Fog lights, like or dislike?

Robert_in_NY · Dec 17, 2003

I am stealing Junkmans idea instead of hijacking his thread. Daytime running lights have their pros and cons. Now, what about fog lights? It seems almost all new cars and trucks have these. While they are great in the fog, what purpose do they serve any other time? All they do is make it harder for the oncoming vehicles to see (especially when the roads are wet as the lights create an amazing amount of glare). A lot of people now run with their fog lights on all the time. I get to the point I want to start running with my high beams on all the time just to teach them a lesson. I do have fog lights on my truck and only use them when it is needed. If I can see with my normal lights then why do I need to light up the road right in front of my hood? Am I just a nut or do others get annoyed at all these people running with their fog lights on for no purpose?

SageBrush · Dec 17, 2003

The "fog" lights on my two Dodges (both trucks) use 37.5 watt bulbs and IMHO are almost useless in fog due to the cheap lenses. And they are kinda of dim for driving lights (most are 55 watt), not blinding at all to me. I pass trucks just like mine all the time. The 03 dually has those clear lights for fogs, don't work well at all on foggy mornings. Not much better as driving lights either. They just give a little more light close up, thats good for me when running down dirt roads in a 4x4. Lets me see the big holes my headlights over shoot.

I really disliked those extra lights when I drove a car, now with three trucks I don't get blinded as much. The higher trucks get me above most of those stinkin non DOT 100 watt blue lights that are so popular now. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Robert_in_NY · Dec 17, 2003

I agree, most fog lights are not that bad. But there are a lot that are. But what purpose does it serve for people to run with fog lights on while driving on paved roads? When I am driving I am looking well in front of my truck not just in front of the hood. I also see some people run fog lights during the day along with their headlights /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Is it just something they think makes them look cool?

fishman · Dec 17, 2003

I too immensely dislike folks who run with their foglights on when there is no reason . . . but there actually may be a reason.

Our '96 Dodge Neon "remembered" that you had the foglights on, even after turning the car off. What that meant was that you would get home or to work after driving in the fog, and forget to hit the switch. When you got back in the car and turned on the lights again, the fog lamps would come on. Not only that, but the button was in a spot where you just couldn't see it, so there you were. I resisted ever turning on the foglamps just for that reason. However, my wife had no such compunction and often I would be driving along, look around the steering wheel to make sure and . . . Doah!

Maybe the automakers have made a few cars like that?

Junkman · Dec 17, 2003

My Mercedes has fog lights that are part of the headlamp system and I find them very helpful when driving dark country roads. They light up the sides of the road where the headlamps don't and give me a better chance to see that deer that is ready to jump in front of my car. The nicest thing about them is that they are putting the light very low on the roadway and don't blind other oncoming drivers. I do turn them off when I am behind another car just to make sure that they don't annoy the driver....

RonL · Dec 18, 2003

Robert

Foglights are supposed to be mounted low on the vehicle and shine on the roadway just ahead of the vehicle. The concept is that in a heavy fog your regular headlights will reflect light back into your eyes. Fog lights will shine "under' the fog. Having regular headlights and fog lights on at the same time defeats the purpose of foglights. True foglights should not blind the oncoming vehicle.

RonL

TresCrows · Dec 18, 2003

"My Mercedes has fog lights that are part of the headlamp system and I find them very helpful when driving dark country roads. They light up the sides of the road where the headlamps don't and give me a better chance to see that deer that is ready to jump in front of my car."

Same here, I cannot see to the sides with my regular lamps but with the fog lamps on I can see easily well to either side--especially looking for deer. J

RoyJackson · Dec 18, 2003

"True foglights should not blind the oncoming vehicle."

Very true!!

Foglamps are value-added when they are positioned and aimed correctly! One gets blinded by fog lamps when they're pointed upwards.
As one of the previous posters wrote, fog lamps should be mounted quite low.
It appears driving lights (additions to regular hedlamps) and fog lamps are frequently confused. I don't think the automotive manufacturers are helping much to allieviate this confusion either.

Robert_in_NY · Dec 18, 2003

But when the roads are wet is my biggest complaint. The wet road surface reflects the fog lights right up into the oncoming traffics eyes. Maybe it is just me who notices it (and like I said, it is not all cars but the ones who have extremly bright fog lights).

Mark_in_NH · Dec 18, 2003

( I also see some people run fog lights during the day along with their headlights Is it just something they think makes them look cool? )

Most vehicle today have factory "Driving" lights that are not "fog" lights. They are 2 entirely differant patterns of light, as many of most likely already know. And as I stated in the other thread. I run my headlight and driving lights all day, every day for the exact reason that I also stated in the other thread.
( There are just to many poor drivers out there who aren't paying attention and I want every visibility advantage that I can get. )
I could care less if I am seen as being cool or not. All I care about is that I be SEEN.