Feature Request: Activate Side Mirror Flood Lights in Off-Road Modes — Rivian, Please Read

[Scrubangle]

Hey Rivian community,

I hope this gets traction with the Rivian software team — specifically hoping Wassym sees this one. Posted here vs. the Lighting thread for just that.

The ask is simple: the side mirror flood lights should activate automatically when the vehicle is in any Off-Road drive mode.

Here's my frustration and request. The R1T was designed from the ground up with integrated side mirror flood lights — a genuinely thoughtful feature for adventure and sets this truck apart from anything else on the market. But their activation is currently limited to ONLY when in Park, but not the exact use cases this truck was built for.

Consider the scenarios where this matters:

• Trail junctions at night — identifying a fork, reading a marker, or confirming you're on the right line before committing
• Obstacle identification — rocks, ruts, water crossings, and terrain features that your headlights simply don't illuminate at the angles that matter
• Dispersed campsite selection (Camp Mode: RTT) — slowly rolling through a forest or desert looking for a flat spot, identifying the terrain close to the vehicle
• Recovery situations — assessing your surroundings when stopped on a trail at night

None of these scenarios involve public roads. None of them create DOT compliance concerns. The moment you select Rock Crawl, Off-Road All Conditions, or any dedicated off-road mode, you have told the vehicle you are NOT on a public road operating under normal traffic conditions. That's the logical trigger.

We shouldn't have to bolt on accessory ditch lights, run wiring, or tap into the native electrical system to solve a problem that's already been engineered into the vehicle. The hardware exists. The software just isn't showcasing all the benefits in design.

This isn't a hardware request. It's a three-line software change that would improve the off-road capability and safety of every R1T and R1S on the trail.

Rivian built this truck for people who actually go places. Let the lights work where it counts.

Thoughts from the group here?

Yes, I've been looking into ditch and rock lights for this use case and may still do so. I have the knowledge, tools, and funds to install these accessories. I would simply like to explore native options prior to bolt-on parts like a lil' wadder.

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[bfilippo]

Honestly, yes. Please.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Hey Rivian community,

I hope this gets traction with the Rivian software team — specifically hoping Wassym sees this one. Posted here vs. the Lighting thread for just that.

The ask is simple: the side mirror flood lights should activate automatically when the vehicle is in any Off-Road drive mode.

Here's my frustration and request. The R1T was designed from the ground up with integrated side mirror flood lights — a genuinely thoughtful feature for adventure and sets this truck apart from anything else on the market. But their activation is currently limited to ONLY when in Park, but not the exact use cases this truck was built for.

Consider the scenarios where this matters:

• Trail junctions at night — identifying a fork, reading a marker, or confirming you're on the right line before committing
• Obstacle identification — rocks, ruts, water crossings, and terrain features that your headlights simply don't illuminate at the angles that matter
• Dispersed campsite selection (Camp Mode: RTT) — slowly rolling through a forest or desert looking for a flat spot, identifying the terrain close to the vehicle
• Recovery situations — assessing your surroundings when stopped on a trail at night

None of these scenarios involve public roads. None of them create DOT compliance concerns. The moment you select Rock Crawl, Off-Road All Conditions, or any dedicated off-road mode, you have told the vehicle you are NOT on a public road operating under normal traffic conditions. That's the logical trigger.

We shouldn't have to bolt on accessory ditch lights, run wiring, or tap into the native electrical system to solve a problem that's already been engineered into the vehicle. The hardware exists. The software just isn't showcasing all the benefits in design.

This isn't a hardware request. It's a three-line software change that would improve the off-road capability and safety of every R1T and R1S on the trail.

Rivian built this truck for people who actually go places. Let the lights work where it counts.

Thoughts from the group here?

Yes, I've been looking into ditch and rock lights for this use case and may still do so. I have the knowledge, tools, and funds to install these accessories. I would simply like to explore native options prior to bolt-on parts like a lil' wadder.

