3-blink turn signal

[B25Nut]

Since I hadn't owned a Ford in over 20 years, the hardest thing I had to get accustomed to on my FFH was the turn signal (direction) lever. When I'm going to change lanes on the freeway, I like to have my signal blink three times before I even start moving into another lane, so the lever's tap feature that gives three blinks has been useless for me. I like to have my lights flashing until I'm about 2/3 into the other lane. This usually takes 6-7 blinks, which is what I would like the tap feature to do, but I could probably settle for 5 blinks. The turn signal is a communication device to indicate to other drivers what your intentions are and that your movement is intentional. Of course some people misuse it, like turning it on 1/4 mile before they are going to turn, but 5-7 blinks would make the roads safer.

Initially, this wasn't my primary issue with the direction lever. It just operates differently than any other one I've used. After a month's time it became second nature and I can say now that it is probably a superior design, but I had a hard time getting accustomed to it.

[KingJL]

Since I hadn't owned a Ford in over 20 years, the hardest thing I had to get accustomed to on my FFH was the turn signal (direction) lever...

B25, owning a Ford during the past 25 years would not have prepared you for this feature. I have had 2 other Fords... A 2008 F350 and a 2012 Focus... Niether of which had this feature. I also was surprised (and initially perplexed) by it. My initial problem with it was getting used to 'pushing through' the 3 blink to full on when I was intending to turn. I have gotten somewhat used to it now and am comfortable with it. The jury is still out on whether I really like it or not!

[fusionTX]

I agree that 3 blinks seems a bit rushed to change lanes on a busy highway.

[acdii]

The 2012 F150 has the same lever now, but when in tow mode(trailer hooked up) it blinks 5 times. 3 blinks is plenty enough considering most people dont even bother using them at all.

[elle]

I agree, I dislike this feature and wish it would just work like every other car I have ever driven. I guess I'll get used to it.

[ace8726872]

No matter what, I am sure a lot of smart people with fancy degrees got together and ran some tests and decided that 3 blinks offered the perfect blend of usability and function.

[acdii]

3 is better than 1. Thats all you get when you bump the older levers.

[elle]

Yah, but I used to be able to do the bump-and-hold to just get what I wanted. Now if you try to do that you get all kinds of crazy. I'm now the crazy person who's driving down the road for miles with their turn signal on. HATE it.

[neod192]

So what happens if you bump-and-hold it in the Fusion? Doesn't it keep blinking like in the old cars?

[coach81]

Since I hadn't owned a Ford in over 20 years, the hardest thing I had to get accustomed to on my FFH was the turn signal (direction) lever. When I'm going to change lanes on the freeway, I like to have my signal blink three times before I even start moving into another lane, so the lever's tap feature that gives three blinks has been useless for me. I like to have my lights flashing until I'm about 2/3 into the other lane. This usually takes 6-7 blinks, which is what I would like the tap feature to do, but I could probably settle for 5 blinks. The turn signal is a communication device to indicate to other drivers what your intentions are and that your movement is intentional. Of course some people misuse it, like turning it on 1/4 mile before they are going to turn, but 5-7 blinks would make the roads safer.

Initially, this wasn't my primary issue with the direction lever. It just operates differently than any other one I've used. After a month's time it became second nature and I can say now that it is probably a superior design, but I had a hard time getting accustomed to it.

At first.. it took some getting used to.. now I wouldn't have it any other way!!!

[elle]

So what happens if you bump-and-hold it in the Fusion? Doesn't it keep blinking like in the old cars?

 

The problem is that it's too easy to go over the edge into "actually on" territory and not realize that's what you've done. The resistance is somehow different. Anyway, not sure exactly what's going on but I do somehow end up with it on without realizing it a lot more than I used to.

[neod192]

The problem is that it's too easy to go over the edge into "actually on" territory and not realize that's what you've done. The resistance is somehow different. Anyway, not sure exactly what's going on but I do somehow end up with it on without realizing it a lot more than I used to.

When I first test drove it, I would bump it and I didn't realize it was blinking 3 times then stop! Then I would bump it the other way (trying to stop it from blinking after 1-2 blinks) and now I just signaled that I'm turning both ways :)

 

Gotta love it!

[B25Nut]

For those who haven't driven the FFH, the turn signal lever always returns to the center position when you release it. Like Elle, during my first six weeks of driving I had the signal blinking without me knowing it more than the entire amount of time since I started driving. Once you adapt to it, this problem goes away.

