Fog lights consist of lamps suitable for the front and read of your car. All cars entering the European marketplace since 1998 are required to be fitted with at least one rear fog light. Fog lights help to alert other drivers to your presence in adverse conditions. Many cars also have front fog lamps, but not all. As said, front fog lights are optional and there is no legal obligation to have them fitted. More expensive makes and models of cars may have them fitted. The reason for front fog lamps is that while headlights can provide plenty of light in urban, street-lit areas, they often aren?t enough in rural, poorly lit areas. These are also called driving lamps and these are specifically designed to emit penetrating beams of light to keep you safe and in control whatever the weather, wherever you are.
Front and rear fog lights
The front fog lights are located in the front bumper, at the bottom. Despite the fact that front fog lamps are not mandatory, you can have them fitted for better visibility and sight. Fog lights at the front ensure that you have a better view in dense fog, snowfall or heavy rain. There is often only one rear fog lamp at the rear. This is to prevent confusion with the brake light. The rear fog lamp is often located on the right rear of the vehicle. You are allowed to turn them on while driving, But don?t keep switching them off and on again, as this may confuse other drivers. Just as any other part on your car, fog lamps can break and therefore need be replaced.
To make sure that you buy the right fog lights for your car, it is best to enter your number plate in the green bar (top). After filling this in, specific fog lamps for your car are displayed. In addition to fog lamps, Winparts also offers styling fog lamps. With styling fog lights you can give your car a more intense and unique look. Styling lamps are always sold per set.
When to use fog lights?
Using fog lights at the right time should aid safe driving but using them at the wrong time could mean you are breaking the law and endangering other drivers. The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations of 1989 prohibits the use of front and rear fog lights to dazzle other drivers when visibility is not reduced or when the vehicle is parked. Regulations dictate that it?s mandatory to use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 meters (328 feet). Next to headlights in such a situation, you also may use front and/or rear fog lights. These must be switched off when visibility improves. It can be a little difficult to judge 100 meters, so think along the lines of the length of a football pitch.
Although mainly for fog, they also serve purpose in other poor visibility conditions such as snow and heavy rain. Mind you, using fog lights in drizzle and rain is not allowed. In the UK it is furthermore a legal requirement to have at least one rear fog light on your vehicle, which must be located on the vehicle centre line or to the off-side (driver?s side).
Buying fog lights?
You can order fog lights quickly and easily at Winparts. You can choose a fog lamp for the right, left or rear side. Fog lights are available from different brands such as Hella, Valeo, TYC and Van Wezel. In addition, to complete lamps, Winparts also offers car lamps, both halogen, Xenon and LED lamps.