My theory of Mavericks getting rear ended

[Timothyd]

I've had my Maverick for a little over a week and the one thing I have noticed is that it feels like I have been getting tailgated WAY more than I did in my Ford Focus. I don't know if it is just perception because I now have a tailgate that sticks out behind me that it LOOKS like cars are following closer or what, but it is pretty consistent now that the vehicle behind me is close enough I can't see their headlights unless it's a bigger truck with the headlights taller than my tailgate (but that's a requirement for all truck owners it seems, the larger the compensation, the closer they drive).

I've been lighter on the gas pedal since it's new and also trying to see how efficient I can get on my mpg (68.9 on my 14 mile drive in to work yesterday, hell yeah!), but even still I am going the speed of traffic and 5+ above the speed limit where possible, yet pretty much any time I check my rear view, I see the top half of the windshield of the car behind me, even with smaller SUV's.

Same for me. Even before I got the Maverick I'll not race up to the red light but seems like a lot a drivers are hot to get up to wait and those are always right on my tail.

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[DesertHorses]

This might help: I put a 3 flash LED to replace the brake light located on the cab. I know some drivers might find this annoying, but that's sort of the point . . . attention. In case you're one who may think more is better, it is against the law to do this to your main brake lights. Something about impersonating an emergency vehicle.

A lot of commercial vehicles have amber flashing lights when decelerating. When we're using copilot and maintaining a space from the car in front of us, the driver behind us may not realize we've slowed. (Actually, the amber lights I've seen "pulse" rather than "flash" - attention getting without being annoying).

 

[Ozarkbeard]

When your foot's off gas but not on the brake, your brake lights aren't on, but you can still be slowing very rapidly in a hybrid.

No different than "gearing down" in a manual shift car. But if using regen (particularly using the L button on the shifter), one should always be aware of traffic behind them, and never use L to slow down, if the "follow" traffic is close at all.

 

[raymaines]

This might help: I put a 3 flash LED to replace the brake light located on the cab. I know some drivers might find this annoying, but that's sort of the point . . . attention.

I'm totally with you on this! Can you share a link to the blinkie light?

 

[RobN]

No different than "gearing down" in a manual shift car.

First, it's smoother and silent - that's a bit different.
Second, how many manual cars do YOU see on the road these days?

People are no longer used to them, or that behavior. How many are starting to figure out that electrics/hybrids slow rapidly without brake lights? Not enough - it only takes one idiot to rear-end you.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I'm totally with you on this! Can you share a link to the blinkie light?

Try these.

 

[mspmms]

I'm totally with you on this! Can you share a link to the blinkie light?

I used this, only needed one:

Amazon.com: FANTELI 921 LED Bulb 6000K White, Strobe Flashing LED Reverse Lights, High Power 921 Bulb 21-SMD LEDs Error Free T15 912 922 906 W16W Backup Light

(it does fit the Maverick)

 

[James K]

One tip they teach you when learning to ride a motorcycle is to tap-tap your brake to draw attention of drivers behind you. I do this when driving my truck as well...A few taps can attract attention. My Subaru came with this feature from the dealer, btw.

So all, I was messing around in the garage and upon driving out noticed something.
When I hit the brake pedal the brake lights come on but after a bit of a delay. Also when letting off the pedal the lights stay on for a bit as well. Saw this in the mirror and reflections in the garage.
My theory is that when you step on the brake the signal has to be sent to the bcm, processed as pedal stepped on then sends signal to lights to turn them on.
It might be happening fast but maybe not fast enough to keep us from being tagged from the back.
Just my assessment and theory. Anyone have any thoughts on this. Check for yourselves, see what you think. I’m an old school driver and used to just hitting the pedal, closing the circuit and boom lights come on. Too much tech sometimes is too much.

If it does, it's an extremely small percentage. Brake lights are a safety device warns you the vehicle is slowing but you need to be paying attention also. The human brain can only do one thing at a time so even talking to your passenger reduces your reaction time. Don't even get me going on those smarter than user phones.

 

[Starfightr]

So all, I was messing around in the garage and upon driving out noticed something.
When I hit the brake pedal the brake lights come on but after a bit of a delay. Also when letting off the pedal the lights stay on for a bit as well. Saw this in the mirror and reflections in the garage.
My theory is that when you step on the brake the signal has to be sent to the bcm, processed as pedal stepped on then sends signal to lights to turn them on.
It might be happening fast but maybe not fast enough to keep us from being tagged from the back.
Just my assessment and theory. Anyone have any thoughts on this. Check for yourselves, see what you think. I’m an old school driver and used to just hitting the pedal, closing the circuit and boom lights come on. Too much tech sometimes is too much.

I don’t think the 500 milli seconds matter

 

[Aherpa]

People just like my ass.

My Maverick asked my the other day "Does this tailgate make my ass look big?".

I was so taken aback that I have could think of an answer . . . . I believe I hurt its' feelings.

 

[raymaines]

I used this, only needed one:

Amazon.com: FANTELI 921 LED Bulb 6000K White, Strobe Flashing LED Reverse Lights, High Power 921 Bulb 21-SMD LEDs Error Free T15 912 922 906 W16W Backup Light

Thank you. I ordered it, shipping was almost the cost of the lightbulb, but hey...

 

[Tblast503]

@Dad, do you have a link to that bulb?

Here is the bulb I used from Amazon. Works great. - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B097PMD2VW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[mspmms]

"Does this tailgate make my ass look big?"

Never answer this question, however / Meme=> link

 

[chacoBazzi]

I did this same thing and also wired up a hitch light to be a 4th brake light.

seriously y'all i'd love to try this but can't seem to zero in anything that fits y'all's description. i'll do whatever i can to make my maverick more visible to distracted drivers
thanx

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

seriously y'all i'd love to try this but can't seem to zero in anything that fits y'all's description. i'll do whatever i can to make my maverick more visible to distracted drivers
thanx

Do you mean something like these

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