Automotive Fog Light Assembly Installation Service in Mobile Mechanics of Lincoln

Fog lights and when to use them

Automotive Fog Light Assembly Installation Service near Lincoln NE: Car lights have come on in leaps and bounds in the past few, so much so that fog lights almost seem unnecessary these days. However, Lincoln NE law dictates that a fog light must be included in the tail lights at the rear of a car, while front fog lights are a useful extra that car makers can use to attract buyers to higher spec models.

You’ll usually find front fog lights fitted to mid-spec models and upwards, partly as an aesthetic feature that helps differentiate these cars from the most basic versions. They’re also useful to help you be seen when driving in fog but if you spend any time driving in inclement weather in the Lincoln NE, you’re likely to come across a driver that doesn’t know how to use them properly.

• Best car headlight bulbs

Some newer cars have foregone front fog lights in favor of the bright LED daytime running lights (DRLs) that are now a legal requirement on new models. These serve a similar purpose to front fog lights when visibility is poor – they’re not designed to light your way (even though some are so bright that they can do exactly that), but rather they’re designed to make you more visible to other road users.

How to use your car’s fog lights

Fog lights are usually operated by a separate switch from the main light controls. Some cars use buttons to activate them – one for the rear, one for the front (where front fog lights are fitted) – while others feature a collar on the light stalk that you turn back and forth to turn them on. Some cars use the rotary light switch control to activate them – simply pull the switch towards you, and the fog lights will come on.

Most cars will have a symbol in the instrument cluster that will tell you when the fog lights are on. It’s usually near the symbol that shows that the lights are on. For rear facing fog lights, the symbol will be pointing in the opposite direction to the headlamp symbol, while the front fog light symbol (you’ve guessed it) points in the same direction as the headlight symbol. Most fog lights are designed to go off when the car’s ignition or lights are turned off, so the most likely reason why a car is driving in clear weather with fog lights on is because the driver is not paying attention and has failed to turn them off.

When to use fog lights

Some drivers seem to think that the slightest bit of mist is reason enough to turn on fog lights, but that is certainly not a reason to turn them on. So let’s explain when you should use them, and more importantly, when they should stay off.

Fog lights are designed to be used when visibility is severely restricted, chiefly by fog, but also in other poor visibility conditions such as snow or heavy rain. They are designed to make you more visible, rather than helping to light your way so they are not needed in good visibility conditions at night – that’s what your headlights are for.

When NOT to use fog lights

Automotive Fog Light Assembly Installation Service near Lincoln NE: If the fog has cleared, you must switch off your fog lights because you risk dazzling other road users. Be aware of prevailing weather conditions – while fog usually forms in the early morning, it will melt away as the sun rises, so if you’ve started your day with your fog lights on, make sure you continue to evaluate the situation and turn them off when the weather is clear.

The important point here is about obscuring brake lights. Rear fog lights are brighter than standard tail lights, so when you brake, other motorists may not be able to see your brake lights illuminate.

Obviously fog lights aren’t needed when it’s dry, and there’s not much point in turning them on when it’s dark, either. The lamp housings don’t have the same kind of reflectors as main beam headlights, so they are unlikely to give you any extra light to help you see where you are going.

Another no-no is using fog lights when it’s wet. The extra brightness of fog lights is doubled by their reflection off a wet road surface, while the bright red light can cause glare through other vehicle windscreens if it’s raining. Front fog lights can also be a distraction, especially if they are poorly adjusted and cause dazzling reflections.