What Fog Lights Do and When to Use Them

What Fog Lights Do and When to Use Them

Driving can be challenging, if not dangerous, in situations where there is a lot of fog, rain, or other weather that makes it difficult for you to see the road. Driving in these conditions might result in hazardous scenarios, which can then lead to serious or even fatal accidents if your car isn’t equipped with the proper lighting equipment.

Fog lights are crucial additions to your car for this reason. These serve a very specific purpose and are completely distinct from standard headlights.

In low-light situations, fog lights can be utilized in addition to your headlights.

Definition of Fog Lights
A form of automotive light called a front fog light aids the driver in seeing in front of the car. It is intended to emit a broad beam of light that is formed like a “bar,” with an abrupt cutoff at the top to prevent it from bouncing off of the fog, and is situated below the headlight assembly.

Fog lamps are often pointed downward and set at a low height—about 12 to 30 inches above the road surface. This illuminates the ground below the fog.

In contrast, a rear fog light is made to emit a red light, similar to your brake lights, to help other drivers notice your car in low-light situations. Sometimes it is positioned in the middle of the place of one of the reverse lights, the rear bumper cover.

Rear fog lights are required in Europe but are uncommon in the US.

Fog lamps (whether in the front or the back) are not required and are regarded as auxiliary lights, in contrast to headlights. In base and lower-tier cars, fog lights aren’t typically included, thus car dealers occasionally give customers the choice to install them.

When to use Fog Lights
In low-light conditions, fog lamps can be employed as supplemental lighting in addition to your headlights. However, because to their extremely limited range, they are not intended to replace your standard driving lights.

These lights are only truly helpful while travelling at very moderate speeds because they only assist you see the road markings and not into the fog.

Although there are no rules on when you must turn on your fog lamps, it is advised that you only do so in the circumstances specified below:

Fog
Similar to how clouds originate, fog is essentially a large cloud on the ground. Fog lights are designed specifically for instances where you must travel through foggy areas; hence, the name. As a result of their low position, the light they emit can illuminate the ground below rather than merely bouncing back like the light from your headlamps when it hits the fog.

Heavy Rainfall
Additionally, fog lights may improve vision in areas of severe rain. Fog lamps are necessary to assist you see the road in front of you since high and low beams may produce glare when utilized during periods of heavy rainfall.

Dust Storms
There are some states where sand or dust storms can happen, including Arizona and New Mexico.
Even though it isn’t advised, you will still need to navigate your car to safety while you wait for the storm to pass if you encounter this terrifying phenomena.

Fog lamps can be useful in this situation as they can aid you in navigating the road in front of you when you exit the highway or roadway and go to the shoulder.

As discussed previously, fog lights should only be used in conjunction with your headlights and never in place of them because they only illuminate the portion of the road directly in front of your car.