PULSE® PROTECTS
Frequently asked questions
WHAT IS PULSE®?
Pulse® is an award winning solid state electronic rear end collision avoidance system designed for use in automobiles and light duty trucks manufactured after 1991. When you press the brake pedal in your car, Pulse® causes the “3rd” brake light (a.k.a. Center High Mount Stop Lamp, or “CHMSL” for short) to Pulse® four times, warning the driver behind you that you are slowing down or stopping. 37% of all accidents are rear end collisions, and 28% of those are deemed to be a “total loss” by an insurance adjustor.
A recent DOT study demonstrated that approximately 90% of all rear end collisions are avoidable if the trailing driver had just one extra second of warning.*
*NTSB, Vehicle and Infrastructure-Based Technology for Prevention of Rear-End Collisions, NTSB/SIR-01/01, PB2001-p17003, 05/01/01, pg. 1
WHERE CAN I GET PULSE®?
You can buy Pulse® at any one of hundreds of new and used automobile dealers, nationwide. Contact Pulse® and we will help facilitate the installation of Pulse® at a dealership near you.. Pulse® can be sold directly to qualified fleet owners / operators.
CAN I GET A DISCOUNT ON MY INSURANCE IF I INSTALL WHERE CAN I GET PULSE® IN MY CAR?
Pulse® is actively working with several insurance underwriters to help ensure that the installation of Pulse® might result in a discount in your insurance premiums. Ask your insurance broker for the details on any possible discounts and advise him/her that you’ve installed a “rear-end collision avoidance system” on your vehicle.
WILL PULSE® WORK IN MY VEHICLE?
The founders of Pulse® spent two years in research and development to ensure that Pulse® works with most passenger vehicles and trucks.
DOES PULSE® COME WITH A WARRANTY?
Through its network of new and used automobile dealers, Pulse® comes with a 5-year, unlimited mileage, no questions asked, product replacement warranty for manufacturing defects, as well as an optional additional Total Loss Protection benefit at participating dealerships. Ask your dealer for details.
HOW DOES PULSE® PROTECT ME / MY FAMILY?
A recent DOT study demonstrated that approximately 90% of rear end collisions are avoidable if the following driver had one more second of warning.* Almost everyone has had their lives significantly affected by a rear end collision (whether personally or someone close). Pulse® can provide the extra warning that keeps you / your family safe from rear end collisions. By providing a visual alert, Pulse® is demonstrated in DOT and manufacturer studies to improve the reaction time of the driver behind you and to get the attention of distracted drivers focused back on the road.
*NTSB, Vehicle and Infrastructure-Based Technology for Prevention of Rear-End Collisions, NTSB/SIR-01/01, PB2001-p17003, 05/01/01, pg. 1
CAN I INSTALL PULSE® MYSELF?
While Pulse®is fairly simple to install, we prefer that Pulse® be installed by a trained technician. This allows us to maintain our high standards for quality.
*NTSB, Vehicle and Infrastructure-Based Technology for Prevention of Rear-End Collisions, NTSB/SIR-01/01, PB2001-p17003, 05/01/01, pg. 1
CAN I BUY PULSE® ON THE INTERNET?
Unfortunately, Pulse® is not sold on the Internet and is not sold directly to the consumer. By distributing through qualified automobile dealerships, we can maintain our high quality standards. Contact Pulse® and we will help facilitate the installation of Pulse® at a favored dealer near you.
*NTSB, Vehicle and Infrastructure-Based Technology for Prevention of Rear-End Collisions, NTSB/SIR-01/01, PB2001-p17003, 05/01/01, pg. 1
IS PULSE® EXPENSIVE?
Pulse® is fairly inexpensive, typically adds only a few dollars to your monthly car payment. The benefit, though, of being able to help protect you and your family from rear end collision is immeasurable. How can you afford not to have Pulse®?
*NTSB, Vehicle and Infrastructure-Based Technology for Prevention of Rear-End Collisions, NTSB/SIR-01/01, PB2001-p17003, 05/01/01, pg. 1
HOW DOES PULSE® AFFECT MY BRAKING SYSTEM?
Pulse® has no effect on your braking system whatsoever. It is an award winning, solid state electronic device that connects to the electrical system of your car and functions independently of your braking system.
*NTSB, Vehicle and Infrastructure-Based Technology for Prevention of Rear-End Collisions, NTSB/SIR-01/01, PB2001-p17003, 05/01/01, pg. 1
HOW RELIABLE IS PULSE® AND WHAT HAPPENS IF PULSE® QUITS OPERATING?
Quality and quality control are core values of Williams & Lake and its Pulse® product. 100% of the Pulse® safer braking technology® units are tested by the manufacturer prior to shipping to your dealer. While it is common for most manufacturers to randomly sample one unit out of 10,000 (for example), our manufacturer hand tests every individual unit. However, the units were designed such that if they did fail, then your 3rd brake light would operate normally, as if the unit was not there. In reality, it is much more likely that the bulb for your 3rd brake light has burned out than you would experience a failure of the Pulse® solid state electronic unit.
WILL PULSE® AFFECT MY VEHICLE’S WARRANTY?
No, it is against the law for the vehicle manufacturer to void the warranty based on having Pulse® on your car. The Magnuson Moss Warranty Act (15 USC 2302(C)) states that, “Legally, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty on a vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part caused or contributed to the failure in the vehicle.” The only piece of equipment affected by Pulse® is a light bulb. See the FTC ruling here.
WILL PULSE® WORK WITH LED LIGHTS?
Yes, Pulse® works with both LED and incandescent 3rd brake lights.
HOW BIG IS PULSE® AND WHERE IS IT INSTALLED?
Pulse® isn’t much bigger than a stick of gum, and it’s normally installed in a convenient location near the 3rd brake light.
WHAT’S THE HISTORY OF THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT?
Legend has it that in 1973, a San Francisco cab driver was rear-ended for the twelfth time. In frustration, the cabbie hard-wired a truck light to his rear brake lights and placed it in his back window, effectively inventing the third brake light. Story goes, he’s never been rear-ended since.
In 1986, the Center High Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL) – or what we all think of as the “third brake light” – was mandated for use in the United States. The theory, of course, was that a brake light placed higher and more prominently at the back of the car would help to prevent rear-end collisions. Does it work? No automobile or light duty truck manufactured after 1991 for sale in the US has been manufactured without a third brake light, so you tell us!
IS PULSE® PATENTED?
YES, Pulse®‘s technology is covered under Williams & Lake’s Patent number 9475424 & 9586522
In 1986, the Center High Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL) – or what we all think of as the “third brake light” – was mandated for use in the United States. The theory, of course, was that a brake light placed higher and more prominently at the back of the car would help to prevent rear-end collisions. Does it work? No automobile or light duty truck manufactured after 1991 for sale in the US has been manufactured without a third brake light, so you tell us!
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