I like the idea, but don't know if the existing puddle light is bright enough for the task. Don't know if Wassym is actively reading here. He has more visibility over in the r/rivian subreddit and can be tagged by u/WassymRivian.

 

[jfoonly]

Automatic? No way
Off road only? bah
I'd like to activate the lights in any drive mode for parking into/out of my garage with mirrors folded as well as trail/camp obstacles. Turn off over 8mph or when the other lights go off after parked.

 

[Scrubangle]

Agreed - This is starting point as Rivian is required to meet all DOT & jurisdiction requirements.

If approved by Rivian then I'm sure that vendors would develop enhanced options.

• Ultra-bright LED replacements
• 3D Printed mounts
• Mini Pods
• and so on

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Agreed - This is starting point as Rivian is required to meet all DOT & jurisdiction requirements.

If approved by Rivian then the I'm sure that vendors would develop enhanced options.

• Ultra-bright LED replacements
• 3D Printed mounts
• Mini Pods
• and so on

If would be nice if they had taken the approach Ford did with the Bronco—mounting points, wiring and switching for accessory lighting already baked in. But, for existing R1 owners, it's a lost cause because they most likely will not offer retrofits.

 

[usulio]

I don't agree with "automatically", but yes, I have been asking for this for 3 years. The menu item gets grayed out when you are driving. Just allow it to un-gray in offroad drive modes.

 

[Scrubangle]

To clarify, when I stated automatically, I meant the light buttons automatically become operational on the screen.

 

[SwampNut]

Agreed - This is starting point as Rivian is required to meet all DOT & jurisdiction requirements.

If approved by Rivian then I'm sure that vendors would develop enhanced options.

• Ultra-bright LED replacements
• 3D Printed mounts
• Mini Pods
• and so on

LOL, so back to doing mods anyway? I have actual ditch lights, and can tell you that the built in lights are nothing in comparison. Plus aimed very differently.

 

[derekk4]

Hey Rivian community,

I hope this gets traction with the Rivian software team — specifically hoping Wassym sees this one. Posted here vs. the Lighting thread for just that.

The ask is simple: the side mirror flood lights should activate automatically when the vehicle is in any Off-Road drive mode.

Here's my frustration and request. The R1T was designed from the ground up with integrated side mirror flood lights — a genuinely thoughtful feature for adventure and sets this truck apart from anything else on the market. But their activation is currently limited to ONLY when in Park, but not the exact use cases this truck was built for.

Consider the scenarios where this matters:

• Trail junctions at night — identifying a fork, reading a marker, or confirming you're on the right line before committing
• Obstacle identification — rocks, ruts, water crossings, and terrain features that your headlights simply don't illuminate at the angles that matter
• Dispersed campsite selection (Camp Mode: RTT) — slowly rolling through a forest or desert looking for a flat spot, identifying the terrain close to the vehicle
• Recovery situations — assessing your surroundings when stopped on a trail at night

None of these scenarios involve public roads. None of them create DOT compliance concerns. The moment you select Rock Crawl, Off-Road All Conditions, or any dedicated off-road mode, you have told the vehicle you are NOT on a public road operating under normal traffic conditions. That's the logical trigger.

We shouldn't have to bolt on accessory ditch lights, run wiring, or tap into the native electrical system to solve a problem that's already been engineered into the vehicle. The hardware exists. The software just isn't showcasing all the benefits in design.

This isn't a hardware request. It's a three-line software change that would improve the off-road capability and safety of every R1T and R1S on the trail.

Rivian built this truck for people who actually go places. Let the lights work where it counts.

Thoughts from the group here?

Yes, I've been looking into ditch and rock lights for this use case and may still do so. I have the knowledge, tools, and funds to install these accessories. I would simply like to explore native options prior to bolt-on parts like a lil' wadder.

This makes total sense. If you are in a dedicated off-road mode, DOT regulations shouldn't matter since the vehicle knows it isn't on a public road. Having that extra side illumination for tight trail junctions or campsite setups would be a huge safety upgrade. Hopefully the software team notices this.

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