Who came up with the idea to put the brake lights and signals so small and low in the bumper? They should be in their usual spot, but Chevy really messed up. I nearly hit a Chevy Bolt because I didn’t even notice the brake lights.
Part of the issue is due to DOT regulations, which specify that lights can’t be placed on a movable part of the trunk without a backup system in place. In the past, those lower lamps on older cars served this purpose. However, many manufacturers are now choosing to use the lights in fixed positions (like on the bumpers) rather than investing in the circuitry to activate them when the tailgate is open.
The issue is that the Bolt is compact and narrow, but they want the liftgate opening to be as wide as possible.
Many sedans and SUVs feature a design where the lights are located on the fixed fender sides and extend to the movable part.
If I remember correctly, on the Bolt, GM designed it to function that way in the pre-facelift model. However, there was some concern about whether it met DOT regulations, with the response being “probably not.” So, in the facelift version, they changed it to only use the bumper lights.
Chevy was inexpensive and lackluster, so are we blaming the small dot for not spending a little extra to improve it? No, this was their decision. A poor decision.
Yes, I was stuck behind one of these in heavy traffic on the highway and had to slam on the brakes because I mistook what looked like brake lights for actual brake lights. This is not only foolish but also potentially hazardous.
It seems the upper lights are located on the hatch. By law, brake lights must not be placed on any movable body parts.
That is a terrible design
Those aren’t the reflectors?
It’s hardly shocking from a company that turns on the reverse lights when you open the door. It’s especially frustrating in a crowded parking lot, where you might think someone is about to leave, only to find yourself waiting in vain.
Aren’t the lights on the bumper just reflexes, with the brake lights being the ones positioned just below the window?
The lights directly below the window are purely decorative and don’t actually function. I’m not joking.