Form over function?

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Sat 21 Jan 2006 19:38
Form over function? - Chris M
This morning I followed firstly a new Passat estate and then a new Leon. Both of these cars have the latest 'LED' type lights, with the Leon's being particularly small - the actual lit area is somewhat smaller than the glass area. It struck me that the rear lights on these cars are more for show than their real purpose. There was bright sunshine on the back of the cars and from anything other than directly behind, the lights were difficult to see. I've noticed before on new Passats that at night, the brake lights drown out the indicators. Anyone else noticed?

Chris M
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Sat 21 Jan 2006 19:40
Form over function? - Stuartli
Don't really care. One day either a new Jetta or Passat will be mine when the used price is right....:-)
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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Sat 21 Jan 2006 19:43
Form over function? - Chris M
Possibly with a dent in the back!

Chris M
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Sat 21 Jan 2006 21:14
Form over function? - Sofa Spud
I've noticed this thing about brake lights making rear indicators invisible on cars with LED lights too. Bad enough to be a safety hazard on Mark 5 Golf and latest Range Rover.

Cheers, SS
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Sat 21 Jan 2006 23:11
Form over function? - Tornadorot
It
struck me that the rear lights on these cars are more
for show than their real purpose.


The advantages of LED lights (apart from being trendy) compared to bulbs include lower power consumption, much longer lifespan and quicker switching time (on to off and vice-versa) which could be significant if you're talking about brake lights. The only ones I've noticed being a bit dim in daylight are on some buses, where the individual LEDs are quite widely spaced; the spacing tending to diffuse the brightness.
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Sun 22 Jan 2006 10:49
Form over function? - Sofa Spud
All that manufacturers need to do is make sure the different light functions are not too close togerther or indeed wrapped around each other. How this glaring (literally) design fault was not ironed out by VW or by Land Rover before them I don't know!

Cheers, SS
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Sun 22 Jan 2006 10:51
Form over function? - Adam {P}
Not just LEDs. Up until Friday, my mate had a 52 plate Seat Ibiza with just the normal lights. Whenever I followed him, I noticed how dim the indicator in the rear lights were.

The problem is the tail and brake lights are snazzy circular ones so when they're on, they almost block out the much smaller indicator in the same cluster.
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