Check your brake lights!

[wagonman76]

...some of the hybrid cars use "deceleration" lamps (yellow?) to warn following traffic that the vehicle is indeed slowing down towards a stop even though the brakes might not be activated yet.

That's good to know. Never heard of such a thing and if I did see it, I'd think the car had a wiring short and both turn signals were stuck on.

One thing that does throw me off is these cars that have rearward DRLs. They just look like someone is riding the brake.

[Christ]

Originally Posted by wagonman76

That's good to know. Never heard of such a thing and if I did see it, I'd think the car had a wiring short and both turn signals were stuck on.

One thing that does throw me off is these cars that have rearward DRLs. They just look like someone is riding the brake.

I like the (mad JDM Y0!) rear fog light idea... when people run the damn things all the time.

[Chris D.]

just hook up a vacuum switch to your brake lights..

I once saw prototype Chrysler Rapid Transit cars that had a red, orange and green stop lights on them..

green was when it was accelerating, orange was when slowing or downshifting and red.. yeah..

adapt something along those lines that only comes on after a
few seconds of being in vacuum they the brakes come on..

[Boydness]

I see quite a lot of signs about "No engine braking within city limits", but I think that is strictly a noise issue...

[Nevyn]

Yeah, that's for trucks and their "Jake Brakes."

[Boydness]

Originally Posted by Nevyn

Yeah, that's for trucks and their "Jake Brakes."

Yep, and some even just say "No Jake Braking", although it is technically the Jacobs compression braking mechanism, if I remember correctly..


I wonder if you can fight being ticketed for no visible brake lights if you stop at a stop sign, and from a distance it might appear that you performed a California (rolling) stop... it could very possibly look as if you did not come to a complete stop or stopped at all.

[RH77]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...some of the hybrid cars use "deceleration" lamps (yellow?) to warn following traffic that the vehicle is indeed slowing down towards a stop even though the brakes might not be activated yet.

Same with a lot of transit buses -- On decel, a pair of yellow lights in the center of the rear panel with blink/flash (usually LEDs). When stopped, doors open, some alternate the amber LEDs for additional warning.

I'm sure every State/Province is different, but this may cross-apply to the average vehicle (and likely be legal without law enforcement knowing about it )

Perhaps 2 sets of brake lights could do the trick -- one pair for decel (using the vac idea) and then the standard set.

RH77

[Boydness]

I would go with a push button mounted to the gear shift for my thumb.

[wagonman76]

Originally Posted by Boydness

Yep, and some even just say "No Jake Braking", although it is technically the Jacobs compression braking mechanism, if I remember correctly...

I always think about that when I see those signs around here. "No engine braking". So technically that means I'm supposed to put it in neutral and roll down the hill. Otherwise my 3.1 is a heck of an engine brake. Cool.

And how about if the sign said no Jake braking and if you are a trucker and don't have the Jacobs brand engine brake but a different brand. I guess that would technically be ok too.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

The thing to remember is that you do not lose anything to also lightly use the brakes, while using the engine to slow the vehicle. This lights up your brake lights, and it keeps the rust from forming, without losing the fuel cutoff.