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Did Ya'll Know This? 

That is what Brian (@brycrasch) is asking others who own a Toyota RAV4 or another Toyota vehicle. His TikTok video has attracted 1.5 million views, so it must have resonated with his viewers. 

Brian, a 2022 Toyota RAV4 owner, was taken aback when he discovered a feature he had never known about in his compact SUV, despite owning it for over three years. At 37, he was surprised to learn about a feature that most cars have. Are you aware of it?

Take a moment to read Brian's story and see if you can relate to his experience. 

He says,

"I just learned something about my RAV4 that I had never heard of before, and I have to share it to see if others know this or if I'm just dumb."

"So, I was on the phone with my mom while I was driving, and she was like, oh, one of your taillights is out in your car. I asked her how she knew about this. Are you psychic? How do you know this is happening?"

She says, "When you loaned me your car the other day, I heard your turn signal blinking faster." Brian says, "What do you mean you heard my turn signal blinking faster?" 

Mom says, "The turn signal on the left side makes a different sound and tells you your taillight is out." 

He says, "What? What are you talking about?"

Next, Brian says, "Let me show you." He turns on the RAV4 and turns the right turn signal on. He says, "This is what it sounds like when I turn the blinker on. It sounds normal. It sounds like this when I turn my left blinker on."

You can hear in Brian's video clip that the left turn signal is blinking twice as fast as the right side. 

"Why Has No-One Ever Told Me This?"

You can hear that it's blinking much faster than the right side. "Why has no one ever told me about this? Does everybody know this?" he says with bewilderment. 

"I have literally never heard of this in my life before now. I am 37 years old, and I've just been driving around with my taillight out, not knowing this."

"Please tell me I'm not alone in this," he concludes with astonishment. 

Did You Know This About Your Car?

It's not just the Toyota RAV4, but many cars, both older and newer, are designed to indicate a burned-out bulb (including taillights) by blinking the turn signals faster than usual. This is a common safety feature to alert the driver to a potential problem. 

Cars.com says, "A fast-blinking turn signal usually indicates that a turn-signal bulb is burned out on that side. However, there can also be other causes, most of which aren't quite as simple to determine."

Reddit users have experienced the same thing on their Toyota RAV4 and other vehicles. One user says, “I see this happen on the road very often, and I'm sure some people don't know to check if one of their bulbs is out.”

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• How it works: When a bulb (turn signal, taillight, or brake light) burns out, it changes the resistance in the electrical circuit. This change in resistance affects the flasher unit, causing the turn signals to blink faster. 
• Why it's a safety feature: The faster blinking is a visual and audible cue for drivers to check their lights. 
• Not just turn signals: While the turn signals are the most obvious indicator, a fast blink can also mean a taillight or brake light bulb is out. 
• Modern cars: Even with modern LED lighting systems, some cars still use this method to alert drivers to bulb failures. 

What Does Toyota Say?

Folsom Lake Toyota says, "The second you get in your vehicle, you'll be able to notice if anything is different when you're riding around. If it's irregular smells, performance, or the general feeling of the vehicle on the road, you'll be quick to notice something has changed since you last drove your vehicle." 

"With this problem, you're about to turn left, and you see your signal to turn is flashing faster than you're used to. This is where a host of many causes could be the fundamental cause of the turn signal flashing so fast."

"There may be a number of reasons, ranging from bad wiring in your car, the lightbulb being used is burnt-out, or you may be using aftermarket headlights that simply aren't compatible with the vehicle." 

"We will guide you through the entire process of figuring out why your turn signal lights are blinking faster than usual and how to get them fixed."

Conclusion:

I discovered why few people don't know about this turn signal feature. Everyone has their radio on, and the music is too loud to hear. So, Brian is not stupid; he's just occupied listening to his playlist while running through the Bluetooth on his car's infotainment system.  

Cars.com says, "While the rapid flashing of a turn signal may be annoying, it's also a great warning device. How else would you know that your turn signal isn't working?"

How About You?

Did you know about the fast-blinker feature on your Toyota RAV4 or another vehicle? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Read my Toyota RAV4 story: I Paid Too Much For My 2024 Toyota RAV4 Because the Dealer Stung Me By Issuing a Verbally Undisclosed Credit Card For an Extra $1,500 Down Payment

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl