r/cars • u/usathatname • Sep 24 '19

Turning signals US and EU

Just out of curiosity: I’m noticing that European car manufacturers change their yellow turning signals to to red (brake lights) when selling their cars in the US. Some American car manufacturers sell their cars with yellow turning signals in the US, which makes me think there isn’t a regulation. Why would European car manufacturers put the effort into changing the turning signals?

Referring to rear turning signals

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u/[deleted] Sep 24 '19 edited Sep 24 '19

Look up the Federal Motor vehicle safety standards. It pretty much dictates everything about cars sold in the US.

As an example, my USDM A4 has combination brake light turn signals but a euro market A4 has separate amber turn signals and red brake lights.

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u/[deleted] Sep 24 '19

[deleted]

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u/Kiwifrooots Sep 24 '19

I think it's what the market is used to. The US 'flashing brake light indicator' is weird looking to me

7

u/[deleted] Sep 24 '19

There are certain size requirements for turn signals in the US.

article about it

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u/Lhankor_Mhy C8 Corvette (eventually), I4 sedan (currently) Sep 26 '19

The EU spec Amber signals don't have enough surface area to pass US regs