When to use fog lights

[Karl Roth]

There has been some discussion about lighting and safety and I was wondering when do you think is the right time to use fog lights.
Thanks in advance for your time
karl

[jwight]

Karl, you probably opened a can of worms with this one. As many opinions as oil changes and type of wax to use, I'm sure. From Australia:

As far as front fog lights are concerned, there is simply no requirement for them in Australia; they are bright and annoying. We have never had the type of fog for which they were designed. Normal headlights are now so well designed that they work far better than any fog light in poor weather conditions.

The UK has fines for people using them in clear weather. Have to see what the smarts fogs are like but today, IMO they seem to be more of a fashion statement (or an annoyance) than really useful.

[SMART]

I use fog light primarily in real fog when I am trying to find the white line on the road. I have a feeling the smart fog lights will work better then lights I have had in the past simply because of their position in comparison to the roadway.

I have only begun to start thinking about lighting but there is a good chance I will upgrade both the headlights and to fog lights. I am worried that I might need lighting just for safety, no different then when riding motorcycles... And on that note, I will surely be adding air horns.

[SmartAzz]

Fog and rain, and sometimes on back roads as their low broader shorter range helps illuminate the sides of the road better. In the end it depends on the conditions and if i need the lower wider beams for me or to improve my visibility.

[Carnut]

More importantly, can the fog lights be switched on without the regular headlights?

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by Carnut

More importantly, can the fog lights be switched on without the regular headlights?

I believe that the U.S. allowed regimen is that they can be energized only via the low beam circuitry, and must extinguish on high beams.

[SmartCard]

that's a good question, most cars seem to require at least the parking (amber) lamps to be turned on. I haven't noticed if the fogs have a separate dash switch or are on the stalk.

BTW, wasn't it always suggested that yellow lamps are better for fog then white? (as well as the lower intensity)

[SmartAzz]

I'm also curious how the switch is, I've had both separate fog switches and ones integrated into the main light dial on European cars.

I am very glad it is an option, too bad no rear fog too (I'll tell you, in thick fog and heavy rain being kicked up that rear fog helps being seen a lot).

[Carnut]

Actually the color is not important as it is the bandwidth pattern (?) that prevents the light reflecting back into the drivers eyes.

What ticks me is that they make us put on the headlights in order to use the fogs.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by SmartCard

... BTW, wasn't it always suggested that yellow lamps are better for fog then white? (as well as the lower intensity)

Yup, the yellow tint to the lens filters out the short wavelength (blue) light, but allows the long wave length (yellow) light through, which has greater penetrating power in fog and less dispersion (back scatter).