Three blink tap? Like what VW has? That’s actually a handy feature. I wish my SX4 had that.

About time. Only because the Fiesta is really a Euro-Ford I suspect.

My BMW has it. Handiest feature ever.

Must have been the one piece of tech that Ford gets to keep with the Volvo deal.

I actually can’t stand it when I get into a car, go to tap the blinker while driving, only to realize it’s not like in my passat. This feature is great imo! But why did they put the voice button on that same stalk?

One of my favorite features of my A4.

My 09 Jeep Wrangler had this feature. Sorry Ford.

I’m the lone dissenter, but there’s little I hate more than folks who make absurdly quick lane changes. This is a feature that caters to the crowd that likes to tap the stalk just enough to give maybe 1 blink, which is admittedly better than no signal at all. Three blinks? Okay, that’s nice, but if you’re just tapping the stalk then, chances are, you’ve already completed the lane change. It’s a little like when someone giggles after a silent fart. It’s too late to avoid their bad behavior and there’s a decent chance you’re going to get a whiff. Same as how my commute is constantly impeded by folks who caused accidents with, as LLN puts it, their “quick lane changes” that other drivers can’t avoid.

I realize I’ll catch flak for this comment. I’ll relish all the “then learn how to drive moron!” comments. That said, stay safe on the road this week folks!

This is groundbreaking stuff. Finally, a reason to buy a Ford.

howsmydriving, did you just step out of the shower? You’re dripping with sarcasm.

Lionwithoutpride you are way off.
Drive a car with the 3-blink set up and you’ll be a believer.

JusDubn-

I do drive one . . . I also see how family, friends and those who cut me off use theirs. I think they believe they’re good drivers. I drive like a granny because I know I’m not “the Stig.”

whoa, it only took them 4 years to FINALLY get this…????? i’ve been a believer since getting ‘05 525i. congrats ford, and welcome to the 21st century.

I’m with you in believing most drivers lack situational awareness and should use more caution when switching lanes. I also believe the 3-blink is a good option for those who otherwise would be too lazy to even use a turn signal.

Why bother? 50% of people don’t use their turn signals anyways.

My 2008 GMC pickup had this feature. When in “Tow-Haul” mode, the tap produced six blinks.

I’ve really never had a hard time remembering to turn my signal off. Ford must be losing faith in the intelligence of Americans just like the euros lost faith in it’s population years ago. I really don’t want a car that caters to dumb people and bad drivers.

Pretty sweet. I never knew about this feature from any car company. I can only hope that my nwext car will have this! And, no, I won’t buy a Ford.

@Auto X: Better buy a used car then. 10 airbags, traction control, speed limiters, tire pressure monitors… all cater to dumb drivers.

Of course turn signals aren’t much good when other drivers never pay attention to them. I put on my signal to change lanes, and the guy in the lane next to me either continues to ride in my blind spot, oblivious to my impending manouver, or he speeds up to plug the hole I was going to get into.

So I have taken a new approach… put on blinker, count to 5, start slowly coming over. The other arsehole has brakes… he’ll use them. The advantage of driving a full-size pickup, you may not be fast or get good mileage, you can be a bully when you need to.

i bet most Impala(current model) drivers don’t realize they have this feature!

@Raineman: I hear you it’s kinda rediculous. I am a big fan of the used car market though you can find good deals if you know what you are looking for. I have no need to feel the sense of depreciation as a new car rolls off the dealer lot. Give me a 2 or 3 year old at dang near half price of your lucky and patient

Have anyone ever seen Buick using turn signal? I don’t mean for 3 days continuously.

@RaineMan

Up until a couple of months ago, I considered tire pressure monitors just another “safety feature” our nanny government had put into law because some people can’t be bothered with checking their tire pressures. I was riding with a friend on the highway when his low tire pressure light came on. We decided to pull over and make sure it wasn’t a false reading. Turns out he had run over a screw and the offending tire was losing pressure fairly rapidly. We would have only made a couple of miles before the tire was totally flat. In this situation tire pressure monitoring is actually useful, not just another feature to make already lazy people even more so.

Back to the subject at hand. Where I live, only about 10% of drivers use their turn signals. Until turn signals can read a driver’s mind and activate automatically, I doubt the 3 blink feature will be used any more than standard turn signals.

