[Closed] All day Fog Lamps!

Because it doesn't blind anyone. I have no problem with this, it's more light to see them by.

I don't have any on the front of my van though. Nor have I ever owned a car with them.

To show off (car dependant), neither of my vehicles are fitted with them and I'm damn jealous I can tell you, drving there with your extra lights and stuff 😯

eu regulations that all new cars must have daytime running lights
Thanks continentals

Have to agree - very annoying. And I think rear ones should be banned - if only people understood the fact that you really don't need to use them after a light shower, in a queue of traffic grrr!!!

It is illegal to have any fog lights on unless the visibility is under 100yds.

BTW I'm not talking about all day running side lights it fog lamps.

Daytime running lights != fog lights.

I find it helpful that some people drive round in fog lights; it serves as advance warning that I'm near someone who can't drive.

Because it doesn't blind anyone.

Rear ones in heavy traffic and when not needed can certainly dazzle people.

I assume that people who leave their rear fog lights on when not required do so because working out when to have them on or off is too complicated for them.

And I assume that people who leave their front fog lights on when not required do so because they think it makes them look like rally drivers.

Sadly DRL's are causing the increase in muppets thinking it's ok to use foglights all the time

Though what I am hating most at the moment (and this isn't the drivers fault!) are the cars that switch a foglight on when the driver is indicating...This makes the indicator harder to see and makes the car look like one of the lights are out...VW I'm looking at you! 😡

Foglights when the roads are wet do dazzle me

From Highway code -

[i]"You MUST NOT
• use any lights in a way that would dazzle or cause
discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians,
cyclists and horse riders
• use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously
reduced. You MUST switch them off when visibility
improves to avoid dazzling other road users"

Could these symptoms be common to the fools that I see daily driving whilst speaking on the phone or texting?

"Because it doesn't blind anyone"

errr yes they do!

Fog lights don't blind you any more than regular dipped beam lights would. The whole point about fog lights is that they are mounted lower down, and aim downwards at the road immediatly in front of the car to cut under the fog, and thus reduce the amount of light bounced back at the driver. Set correctly they should be no more blinding to oncoming traffic than your regular lights.

Why do people use them? Because most new cars have large alloys prone to cracking when hitting the huge pot holes our roads are covered in. They are hard to spot at distance because of your low position in a car, and even in daylight your normally on top of them before you see them and take evasive action. Fog lights really help you to see the road right in front of you, critically in the area potholes tend to reveal themselves, which is an area that your higher mounted dipped beam seem to leave dark.

Just what you jobsworths find so annoying is completely beyond me? Is it that you haven't any yourself, or that your economy class wagon doesn't have the aesthetic large wheels (as stupid as they are) to worry about. If anything you should be chuckling to yourselves when you see someone with their fogs on, as they have obviously gone for style over performance with their wheel choice, not having a little bitch about them blinding you which is horse shit.

Why do people use them? Because [s]most new cars have large alloys prone to cracking when hitting the huge pot holes our roads are covered in. They are hard to spot at distance because of your low position in a car, and even in daylight your normally on top of them before you see them and take avasive action. Fog lights really help you to see the road right in front of you, critically in the area potholes tend to reveal themselves, which is an area that your higher mounted dipped beam seem to leave dark.[/s] [b]they look cool, innit.[/b]

FTFY.

Also, I think I'm a better judge of what blinds [i]me[/i] than you are. Maybe you just don't notice, up there above traffic in your [penis extension | high horse] (delete where applicable).

If you can't see the obstruction/hazard with dipped beams you are:

going too fast for the conditions, slow down

or

you need a night vision eye-test, get it done.

Grimy, just to summarise you recon that fog lamp use rises exponentially with the number of potholes on the road...

Good argument I'll give you that, also one that I can relate to as most dummies that do this seem to have highly modified cars and very little intelligence.

The fact that there use in all but "foggy" conditions is illegal isnt at all important.

High horse, lol, I'm not the one judging people for using their lights. Here get your self a pair of these [url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005GNW0TU/ref=asc_df_B005GNW0TU6680129?smid=A6OO29BQZHQOY&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B005GNW0TU ]Night driving glasses[/url]

From highway code:
"You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously
reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than
100 metres (328 feet). You may also use front or rear
fog lights but you MUST switch them off when visibility
improves"...

