Flashing rear center brake light new for 2021?

[BasilFawlty]

Hey I just noticed something in a video someone posted of a 2020 SX being backed into a dealership showroom. When they were backing in that 2020 SX and he put the brakes on, the upper middle brake light did not flash - it just went on and off with the other main brake lights. On my 2021, when I put on the brakes, the center light flashes rapidly (I really like that as it gets attention better). Was this just a fluke, or was the flashing center brake light a new feature that is not available on the 2020 models?

 

[PL/OB Diego]

Hey I just noticed something in a video someone posted of a 2020 SX being backed into a dealership showroom. When they were backing in that 2020 SX and he put the brakes on, the upper middle brake light did not flash - it just went on and off with the other main brake lights. On my 2021, when I put on the brakes, the center light flashes rapidly (I really like that as it gets attention better). Was this just a fluke, or was the flashing center brake light a new feature that is not available on the 2020 models?

Yep, saw an ebony black NF today, center brake light flashed a few times before becoming solid red, an addition to 2021s.

 

[BasilFawlty]

Yep, saw an ebony black NF today, center brake light flashed a few times before becoming solid red, an addition to 2021s.

It's a good addition in my humble opinion - it really gets your attention. I wonder how hard it would be to mod a 2020 to do the same thing.

 

[Tellthemride]

Not an OEM product. Usually a dealer add on for an added cost.

Safer Braking Technology: Pulse® for Enhanced Safety

Enhance safety with our Safer Braking Technology - Pulse®. Prevent rear-end collisions effectively. Protect yourself and your family.

www.pulseprotects.com

It does indeed get your attention more than the standard brake light, moreso for highway speeds. But when you are in stop and go traffic I find it can be annoying to sit behind.

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[BasilFawlty]

Not an OEM product. Usually a dealer add on for an added cost.

Fairly certain this came from the factory on my SX. I picked up my car the next day after it was delivered to the dealer and there were no add-ons I paid for. I suppose it’s possible they installed some mod in that short span, but I doubt it.

It does indeed get your attention more than the standard brake light, moreso for highway speeds. But when you are in stop and go traffic I find it can be annoying to sit behind.

Having been rear-ended while at a stop sign or light at least 3 times in my life, I don’t care if it’s annoying.

 

[lyfbyts]

On video you will see this with LED lights it has to do with the refresh rate differences in the LED vs Video MHz in reality to the eye without video it is not really happening.

 

[BasilFawlty]

On video you will see this with LED lights it has to do with the refresh rate differences in the LED vs Video MHz in reality to the eye without video it is not really happening.

My middle brake light flashes - I’m not talking about seeing it on video, this is seen in real time in real life.

 

[BasilFawlty]

Not an OEM product. Usually a dealer add on for an added cost.

Fairly certain this came from the factory on my SX.

Well, I stand corrected. Curiosity got the better of me so I called the dealer in Texas where I bought my Telly and, assuming the service guy I spoke with knows what he's talking about, he informed my it is, in fact, a dealer-installed mod. That surprises me because there was nothing on the sticker that suggested I paid any additional cost, so I guess it's something they do at no charge (they also threw in OEM all-weather mats and didn't charge for those either). At any rate, I do like that the middle brake light flashes. If it annoys people behind me I'm ok with that if it means they are less likely to rear-end me (been hit at least 3 times from behind in my life)

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[qwikhit]

So it’s just the middle light that flashes? So that means there are multiple bulbs involved. I wonder how they did that

 

[BasilFawlty]

So it’s just the middle light that flashes? So that means there are multiple bulbs involved. I wonder how they did that

On my car that is correct - it is only the center brake strip above the rear hatch that flashes. If memory serves, it flashes three times before going solid.

PS: It's apparently an easy mod that requires a $10 module.

 

[qwikhit]

I’m wondering if all trim levels had an LED 3rd brake light seeing as how the lower trim levels have different bulbs than the higher trim levels

 

[Jurassic3k]

I’m wondering if all trim levels had an LED 3rd brake light seeing as how the lower trim levels have different bulbs than the higher trim levels

It's called a Pulse Brake module Pulse | Rear End Collision Avoidance System | Pulsing Brake Light
Cost about $10 and takes 10 minutes to install. Most dealers charge 200-300 for it. Pure profit! I told my dealer not install it when my vehicle comes in....

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[qwikhit]

The Amazon link that was posted appeared to be for an LED 3rd brake light. I have an S trim and was wondering if all the trim levels have LED’s in the 3rd brake light or maybe it doesn’t matter. Just didn’t want to purchase and install them come to find out it doesn’t work for me

Edit: so that Amazon link was removed from the post.

 

[BasilFawlty]

It's called a Pulse Brake module Pulse | Rear End Collision Avoidance System | Pulsing Brake Light
Cost about $10 and takes 10 minutes to install. Most dealers charge 200-300 for it. Pure profit! I told my dealer not install it when my vehicle comes in....

Apparently mine was installed at no charge. I paid (cash) exactly what I negotiated ($400 off MSRP) with only the standard freight charge, tax title and license and a very nominal Doc/Admin fee. My dealer (kia Plano) also threw in a set of all weather OEM mats at no charge. I knew the car had the flashing center brake light but always assumed it was done at the factory until I called to inquire today.

 

[Jurassic3k]

Apparently mine was installed at no charge. I paid (cash) exactly what I negotiated ($400 off MSRP) with only the standard freight charge, tax title and license and a very nominal Doc/Admin fee. My dealer (kia Plano) also threw in a set of all weather OEM mats at no charge. I knew the car had the flashing center brake light but always assumed it was done at the factory until I called to inquire today.

You got lucky....alot of the dealers around here install those and everything they sell....and charge for it. I was a little irritated with my dealer when I found out they would put it on my ordered vehicle had I not requested otherwise. No mention of it when I initially ordered the truck. Starting to wonder what other surprises I have to look out for when it comes in (vin etching, etc)

 

[BasilFawlty]

You got lucky....alot of the dealers around here install those and everything they sell....and charge for it. I was a little irritated with my dealer when I found out they would put it on my ordered vehicle had I not requested otherwise. No mention of it when I initially ordered the truck. Starting to wonder what other surprises I have to look out for when it comes in (vin etching, etc)

Adding stuff you didn’t ask for then expecting you to pay for it should be illegal (it’s not but it should be)

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[Jurassic3k]

Adding stuff you didn’t ask for then expecting you to pay for it should be illegal (it’s not but it should be)

Agreed