And I thought all stories that began with “three blinks and a tap” would include something about a congressman and a public bathroom.

Of course if you buy a car like a Mazda3 the depreciation on it is very low so it isn’t really worth buying used.

10 air bags suck, but at least you can easily total your car instead of having to drive one that got messed up (like frame damage) from some idiot

Tire pressure monitoring is actually a very good feature and doesn’t cost much to implement. It isn’t for people who can’t be bothered to check their pressure, it’s for when you start losing pressure on the highway. Obviously it is required for run flat tires. Cars like the Corvette could tell you the exact pressure of each tire many years ago.

oh sterfry beat me to it.

btw, esp is really great to have if you drive in areas where it snows a lot and the road is icy. All wheel drive is better but esp and all wheel drive or 4wd is tops.

This is a good feature. Many cars these days have it. My 2006 GTI has it and it is game changing. Very useful.

Does anyone know if Mercedes has it in their cars too?

dumbest statement in this thread: “10 airbags…cater(s) to dumb drivers”…like that dumb driver t-boned by a drunk guy in an F150…how dumb of him to survive because he had side-curtain airbags…

i fail to see how this feature is game-changing…it’s a convenience…i use my signals…i let them blink 3 times and then i shut them the **** off…how hard is that?

Lionwithoutpride, I’m with you on this one.

I am tired of all these “dummy” features. They all mean one thing: the check engine light turns on more often, then they charge you $80 to tell you what went wrong. Tire pressure monitors are bs. If you can’t check your pressure, you’re lazy. If your tire goes flat on the highway, you’ll be looking at the light, trying to figure out what it means, as your car tosses you into the ditch. Then you’ll sue the car company because you were thrown from the car because you weren’t wearing you seat belt. But the light for that wasn’t on because you have it permanently buckled behind you.

I have 2 vehicles – one of them is Rear Wheel Drive, No Airbags, No ABS, No Tire Pressure Monitors, No Quick Blink Blinkers, OMG, WTF – how is that I’m still alive??? And there are 4 inches of snow and ice on the ground – and I still drive better than the idiots in Escalades that end up in snow banks.

(end rant)

“Tire pressure monitors are bs. If you can’t check your pressure, you’re lazy. If your tire goes flat on the highway, you’ll be looking at the light, trying to figure out what it means, as your car tosses you into the ditch.”

And on the other side of the intelligence spectrum…

@sprockkets: You only think tire pressure monitoring is inexpensive to implement. The wheels have to be specially designed to work with the sensors, which cost about $100 each. And every time you rotate your tires (which should be done every 3000-5000 miles) you have to reprogram the computer b/c the front sensors are now on the back of the car, and etc. TPMS only adds to the list of things that can go wrong on my vehicle and cost me money… I’m glad my truck doesn’t have it.

If you aren’t sensible enough to check your fluids and tire pressure at least once a month, you shouldn’t be driving.

i dont like this feature. for same reason as stated above, the whole blink, turn, blink lane-change where you have maybe 1/2 a second to respond. What happened to the old “blink, blink, blink, wiggle in, blink, blink, off”. I guess what I am saying is if they reprogrammed the thing to be a 5-click deal, I’d be somewhat happier.

85ZingoGTR,

Sure, Mercedes do have this feature.

In the words of Jeremy Clarkson “that’s just one more thing to go wrong”

“Why bother? 50% of people don’t use their turn signals anyways”

You are in Heaven then where I’m stationed they use them maybe 15% of the time. I wish I had a pair of 20 mm Cannon mounted in my bumper to deal with them !

-Sarge

Nice touch. Ford should have had this a long time ago. Not very big news. After all, aren’t cars supposed to be flying by now. Slow auto news day today LLN.

@ LionWithoutPride: Learn how to drive, you moron!

@ Johnny: Better a sarcasm shower than the usual shower he gets from his boyfriend.

@ HowsMyDriving: Just kidding, dude.

@ the article: 5 would be better than 3, I think. Being that the 60 second reminder tone obviously didn’t work for those “morse coders”, how would this be any different? It’s more of a convenience to the people LionWithoutPride was talking about.

@ Everyone Else: Merry ******* Christmas, you freaks!

