Ding Ding Ding - WTF?

[Jouster]

I've got about 900 miles on my baby now, and as I'm coming into work, not really push her at all, I start hearing the chiming the car makes when it's upset at me (last time I heard it was when I didn't have the trunk all the way closed). I take a look at the instrument cluster; none of the "idiot lights" are on, and the DIC is still showing the boost gauge. This continues for maybe 20 or 30 seconds, and then, right as I complete a right turn onto my road, it stops.

Is it telling me I have a turn signal light out, or is the timing a red herring? I plan on hitting the dealership and having them scan for codes; it keeps a log, right, so they'll be able to tell what it was?

[Bogie]

Originally Posted by Jouster

This continues for maybe 20 or 30 seconds, and then, right as I complete a right turn onto my road, it stops.

It's called the nerd chime. You get it when you leave your turn signal on.

[Ernest]

[SWTSKY]

You ever hear about the nerd that went around the block 100 times

Forgot to turn off his blinker

Had to say it,,,Luv ya man.

[SteveSky67]

I thought that chime was for the older folks who leave the signal on for blocks... j/k End of Line

[SR819]

Just curious was your seatbelt on?

[cerberus]

Hit the On-Star button and have em run a remote diagnostic. Doesn't cost a thing, but if you threw a code or something tripped they can tell ya. Beats a trip to the dealer, or a nagging doubt.

[Jouster]

Originally Posted by SR819

Just curious was your seatbelt on?

Yep.

The "nerd chime" sounds about right, lol. I probably did have my turn signal still on.

[Bogie]

Originally Posted by Jouster

Yep.

The "nerd chime" sounds about right, lol. I probably did have my turn signal still on.

You did an excellent job giving the details. The fact the chime ended when you made the turn strongly suggested the cause since turning the wheel will usually return the mechanism to neutral, and stop the chime.

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by SteveSky67

I thought that chime was for the older folks who leave the signal on for blocks... j/k End of Line

Heck, maybe the gent is an elderly person.. IF not, then I would worry...

[uranium-238]

I accidentally left my blinker on for a while the other day. Didn't reset itself after I finished my right turn, as it wasn't a true 90* turn, more like a 45* then a curve to the right.

If the chime sounded, I sure didn't hear it. Normally the clickers are enough, but I didn't hear them either. Blame it on the monsoon audio system.

[JRinKY]

Bogie : It's called the nerd chime. You get it when you leave your turn signal on.

This must be a new "feature". I left my turn signal on most of the way home to see if I got a chime, and never did.

[reedred]

Did you have the radio on? Mine chimes and it's not that much newer than yours. It's been a couple of years since I tried it, but I think it took about a minute for it to start.

[SteveSky67]

Originally Posted by MidniteBlues

Heck, maybe the gent is an elderly person.. IF not, then I would worry...

This is very common around here, I live near a retirement community and i see alot of signals blinking for blocks, i admit it has happened a few times for me, between the radio blasting and my new gps, i don't hear the damn think blinking....but hey nobody's perfect... End of Line

[marlboromike]

What I would like to know...why do people use their signal when u r in either a left turning lane or right turning lane...u always see it and u don't have to be OLD...

[TulsaSky]

Corvette does this trick, were I learned it in Bowling Greens, KY just tap turn signal lever up or down left or right do not push it down or up till it stops. It will signal 3 times and will not be on hold till after the turn. You did signal and to bad the dipstick moron behind you were not paying attention while talking on the phone, but the loud donk donk donk of the turn signal coming through the speakers will not happen, and no Nerd chime. I was surprised the Sky had this feature but it does.

TulsaSky

[dengel]

Originally Posted by marlboromike

What I would like to know...why do people use their signal when u r in either a left turning lane or right turning lane...u always see it and u don't have to be OLD...

ummm, maybe because its the law? I don't think there is an exception in the law that says you don't have to signal your turn if you are in a turn lane...

[JRinKY]

reedred : Did you have the radio on? Mine chimes and it's not that much newer than yours. It's been a couple of years since I tried it, but I think it took about a minute for it to start.

Yes. I'll try it again the next time I take the car out. I thought I went for more than a minute, but maybe I didn't.

marlboromike : What I would like to know...why do people use their signal when u r in either a left turning lane or right turning lane...u always see it and u don't have to be OLD...

I can think of two reasons:
1) Ticket Avoidance. In Kentucky, at least, the law requires the continuous use of a signal for the last 100 feet before the turn or lane change. No exemption is given for being in a turn lane.
2) Courtesy. The other drivers around you may not know that the lane you are in is a turn-only lane. We have many turn/straight lanes, and their layout is not always the same.

[Bogie]

Originally Posted by marlboromike

What I would like to know...why do people use their signal when u r in either a left turning lane or right turning lane...u always see it and u don't have to be OLD...

To let the other drivers know that you (the turning driver) know it's a turn lane and that you intend to turn. Failure to signal leaves doubt in the mind of other drivers as to your intention or knowledge of the road. This requires other drivers to establish larger defensive positioning thresholds in adjacent lanes in anticipation that you will discover (at the last moment) you are in a turn only lane and then need to merge back into the through lanes.

As for the OBVIOUS turn lanes, you should still use your signal. This builds good rapport with the drivers around you that you know how to properly signal you intentions. I will actually observe how driver's signal (to include how soon, how long) as information on how I should drive around and about them. So, if you don't know how to properly use your signal...then by all means don't signal when it's obvious...as that will be information to me that you don't signal...and it will then become my burden to drive in a manner to save you from yourself.

When I'm the turning driver, I will actually double signal when merging into a turn lane to distinguish my merge signal from my turn signal. That is, I will signal the merge....turn my signal off for few seconds... and then signal for the turn. That way other drivers won't be wondering if my signal was accidentally left on after the merge as opposed to actually signaling my intent to turn.

Lastly, never assume no one is watching...and never assume your turn signal information isn't useful. A turn signal three lanes over from where I'm driving will perk up my SA, especially if there are two cars filling the two intervening lanes. Because if the merging driver doesn't see the first car over, they will domino across the four lanes into my lane.

[JRinKY]

TulsaSky : Corvette does this trick, were I learned it in Bowling Greens, KY just tap turn signal lever up or down left or right do not push it down or up till it stops. It will signal 3 times and will not be on hold till after the turn. You did signal and to bad the dipstick moron behind you were not paying attention while talking on the phone, but the loud donk donk donk of the turn signal coming through the speakers will not happen, and no Nerd chime. I was surprised the Sky had this feature but it does.

I tried this on the way to work this morning. My Sky does not have this feature.

Of course, it is only useful for lane changes, anyway, since (in Kentucky) the turn signal must remain on through the completion of the turn.