Fog Lights? Not Worthy Of The Name

**Puff The Magic Wagon!** · 11-21-2005, 03:20 PM

Bit foggy in the UK tonight & have to say that turning on the fog lights with dipped beam made no difference what so ever & if I turned the headlights off, then I couldn't see anything at all!

Whats the point other than for people who forget & turn em on to dazzle other people? ???

**al_roethlisberger** · 11-21-2005, 03:30 PM

...dazzling other people

Actually, I find them about as "good" as any OEM general fog-lights I've ever had, which is to say... just so-so. Heck even most aftermarket lights don't make much difference in really bad fog

**Raynald** · 11-21-2005, 08:43 PM

As al_roethlisberger states, in thick fog, fog lights or not, either during the day or at nigt, you can't see very far. Fog lights are in the "to be seen" category. By design and position, these lights produce a low, short and large beam in order to aim as near the ground as possibe, where the fog is generally thinner, so that light wouldn't be relfected in the drivers face by the fog itself. They're not made to enhance your own ability to see better, but they sure make you more visible to other drivers. That's why Volvos have also rear fog light.

**funglenn** · 11-22-2005, 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by Raynald

As al_roethlisberger states, in thick fog, fog lights or not, either during the day or at nigt, you can't see very far. Fog lights are in the "to be seen" category. By design and position, these lights produce a low, short and large beam in order to aim as near the ground as possibe, where the fog is generally thinner, so that light wouldn't be relfected in the drivers face by the fog itself. They're not made to enhance your own ability to see better, but they sure make you more visible to other drivers. That's why Volvos have also rear fog light.

I totally agree with the above just wanted to add that the rear fog light is a european spec requirement that they brought to the US for added safety.

**AWD*V70XC** · 11-22-2005, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by funglenn

... just wanted to add that the rear fog light is a european spec...

One rear fog light, space for TWO but they put one fog light on the rear of the car, that's as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike.

**Jack** · 11-22-2005, 06:59 AM

I thought that was a European standard

so they wouldn't be mistaken for brake lights.

**vtie** · 11-22-2005, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by AWD*V70XC

One rear fog light, space for TWO but they put one fog light on the rear of the car, that's as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike.

In some countries, it is prohibited to have two foglights. The rationale is that it would be too similar to brake lights. A single foglight is much less likely to mask brake lights if they are switched on.

**Raynald** · 11-22-2005, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by AWD*V70XC

... that's as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike.

At least, it's always clean !

**AWD*V70XC** · 11-22-2005, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by vtie

In some countries, it is prohibited to have two foglights.

Makes it look like a motorbike until you come up behind and whooooooo..

**hd70** · 11-22-2005, 08:18 AM

As vtie wrote.

Years ago 2 rear fog lights were allowed. After a few years it was changed since too many thought they were brake lights.

I was under the impression that the rear fog light is always the one towards the middle of the road.
How is it in Britain, or any other "right hand driven" country?