This article is part of the GM Authority Mailbag series, where the GM Authority Crew features and replies to your questions, comments, and observations.
The following is from Greg S.
Guys,
Have been reading the site for the past year and love it. I found out about the CTS Vsport from you and leased one in February. With the exception of what others have already told you about things like the passenger-side mirror, I love the car. But I do want to suggest one area of improvement.
That blind spot indicator in the exterior rear view mirrors is almost the same amber color as the turn signal indicator which makes it very easy to get the two confused sometimes, especially when switching lanes.
When I switch lanes, I turn on the turn signal first, so it’s already blinking. But that amber turn signal color looks to be nearly the same color as the blind spot indicator. So sometimes, I mistake the turn signal indicator for the blind spot indicator and have to do a double-take.
It would be so much easier if the blind spot indicator color was another color, like red.
Greg,
First of all, great choice on a car. Congrats! And good point on the turn signal indicator color.
We’ve taken the liberty of modifying a photo of the mirror, keeping the turn signal indicator amber while changing the blindspot indicator to red. Here’s how it would look.
Amber turn signal indicator remains, but we modify the blindspot indicator to be red so as to differentiate the two signals
What’s more, we would even recommend moving the blindspot indicator to the inside of the mirror – as seen on some Audi vehicles — so as to decrease the distance the driver needs to look in order to determine if a vehicle is in his or her blindspot.
Comments
I hve a 2015 Impala LTZ with the blindspot indicator in the mirror. It has no such indicator for the turn signal in the mirror but it does have the indicator on the outside of the mirror so oncoming traffic can see it.
GM can learn from Mercedes.
On the C350 equipped with the Blind spot indicator, it is a simple triangle which actually remains OFF when the car is above 10km/h. When a car moves into the blind spot the indicators lights up solid RED. You try signalling into said direction when the Blind Spot sensor is illuminated the indicator will FLASH RED and the car will start beeping loudly.
The beeping noise can be distracting but it can save your life if a jerk suddenly decides to do a flying overtake just as you are about to switch lanes after checking your blind spot manually.
the 2010 Dts platinum’s blind spot flashes yellow if you have turn signal on in direction of someone in ur blind spot. but it doesn’t make any sounds. ( i rarely signal on highway anyways )
But pretty much every automaker is using yellow though isn’t it?
I think Audi either used red or plans to use red.
But even so, why can’t GM be better/different?
Its not only for the driver… I’ve almost “swerved” out of the way of cars as I think they might be pulling into my line on the highway, only to discover it was simply their blind spot monitor light…
A neatly trimmed piece of transparent, red colored, UV protected vinyl adhesive tape applied to the mirror directly over the indicator light might work. If not, just peel it off. One might check with a marine supply or auto parts store. An internet option would be tapebrothers.com
I really like the shape and promise of performance by the 2020 Corvette C8. Here in Ontario, Canada we have front and rear licence plates. Where would GM recommend that the front plate be mounted on the C8 Corvette? Would the centre front grill cover be a good location?
I agree with the color change Its needed to separate turn indicator from yellow to red. Can you spell out the specifics of the CT 5 and the CT 6 I have a CT 6 which I love One suggestion? at night the backup lights should be wider and brighter. My lease is up in December
I think that Blind Spot Monitoring should ALL be with red indicators. Red means stop. I also think if the indicators come on that the system makes it almost impossible to steer into the next lane.
I agree with the blindspot light color also the backup camera is very bad at night not sure its the backup light or the camera or both needs to be corrected. backup lights should be LED
I agree! Move the blind spot indicator and change it’s color.
I will also provide a radical idea that a driver’s car go into limp mode after over twenty lane changes without using a blinker.
Using a blinker while changing lanes seems to be a lost art.
Would like to know GM’s plan and time frame for retro updates on 2022 GMC SIERRA SLT LIMITED TRUCKS sold with out chips for heated steering wheel, heated /AC seats , front and rear parking assist and auto cut off when ide. This has gone on to long and new vehicles arriving daily with all features working. Tried chat talk and repeated answer is no estimated time. Frustrated and ready to trade for a fully functional vehicle.
Bill W.
Leasing a 2022 SLT Terrain since Aug. 2022. Waiting on RetroFit for Lane Change Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Asked the dealer about when I can expect chips to do RetroFit and they smile at me. Think I was promised something that’s not going to happen?
Had a 2020 Buick GX ST with that option and I really liked it. The only problem with all this safety equipment is, once you have it and then the next vehicle doesn’t, you have to relearn how to drive.
My 2023 Envision Avenir does NOT have the brine spot indicator (due to chip shortage), and there are no plans by Buick to fix that when parts are available (due to very poor customer service). My 2017 envision (I traded in) had it and it worked well. Shame on Buick for selling a half finished high end SUV. I added side cameras and another display. What are other other 2023 Envision owners doing? Foolish of me to assume a newer auto would be better.