What Does This Do? Part 1- Turn Signals (REPOST)

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213) 06/05/2014 at 11:51 • Filed to: what does this do, wdtd, turn signals, signals

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Introducing the new repeat segment "What Does This Do?" in which your author, JQJ213- The Grocery Bagger explains what different parts of your car do. Why is this segment needed? I work at a grocery store, and constantly go outside to grab shopping carts. It is clear that many of you need this review. So, sit back, relax, enjoy, and learn!

Today's topic: Turn Signals!

Turn signals may be one of the best features added to a car. Sadly however, they also seem to be the most unused feature.

Why I feel this needs review:

To put simply, they aren't used enough. When I'm working in a parking lot with cars pulling in and out of spaces and turning down rows, the signal helps me know where you are going. for instance, if you want the space where I am staging the carts to be brought in, use your signal and I will move the carts. If you want to turn down this row where I am walking, put your signal on and I will either back up and let you in or have you ave me on.

Likewise, when you don't signal, things get dangerous. You squeeze into spaces and then give me dirty looks. If you let me know that was where you were going, I would have moved the carts. If you signaled to turn, I wouldn't have cut you off. If you signaled to let me know you were taking the space that the car just backed out of, I wouldn't have nearly hit your car with my carts which have no brakes.

Hopefully this explains why the are helpful. But I'm not selfish, they also help others! It means no more blocked rows since cars will go around you. Even out of the parking lot, it prevents you from getting cut off. It also helps prevent accidents and lets you be safer.

Brief history:

What kind of teacher would I be if I didn't provide a history lesson to go along? Well, Buick was the first company to make signals standard equipment in 1939. They were called "Flash-Way Directional Signals".

Here is an example of a Buick with the revolutionary idea. In 1954, they became mandatory on all cars. "4513.261 Vehicles to be equipped with electrical or mechanical directional signals.

(A)(1) No person shall operate any motor vehicle manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1954, unless the vehicle is equipped with electrical or mechanical directional signals." ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ).

How To Use Them:

The vast majority (if not all) cars will have them located on a stalk attached to the steering column behind the steering wheel. It will be located on the left side, and if you look, there will be two arrows on it. To make a left signal. you push the stalk down. To make a right signal, push the stalk up. Many modern cars also feature a self-cancel; where the signal will stop after you finish a turn. This prevents you from riding around with your signal on forever.Sadly, it doesn't work if you keep going in a straight line ...yet. As you can tell though, its really easy to do.

Why Doesn't Everyone Use Them:

This is a very good question. I think its laziness. People don't want to put the effort into moving their hand a little bit. Why are they so lazy? No one knows. But they would make a safer world if everyone used them.

The Main Lesson:

Use your damn signals! They are there for a reason! They help everyone! Don't be lazy. Please!

JQJ213 is a student in high school who works part time at a grocery store. He currently drives a very unexciting Honda Civic but will have a second Jalop car soon! The majority of his posts involve experiences at his job. Check out the tag "Spotted at work" to see some of the gems he sees in the parking lot. Yes, he did write this in third person.

McMike > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 06/04/2014 at 13:41

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I have pulled up to people at a stop light/sign before and motioned them to roll down their window.

Wide-eyed and polite, I tell them that I think they have a tail light out.

When they graciously reply with, "Oh wow, thanks, which one?" my smile turns to a scowl and I say....

"It's both your turn signals"

CalzoneGolem > McMike 06/04/2014 at 13:50

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Do you then hand them a diagram ?

spanfucker retire bitch > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 06/04/2014 at 13:57

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Mandatory:

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 06/05/2014 at 12:00

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Something that annoys me even more than people not using their turn signals is people improperly use them. Like on an offramp.

A person signals, moves over into the "exit only" lane before the ramp. They turn their signal off. All is well. Then the offramp starts to bend right so they turn their signal on again to tell me what I already know, their car is heading right. Oh boy.

Or people who don't start signaling until their car is already moving across the line. Yup, I can see your car is moving. Thanks for the advance warning, douche.

As for me, I usually signal for at least 2 seconds before making any steering input, then I flip the signal back off once I make it halfway into the lane I'm turning into if changing lanes on a highway.

Will with a W8 races an E30 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 06/05/2014 at 12:02

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I feel like I must admit that I own a BMW, and when I drive it, I do not use the turn signal.

This is because the stalk is broken off. This is hard to admit, since as a BMW owner I must always contend that the car is perfect, but BMWs have weak turn signal stalks, which break. The owners are too proud to admit that their car is less than perfect, so the stalk never gets fixed.

This is why BMW drivers do not use turn signals.

Chris Clarke > Will with a W8 races an E30 06/05/2014 at 12:07

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Will with a W8 races an E30 > Chris Clarke 06/05/2014 at 12:09

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Lol

BMW owners are too sophisticated for your plebian hand signals.

McMike > CalzoneGolem 06/05/2014 at 12:09

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I didn't see that hyperlink until now. LOL.

IF I COULD I WOULD

CalzoneGolem > McMike 06/05/2014 at 12:11

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To photoshop!

McMike > CalzoneGolem 06/05/2014 at 12:16

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Jesus, the number of different printed diagrams required to make a different here in the DC area would need a filing cabinet.

"Excuse me, I have something for you."

"What?"

(flips through cabinet)...."Hold on.. B.. brakeche.. Bad park... C D.. Doucheba.... Hold on.. G.. H... Highbea... no.....

CalzoneGolem > McMike 06/05/2014 at 12:23

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Maybe you make general manuals go less granular?

Parking

Driving at night

Driving in the rain/snow

Modifying your ride

McMike > CalzoneGolem 06/05/2014 at 12:28

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(shuffle shuffle) Ah, here you go. Found it!

CalzoneGolem > McMike 06/05/2014 at 12:30

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There we go that's right to the point.

McMike > CalzoneGolem 06/05/2014 at 12:35

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I do actually have a photo of my middle finger on my phone so I can pull it up in conversation* if someone is being a dick.

"Hey, I've got something to show you..."

*or return a text, tweet, email, etc..

CalzoneGolem > McMike 06/05/2014 at 12:37

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You need to print it into a tri-fold pamphlet.

ljksetrightmemorialtrophydash > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/06/2014 at 17:55

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Then the offramp starts to bend right so they turn their signal on again to tell me what I already know, their car is heading right. Oh boy.

I disagree with your criticism. Signals are a means of communication, and redundant information in human communication is a _good_ thing. The final signal tells you that they know it's a turn lane, that they still intend to turn, etc. Consider it a sanity check if nothing else.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Chris Clarke 06/06/2014 at 18:27

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