No, wait. Before anybody else argues over anything else…

If the purpose of a blinker is to tell you that person is merging or turning, what’s the use of 3 blinks?
And hey, there’s a reason for a drivers license and test. And being capable of being charged with manslaughter for reckless driving. Driving comes with responsibility, if you can’t remember little things like turning your blinker off, or are too impatient to hit the stalk, you shouldn’t be driving.

Unfortunately the driving test does not review your performance over the past year. Nor does it rate your skills and confidence at night, in traffic, or in poor weather.

They should provide a way to turn it off… I don’t care for the feature.

OMG, I have this in my 2007 M3 (with sports package, msrp 95K) and absolutely love it!

LLN, you should stop hating on FORD. Late to the game!!??, why dont somebody name to me the Automakers that have it….GM!!?? NOP, Chrysler!!??, I dont THink so,…PLease tell me who has it!!??BMW, BENZ, AUDI, if so theses companies are Euro…

My 2008 Jeep GrandCherokee has this feature. It is very nice.

casper, you should have done a bit of research before you made that statement. My 08 Silverado HD has the 3 blink system.

@olds307

There is a way to turn it off. Don’t use it. If the feature works as it does on a Mercedes the three blinks is activated by a tap of the turn signal wand but if you push the wand down past the fist blink then the car will only signal for as long as you hold down the wand. Make sense?

RICERisNICER, I’m sorry to offend you, but nobody cares how much your M3 costs. Really, just put up the name of the car if you feel compelled to do so, because quite frankly, i’m not interested in petty information like that unless I was buying it. Judging by your post, I’d say you’re not interested in selling anytime soon… And this goes for everybody who does that… Pet peeve lol

anywho, does my 05 Highlander have this?? I’ve never tested it, how does it work? Lol I sound stupid but since I’ve never really heard of this feature I’m assuming I don’t have it… Argh Toyota and your weirdness lol

My 2008 Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang (With all the Upgrades, MSRP $2,500,000,000) has this feature and it’s a game changer!

RicerisNicer,
“Being Stupid”
Havent smelled that cologne in years…….

@drewbyh, when i change lanes the other drivers get exactly ONE blink (if youve ever driven in south florida you know why). these systems disallow that.

Casper, every GM I have been in in the last 2 years has it as I recall. Then again I will check my dads impala tomorrow. Its pretty long in the tooth, design wize.

It’s a handy feature. I’m glad Ford decided to include it in its vehicles.

Jesus, people. This feature isn’t for idiots that can’t remember to shut off their turn signals. It’s an ergonomic feature that allows a driver to merely blip the turn signal to change lanes rather than take their left hand off the wheel for an extended period of time to hold down the turn signal while they change lanes on a high speed motorway. This feature, just like steering wheel mounted controls, is a step forwards, not backwards. It allows drivers to keep both hands on the wheel longer, rather than tending to secondary controls that otherwise distract the driver during high speed driving.

I have this feature on my GTI and I’ll be damned if my next car doesn’t have it.

I have never heard of this feature before! So intuitive!

If Ford is late, so are Honda and Toyota and a whole bunch of others!

Shannah, if you have to hold your turn signal down with your entire left hand, either it’s broken or you’re doing it wrong. I click mine on, make my lane change, and click it off. My left hand never leaves my wheel because I can reach the blinker with my index finger. Sure, I have to do it twice, but either way, I’m still going to be reaching the same distance.

And according to article, this feature WAS implemented to help idiots that can’t turn their signal off.

I quote: “The automaker says it introduced the system in response to a list of the “Top 10 Driving Pet Peeves” compiled by Hagerty Insurance. The survey nicknamed those who leave their turn signals on for an extended period as “Morse Coders.”

Euro developed Fords have had this feature for some time already…
The Mk2 Focus that I drive has this feature.

-beatusmongous (?)

Yes, I read the article, thanks. However, I couldn’t for the life of me believe this, that is, until I read your comment. I was under the impression that most people learned to drive in vehicles designed after 1970 (about the time most automakers implemented the “express” turn signal function that allowed the driver to mearly hold down the turn signal stalk slightly, rather than click it all the way in order to make a lane change). I had no idea there were people on the road that fully clicked their turn signal stalk up or down to make a two second lane change. Seems counterintuitive to me, but it would explain “morse coders”.

