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The fog light and the rear fog light

By 2022-07-17November 30th, 2022Glossary

The fog lights improve visibility in poor visibility conditions. They shine forward. It is different from the rear fog light. It shines bright red toward the rear.

The fog light is used to help the driver see the road ahead in foggy or misty conditions. The rear fog light is used to help the driver see the road behind them in foggy or misty conditions.

The fog light is usually mounted on the front of the vehicle, near the headlights. The rear fog light is usually mounted on the rear of the vehicle, near the taillights.

Both the fog light and the rear fog light must be turned on when visibility is reduced due to fog or mist. The law in most states requires that the fog lights be used when visibility is less than 500 feet (152 meters).

The fog light is a white light that is directed towards the ground in front of the vehicle. The rear fog light is a red light that is directed towards the ground behind the vehicle.

The fog light helps the driver see the road ahead by reducing the glare from the headlights of oncoming vehicles. The rear fog light helps the driver see the road behind by reducing the glare from the taillights of following vehicles.

When driving in foggy or misty conditions, it is important to use your low-beam headlights in addition to your fog lights. This will help you see the road ahead and be seen by other drivers.

When may I switch on the fog lights?

You should switch on the fog lights not only in fog but generally in poor visibility conditions. This means also during the day when it is snowing or raining and on dark narrow or winding country roads in order to better illuminate the edge of the road.

You may use the fog lights in combination with the parking lights or low beam. However, you are not allowed to use them as an alternative to daytime running lights, as you can dazzle other drivers.

what is a fog lightsWhen am I allowed to switch on the rear fog light?

  • If the visibility is only 50 meters, you may drive at a maximum of 32 miles per hour
  • The rear fog light can be very blinding if you switch it on in good visibility conditions.

How do I switch on fog lights or rear fog lights?

The light switch for the fog lights and the rear fog light is usually two-stage.

The fog light switch usually has two stages. First, turn on your lights with the sign that says “low beam” by pushing it in just one step until you see a green LED symbol appear next to yellow circle at bottom right corner of dashboard; then pull out further for rear lights if needed.

If you want to learn more about how to use fog lights, check out the video below.

Video: How to Use Fog Lights in a Car

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The rear fog light is a vehicle lighting device that produces a red illumination. It is used to increase visibility in poor weather conditions and is typically found on the back of the vehicle. The purpose of the rear fog light is to make the car more visible from behind, so other drivers can see it more easily in foggy or rainy conditions.
When driving in foggy conditions, the use of fog lights can greatly improve visibility for both the driver and other road users. Front fog lights should be used when visibility is less than 100 meters (328 feet), while rear fog lights should only be used in a very low visibility situation of around 50 meters (164 feet) or less.
Rear fogs should be used when visibility is significantly reduced, such as in heavy fog or during periods of heavy rain. It is important to use rear fogs sparingly and only when it is truly necessary, as they can dazzle other drivers if used incorrectly. Whenever possible, the dipped headlights should be used instead of rear fogs so as not to blind oncoming vehicles.
David Muench (Carnes Mechanical)

David Muench (Carnes Mechanical)

Hey, I’m David. I’ve worked in a cars store for 6 years. I write reviews and guides, helping people to choose the most suitable technicals and best product for them. I’m happy to finally share my knowledge of the industry here, on CarnesMechanical.

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