But if the roads full of pot holes knock yourself right out... hahahaha 😛

I know it's illegal, and I don't use use mine, I ditched the ridicules 19" alloys my car came with from factory in favor of some with a little more rubber. I'm telling you why people may use them, and that I disagree about them blinding you. It's easy to sit behind what the book says and proclaim your viewpoint divine, so let's just agree to disagree.

I'm not the one judging people for [b]illegally[/b] using their lights

FTFY, again.

Also, you're not judging people for using their lights, true, instead you're being obnoxious and offensive towards people voicing objections about it.

they should automatically cancel whenever the engine is switched off - that'd fix half the problem (the forgetful/dozy); the dickheads who choose to have them on when it's not foggy are then easy to spot

Top idea scaredypants! Their infrequency of use could leave people confused as to how to turn them off, or maybe they just forget. Your idea would solve this.

I disagree about them blinding you.

Again; how do [i]you[/i] know what blinds [i]me?[/i]

I'm telling you why people may use them,

What about rear fog lights? Are they for detecting potholes when suddenly reversing?

It's easy to sit behind what the book says

The point being made isn't really "it's illegal" (though it is, and with good reason), it's "they're a bloody nuisance, inconsiderate, and cause discomfort to some (most?) other road users." And you can argue that till the cows come home but you'll still be wrong. So yes, we'll have to agree to disagree.

they should automatically cancel whenever the engine is switched off

I thought most did, certainly on modern cars. 99% sure they do on mine; last car I remember driving that didn't was in the 80s.

This is not an argument I'm ever going to win but I'd like to make a point about the potholes your so blasé about. You can't always just reduce your speed for fear of a pot hole, if the carriageway is otherwise empty. Straight, and it's safe to cruise at the national speed limit, the chaps behind your will usually be pushing you to do so. Hitting potholes is no minor issue, it can cause serious damage to wheels and tyres, and in some cases cause their failure. I know from experience that there is nothing more frightening or dangerous than a blow out. If having fog on helps people spot the bloody things, I'm all for it. Argue all you want, but that's the way I see it. If youve got anything more constructive to say other than what some government jobs worth wrote Ian book, then I'm all for it

I reckon the chavs are trying to replicate the "drl look" as mentioned. It looks far too deliberate (sidelights rather than full headlights) on the shitbox Astras and Vectras you innevitably see doing it.

I believe thay "all" do now but a little old lady in her 1993 polo is my target demographic

I've met Ian Book; he is a jobs worth right enough.

Again I'll comment that foglights certainly do dazzle when the roads are wet, mirror effect you see grimy.

Also I highly doubt they improve pot hole spotting. As above, if you struggle then get eyes tested

I thought most did, certainly on modern cars. 99% sure they do on mine; last car I remember driving that didn't was in the 80s.

I've never had one that does.

My current Golf does the one spot on thing, it's not when you indicate as that would be silly it's when you turn the wheel to certain position. So those sitting with them on waiting to turn have their wheel turned. I don't the front one blinding but the high intensity rare certainly do.

Used to be pet hate of mine too, but I've got loads of new one's so it doesn't bother me so much these days.

I suspect most who use them think they look cool and convince themselves they're not ****s by insisting on calling them "driving lights".

I've never had one that does.

I've just tested mine.

My car has an 'auto' mode for headlights, turning on and off according to ambient light levels. The only time I have to touch the control is after it's been in for a service and the mechanics have fiddled with the dial.

In auto mode, the fogs auto-cancel if I turn the ignition off for a few seconds.

In manual mode, when I turn the ignition off the headlights revert to sidelights ('parking lights' I suppose); when I turn the ignition back on, the fogs come back on (along with the headlights). If I turn the headlights off completely and back on, this also cancels the fogs immediately.

So, the fogs auto-cancel on my car unless you go out of your way to stop them by leaving your sidelights on all night.

At least every other car I pass has front fogs on though they don't dazzle you head on they certainly do when they come over a hill. much more than usual dipped headlamps.
I understand some people often forget to turn them off after going through a fog patch but to see them on on a good day is just unforgivable and I hope they get a fine for it.

I've never found front fogs annoying. I tend to use them myself in the dark on unlit A and M roads where full beam is not appropriate because of oncoming traffic

It still amazes me that people can be so uptight and mother-hen clucking when it comes to other people's driving "errors".

