Interesting fact- reverse indicator

[soulighter]

Hi all, noticed this "interesting" feature on my Polo 77 TSI when I was reversing and saw the reflection on shop window that only one reverse light is on (the left).

So I took part apart the right rear indicator panel to see what type of bulb to buy to replace it, but after some detective work find out there is actually no reverse indicator on the right side!!! What I thought was the right reverse indicator is actually the rear fog light.

I'm very surprised by this, has anyone else noticed this? Or is this standard on Polo or VW or Euro cars?

I thought it will be less safe to have just one reverse indicator, esp if cars approach from the right side.

[blutopless2]

standard feature on vdubs

[maca]

Been happening since as early as I can remember (and I'm 20).

I've upgraded my reverse lamp to a 55w bulb, it pretty much shoots out headlight brightness but backwards :banana:

[bigfoot]

I'm very surprised by this, has anyone else noticed this?

yea on polos and golfs

looks a bit silly and i'm already sick of people telling me one of my reverse lights isn't working

[maca]

yea on polos and golfs

looks a bit silly and i'm already sick of people telling me one of my reverse lights isn't working

I've got my rear fog lamp lense cut out, so it looks like I have two reverse lights. It's even worse when symmetry is involved.

[GTI JOE]

Pretty much standard on all Euro cars.

[gavs]

Weird, interesting how they can get away with this seeing as the reason they normally do this (same with rear fogs) is so you can see a moving car on street parking, irrelevant here and in the ol' dart because we're both RHD markets, so logic to me would be put it in both or do a RHD specific light if you REALLY want only 1 reverse light...

not that most drivers here in melbourne look anyway, they're too busy watching their speedo, not the damn road thanks to Mr Brumby (you f**king twat!) and his money making schemes.

Wow, that was really off topic ranting....

[Miles Away]

not that most drivers here in melbourne look anyway, they're too busy watching their speedo, not the damn road thanks to Mr Brumby (you f**king twat!) and his money making schemes.

Wow, that was really off topic ranting....
Dont worry we feel it up here too...although election is coming up and Donald Duck is running again

[craig_the_german]

One reverse light is pretty much standard on most euro cars.

If that surprised you, I wonder what you make of the feature that when you turn the key off while the indicator is still on, the park lights are left on down one side of the car :)

[The_Hawk]

I have the symmetry OCD thing going on too. I'm having a mental blank, but I'm sure the Multivan and the Mk3 both have two reversing lights, but only have the one Fog light, although there is provision for one on both sides, they just hook up the one though depending on what market it's for. Again off the top of my head I recall reading that you can wire up the second one pretty easily... something I keep meaning to do.

[bigfoot]

If that surprised you, I wonder what you make of the feature that when you turn the key off while the indicator is still on, the park lights are left on down one side of the car :)

my 911 does that - drove me nuts until one day the penny dropped :facepalm:

[brad]

The late '80s Suzuki Swift/Holden Barina only had 1 reverse light (bottom left afterthought in the bumper).

Skoda Octavia has 2 reverse lights & if you have VCDS you can setup L,R or both foglights.

I'm not sure why people are referring to it as a reverse "indicator". Is it there to illuminate the area behind you so that you can see obstacles or is it there to indicate to others that you are reversing? I would have thought the former.

[Corey_R]

Weird, interesting how they can get away with this seeing as the reason they normally do this (same with rear fogs) is so you can see a moving car on street parking, irrelevant here and in the ol' dart because we're both RHD markets, so logic to me would be put it in both or do a RHD specific light if you REALLY want only 1 reverse light...

Having the reverse light on the left is RHD specific! If we were left hand drive, then the reverse light would be on the right! The reason is that the fog light must be on the side closest to the centre line of the road (mandated by law in many countries, including the ADR's in Australia).

[bigfoot]

I'm not sure why people are referring to it as a reverse "indicator". Is it there to illuminate the area behind you so that you can see obstacles or is it there to indicate to others that you are reversing? I would have thought the former.

i'd say the latter

[brad]

i'd say the latter
Well, as i say to my kids when we walk through a carpark. "watch to see if the cars are moving. Don't just trust that the reverse lights are working."

[The_Hawk]

Well, as i say to my kids when we walk through a carpark. "watch to see if the cars are moving. Don't just trust that the reverse lights are working."

I am constantly amazed at the number of cars driving around with only one or even no working brake lights...

[bigfoot]

I am constantly amazed at the number of cars driving around with only one or even no working brake lights...

or blinkers...no wait, that's just stupid people

[gavs]

Or taxi drivers.