Many drivers overlook checking their car's exterior lights until a problem arises, relying instead on others or dashboard warnings that may miss certain issues. This gap in self-diagnosis can compromise safety, such as driving with impaired visibility or signaling, and may lead to legal penalties for non-compliant vehicles.

A Simple Solution for Light Checks

One approach to address this issue is integrating a dedicated feature—either as a physical button or a software option—that temporarily activates all exterior lights simultaneously. This would allow drivers to walk around their car and visually confirm everything is working. The feature could include:

• A button on the dashboard or a menu option in the infotainment system/mobile app
• Simultaneous activation of headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and license plate lights for about 30 seconds
• Optional confirmation signals like a chime when the test starts or ends

Benefits and Implementation

This could help everyday drivers who lack assistance to check lights, fleet managers inspecting multiple vehicles, and safety-conscious users ensuring compliance. Car manufacturers might integrate this as a differentiating feature, either as standard in new models or as an upgrade for existing vehicles through software updates.

For execution, a minimal version could start as a software feature for cars with existing infotainment systems. Newer models might include a physical button, while aftermarket solutions could extend the functionality to older vehicles. Potential challenges include handling lights that normally require user input (like brake lights) and preventing accidental activation while driving—these could be addressed through software overrides and motion-based lockouts.

While dashboard warnings and third-party tools exist, this idea offers immediate, visual confirmation without extra hardware or visits to mechanics. It represents how small but thoughtful design improvements can significantly enhance everyday vehicle usability.