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When pulling the turn-signal stalk toward you, there is no flash-to-pass if the headlights are off as they would be during the daytime. This is a feature so basic and universal, it never dawned on me GM would omit it. The new CTS' optional HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlights use bi-xenon bulbs for low and high beams. Apparently, GM was concerned about bulb longevity, or wanted to save some money by omitting a dedicated lamp solely used for flashing. Subsequently, we discovered that our Buick Enclave lacks flash-to-pass as well. Flash-to-pass (a.k.a "optical horn") is used to communicate with other drivers for warnings or courtesy. It often means "Please let me pass, I'm going faster than you." Other times it means "Go ahead, I'll wait." In the extreme, less communication between drivers can have an adverse safety consequence. It is particularly odd that the CTS lacks this feature. After all, the car is intended to be sold in Europe--and, in particular, Germany--where stalk flashing on the autobahn is the second most used feature after the gas pedal. How hadn't anyone discovered this on the way to and from the Nurburgring track, where the CTS was developed?

And after looking at the comments following the article -

http://blogs.consumerreports.o...ments

Apparently, no one in America uses their headlights to flash people to pass or for warnings or courtesy.

Is this your experience? I use my headlights all the time to signal other drivers - either for passing on the left lane on the highway or to tell people or cars to change lanes, or move.

Most people mistakenly view flashing headlights as agressive driving.

(hmm, why does that suddenly sound dirty?)

Of course no one is looking in their mirrors to notice, unless they are doing their makeup while driving.

PC

Many who have the ability, abuse it as a road rage weapon.

Yes this is what bugs me in Canada. During the day people will NEVER notice the flashing so I can pass them. They'll take part in a 100 km/h rolling road block in all lanes because they are selfish.

At night, some people get it.. others are just stubborn and believe in the "me or nothing" mantra. It really bugs me here about this.

Exactly, it's mind boggling how so many people have no awareness about their surrounding cars while driving.

There are people who choose to go 60mph in the left lane when the speed limit is 70mph. Even when you're behind them attempting to pass, they have no clue you're there. Flashing is your last resort and often times, even that doesn't work!

-to tell someone to "go ahead" (i.e., at a 4-way stop sign)

-to let someone know they can merge into my lane

-to let truckers know they've cleared my front bumper and can come into my lane if they need to

-if I'm about to pass someone on a 2-lane country road

-to warn oncoming traffic about the speed trap I just passed

At night, rather than using the high beams, I'll turn my fog lights off-on-off-on for the same effect. I feel that seeing a second set of lights going off and on is more noticable than watching my headlights go bright-dim-bright-dim.

I had to tell him that flashing your high beams means very different things here in the US...it's either associated with very ****** driving or it means a big "F-you".

He was confused...until I also told him that in the US, since people pass on the left AND right, you don't really ever need to signal other drivers to move over.

Not surprisingly, he was blown away and really thought it felt roads felt like the wild west...

2004 MINI Cooper

Exactly. I honestly see very little reason to flash your lights at someone unless it's to avoid an accident.

I use the singel long flash to tell drivers to go ahead. Though there are some people who don't know what it means and just sit there

This needs more backing in driving schools.

BTW what does it mean when truckers pass another and turn their back lights off and on:confused:

Quote, originally posted by METAL »

Stop saying whip you mongoloid.

Flickr

Oh and ANY GM vehicle without HIDs DOES have flash to pass...

Modified by DenCo at 3:01 PM 12-17-2007

'08 Pontiac G5 [30.3k] | '02 Toyota Echo [119k]

I was under the impression it was illegal (or at least frowned on) in the rest of the country. And I thought that it was uncommon even in european counrties.

I always thought of it as a d!ck guesture, rather than a polite reminder of a fast approaching car from behind.

I don't think you're supposed to pass on the right. I never do unless I'm left with no choice.

oops... I never pass on the right either...

Quote, originally posted by METAL »

Stop saying whip you mongoloid.

Flickr

The taillight-flash is the end of a sort of "conversation" between truckers on the highway.

Say two trucks are climbing a hill. Truck A is in the left lane, going slightly faster than Truck B in the right lane. When Truck A has passed Truck B, B will flash his headlights at A, as a way of saying "you can come into my lane now." A will then signal and move over in front of B. After A has moved in front of B, A will flash his taillights a few times to say "thanks".

I do this a lot with truckers, as we seem to be the only ones doing the speed limit on the highways I travel

that made me chuckle a bit....

If a trucker wants over in my lane, im giving up my space to them. I respect their space. Cause I cant stop him if he REALLY wants over

Quote, originally posted by METAL »

Stop saying whip you mongoloid.

Flickr

I would like to see more information on that. It can't possibly be illegal to flash your lights under all circumstances.

I drive with my regular beams on all the time, so I flash the high beams to signal someone that they can merge or pull out in front of me. I don't flash to pass because I think most people see it as an aggressive gesture and are more likely to slow down and try to annoy you rather than get out of the way.

-Andrew L

because they are not paying attention and are stupid...

leaving your high beams on is aggressive.

What's needed, I suspect, is some kind of "machinegun-to-pass" device.

Passing on the right is now necessary due to the uninformed masses.

Quote, originally posted by rosskoss »

I don't think you're supposed to pass on the right. I never do unless I'm left with no choice.

On a two-lane you're not supposed to pass on the right, but on the multi-lane superslab, it doesn't make a bit of difference unless a cop wants to screw with you. I've passed countless numbers of cops on the right on multi-lane highways....I swear sometimes they'll park in the fastlane at 60 mph just to screw with people.

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