Perhaps you have large hands. Perhaps your car has superior ergonomics. No matter. To assume that your experience correlates to the general population is spurious. The fact is, as most people who have experienced the German turn signal feature can attest, it’s a boon to driver convenience and safety, no matter how picayune it may seem.

It’s little smartly engineered features like these that have a profound effect on driver satisfaction. A few other examples include the “swinging” steering column in early ’60s Ford Thunderbirds or doors that close over and seal running boards on Saabs in order to keep them dry so the drivers’ pants don’t get wet when they exit the vehicle. Small features like these capture the attention of buyers and rightfully raise their expectations when shopping for their next vehicle. It forces progress to occur, much like with Ford finally adopting this technology, no matter how humble it may seem.

“In the words of Jeremy Clarkson “that’s just one more thing to go wrong” ”

Auto X, this feature has been around in European developed Fords for some time already, its just that the Fiesta is the first 21st century European developed Ford to reach the US.

PS: I always use this one tap turn signal feature in the Focus I drive.

For this feature to make any difference, American’s would first have to intend to signal.

I use this feature on my BMW when merging or change lanes on the motorway. It’s very convenient.

Isn’t it rather funny how a select number of douchebags on this post will relate anything to his BMW? Why doesn’t anyone ever say anything like “I use this feature on my Hyundai….”? I’m sure you are proud of your status symbol, but keep in mind my douchy friend that the people on this post don’t know you, nor do they care that you own a BMW. I live in Toronto and the BMW 3-series is more ubiquitous than the Toyota Camry. Who cares what kind of car you drive? Get over yourself.

Shannah,

Believe it or not, I do agree with the usefulness of the feature, and I never stated I was opposed to it. I only contest 3 blinks, and feel it should be 5. If I had it, I guarantee I would use it. So, please don’t assume I don’t like this feature. In fact, I believe the majority of the posters in this thread appreciate or support this feature.

I currently drive a 2004 Nissan Quest. I don’t have “big” hands or long fingers, but I am a man, so chances are my hands are bigger and heavier than yours. Reaching my fingers out to click my signal is by no means a stretch. My wife has rather small hands (she’s a tiny woman), and she can reach the signal stalk with her fingers as well. She could also reach the signal in most of the other cars she and I have driven. I am also aware of the “holding” feature, since the oldest of my cars was a 1976 Datsun, and all of them have had that “feature”. I found holding to be more of a hassle than just clicking it over and then releasing when done, because I had to keep my finger on it. Other than a ‘97 Trans Am that my mom used to drive, clicking the signal never took much more effort than a quick swipe of the stick with two fingers.

So between clicking and holding, clicking wins for me. Between clicking and tapping, tapping would win on the freeway if I had that feature. Again, don’t assume I am against this particular feature.

Quite honestly, I believe the difference in the cars we have driven and our driving habits makes our use of the signal so different. I was trained in a 1983 Dodge van. Since I’ve driven a lot of very large vehicles (buses, tow vehicles, etc.), my lane changes most likely take more time than yours do, hence the clicking habit.

Regarding this line: “To assume that your experience correlates to the general population is spurious.” This goes both ways. Clicking may be unusual to the general population, but so is “[taking] their left hand off the wheel for an extended period of time to hold down the turn signal while they change lanes on a high speed motorway.” I never made the assertion that MY experience correlated to the general public. Instead, I was actually telling you that YOUR experience didn’t correlate to the general public.

My pseudonym comes from my brother. When I was four years of age, he and his friends were really into those old Roman movies about Hercules, and they all gave everyone funny Roman style names. Mine ended up being Beatus Mongous. My real name is nothing like that, but I don’t use it in blogging. Lovely name, isn’t it?

To be honest I have never heard of this till now and I think all automakers should have this standard because I see people with their signal lights on and as driver’s, you anticipate them turning where their signal lights are blinking.

posted by:casper
LLN, you should stop hating on FORD. Late to the game!!??, why dont somebody name to me the Automakers that have it….GM!!?? NOP, Chrysler!!??, I dont THink so,…PLease tell me who has it!!??BMW, BENZ, AUDI, if so theses companies are Euro…

—

I own a 2005 Chrysler 300 and it has this feature. Maybe it came from the whole Mercedes-Benz deal thing but whatever the case, it has this feature. I found it out on accident when I tapped the signal stalk and notice the blinks. Its a VERY convienient feature when you know its there and you start to use it on a regular.