5th Brake Light Flasher
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
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From: Havre de Grace Maryland
5th Brake Light Flasher
After several close rear end collisions (mainly from cell phone use by behind drivers), I decided to purchase a 5th Light Flasher from forum vendor supporter ZIP to help alert drivers behind me. But after some conversations with others and their comments that the flashing may trigger drivers behind with rage, I am having second thoughts. Looking for comments from anyone that has installed the 5th light. Thanks. 
Pro
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 611
Likes: 184
From: Atlanta GA
I’ve been heavily considering getting at least an LED “ 5th “light. It’s much brighter ( I also want to get modded halo LEDs)
the C5 sits pretty low, mine is slightly lowered and if I got rear ended by a high enough vehicle at a high enough speed I could see them hitting my back window....
Me personally I’m opting into plain and simple just the brightest lights possible as opposed to flashers.
the C5 sits pretty low, mine is slightly lowered and if I got rear ended by a high enough vehicle at a high enough speed I could see them hitting my back window....
Me personally I’m opting into plain and simple just the brightest lights possible as opposed to flashers.
Last edited by Arvalo; Jun 22, 2018 at 01:21 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 641
From: Garland TX
After several close rear end collisions (mainly from cell phone use by behind drivers), I decided to purchase a 5th Light Flasher from forum vendor supporter ZIP to help alert drivers behind me. But after some conversations with others and their comments that the flashing may trigger drivers behind with rage, I am having second thoughts. Looking for comments from anyone that has installed the 5th light. Thanks.
They aren't that bad. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Miami FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
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From: Appleton WI
I doubt you will experience road rage. I ran one on my motorcycle without issue. My personal opinion is it is kind of goofy on a car. You have a wide car with 4 sizable lights and a 5th light in the middle.
Are your lights tinted? Tinted or not you could always opt for brighter bulbs. Lastly, the vehicle behind you may not be as close as you think. For whatever reason, it is hard to judge distace to the rear of the Vette. You back up and think you're on top of something then you get out and it is further than you thought. At least that is my experience.
Are your lights tinted? Tinted or not you could always opt for brighter bulbs. Lastly, the vehicle behind you may not be as close as you think. For whatever reason, it is hard to judge distace to the rear of the Vette. You back up and think you're on top of something then you get out and it is further than you thought. At least that is my experience.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 105
Likes: 36
From: Homer Glen IL
I've been running them on my daily driver and my wife's for several years after some close calls with people texting instead of watching where they are going. A blinking light really catches the peripheral vision in humans... that's just the way our eyes and brains are wired. I think they work and I don't think it triggers road rage.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Hickory NC
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We've run the flasher on our high mounted stop light as well as the halo LED tail lights for about a year with no indication anyone has been bothered by the lighting.
The flasher will pulse 3 times and then go steady. There is a certain time frame (1 minute, I believe), that if you hit the brakes again the light will just come on steady without the flash so in bumper-to-bumper traffic it's not constantly flashing.
I don't want anyone upset, but I'd rather they be upset and notice us than to miss our light on plow into us.
The flasher will pulse 3 times and then go steady. There is a certain time frame (1 minute, I believe), that if you hit the brakes again the light will just come on steady without the flash so in bumper-to-bumper traffic it's not constantly flashing.
I don't want anyone upset, but I'd rather they be upset and notice us than to miss our light on plow into us.
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If it catches the attention of the drivers behind you and is not against the motor vehicle code in your state, go for it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
We've run the flasher on our high mounted stop light as well as the halo LED tail lights for about a year with no indication anyone has been bothered by the lighting.
The flasher will pulse 3 times and then go steady. There is a certain time frame (1 minute, I believe), that if you hit the brakes again the light will just come on steady without the flash so in bumper-to-bumper traffic it's not constantly flashing.
I don't want anyone upset, but I'd rather they be upset and notice us than to miss our light on plow into us.
The flasher will pulse 3 times and then go steady. There is a certain time frame (1 minute, I believe), that if you hit the brakes again the light will just come on steady without the flash so in bumper-to-bumper traffic it's not constantly flashing.
I don't want anyone upset, but I'd rather they be upset and notice us than to miss our light on plow into us.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
Been here for a while, and read lots of posts about the ‘middle’ light. You’re the first one I’ve seen that has referred to it as the ‘5th’ light. Always been called ‘the third’, like on every other car. 
frank
Always been called ‘the third’, like on every other car. frank
After several close rear end collisions (mainly from cell phone use by behind drivers), I decided to purchase a 5th Light Flasher from forum vendor supporter ZIP to help alert drivers behind me. But after some conversations with others and their comments that the flashing may trigger drivers behind with rage, I am having second thoughts. Looking for comments from anyone that has installed the 5th light. Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 304
Likes: 60
From: Louisiana
For what it's worth, I run a Smart Triple Play on the busa. Turns my signals into running lights as well as gives me 3 brake lights. There 10 or so different patterns to choose from, I keep it on the one that pulses 3x then goes solid. I personally think this module is a necessity on a motorcycle, WAY too many idiots on the road texting or FB'ing. I honk the horn, shoot everyone I see doing this the 1 finger salute and use the universal phone signal to hang it up. Pissing me off.
For the C5, or any other vehicle I've owned, I've always wanted to do the flashing brake 3rd brake light. Never hurts to have something that grabs people's attention, I wouldn't hesitate to put a constantly flashing (with brakes) 3rd brake light, just because people are getting more and more stupid.
For the C5, or any other vehicle I've owned, I've always wanted to do the flashing brake 3rd brake light. Never hurts to have something that grabs people's attention, I wouldn't hesitate to put a constantly flashing (with brakes) 3rd brake light, just because people are getting more and more stupid.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 355
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Those flasher style center lamps will become more common here on out as a lot of OEMs are now putting it on their cars stock. If people are raging over them they're about to have a lot more to rage about when +50% of the cars on the road have them.
Factory switch backs too will be more common. I'm glad to see Audi taking a strong initiative to have them on their cars. I believe most of their current year model cars have OEM switch backs on the rear signal flashers.
Factory switch backs too will be more common. I'm glad to see Audi taking a strong initiative to have them on their cars. I believe most of their current year model cars have OEM switch backs on the rear signal flashers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Miami FL
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Ours was from http://www.3rdbrakeflasher.com/. They actually allow multiple configurations of the light (continuous flash, flash once, twice, etc). If I remember correctly, you can even program the light to flash quicker based upon brake pedal pressure - the harder you press the brakes the faster the light flashes.
Hope this helps.
Larry
Hope this helps.
Larry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
Last edited by GCG; Jun 22, 2018 at 01:29 PM.