Right turn signal up or down

The turn signal on your vehicle is mounted on the front and back of the vehicle, on both the left and right sides. Once your turn signal is activated, the left or right side lights flash to indicate which way you are turning. Some modern cars have turn signals on the driver’s and passenger’s side mirror as well.

How to Check Your Turn Signal

If you suspect one of your turn signals is bad, you can check it without any equipment. A bad turn signal is normally indicated by a quick flashing light when you put the blinker on. To check the signals, turn your vehicle on and put it in park. To test the right turn signal, push the blinker to upwards. With the vehicle still in park, get out of the car and see if the signal is blinking both in the front and in the back and on the right side. Next, get back into the car and push the blinker all the way down, indicating a left turn. Get out of the vehicle and check to see if the light is blinking both in the front and in the back on the left side. If one of the lights is not illuminated or is blinking rapidly, you may need to replace the bulb.

Potential Problems With Turn Signals

If the turn signals light up, but do not flash, it is time to replace the flasher. If there are no turn signals on either side, check the fuse as it may be defective. Another problem is both turn signals on one side not working. This could indicate bad bulbs or bad ground in both housings. While testing the turn signal, if one signal light does not illuminate, check for corrosion in the socket, replace the bulb, and check for poor ground at the socket. It is a good idea to have YourMechanic look at your vehicle in case the turn signal switch needs to be replaced.

Basic Turn Signal Laws

While driving, you are required to use your turn signal. If you fail to use your signal while changing lanes, turning, or making other maneuvers while driving, you may get pulled over and be cited by a police officer.

Turn signals let other motorists know your intentions while driving a vehicle. If one or a few of your bulbs are not working, consult a mechanic in case the problem is more complicated than just changing a bulb.

The turn signals on your car are an essential safety device that allows you to communicate your intentions to other drivers. An increasing number of people are failing to use their indicators, and this is causing a growing number of accidents.

Using your turn signals is not only the safe thing to do, but it’s also legally required. The law also specifies the distance before your intended maneuver that you must activate them. Knowing the right way to use turn signals need not be a burden; using them should be an automatic habit, so you don’t even have to think about it when you are driving.

How to Use Turn Signals

The turn signals on most vehicles are located on a short lever attached to the side of the steering wheel column. By pulling the lever down, you activate the signals on the right side of the car to indicate a right-hand turn. By pushing the lever up, you activate the signals on the left side of the vehicle for a left-hand turn. Brake lights come on automatically when you step on the brakes.

The Right Times to Use Turn Signals

Use your turn signals or a hand signal when doing any of the following:

• Making a left or right-hand turn at an intersection

• Entering a driveway or parking lot on either side of the road

• Parking on the side of the street

• Pulling over to the side of the road

• Changing lanes

• Passing another vehicle on the road

• Merging with traffic when entering a roadway

• When leaving a roundabout

Even if there is no other vehicles or pedestrians in the area, you should use your turn signals. There may be traffic you cannot see, and using them should be a habit in every situation.

When to Turn On Your Turn Signals

When you turn left or right at an intersection, you should be in the lane closest to the direction you are turning in. Put your turn signal on approximately 100 feet before you reach the intersection. When driving on the highway and indicating an exit, lane change, or overtake, start your indicator lights approximately 900 feet before you make the change.

You only need to use hand signals to indicate a turn or stop if the signal lights or brake lights on your car are not working, or if for some other reason another driver or pedestrian may not be able to see your turn signals or brake lights.

To make a hand signal, roll down your driver side window and extend your arm outside the car. 

• When turning left, extend your arm straight outwards.

• When turning right, bend your arm at the elbow with your hand pointing upward.

• To indicate a stop, bend your arm at the elbow with your hand and forearm pointing toward the ground, and your palm open and facing backward.

By using turn signals or hand signals, you will reduce your chances of traffic collisions and traffic tickets, and ensure the safety of all road users.

How do you signal for a right turn?

Do you have to hold your turn signal down?