike > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 12:49

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Usually when all three are out, it’s the brake switch, isn’t it?

They can’t be all on the same circuit, can they?

E92M3 > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 13:17

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I do if I get caught at a light next to them. I can’t believe how many cars I see with only 1 brake light working these days.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 13:17

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I once saw someone who used the wrong type of switch for their brake lights. They were constantly on and turned off when they hit the brakes.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > TheHondaBro 11/14/2016 at 13:18

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People who left foot brake on the road are dumb. All you are doing is wearing out your brakes faster.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Kanaric 11/14/2016 at 13:26

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I don’t find that odd at all. I feel like Hyundai and Kia are completely ok with their cars breaking - because they 100% intend to fix it for you for free (until dat warranty is up!)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 13:27

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It’s terrible here in Michigan in the land of no inspections.

If I noticed more than 1 is out I’ll try and get someone’s attention. I had someone with all 3 out and I couldn’t get their attention once. I assume they were rear-ended not long after leaving my line of sight.

Bourbon&JellyBeans > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 13:34

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I mean if they’re wheel is wobbling, they can feel it. If they haven’t chose to fix it, I doubt some stranger bringing it to their attention will do the trick. DC has some pretty fucking shitty cars and seeing old hoopties with no brake lights ain’t a thing. I’ve had crazies purposely slam on their brakes in front of me for the insurance money so trust me, I’m on top of that shit. Lol

DynamicWeight > Bourbon&JellyBeans 11/14/2016 at 13:41

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The guy had no idea and was very thankful. Lots of people ignore vibrations and noises “it’s an old car”. People slamming their brakes might be because of tailgating, just something to be aware of.

DynamicWeight > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 11/14/2016 at 13:41

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California has no inspection either. It doesn’t seem to be that bad, but when I see it I try and let people know.

TheRealBicycleBuck > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 13:44

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Yep. All the time.

My favorite is warning people that their brake lights are stuck on. “Hey, buddy! Your brake lights have been on for the last mile or so. I’d have the switch checked or perhaps quit resting your left foot on the brake pedal!”

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 13:44

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Yeah it’s endless here in Michigan. I caught one on my wife’s Jeep about 2 months ago and I fixed it within 24 hours. Drives me crazy.

DynamicWeight > McMike 11/14/2016 at 13:44

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Well, the tails usually go out pretty close to the same time as each other. And I think people usually don’t bother fixing the center light on an older car. So I can imagine a scenario where the center light has been out for quite sometime, then both tails die within a week. We don’t have inspections here so the center could be out for years.

TheRealBicycleBuck > TheHondaBro 11/14/2016 at 13:45

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Probably resting the left foot on the brake pedal. I see it all the time.

McMike > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 13:48

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Ah yes, the states without inspections.  I was born & raised in an annual inspection state, and totally forgot about that.   

haveacarortwoorthree2 > Quadradeuce 11/14/2016 at 14:04

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Was driving down the highway one day and saw something similar. Just a barrel in the middle of the road. Another mile or so, another barrel. Another mile or so, see a trailer with an open door and boom, another barrel slides out. Gunned it and got beside him, honked like crazy to get his attention, then pantomimed that a door was open and stuff was falling out. Driver finally got it and started to get over. Had those barrels been coming a little faster, it would have been like donkey kong. Apparently everyone else just drove past him and didn’t do anything.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 14:07

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Yes.

Just yesterday, I saw a lady walking to her BMW X5 parked next to my car.

I noticed one of her tires was nearly flat. I have a pump in my car and offered to pump it up. She was grateful and I pumped up the tire for her. It had something like only 5 psi of air in it... definitely was unsafe.

Quadradeuce > haveacarortwoorthree2 11/14/2016 at 14:08

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I see an open trailer once a year. I deal with LTL truck drivers as part of my job, and if you buddy up with them long enough you’ll get an honest answer about how often it happens. More than you think. One guy even lost a pallet jack out of his trailer. He has no idea when it happened, just that it didn’t hit anything (since his truck is well marked it would have caught up with him).

for Michigan > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 14:20

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Somewhat related, am I the only one who thinks Hyundai/KIA products have lights out more often than other makes?

DynamicWeight > for Michigan 11/14/2016 at 14:23

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I’m hoping not, we’re considering a Hyundai Elantra for my girlfriend’s next car. I think I need to make a separate post about that.

DynamicWeight > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 11/14/2016 at 14:23

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This is how I see it... people helping each other! It’s a great thing.

for Michigan > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 14:28

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Everyone I know who owns one is happy with it, but seems like most of the cars I see on the road with lights out are Hyundai/KIAs. Not just old ones either, I see their cars that are only a few years old with at least one light out constantly.

DynamicWeight > for Michigan 11/14/2016 at 14:37

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Hmmm, perhaps people who are looking for the cheapest car available are also less likely to pay attention to their car and it’s upkeep?

