When do you use your fog lights?

[a2Pilot]

When do you use your fog lights? If my headlights are on, so are my fog lights no matter what the weather. How about you?

[larrys]

Originally posted by a2Pilot
When do you use your fog lights? If my headlights are on, so are my fog lights no matter what the weather. How about you?

Your poll doesn't have the answer I would use (and the answer I believe most should give):

I use my fog lights only in the fog.


People seem to be under the mistaken impression that the more light they put out, the safer it is. While having a lot of bright lights does increase your ability to see ahead of you (with fog being an exception), it also makes it harder for the cars around you. Overly bright lights make it difficult for opposing traffic and for cars ahead of you. That's why most states have laws limiting how bright their lights can be.

Here in CA, it's illegal to have your fog lights (or any auxiliary driving lights) on with your high beams. I think it's worded along the lines of a limit of 4 lights on at a time pointing forwards (not counting your amber running lights or turn signals).

Driving here in the San Jose, CA area, there’s so much stray light from street lights, shopping centers, homes, other cars, etc (general light pollution) that I very rarely need to use anything but my low beams. I can certainly understand if you’re driving in a more rural area that using your high beams might be useful.

And, to contradict myself a little , I can also see using your fog lights if you’re on a very twisty road since they do illuminate the sides a bit better than the headlights.

But, I just laugh when I see people driving down major streets here with lots of street lights with fog/driving lights on as if it’s needed for safety or for them to see the road. Many (like those kids with the supped up Civics and the like) just seem to think that it makes them look cooler. I guess maybe I’m showing my age a bit .

But, this is all just my opinion here!

Later,
Larry.

[a2Pilot]

I included fog in a group of "bad weather conditions".

You've got a point about location, though. Most of my night driving is done without the benefit of street lights. That's when the "fog lights" really help.

Then there is the question, are they technically fog lights? Fog lights are traditionally amber in color. The lights on the Pilot, and every other vehicle out there with factory installed "fog lights" are clear. Does that technically make them an auxillary light?

They have a low and wide pattern, like a fog light, but are clear like a driving light.

I seem to recall this may have been debated here in the past.

Whatever they are, I like the way they illuminate the side of the road.

[ThePilotster]

I'll jump on the showing my age band wagon!
My eye's see the extra light... my brain gets annoyed and tells the eyes to look away = potential road hazard to the person with the lights, because If I gotta swerve to miss an accident I'm gonna choose to hit the the cause= bright lts.
I told a guy on another site who was braging about how his aftermarket lights even annoyed his friends... I asked him if that made him feel good about himself & that he should hold a big mirror in front of himself while he was driving to see how he liked it.

OK long story not so short.... when you hit late 40's you will understand.. keep the lights off when not needed
...
Off soap box

[andyschneider]

My recollection of first seeing fog lights were with folks in town who owned BMW's, and they drove with them on all the time to sort of advertise what kind of car they own. OK, that's the stereotype I remember in the 80's....

None of my current cars has fogs, but when I did have them, I only ran them when necessary, mostly because the extra unnecessary lights really can impact oncoming traffic, especially in the hilly terrain we have around here. I just learned to be considerate of others and only use them when I needed to. Upside is that you replace the bulbs less often.

andy

[BCinTX]

Originally posted by ThePilotster

OK long story not so short.... when you hit late 40's you will understand.. keep the lights off when not needed
...
Off soap box

Early 40s for me...guess I'm a quick learner!

[a2Pilot]

Originally posted by BCinTX

Early 40s for me...guess I'm a quick learner!

Ditto: 41 here.

I do understand the oncoming light issue. The fog lights on the Pilot are mounted low enough, and the light pattern is short enough that they don't bother me when I'm approaching other Pilots. There are other vehicles, though that really seem to melt the pavement in front of them with glaring lights.

[N_Jay]

Properly aimed fog lights are BELOW your low beams, both where they are mounted and how they are aimed.

If they bother anyone then they are misaimed.

I leave them on (improperly, I admit) because US spec headlamps do not do a good job lighting up the shoulder and I live in an area with a lot of critters that like to run into the roadway at dusk and in the dark.

[fishrising]

Only on when needed. Otherwise, when you do need them you won't feel like you have them on...

[tim.s]

I use them on side streets and highways in areas that are poorly lit. I don't use them on the freeway when there is lots of traffic - not needed then and they tend to just annoy the people I'm following.

[whizmo]

Originally posted by N_Jay
If they bother anyone then they are misaimed.

Simply not true. Lots of people get bothered - you can argue that maybe they shouldn't get bothered, but if you drive around with your fogs on in good weather, I can guarantee you that people are going to be annoyed and flash their brights at you now and then.

And running them in good weather is illegal in most states. It's not a big deal, but these laws are on the books because running fogs in good weather increases the annoyance factor to oncoming traffic. Otherwise, why the law?

- Mark

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by whizmo


Simply not true. Lots of people get bothered - you can argue that maybe they shouldn't get bothered, but if you drive around with your fogs on in good weather, I can guarantee you that people are going to be annoyed and flash their brights at you now and then.

And running them in good weather is illegal in most states. It's not a big deal, but these laws are on the books because running fogs in good weather increases the annoyance factor to oncoming traffic. Otherwise, why the law?

- Mark

Well, mine are aimed right, and the only time I have been flashed is when the pilot has been loaded (which points the headlight up too far).

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by N_Jay


Well, mine are aimed right, and the only time I have been flashed is when the pilot has been loaded (which points the headlight up too far).

Check out the Oregon law.
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TS/docs/V...fog_lights.pdf

They are like "high beams".

So just when am I allowed to use them?

Legal anytime in TX
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archive...light_laws.php

Apparently legal in MD also.
http://www.gazette.net/stories/03010...33_31957.shtml

Apparently legal in WA also, but some officers don't know it.
http://blogs.kitsapsun.com/kitsap/r...used_motor.html

[tallgood]

I agree with larry. Its a joke all the people on a 3 lane expressway with reflectors between the lanes and reflective strips all around you and they have these extra lights on. Ok one car coming up behind me or in front of me no problem. The thing is they are becoming so standard on cars and trucks these days that everybody has got them. Now I have ten cars coming up behind me with them on and 9 out of 10 are not aimed properly and five of those ten have some fancy super bright headlight also.
Ok throw the safety thing at me. If its a dark road turn on your brights. Save the money your going to spend on those fog lights and buy 2 cases of Rain-x. There's the cheapest ounce of safety you can buy. I run into rain allot more than fog. But who really uses them for fog. If you use them just for fog, Thank You.

[jcantanixon]

I never use them around town...but I do quite a bit of late-night, middle of nowhere, freeway driving. Can't run with the high beams because there are still a few other cars around. The aux lights work quite well for that and I have them mounted very low and very wide and aimed below level. Never been flashed and don't notice any light escaping to overhead road signs.