Mazda Created LED Turn Signals That Dim and Brighten Similar to Incandescent Bulbs

You must have observed that numerous modern vehicles come equipped with bright turn signals that switch on and off instantly, lacking the gentle fade characteristic of older cars’ signal lights. This rapid transition is a result of LED technology replacing traditional incandescent bulbs. Although more energy-efficient, the visual effect may seem somewhat abrupt. Mazda has introduced a thoughtful approach to enhance the aesthetics of turn signals.

For those interested in more background information: Modern cars often feature extremely bright, instant-on turn signals because LEDs lack the filament heating process found in older bulbs. Hence, while a vintage vehicle may exhibit a smooth, pulsating effect in its turn signal sequence, a contemporary car’s LED indicator lights up abruptly, akin to a spacecraft alarm.

I thought I was the only one bothered by this phenomenon. Personally, I’ve always preferred the gradual operation of traditional turn signals and was not a fan of LED versions. When I shared my concerns with my fellow automotive enthusiasts, they seemed to think I was overreacting.

Evidently, a design expert at Mazda also missed the fading effect, as the car manufacturer recently published a blog post discussing its Dimming Turn Signals concept, assigning it the acronym DTS.

In the post, Atsushi Yoshida, the Lamp Development Leader, shared several insights on design philosophy. Of note was his revelation on the challenges encountered in creating LEDs that fade in and out smoothly:

“… A significant issue arose during the initial attempt to incorporate the technology into the Mazda3, with inconsistent dimming of the light. However, through extensive collaboration with Mazda engineers and our supplier, Stanley Electric Co., Ltd., we painstakingly adjusted the signal light in 0.01-second increments, resolving the issue and successfully integrating it into the Mazda CX-30. …”

Stanley is a renowned manufacturer of automotive lighting solutions and has served as an OEM supplier for many years. I found it intriguing that achieving the fading effect with LEDs posed such challenges—especially considering that I effortlessly replaced the dome light of my 2006 Honda with an LED bulb that faded as elegantly as the incandescent one.

Designing the rhythm of the turn signal likely presented additional complexities. Turn signals must not only adhere to strict U.S. government regulations (you can refer to the NHTSA’s 731-page document on the subject) but also maintain a consistent frequency.

Nonetheless, I admire Mazda’s approach to enhancing aesthetics in this aspect, and I hope it garners widespread appreciation. Most contemporary turn signals lack subtlety, but these are genuinely pleasant to behold.

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