Fog lights can be dazzling but hardly in the same category as full beam headlights.

I sense a definite "I'm right, it's in the highway code, behold my righteous stance."

Pitiful.

I believe thay "all" do now but a little old lady in her 1993 polo is my target demographic

Hey, now that's unfair! 😆

My VW dominator has front fogs that I switch on when the visibility is poor or when I'm bullying some halfwit slow coach out of my lane (aka the overtaking lane)

They do that weird thing of coming on when I indicate at low speed. Since I very rarely go slow it's not a problem for me but I'd like to know what benefit it's meant to be.

Oncoming cars with their foglights on stop me from being able to see potholes

(Sorry lizzz - nothing personal. Can I have a Werthers ?)

I sense a definite "I'm right, it's in the highway code, behold my righteous stance."

awesome!

😈

My Seat Leon has fog lights that come on when I turn into a corner. I have no idea how to turn it off

Grimy = Troll.
Or perhaps just a complete fud. 🙄
I can picture you driving, jeez it scares me.
Front foggies aren't governed by the MOT, so basically they can point all over the place. To say they can help other fuds to find potholes in Fudville (where you obviously drive)well I nearly laughed! In fact, I can't believe I'm even responding to your blatant trolling! 😆

Retro fitted "HID" type headlights, are much worse for dazzliness. These should be banned and the car crushed.
Dark = switch lights on.
Not dark = Switch lights off.
Foggy (very) = Switch foglights on.
not foggy = Switch foglights off, or don't switch them on.
there, nice and simple kids. 😀

Isn't the clue for the use of FOG lamps in the name? Otherwise they'd be called FUD lamps

Grimy = Troll

😀

Maybe....

Question to all those that insist on driving with their fog lights on all the time.
Do you drive with you windscreen wipers going all the time, even when it's not raining?

Do you drive with you windscreen wipers going all the time, even when it's not raining?

Yeah mine are on all the time why?

Neil F, Im pretty sure that if a car is fitted with any light as stadard, it must be working for the purpose of the MOT.

Anyway front fogs on = look at me
Rear fogs on = I've haven't actually got a clue when to use them, so I'll put them on if its a little murky just to be safe. Never mind the poor sod who has now lost his night vision because of the glare and just driven through a pothole as a result.

Drac - Moderator

Do you drive with you windscreen wipers going all the time, even when it's not raining?

Yeah mine are on all the time why?

My wipers are on all the time, the sensor tells them when to actually swipe across the screen mind you.

Yes, I never know when I need to put my wipers on. 🙄

I'm all for [u]front[/u] side/dipped beam/fogs all the time, like Scandinavia has had for 30+ years. Although I agree, the front fogs thing is probably predominantly more down to a 'look cool' thing on the part of those drivers than any sense of wanting to be better seen by other road users, otherwise they'd just use side lights/dipped beam.
I do get slightly wound up by lazy [u]rear[/u] fogs users. People who just switch them on and leave them on, even tho me in the car behind can obviously see them without their need to use of fogs. I guess some people can't cope with driving their car and switching their rear fogs on and off appropriately, or they just don't think. In the whole scheme of things, it's all not that big a deal tho, really.

Yup same here bigG, I was very sceptical by them but they really are very good.

Front fog lights to see potholes? Very funny...... next reason for why people have their fog lights on?

This phenomenon had never bothered me. What about all those damn Volvos that always had their headlamps on?.....no me neither.

Auto wipers, auto dipping mirrors, auto lights, auto distance cruise control, two pedals... All good if they work as intended and let you concentrate on the (potholed) road ahead

Do they still make cars without automatic wipers ? !

It reminds of how Renault were still producing R4s without self-cancelling indicators well into the 1980s.

The Volkswagen Group's "static cornering lights" uses a separate bulb within the fog light casing and a reflector that points the light at a 35 degree angle.

The static cornering lights work when the vehicle lights are on and when you either turn the steering wheel or indicate at speeds of less than either 10 mph or 10 kph.

Fog lights on without FOG = IDIOT.
Inconsiderate of oncoming traffic,
Inconsiderate of following traffic,
and a complete TWUNT hwho believes their car looks better with stupid fogs on, normally accompanied by only using sidelights..

