Do you check if your vehicle’s rear lights are working?

Yes!
In Laramie, Wy i drove cab for a year, and then senior bus for another. It was small enough bus i didn't need a CDC license, but bigger than most vans and had a wheelchair lift. Besides the regular clients i dealt with, there were perks. The senior center paid for defensive driving course and for first aid training.

But the habit of checking things more often was also a perk. I'd been pretty good about checking things (lights, brakes, fluids), especially before long trips. But doing it daily for job got me in the habit of doing it more often. It's been helpful.
 

Shouldn't be any need to. 20 years ago I had a car that flashed up warning light if your real lights were not working

if you switch lights on, any lights, it should not be difficult for your engine management computer to detect what are the current rain is what it should be for those lights being on.

if it is not it simply tells you that there's a light out it's hardly rocket science it's hardly even auto engineering
 
Not everyone can afford latest models of vehicles. I'd have to check my manual again to see if current car tells me about lights being out. It does inform about a lot of things. However, we all know: Tech can fail. One should never rely solely on it to inform you about matters of safety, seductive as it may be. Fuel gauge & speedometer are more important info to me.

My latest car, a 2019, does tell me tire pressure for each tire... however the thing that reads the pressure can get messed up and need recalibration so currently i'm keeping tabs on mine by sight, hand gauge and the feel of the ride. before i go into town next week i'll have the local tire place make sure they're all at right pressure. Worst part is if it misreads one tire as too low the erroneous 'warning' blocks from checking other tires onscreen--their readings flash on for about 2 seconds when the key is turned. So to check what their readings are i have focus on the screen and still it's so fast i have to turn the engine off and on again at least twice.

Because of the reason for next 2 trips to city i likely will not have time stop at tire place and get them recalibrated, tho i am going to call and get price range and estimated time to do it. For things that i have to go to city for i have to add the cost of gas to/from the location.

Oh, and i have learned that the need for recalibration is a common enough thing that there is actually a tool you can buy to do it, not terribly expensive either. And i'm willing to bet that if i bought one i could get one the local auto repair guys to do it for me at a reasonable price if i had trouble doing myself.
 
Here in Ontario, commercial vehicle drivers MUST perform a PHYISICAL TEST ( using the mark one eye ball instrument ). Saying my "dash board " checks my lights is going to get the commercial driver a $ 250.00 Highway Traffic Act Offense Notice, from the nice person with the black uniform, with the red leg stripe. The come back will be.......Does your dashboard also check the brake cylinder clearance measurement, too ? JimB.
 
feywon said:
Not everyone can afford latest models of vehicles. I'd have to check my manual again to see if current car tells me about lights being out. It does inform about a lot of things. However, we all know: Tech can fail. One should never rely solely on it to inform you about matters of safety, seductive as it may be. Fuel gauge & speedometer are more important info to me.

My latest car, a 2019, does tell me tire pressure for each tire... however the thing that reads the pressure can get messed up and need recalibration so currently i'm keeping tabs on mine by sight, hand gauge and the feel of the ride. before i go into town next week i'll have the local tire place make sure they're all at right pressure. Worst part is if it misreads one tire as too low the erroneous 'warning' blocks from checking other tires onscreen--their readings flash on for about 2 seconds when the key is turned. So to check what their readings are i have focus on the screen and still it's so fast i have to turn the engine off and on again at least twice.

Because of the reason for next 2 trips to city i likely will not have time stop at tire place and get them recalibrated, tho i am going to call and get price range and estimated time to do it. For things that i have to go to city for i have to add the cost of gas to/from the location.

Oh, and i have learned that the need for recalibration is a common enough thing that there is actually a tool you can buy to do it, not terribly expensive either. And i'm willing to bet that if i bought one i could get one the local auto repair guys to do it for me at a reasonable price if i had trouble doing myself.
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I could say I was driving a car with this feature 20 years ago and it was already used when I bought it
 
Laurie said:
I could say I was driving a car with this feature 20 years ago and it was already used when I bought it
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I'm not questioning you have, but they may not be as common as you think, some people prefer vehicles that aren't computer dependent.

My main point is that hi-tech is not always as reliable as some of us like to think. Consider the number of times GPS systems have led people into unsafe places (lakes, ponds) and that the ones we hear.about are those where the person had more trust in the system then what they saw in front of them.
 
@Bretrick another way to check that is requires only a little more energy than reflection in side mirrors or.it showing in rear camera is to turn on emergency lights and circle the vehicle. Since much of the year i'm wiping something, snow/mud/dust, off all lights snd it was required when i drove Senior Bus it's my go to way.

And while we're talking safety more people should clean there lights more often; clean windshields more thoroughly and for everyone's sake pay attention to weather reports and prepare for being housebound if you live in that kind of climate. That way if weatherman and/or local Dept. of transportation says 'Stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary, you can--comfortably.
 
feywon said:
@Bretrick another way to check that is requires only a little more energy than reflection in side mirrors or.it showing in rear camera is to turn on emergency lights and circle the vehicle. Since much of the year i'm wiping something, snow/mud/dust, off all lights snd it was required when i drove Senior Bus it's my go to way.

And while we're talking safety more people should clean there lights more often; clean windshields more thoroughly and for everyone's sake pay attention to weather reports and prepare for being housebound if you live in that kind of climate. That way if weatherman and/or local Dept. of transportation says 'Stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary, you can--comfortably.
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Here in Ontario, "fail to maintain ALL windows clear of any substance " is a $300.00 Highway Traffic Act offense, and three points reduced from your driver's license. Trucks with a snow load on the trailer CAN BE FINED up to $3,000.00 or MORE, if damage or injury results from the snow falling on a following vehicle. JImB.
 
jimintoronto said:
Here in Ontario, "fail to maintain ALL windows clear of any substance " is a $300.00 Highway Traffic Act offense, and three points reduced from your driver's license. Trucks with a snow load on the trailer CAN BE FINED up to $3,000.00 or MORE, if damage or injury results from the snow falling on a following vehicle. JImB.
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That's the other thing, heavy snow on roof. I'm short so i use a soft bristled industrial type broom to clear snow from roof of my vehicles. Started that when i had a Chevy Blazer, worked so well have used it on every vehicle since.
 
No, car(s) go to the mechanic regularly and they would tell me and fix it. Also, if I did have a light out someone on the road (while I am driving) would be sure to tell me.
 
Nope, sorry to say I never did. The thought of checking never entered my head. Today, my car keeps track of this stuff. Someday, cars will be able to drive themselves, I waiting till they can pay for themselves.
 
Yes.

When I did a driving course for buses in Edinburgh, many,
many years ago, the instructor told us all, when stopped,
at a bus stop, or traffic lights, check your tail lights in shop
windows, you can see the reflection on one side and in the
rear mirror on the other, the practice has stayed with me.

Mike.
 

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