im just curious, our cars have flash to pass lenses. I'm not native to metro traffic (being in sd), but when I was in texas I noticed the abbundant use of hazzards as flash-to-pass lights. Is that the same theory? (get out of my way im coming through but trying to be kind about it by giving you a forward notice) type thing?

 

Use them any time you would use the horn to warn or annoy oncoming or upcoming traffic

 

I'm not 100% certain on this being that im not from japan, but there might be a driving law in Japan about needing to flash the car ahead of you when you pass. If I remember correctly, (the book was in Japanese and I can barely read japanese) it said basically two lane roads you HAD to flash in order to pass.

 

Japan had running/parking lights there. Only the North America got the FTP

 

I use FTPs to warn oncoming traffic.. police presence, when I'm passing, whatever... also good at signalling people, or whatever.. . I love 'em.

 

My 1969 Volvo had FTP on the turn signal wand.
It is a safety thing.
Back then Detroit iron and my MG had a button on the floor to trun on the hi/lo beams, no flash in that...

 

you the guy i met in Sioux Falls on Friday night?

 

either way, I use the FTP lights when i come up on some slow poke driving 25 in a 55 (common on the road i live) they either let me pass, pull off the road, speed up, orslam the breaks. No matter what they do I always pass them

 

Every car I've ever driven could flash the high beams to warn or "communicate" with other drivers (which I do frequently). Is this not common on US cars?

JDM FC's don't have FTP lenses, so the headlights pop up when you flash them.

 

nope, but if you want to meet up sometime I think murdo or kadoka is midpoint. I'm in rapid.

 

Incorrect they have the lenses but they have little lights in them.

 

LOL downwind dave I can relate to your floorboard highbeam button. I had a 1976 AMC Pacer (Wayne's World) pee-green colored as my first car and it too was equipped with the floorboard flashing button. I loved that car.....*sniffle *sob. It was even rear wheel drive and had a 3.4 liter straight 6 in it. Ah the good ol' days =)

-Lee

 

Dude, I own one, so I think I know what I'm talking about...

They don't have FTP lenses (you can't flash your headlights through them), they have front marker lights instead.

 

I really like the flash to pass.

I saw this one guy who had a prelude with flip ups. Wired it so he could wink at you. Hit a switch and ONLY the left popup light would come up and wink at you

James

 

my friend got a ticket for using the ftp, to ftp someone. us drivers dont use it much

mike

 

i dont know about everyone else, but aside from warning oncoming traffic of police presence, it is also used to let a diesel truck driver with a long trailer when he can get back in the lane after passing, like when they get far enough in front of you to get back in the lane you flash to let them know, thats one i know of.

 

yeah I think the North American FTP came from actually Canada and its lame daylight running lights rules.

Mazda was trying to plan ahead on all the North American light regs, like the third brake light wasn't even required until 88 in the USA, but you found it on every 86 and 87.

I am sure that Mazda was figuring that Daylight running lights would have been manditory as well before the production run ran out. It would have been easy, just wire in a resistor that turns the headlight bulb on every time the key was on, it would shine right through the FTP opening.

Thank god that daylight running lights never really caught on in the USA. the only cars that have them are from manufactures too lame to make a harness for Canada and a harness for the rest of North America.

 

Ok well I though you meant that they had nothing at all there. THey still have lenses though yet they have lights in them. Sorry for my mistake I miss interpreted your statement.

 

Yeah, I do that. Not very often because trucks dont get the chance to pass me

It is something to do on the long road trips. Its cool when they click their taillights on and off.

James

 

Hey, Im from SD too. I live in spearfish. Im comin down to rapid on Friday cuz all the imports down there want another shot at me. I kicked some *** last time i went there. Hopefully Ill see you out cruising. PM me if you wanna meet up.
Chris