Pettiest complaint: I hate the turn signals

[brandanop]

I know this is super petty, but I just wanted to seek validation and see if anyone is as annoyed by the turn signals as I am!

1. They do not automatically cancel when they should. I drive the same routes over and over and have done so in several/many vehicles. The R1T is the only one (other than 1962 Morgan with a single toggle switch in the middle of the dash) which does not consistently cancel the turn signal after completing a turn. I have to manually toggle them back off at least once per drive. Made all the more irritating because the monostable design means sometimes that results in a signal in the opposite direction.

2. The force required to toggle them past "lane change mode" is higher than in other vehicles. Not a problem in isolation, but whenever I get back into one of our other cars and turn on the turn signal I feel like I might accidentally break it. Sort of like when you go to get the milk out the fridge and it weighs way less than you expect and you smash it into the roof of the fridge.

3. The sound is so dumb. Volvo did something similar with a "sound of two pieces of wood being knocked together" but theirs is much less twee and sounds more like a traditional turn signal relay.

3a. The tempo of the ticking is *just* a little too slow

They are terrible. I would say all modern blinkers are though. I find it impossible to turn them off without accidentally turning my other blinker on. They have been over complicated. I assume this is why so many people don’t use them any more. I

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[JamboF4]

I know this is super petty, but I just wanted to seek validation and see if anyone is as annoyed by the turn signals as I am!

1. They do not automatically cancel when they should. I drive the same routes over and over and have done so in several/many vehicles. The R1T is the only one (other than 1962 Morgan with a single toggle switch in the middle of the dash) which does not consistently cancel the turn signal after completing a turn. I have to manually toggle them back off at least once per drive. Made all the more irritating because the monostable design means sometimes that results in a signal in the opposite direction.

2. The force required to toggle them past "lane change mode" is higher than in other vehicles. Not a problem in isolation, but whenever I get back into one of our other cars and turn on the turn signal I feel like I might accidentally break it. Sort of like when you go to get the milk out the fridge and it weighs way less than you expect and you smash it into the roof of the fridge.

3. The sound is so dumb. Volvo did something similar with a "sound of two pieces of wood being knocked together" but theirs is much less twee and sounds more like a traditional turn signal relay.

3a. The tempo of the ticking is *just* a little too slow

Lotta spare time on your hands there racekarl?

 

[azbill]

I know this is super petty, but I just wanted to seek validation and see if anyone is as annoyed by the turn signals as I am!

1. They do not automatically cancel when they should. I drive the same routes over and over and have done so in several/many vehicles. The R1T is the only one (other than 1962 Morgan with a single toggle switch in the middle of the dash) which does not consistently cancel the turn signal after completing a turn. I have to manually toggle them back off at least once per drive. Made all the more irritating because the monostable design means sometimes that results in a signal in the opposite direction.

2. The force required to toggle them past "lane change mode" is higher than in other vehicles. Not a problem in isolation, but whenever I get back into one of our other cars and turn on the turn signal I feel like I might accidentally break it. Sort of like when you go to get the milk out the fridge and it weighs way less than you expect and you smash it into the roof of the fridge.

3. The sound is so dumb. Volvo did something similar with a "sound of two pieces of wood being knocked together" but theirs is much less twee and sounds more like a traditional turn signal relay.

3a. The tempo of the ticking is *just* a little too slow

I have never had an issue with #1.

In regards to #2, I find the opposite, the force to get out of lane change is too light, and I end up with them on after the lane change. My other cars have a detent for the full turn signal, and I can feel when I push it that far. Mine remain on after a lane change way too often.

 

[NY_Rob]

How many years ago did the auto industry figure out how to do a turn-signal cancel after turning?

Well, many, many years ago.

With that in mind- consider their design criteria for something as simple as headlight shape:
At one of the recent Hub events (could have been a Rivian Story?) they spoke about the odd headlight design and the fact that they consciously decided going in that the headlights had to be something that hadn't been used for automobiles previously. They went out of their way to not go with something proven by 100yrs of use.
If they designed other elements of their vehicle like that.. just doing something different because you can... it's no wonder there are quite a few quirks on systems that have been industry standard systems for years (crazy HVAC logic, weird key Fob behavior, no USB audio, super soft steel/aluminum body panels that dent too easily, use of fuses not attainable in the USA, etc..).

 

[NY_Rob]

you people use your signals?

Only the ones who haven't previously owned BMW's...

 

[Jdrexler]

When my friend was riding in my R1T (named "electron guzzler"), he thought it sounded like water dripping on the closed top of a medium-sized Tupperware container. Now that's all I think of when I hear it. Fortunately, I like Tupperware and its many uses, so it doesn't bother me a bit.

 

[baker]

I know this is super petty, but I just wanted to seek validation and see if anyone is as annoyed by the turn signals as I am!

1. They do not automatically cancel when they should. I drive the same routes over and over and have done so in several/many vehicles. The R1T is the only one (other than 1962 Morgan with a single toggle switch in the middle of the dash) which does not consistently cancel the turn signal after completing a turn. I have to manually toggle them back off at least once per drive. Made all the more irritating because the monostable design means sometimes that results in a signal in the opposite direction.