If you cant be bothered to drive within the rules of the road, do the decent thing and hand your licence in at the nearest police station OR GROW UP.

I never use my fog lights unless visibility is low. I do this for one reason = it's the law. Simple.

However, I have never been blinded by fog lights in the way that full beam main lighs can dazzle you. They are too low and not bright enough. Do they really blind people, or are you just annoyed that other drivers are not obeying the rules when you are? BTW I have perfect vision!

tends to be taxis who have a main bulb off running fogs in fair weather

Front fog lights are nowhere as bad a xenon headlights, I can't see how they are legal as they are so dazzling, especialy on 4x4s. Rear fog lights are worse,especially if they are near the brake lights as it's harder to spot braking cars, hardly dazzling though.

I find it a little odd that people are getting dazzled by a 55w fog lamp that points at the floor and are absolutely fine with 55w headlights that point directly at them.

Mardy bums.

I'm wondering if people actually know what Fog lights are?

the fact that the bulb is focused so heavily at the road is the problem,
when driving towards it in the dark you have a large area of harshly illuminated road moving towards you, if the road is anything but totally dry this is reflected straight at the on coming traffic.
which is the very reason there not meant to be used in anything but reduced visibility.

Seems to be 2 types of Fog users the deliberate ones that also seem to drive both dangerously and discourteously in other respects and the stupid people that cant remember they turned them on 2weeks ago.
So Fog light users, which are you ?

I'm number 3, the one that uses them when necessary and then switches them off again.

My Seat Leon has fog lights that come on when I turn into a corner. I have no idea how to turn it off

I've experimented with fog lights vs. headlights in foggy conditions over the years and can't see any advantage in fog lights, they are as useless as a sunroof so I never spec them when I get a new car; I'd rather spend the lolly on heated seats. This year I have a new VW, which has daylight running lights and I have switched them off as I don't want to look like a muppet.

So you don't want to be seen globalti? Heated seats - nesh!

a big problem with rear fog lights is that they are often pretty close to the brake lights and so reduce the contrast change when the brakes are applied.

I drive in conditions that most people wouldn't even venture out on foot it in, front fogs have there uses they do what they're supposed to do and shine low down to give some better visibility. Very handy when you're wanting to drive at speed. Rears are good for being spotted in, people who don't use them in bad conditions really are hard to see.

Fronts have come as standard with my last few cars of about 15 years or more, I like the daylight running lights it's only the side lights so increasing your chances of being seen without dazzling other users. I miss my heated seats had them on the last 3 but not this one, and when I ordered my new one a few months back I couldn't justify adding them. Stuck with my current one for a little longer anyway as my new one isn't ready.

I want some fog lights for my bike, front and rear. And keep them switched on forever

Always makes me chuckle how some people get so worked up about trivial matters on STW......are people the same on other forums? Makes me wonder whats missing in their lives to get so worked up over something so petty. Or are you all just trolling?

A work mate wasnt able to ride to work today and he's a tad sensitive/touchy/grumpy/argumentative today.......maybe you all need to get out for a ride in the beautiful weather? But be careful if it gets foggy

I'm wondering if people actually know what Fog lights are?

There are many many people who don't even know what indicators are, so I don't expect they're particularly clued up on much else in their car.

Although I exepct they're experts with the really really important driver aids like the radio & iPod connectivity 🙄

Since when have front fog lights been 'aimed down at the road'? They're deliberately diffuse - so that people can see [u]you[/u] coming through fog.

The issue is that fog lights aren't tested for alignment in the MOT AFAIK.

The result it that FOG lights tend to dazzle, when misaligned or and aligned and its wet.

It shows that the driver hasn't much grip on his/her environment either so steer clear.
If people need to be seen at day then use DRSLs or headlights. That what they're there for!

I only use mine as code to other doggers.

Since when have front fog lights been 'aimed down at the road'? They're deliberately diffuse - so that people can see you coming through fog.

9/10 for that one, even better than the pothole reason!

I have foglamps and driving lamps in the front bumper.

Had one guy moan till I switched my fogs on as he couldn't tell the difference lol

My Golf has fog lights built into the light cluster and they are tilted down and only illuminate the immediate road in front of the car. I normally put them on with the headlights as it fills in the foreground under the main beams and better for spotting pot holes etc.

You should all be grateful, try living in an area full of Americans! 🙄