Or perhaps you have a confirmation bias? The lights I’ve seen out on cars here seems to be across all makes and models.

for Michigan > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 14:47

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The local Hyundai/KIA dealer definitely goes for the bottom end of the market, so that’s a possibility.

While I’m not going to say confirmation bias isn’t possible, I don’t think it’s likely. During the year that I spent delivering pizzas full time, I saw a lot of cars with lights out, and the impression I got was that Hyundai/KIAs made up an unusual number of those.

It’s probably relevant to mention that I’m specifically referring to taillights. When it comes to headlights, GM products (especially trucks) seem to have lights out more often than other brands. I’ve seen multiple GM trucks running around with dead low beams and tape over the top half of their high beams.

Bourbon&JellyBeans > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 15:59

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Definitely not an issue of tailgating because after they tried it on me they went and did it to a couple other cars - quickly cut in front of them and then slam on the brakes. That last time happened over three years ago now. Won’t ever forget it. Another reason I need to get around to buying a dashcam I guess.

DynamicWeight > Bourbon&JellyBeans 11/14/2016 at 16:02

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Wow that’s really crazy! Never seen anything like that.

Bourbon&JellyBeans > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 16:04

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Very rare but it exists! Probably on the decline with more and more people using dashcams...just not worth the risk.

Sam > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 16:23

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To be honest, I can understand someone not knowing they have a taillight out. Unless we start driving on magic carpets behind our cars, like in Forza, it’s somewhat difficult to see whether they work or not if you don’t have anyone else to tell you. Unlike headlights, which are very obvious and people who don’t fix it within a reasonable time frame are either dumb or lazy.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 16:26

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The last time one of my brake lights went out, I found out about it because another driver (a fellow Fit driver, coincidentally) very gently beeped his horn at me, then held a sign up in his window as he passed: “Brake light(s) out.” I waved in acknowledgment and gave him a thumbs-up. I had just checked my lights two days before with a friend, so I was surprised one had failed out since then, but I was grateful for the alert.

I’m thinking about making a sign that says “bulb out” or some such thing so I can help others.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > for Michigan 11/14/2016 at 16:27

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I feel as though I see quite a few Souls and Sonatas with only the CHMSL working. Scary!

DynamicWeight > Sam 11/14/2016 at 16:37

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Yeah, I don’t think these people are idiots or lazy. I hope my post didn’t come off like that. That’s why I give them a friendly heads up. For the most part, most people respond with something along the lines of “Oh, I had no idea! Thank you!”

DynamicWeight > Svart Smart, traded in his Smart 11/14/2016 at 16:40

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When I was younger my dad, who is a perfect candidate for all the “dad jokes” memes, had a communication system where he rolled up little flags on wooden dowels that said things like “brake light out” and “thanks” and a couple of other things. That way they don’t take up too much space when they are rolled up.

Sam > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 16:43

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Oh, I’m saying the people with headlights out are either idiots or lazy, but brake light people have a legit excuse for not knowing. There’s literally no way you don’t notice a severly diminished light output and you can walk around the car to check.

Brake lights are pretty hard to notice from the driver’s seat, especially because you need someone else to hit the brakes to check, so they get a pass for not knowing. I should have probably separated the two paragraphs.

DynamicWeight > Sam 11/14/2016 at 17:15

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Hmmm, I think we’re having communication struggles. I had thought maybe in your first reply you were insinuating that I thought the people who had their brake lights out were idiots/lazy, so I wanted to clear that up. From what I can tell we are in full agreement.

TylerLinner > Sam 11/14/2016 at 18:13

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Really? I often check my tail and brake lights when backing up to a wall or when driving away from a plate glass window at a strip mall. It’s actually really easy to check them if you’re paying attention!

I mean, a lot of people don’t think to check. What I’m trying to say is, if you think to check, it’s not difficult.

bob and john > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 19:40

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I do on the bike. I’ll lane split up to the person, get them to roll down the window, and tell them their lights burnt out.

DynamicWeight > bob and john 11/14/2016 at 19:43

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I’ve only gotten to do this once on the motorcycle. I think I never get a chance to see people’s brake lights when I’m on the bike since I’m constantly flying past everyone haha.

bob and john > DynamicWeight 11/14/2016 at 19:47

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for me its usually just at stop lights. I’ve given up trying to tell ppl their lights are out, or worse, TURN ON YOUR LIGHTS at night.

I think I need a light up board with that for my bike.

Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief > DynamicWeight 11/15/2016 at 12:47

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If you have the means to safely jockey next to someone at a light without risking an accident to do it, or you’re paking next to them at the store or whatever, and you *don’t* bother to help prevent a total stranger from possibly being in an accident, you’re a sociopath in some measurable amount. Dead bulbs, flat tires, something hanging down under their car, their jacket caught in the door, whatever it is — it costs you nothing and helps balance out some of the world’s bullshit.