2. The force required to toggle them past "lane change mode" is higher than in other vehicles. Not a problem in isolation, but whenever I get back into one of our other cars and turn on the turn signal I feel like I might accidentally break it. Sort of like when you go to get the milk out the fridge and it weighs way less than you expect and you smash it into the roof of the fridge.

3. The sound is so dumb. Volvo did something similar with a "sound of two pieces of wood being knocked together" but theirs is much less twee and sounds more like a traditional turn signal relay.

3a. The tempo of the ticking is *just* a little too slow

I also find all three behaviors annoying

 

[vordo]

I don't mind the sound, I do wish that over time it would increase in volume so I know that its stuck on. and yes, I certainly wish it would understand that I've changed a lane for god sakes. the 3 flash temp thing is not enough especially in LA traffic.

 

[Dark-Fx]

definitely annoying. I accidently over correct at least once a day and signal in the opposite direction.
You didn't mention this, but I also hate the fact that you cant' see if the turn signal is on in the side mirrors. I like having that visual assurance when changing lanes of looking in your side mirror and physically seeing a turn signal light on. This is especially annoying because the sound is so wimpy, the stalk is delicate, and there is no blind spot turn signal camera....you really don't know for sure if it is on.
The turn signal light on the rear is also very wimpy looking. It's tiny.

Saw it all the time in the winter when the ice on the mirrors was forming a light-pipe.

 

[tylerdurden03]

I know this is super petty, but I just wanted to seek validation and see if anyone is as annoyed by the turn signals as I am!

1. They do not automatically cancel when they should. I drive the same routes over and over and have done so in several/many vehicles. The R1T is the only one (other than 1962 Morgan with a single toggle switch in the middle of the dash) which does not consistently cancel the turn signal after completing a turn. I have to manually toggle them back off at least once per drive. Made all the more irritating because the monostable design means sometimes that results in a signal in the opposite direction.

2. The force required to toggle them past "lane change mode" is higher than in other vehicles. Not a problem in isolation, but whenever I get back into one of our other cars and turn on the turn signal I feel like I might accidentally break it. Sort of like when you go to get the milk out the fridge and it weighs way less than you expect and you smash it into the roof of the fridge.

3. The sound is so dumb. Volvo did something similar with a "sound of two pieces of wood being knocked together" but theirs is much less twee and sounds more like a traditional turn signal relay.

3a. The tempo of the ticking is *just* a little too slow

Totally agree with everything you said especially that they don’t auto cancel.

 

[SoCal Rob]

Not only was there harmony between the warm, organic sound and the wood trim inside the R1T and R1S, the new turn signal audio also fulfilled its main purpose in a pleasing way.”

Tree-like thump you say? ?‍

https://stories.rivian.com/sounds-of-rivian

Does this mean they’ll change the sound to thumping on vegan leather for the R1 vehicles without wood?

Saw it all the time in the winter when the ice on the mirrors was forming a light-pipe.

I bet some people on here would like a stick-on light pipe that would allow the driver to see the mirror turn signal from the trailing edge of the mirror. I’ve seen several manufacturers who design that into the lens.

 

[jimmyb2]

Well, many, many years ago.

With that in mind- consider their design criteria for something as simple as headlight shape:
At one of the recent Hub events (could have been a Rivian Story?) they spoke about the odd headlight design and the fact that they consciously decided going in that the headlights had to be something that hadn't been used for automobiles previously. They went out of their way to not go with something proven by 100yrs of use.
If they designed other elements of their vehicle like that.. just doing something different because you can... it's no wonder there are quite a few quirks on systems that have been industry standard systems for years (crazy HVAC logic, weird key Fob behavior, no USB audio, super soft steel/aluminum body panels that dent too easily, use of fuses not attainable in the USA, etc..).

Respectfully speaking, progress involves trying things and making mistakes. If everyone thinks only "within the box" there will be no progress.

 

[FrictionlessLube]

I love the sound of the turn signals. Others who have ridden in my truck notice and compliment them too. When I go back to my WRX or Forester, they sound like blown speakers from a kids toy now. No issues with canceling. Depends on your turn radius.

My biggest gripe with the turn signals are, the headlight turns off when the signal activates and the rears are red and not yellow (this has been discussed and a good Technology Discussions video was made). I wished Rivian made the rear lights multi colored LED and do an update to change the color to yellow.

 

[srkz]

My complaint is even more petty: when you half-hold the stalk for two blinks and then release, it still does three blinks. I have a pretty deeply ingrained indicator usage pattern - I fully engage the signal when making turns, I half-tap for three blinks on lane changes, and I half-hold-and-release for two blinks when taking an exit from the freeway. Except it won’t let me do two blinks anymore.

 

[racekarl]

No issues with canceling. Depends on your turn radius

Except that Rivian’s turn radius is wrong. If 20 other cars auto cancel at a given corner and 1 does not, that 1 is “wrong” from a user experience point of view.

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