signal mirrors

Side indicator repeaters are mandatory in UN ECE lighting regulations, but there is no requirement for them to be in the mirror housings - that just means they don't need to have a hole in the bodywork.

North America lighting regulations require that front side marker lights are always ON but are permitted to extinguish in sync with front and rear indicators. UN ECE R48 does not require side markers; indicator repeaters must be normally OFF and flash ON in sync with front and rear indicators.

My UK Prius has standard small side turn repeater lights below the 'A' pillar, just below the HYBRID badges.

 

I remember the 1st gen had them. My BMW has side indicator lights. On my car they do some alternation, so I think the ones on the side blink on the "offbeat." I'm ok with any design as long as a turn signal is visible from the side of the car. I'm hoping that the turn signal in the front is visible from the side. The 2nd gen seemed to have some visibility from the side, unless you were also behind and beside. I wish I would have payed more attention when I test drove the 2010, but I was so amazed with the rest of the car I never thought to look!

 

I had wished the U.S. Prius had signal mirrors - I may very well consider a modification as I installed on my Lexus years ago. Side indicator lights - clear with amber bulb. IMO another measure of safety, when merging or turning - indicating intentions.

 

to those saying this is a matter of cost – surely you can't be serious?

how much additional does it cost to add a signal indicator to an otherwise-powered mirror (as all Prius mirrors are)? $50? hell, make it $100. on a car that starts at $22k, you're telling me you're cutting corners on something that costs $100?

 

Sigma has these for $225 per pair which seems like a pretty good deal...has anyone installed them on their Gen III?

 

Yes, generally these types of questions are a matter of cost and demand. The issue is you can't pick out one feature and say it is a "must-have" for that price. The next guy wants a different must-have feature, the next one a different feature, and so on. Add them all up, and yes the car gets expensive - for everyone.

Generally speaking, individual customers are outstanding estimators of their own preferences, and fairly dismal estimators of "everyone's" preferences. Putting it another way, people too often think everyone wants what they want. I know this because I look at a lot of data from thousands of people, and while there are features more commonly preferenced than others, not everyone wants any one feature. (I'm really glad there is an aftermarket, because they often have great solutions to issues like these.)

Ok, that's it before I get into another "packaging" discussion. Ugh.

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

 

$50 x 500,000 units = $25 million. And yes, when you are trying to market a $22k car, every penny counts. That $22k car can quickly become $30k if you add all the bells and whistles (which the IV and V have!). You have to cut something to meet your price points.

 

Doug - off topic, but since you brought it up ... features.

Why was the headlamp washers included as standard on the V? Many of us - me included to the hilt - consider them a waste of good feature money. Have had some discussion on the board - can you enlighten???

 

I am placing the order next week on there for the side mirror signals and cover. I know that they are standard if not an option in Japan. These are being shipped directly from japan to sigma and then to me. Have to wait 3 5 weeks, so in reality probably 5-9 weeks.
Will post them as soon as I get them installed.

 

Disagree, the SUV should have the mirror adjusted to see the turn signals on the front of the car.
It is not a safety item as oppose to authentic looking like the luxury cars.
Otherwise it would be required by law.

 

A Honda Gold Wing motorcycle is about $23,000.00 dollars. I think the Toyota Prius is a steal in comparison. There are many more features on the Prius and I don't even have to worry about getting wet.

 

I would definitely prefer signal mirrors instead of headlamp washers. I've had those washers on an Audi and Mercedes and all they do is make a mess. If the headlamps are dirty go out with a damp rag and clean them. Do you all realize that an inexpensive Kia has them as standard equipment (forgot which model)!!! I have a 2004 and have spruced my mine up with some aftermarket goodies. I may just buy a set from Sigma.

 

OK Doug,

I have the Prius V with ATP and definitely would rather have the signal mirrors instead of the Intelligent Parking Assist feature. I have to say that after reading the manual for this feature most people will get the international sign of ill will or worse when holding up traffic attempting to tell the system just where you want to park. Honestly, this is the most useless feature I've had to buy to get the other useful features in the ATP. I unlike many here like the Navigation system compared to other cars I've owned, but this feature has me baffled as to who will actually benefit from it. I just filled out the Toyota survey about the dealer and the second one concerning the Prius itself, and I'm disappointed that there is no place to state desires or offer suggestions to Toyota marketing via customer / owner surveys. I'm an avid owner of Toyota hybrids and not offering an obvious safety feature is just missing the mark in an otherwise great car (this is my third Toyota hybrid). In fairness, I'm at least impressed you are taking an interest as a product manager (my job as well, in advanced technology products), I only hope Toyota management listens to the voice of the customer. the customer base is a valuable resource, management just has to listen. Thanks for listening...

 

Hey Dean, not Doug but I have a pretty good reason. This car is one of VERY few with the LED lights. Many cars that have regular HID lights have washers because of serious glare problems with other drivers. Throw into the mix, that the only way to get enough light out was to have two separate projectors and you have a potentially large area for bug guts to cause a bright smeary glare for the person coming at you.

If glare isn't your concern... these little led lights do not appear to be as bright as HIDs. They are very close, but nowhere near as bright as the lights were on my bmw. I suppose it could be a matter of trying to maintain as much light as possible transmitted to the road.

-Brad

 

I hope you realise why the Prius starts at $22k. Try buying a kWh of NiMH batteries. Try finding another 50 mpg car. If you are purely looking at options, the Prius is not for you.

 

Brad,

I don't get it.

OK, So the LEDs are not quite as bright as HIDs. Don't know.
So the washers are on the V to maintain the maximum light level? Hmmm - Info incl pictures on PC of both Halogen (<V) and LED (V) seem to show a much clearer and brighter light and pattern on the LEDs. And personally - I have driven my neighbor's III, and of course mine, in the dark, and my LEDs outshine by a good margin. So using this as a base, wouldn't it be advantageous to have the washers on the standard headlamps?

Wouldn't an oncoming smeary bright glare be better (diffused) than a bright glare? BTW - I've seen both a III and V coming at me and the V is simply whiter and brighter; didn't notice substantially more glare.

The headlamp washers are simply that. Question - do just the windshield washers remove the 'bug guts' on the windshield? Probably no impact - just as I suspect the headlamps washers would have on sticky/dry bug guts. A wipe would be the only way. Hope nobody's munching dinner right now....
If you haven't had a chance to see the Vs headlamp washers in action, try to. They hit the lenses and the hood and lower windshield. Make a mess with hardly any impact on the lamps lenses.
I do agree - beneficial in bad winter weather junk. But they would be just as beneficial on the I - IV models too?

I'd love for Doug to address this - just for our information.

 

It's funny, you guys are all complaining that Toyota should have offered this and that as standard equipment or even optional but I see that you guys all bought it as is without them anyway correct?

2010 Prius is selling like hot cakes "without" side mirror signal. I am sure who ever decided it's better to exclude side mirror signal along with other options off US bound Prius thus keeping the price down is getting a raise

I wish they made LED headlight, 17" wheel and foglights optional on package IV and below but I can understand the logic. I guess I will just have to add them on my own (except LED headlight...)