What does flashing hazard lights in passing mean?

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by notaffiliated

Hey guys, I recently just got a 2015 Scion FRS as my first car. I like the sleek and petite design and feel like it suits a small girl like me. With that being said I know nothing about car culture lol.

As I was driving on the highway yesterday, there was another FRS that flashed his hazard lights 2 times as he passed me.

What does that mean? Were they just appreciating that we have the same car?

Oh, the old fool most likely got so excited that he finally passed someone, that he just hit the wrong button. He was just trying to turn on his turn signal, so he could leave it on.

[Bowflex]

It's a way of saying hello. I do it sometimes when I pass other twins on the highway. I would just do the wave at an intersection.

[Tsugo]

This usually means thank you for letting me pass. It originated in multi-class circuit racing when a faster class car is allowed to pass by a slower class car. Usually they will stay wide in a turn or keep to one side in a straight to allow the faster car to pass uninhibited. Flashing is a common way to say thank you since the two aren't racing each other, but the rest of their classes respective fields.

Of course, no idea if this guy hits the track or sim races often.

[MuseChaser]

As others have said, probably just saying Hi or alerting you that you're being passed. Whenever you're flashed, answering back with a quick polite "thank you" or "hello to you too" flash can be a nice thing to do, but it can create problems in some public venues or situations. Never flash unless you want to and are comfortable doing so.

[FR-S2GT86]

I normally just give two quick taps of the horn to say "Hi."

Flashing can sometimes get you in trouble.