signal mirrors for 2010 Prius

[dang]

This one is for Doug Coleman:

Since the decision not to include signal mirrors on the 2010 Prius was a price issue. Would you consider offering them at the dealers parts as an after market item. That way we could install ourselves or have the dealer install.

[ScarGo]

I think the real reason for no signal mirrors is.... you have to buy the Lexus hs250 to get them. They must be a symbol of Lexus Luxury. Have any Toyotas been offered in the US with signal mirrors? Come on it's a 15 dollar part.

[Rokeby]

IIRC, the Scion has them. What is that, Scion snobbery?

Seems strange that both the upper and lower levels have them, but the
solid center doesn't.

As to the Prius not having them -- Jeez, even the VW Beetle does --
maybe it's a weight issue.

[yardman 49]

I need to be educated on this: why are signal mirrors so desirable?

[fuzzy1]

Originally Posted by yardman 49

I need to be educated on this: why are signal mirrors so desirable?

So that if you signal a lane change into an occupied lane where the occupying driver cannot see your rear signal (i.e. it is behind his head, or his A pillar, or he is one of the many people with poor peripheral vision), he still has some warning that you are barging into his space.

It also helps on 3+ lane highways when two cars signal simultaneous lane changes into the same space from opposite sides. On many vehicles, both the front and rear signals are nearly invisible from the side.

Of course, with few Americans using signals at all, the benefits are limited.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by yardman 49

I need to be educated on this: why are signal mirrors so desirable?

We don't have the signal repeaters on the front fenders like the European cars do. The mirrors function the same but because they're mounted on the mirrors, they're a little more visible (both from the front and in most designs, from the rear) so that a car travelling alongside you knows that you have the intention to change lanes. Many times did I get glares from folks thinking I was being an *** for not letting them in when really I didn't even see them signalling because I was past the rear set of indicators and I can't see the front set.

In addition, when making a left turn, your mirrors are more visible to oncoming traffic.

Originally Posted by ScarGo

I think the real reason for no signal mirrors is.... you have to buy the Lexus hs250 to get them. They must be a symbol of Lexus Luxury. Have any Toyotas been offered in the US with signal mirrors? Come on it's a 15 dollar part.

Toyota Sienna XLE Limited

[yardman 49]

Originally Posted by fuzzy1

So that if you signal a lane change into an occupied lane where the occupying driver cannot see your rear signal (i.e. it is behind his head, or his A pillar, or he is one of the many people with poor peripheral vision), he still has some warning that you are barging into his space.

It also helps on 3+ lane highways when two cars signal simultaneous lane changes into the same space from opposite sides. On many vehicles, both the front and rear signals are nearly invisible from the side.

Of course, with few Americans using signals at all, the benefits are limited.

Hello Fuzzy:

Thanks to you and Tideland for your responses. They were helpful.

Might I also suggest a $2 solution that will help with the lane changing? It is a 2 inch round wide-angle mirror, that you stick on to your driver's side mirror.

I have used them for years. I stick them to the lower left hand corner of the driver's side (left side) mirror. They enable me not only to see someone in my "blind" spot, but also the "merging blind spot" from two lanes over.

I have the habit of always casting a quick glance at the wide angle mirror when changing lanes to the left, and for other maneuvers. It has saved me several times when someone has unexpectedly jumped into the left lane blind spot, or is merging right when I am merging left.

I also properly adjust my right hand mirror to see the right lane blind spot. Since most cars in the U.S. that have factory installed right hand mirrors already have wide-angle models on the right, there is no need for a stick on one on this side.

I agree that mirror mounted indicators can provide an additional measure of safety. I especially like increased visibility these can provide for oncoming traffic. Often it seems that front turn signal indicators on many cars are not very visible in the daytime.

[HTMLSpinnr]

Using wide, minimally overlapping mirror settings with a peripheral glance to the desired side is all I've ever needed.

[fuzzy1]

Originally Posted by HTMLSpinnr

Using wide, minimally overlapping mirror settings with a peripheral glance to the desired side is all I've ever needed.

Same here. I prefer zero overlap, with a narrow gap much smaller than any motorcycles in the adjacent lane. Cycles two lanes away can hide, so drivers who spend much time driving at night on roads this wide should set for no gap.

In dense urban traffic, I have a far bigger problem with signals eclipsed by the A pillar or left side mirror, which hide until they start moving into my lane. A few SUV models have signals mounted so high they hide behind my rearview mirror, so as they move into my space, I have already laid on the horn before their signal pops out from behind my mirror. Yet they think they have sufficient space for a safe lane change.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by yardman 49

Hello Fuzzy:

Thanks to you and Tideland for your responses. They were helpful.

Might I also suggest a $2 solution that will help with the lane changing? It is a 2 inch round wide-angle mirror, that you stick on to your driver's side mirror.

I have used them for years. I stick them to the lower left hand corner of the driver's side (left side) mirror. They enable me not only to see someone in my "blind" spot, but also the "merging blind spot" from two lanes over.

I have the habit of always casting a quick glance at the wide angle mirror when changing lanes to the left, and for other maneuvers. It has saved me several times when someone has unexpectedly jumped into the left lane blind spot, or is merging right when I am merging left.

I also properly adjust my right hand mirror to see the right lane blind spot. Since most cars in the U.S. that have factory installed right hand mirrors already have wide-angle models on the right, there is no need for a stick on one on this side.

I agree that mirror mounted indicators can provide an additional measure of safety. I especially like increased visibility these can provide for oncoming traffic. Often it seems that front turn signal indicators on many cars are not very visible in the daytime.

That works but the issue isn't us lane changing. It's getting our intentions out to the other drivers who would otherwise not see our indicators.