[acdii]

I still catch myself thinking it isnt on and turn it off. Takes getting used to the fact that it doesn't stay in the direction you put it, but returns to center. I dont do it as often as I did when I drove the F150, but now I find myself making lane changes in my 2010 and just tapping the stick, and get one blink.

[srogers]

For those who haven't driven the FFH, the turn signal lever always returns to the center position when you release it. Like Elle, during my first six weeks of driving I had the signal blinking without me knowing it more than the entire amount of time since I started driving. Once you adapt to it, this problem goes away.

That's great. My current car already does that and I like the way it works. Now I just need to wait for my new car to be built.

[storksb]

I like the 3 blink tap on the indicators, used to have it on my VW GTi and my wife has it on her Merc. I think this be a European thing, and as the Fusion is engineer in Germany I am not surprised it has this feature.

[tombarker13ffh]

I love it. My brothers 2011 Jetta has it and ive wanted it since he got it. I like how itll keep blinking if i hold it, cuz i did that in my 06 focus all the time, instead of turning it on.

[B25Nut]

The tap giving 7 blinks would cover 99% of my lane changes. Tap and forget. I could get accustomed to that.

[neod192]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="B25Nut" data-cid="44266" data-time="1362201059"><p>

The tap giving 7 blinks would cover 99% of my lane changes. Tap and forget. I could get accustomed to that.</p></blockquote>

What if you change your mind and don't change lanes? The blinker would still blink 7 times with no way of turning it off - unless there is a way and I don't know about it.

[acdii]

bump the other way to stop it. Then again, if you drive it like they do in the commercial, one blink is all you really need!

[elle]

I'm beginning to master this, but it has taken a while :)

[Fastronaut]

For those who haven't driven the FFH, the turn signal lever always returns to the center position when you release it. Like Elle, during my first six weeks of driving I had the signal blinking without me knowing it more than the entire amount of time since I started driving. Once you adapt to it, this problem goes away.

I often wondered where you continuous blinker guys came from ;) Actually, this has been a very good education. Thanks for bringing up the topic.

[ketel0ne]

I have never seen blinkers like this, I have heard they are in Mini coopers. The adjustment for me has been pretty steep, rode for 2 miles today with the left blinker on.

[GrayGhost]

A tap in either direction gives 3 blinks. Pushing past the detent turns the signal on until a turn is executed or you switch it off. To switch it off, depress the lever fully in the same direction as the original indication and it will shut off and you won't get the blinking in the other direction. It shuts it off and returns to the center off position. Didn't learn this from the owners manual, just happened to do it one time. So if you want "x" amount of blinks, go for it and you won't get an odd blink in the other direction when shutting it off.

[hybridbear]

Since I hadn't owned a Ford in over 20 years, the hardest thing I had to get accustomed to on my FFH was the turn signal (direction) lever. When I'm going to change lanes on the freeway, I like to have my signal blink three times before I even start moving into another lane, so the lever's tap feature that gives three blinks has been useless for me. I like to have my lights flashing until I'm about 2/3 into the other lane. This usually takes 6-7 blinks, which is what I would like the tap feature to do, but I could probably settle for 5 blinks. The turn signal is a communication device to indicate to other drivers what your intentions are and that your movement is intentional. Of course some people misuse it, like turning it on 1/4 mile before they are going to turn, but 5-7 blinks would make the roads safer.

Initially, this wasn't my primary issue with the direction lever. It just operates differently than any other one I've used. After a month's time it became second nature and I can say now that it is probably a superior design, but I had a hard time getting accustomed to it.

My wife changes lanes much more aggressively than I do and can complete her lane changes in 3 blinks. I usually want 6 or 7 like B25Nut. So now I've developed the habit of toggling it once to blink 3 times and then again to blink 3 more. Voila! I really like this feature because it allows you to keep both hands on the wheel when changing lanes. Before I would usually just flip the turn signal on to change lanes and then off afterward so that I wouldn't have to keep holding it and take my left hand off the wheel.

 

When I first test drove it, I would bump it and I didn't realize it was blinking 3 times then stop! Then I would bump it the other way (trying to stop it from blinking after 1-2 blinks) and now I just signaled that I'm turning both ways :)

 

Gotta love it!

My wife did this a lot at first while getting used to the 3 blinks. Sometimes she changes lanes so fast that she doesn't need even 3 blinks and then she tries to turn it off by pressing the opposite direction and gets 3 blinks the wrong way.

 

If you just hold it in place it will blink until you release it if it is longer than 3 blinks. If you hold it in place for 2 blinks I believe it will still blink a 3rd time before stopping.